Chapter 2
Tristan
The forecast for the storm is dire, and I've got a few people I want to check on before I find shelter for myself. My first stop is Mrs. White and her husband. I know they get wood delivered during the winter months, but I'm not sure when the last delivery was.
As I drive through the town, I find I'm glad that the people of Storyville heed the weather forecast. The streets are empty and most houses have lights turned on. This is a wonderful place to live in, and the community wraps it up with a bow. Everyone is so kind and caring.
I'm from here, but left to join the military.
Those were hard years, but I was happy to do what I could to defend my country.
After ten years I left and came home and was quickly recruited by the sheriff to help out with the town.
I've made it my mission to help the elderly and make sure they are well taken care of.
I park in front of the White's house, get out of my patrol car and stand at their front door. I ring the doorbell and wait for them to answer. It takes a few minutes, but then Mrs. White opens the door for me.
"Tristan. I'm so glad you came over. Come on in."
"What's going on, Mrs. Smith?"
"I told you to call me Old Bertha. That's what everyone calls me."
"Yeah, that's not going to happen, Mrs. White."
"You're a good boy."
We walk together into the living room, and I see Mr. White kneeling in front of the fireplace. Their dog, Pizza, is watching from her bed. I'm surprised she hasn't come to say hello. She must be too cold.
"Help has come, dear."
"Oh, hey there, Tristan. Maybe you can help me. I think the flue is blocked by something. Maybe a nest. I've been trying to lodge whatever is stuck in there out with no luck."
"Do you have a ladder I can use?"
"Yes, it's out the back."
I go through their kitchen towards the back door and find the ladder. I've helped a few people with blocked flues and know this is easy to fix. However, if I hadn't come by, the Whites could have been in trouble without a fire to heat the house.
When I get up there, I see that it's indeed a nest that is blocking the flue. It's empty, so I don't have to worry about relocating whatever animal was living here. I scream down the chimney to Mr. White to try again, and everything seems to be working fine now.
I go back to the house and Mrs. White wants to ply me with baked goods and some coffee.
"I can take the coffee to go, Mrs. White. Let me get my thermos from the car."
I leave once I make sure they know they can call me at my cell phone number whenever they need me.
I assure them it won't bother me and I'd be glad to help them with whatever they need.
I get inside my car and start driving. I'm glad for the hot coffee and decide to park a little bit further up the path to drink some of the hot liquid.
My thoughts are on how the weather is starting to worsen, and I worry about the animals out there.
Just as that thought goes through my mind, I think I see something move under the bushes of the next house over.
I watch for a bit, but there's no movement.
I breathe a sigh of relief. That would have been a disaster.
I sip more of my coffee. It's strong and I probably shouldn't be drinking it because I might not be able to sleep later tonight, but that's fine. I start to leave when I see the movement once again beneath that bush. I get my flashlight and go investigate.
It looks to be something small, so I come as close as I can and realize it's a small dog shivering.
I slowly get closer and closer until I can kneel in front of the little thing.
It's tied down out here. WTF? Thankfully it's not a chain or anything like that, so I reach out to him trying to soothe him.
"It's okay, buddy. You're going to be all right."
The dog stays still as I undo the knot at his collar. I check the collar for some form of identification, but there is none. I brush off some of the powdered snow that is on top of his head and slowly grab him and pull him into my arms.
Either he's docile or he's too cold to do anything about someone manhandling him. I go to the front door of the house and knock vigorously. There's no answer and there are no lights on inside. I knock again as hard as I can, but I get nothing.
"I guess it's just you and me tonight, buddy."
The dog is trembling in my arms, so I take him with me to my patrol car. While I'm there, I pull out a towel that is on my gym bag and wrap it around him. He seems to have trouble with one leg and then I try to check his body and realize he's full of mats in his hair.
Not only has someone left him outside, they've neglected his basic grooming needs. I pass my hand through his body and shake with anger. There's only one place where they can help me with this, but they are probably closed by now. Still, I've got to try.
"Let's go see if the pretty lady can help us, my friend."
As I drive, I watch how the weather begins to worsen, and I know this little one would have died if I hadn't found him.
When we finally get to Furrylicious, I see that the front part of the store is closed down and the lights are off.
I can't give up now, so I get out of the car with my new friend and go look through the glass door.
That's when I see it, a small light under a door that leads to another area of the shop where they take care of the dogs. I start knocking on the glass, hard. After a few minutes of this, I get an idea and walk to the back of the building.
Eureka, I can see the light more clearly over on this side, so I take up my knocking. I don't care who I wake, but this little guy needs help and I know they can give it here. As I keep making noise, I see the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life.
I've seen her before. I know her from afar. She's one of the owners of this establishment, and she's looking at me as if I have a third eye on my forehead. I lift up the dog and show her. She moves fast and opens the door. I'm speechless and just stand there in the doorway, not knowing what to do.
"Come in. You guys must be freezing."
She closes the door behind me, and I give thanks that it was her who was available to help me with this pup. After that I send up a prayer that I can keep a cool head while dealing with this gorgeous morsel.