A Pineville Mother's Day by Anne Fons

Author:Anne Fons
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Anne Fons
Published: 2021-04-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Elizabeth stepped from her car into the early evening air which gently blew through the pines and other trees at the campground. She stretched her legs and took a deep breath.

“Come on, Sniffy,” she said, “we’re here.”

The dog had started barking and running around the backseat as soon as they had gotten into the main parking lot of the diner. Once they hit the narrow turnoff to the main Anderson house on the property, the little pooch became more and more excited.

Sniffy bounded out of the car and jumped in circles at Elizabeth’s feet.

“I know, I know,” said Elizabeth as she bent down to give him a pet. “You want to go explore and take a walk. Just give me a minute to say hello, you silly boy.”

Jeannie came out to the front porch. “I thought it was you. I heard Sniffy’s barking all the way in the kitchen.”

Sniffy ran up the steps to the porch and back down to Elizabeth, jumping, barking, and giving happy dog kisses along the way.

“He sure is a happy little fella,” said Jeannie.

“Every time we come out here,” said Elizabeth. “It seems to make him feel more filled with life. He acts five years younger out here than in Madison.”

“I’m glad he likes it here,” said Jeannie.

“Is Angela home?” asked Elizabeth.

“She’s out with some friends,” said Jeannie. “She said to tell you she’d be home by nine to go on the night walk with Sniffy.”

Sniffy gave a loud bark.

“I’m not sure he wants to wait until later,” said Elizabeth. She bent over to scratch his ears and slide his collar into the leash clip. “Yet, I’m sure he will be ready to take another one by then.”

“You want some company?” asked Jeannie. “Dinner’s in the slow cooker. You can grab it whenever you want.”

“Sure,” said Elizabeth. “I will let him explore in the back for now and take a longer walk later with him.” She looked down at the dog. “I’m hungry, Sniffy. You’ve got twenty minutes.”

Sniffy barked once more.

“I’m not sure if he understands you, or if he just knows it’s his turn to speak,” said Jeannie.

“I like to think it’s a little of both,” said Elizabeth.

The three of them walked toward the rear of the campground property. Few people other than the Andersons themselves ever made it to that area. Thickly wooded, with sparse open patches throughout, here there were no set trails, only pure nature with whatever grew on its own. Campers didn’t usually venture much beyond the marked paths. Having lived their lives on the property instead of only being out for short periods of time as campers made the family familiar with each stand of trees and each patch of grass. For solitude or a private conversation, places on the property such as these were great to go.

Elizabeth breathed deep. “Ah, I love the smell of these trees,” she said.

Sniffy made his way from tree-to-tree, sniffing the lower bark of it and paying close attention to any birds, squirrels, or other animals that appeared.

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