Bell

The spring rain falls unnoticed. Eli remains motionless by his wife’s grave, feeling empty. Since they first met fifty years ago, it has just been the two of them. At the time they wed, both of their parents had already passed away.   They never had children. However, they never had any regrets because they had each other and were very much in love.

They worked in education, Eli, a college professor, Margaret, a high school teacher. Both taught history, leading to traveling to many places they taught. The couple enjoyed their life and found it fulfilling.

They lived in a cozy little cottage on Walloon Lake in Michigan. Its location on the shore provided spectacular views of the lake and sunsets that would take your breath away. Eli will always cherish these things in his heart but now they have lost their magic.

After returning home, the days passed slowly.  He cried until no more tears would come. His sorrow was so deep he couldn’t recall eating or talking on the phone with friends who had called to see how he was doing.

One afternoon, the dean of North Central Michigan College, where Eli had taught before retiring, came to call on his friend. He was alarmed to see how gaunt and disheveled Eli had become.

“Good God, Eli! I hardly recognize you! Is there anything I can do to help? It troubles me seeing you like this!” Eli sighs as he shuffles into the parlor. Everything is in disarray and covered in a thick layer of dust. In a feeble voice, Eli assures George that he is fine.

George roars, “The hell you are! If you continue like this, you’re going to become seriously ill!” Eli avoids eye contact with George. “ That’s alright,” Eli mumbles softly. “I don’t mind.”

“No, it isn’t alright, Eli. Do you think Margaret would want to see you like this? No. She would want to see you go on living, doing something with your life. Margaret would want to be proud of you, Eli. Please let me help you.” Finally, Eli looks up, “You’re a good man, George.”

George approaches Eli and puts his arm around his shoulder. “What do you say we go to the barber shop and get you cleaned up? Afterward, we’ll go to Sy’s for a nice steak dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy. Sounds good, doesn’t it?” Eli smiles weakly. 

As they enter the barber shop, they are greeted by Chris, a boy who grew up a few houses down the street from Eli.

“Hey, Mr. Richards, long time no see!” 

George speaks up. “Mr. Richards hasn’t felt too well lately. His wife passed away not long ago.”

Taking his haircloth from the back of the chair, he frowns as he seats Mr. Richards.”Yeah, I heard about that. I’m so sorry. I had your wife as my ninth-grade teacher. She taught me a lot, and I really liked her. What do you say we start with a shampoo and take it from there.”

The corners of Eli’s lips attempt to form a smile as he thanks Chris. He sits quietly while Chris cuts his hair and gives him a straight-edge razor shave. When Chris finishes, he turns Eli toward the mirror and asks, “What do you think? Pretty sharp, uh?”

George steps behind the chair. “You know who you look like? You look just like that old-time movie star, Glenn Ford!” This time, Eli smiles openly.

Over the next few months, Eli becomes George Nikolaou’s primary focus. He starts by asking him to join him on his morning walks. After the walk, they stop at Queenie’s Donuts for bagels and coffee. One morning, they meet a couple of George’s fellow staff members, and they are very interested in Eli. 

“Say, I remember you,” begins Ernest from the administration department. “ You used to teach ancient history, didn’t you?”

Eli raises his eyebrows and smiles. “Yes, I did, for forty-seven years.”

One night, after George drops Eli home after a book reading, he looks at the lifeless cottage. “Did you ever think about maybe getting a pet, Eli? You know, to liven up the place a little when you’re home at night.”

“Oh, no, George. I could never do that. I’m too old for puppies. Besides, what would happen if I died? Would the poor creature end up in a shelter? I’ve got no one who would take it. No. I’m better off without a pet.”

The following Thursday afternoon, Eli receives a call from George.  “Hi, Eli. I was wondering if you might be able to help me out. We will be one man short of our poker game tonight, and I was hoping you would fill in. There’s no actual cash involved. We use poker chips to keep track of who’s winning. What do you say?”

Eli pauses and then agrees. “Sure George. What time do you start?”

“Oh, you know us old farts don’t like to start too late. How about seven?”

When Eli arrives, he has a platter of cheese and crackers he picked up at the deli. After introductions, Ernest approaches Eli with a proposal. “You know, I was looking at the budget, and it looks like we might be able to hire you as a tutor for some of our sophomore students. If you agree, you can choose your own times and the days you would like to work.”

Eli feels that George had something to do with this offer—George’s effort to keep him busy. “How about Tuesday and Wednesday plus Thursday afternoons for three hours each?”

“That would be great!” replies Ernest with a big smile. “When would you like to start?”

 George also introduced Eli to a program at his church called “Grief Share,” which would give Eli someone else to talk to besides George himself. Eli saw its benefits but didn’t take advantage of the offer.

One thing Eli has started doing is taking canoe trips around the lake. He and Margaret used to do that together. He feels as though she’s still beside him during these trips.

On one particular trip, Eli was returning to his dock when he saw a small dog running around his yard. It was tri-colored and appeared to be a bit frantic. As Eli neared the shore, the dog darted away. Eli thought perhaps it had gotten loose. He would keep an eye out for lost dog posters in the area.

Eli sees the dog daily and calls the police department to see if anyone has reported a lost dog. The desk officer asks Eli to hold while he goes and checks. When he returns, he tells Eli that no one has reported a lost dog, but the officer could send animal control to bring it to the local shelter.  Eli declines.

Eli walks out to his porch and gazes up and down the street. He likes this neighborhood. It’s nice and quiet. All the houses are well-maintained, and the yards are mowed. Eli walks down the street a short way to see if anyone has posted lost dog signs. He sees white paper blowing across the street at the intersection of his street and Cambell. The intersection is a popular spot to post notices.  Arriving, he sees a pole full of staples and roofing nails with bits of paper still attached. This one is advertising for work as a babysitter. He heads home and meets his friend Mac, who is watering his lawn. “Hey, Mac.  Would you know who owns that little dog that’s been hanging around my house?” Pursing his lips, Mac asks, “You mean that dog?” Eli turns to look. He hitches his thumb over his shoulder and raises his eyebrow. “Yeah! That dog!” Mac shakes his head.

Eli saunters across the street.  The dog remains seated. The day has grown hot, and the little dog could use a drink of water. Eli is close enough now to tell the dog is a female beagle. Her ears and muzzle show signs of gray, and she trembles nervously.  She is wearing a collar around her neck with a dog tag attached.

Eli holds out his hand. “You thirsty girl?”  She ducks and moves away. “No, no,” Eli says gently. “It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.” Slowly standing so as not to frighten the dog, he takes a few steps away and then turns back. “Well, come on.” The dog remains in her spot, wagging her tail. As Eli speaks, the little beagle perks up her ears and cocks her head. “What’s the matter? Don’t you want to go home?” At the sound of the word “home,” the beagle jumps up and runs in the opposite direction. She stops and barks, then runs some more.

Eli squints and rubs his chin. “ I think she wants me to follow her. Okay, pup. Let’s go!”

The beagle runs about a block down the street from Eli’s home. Eli is huffing and puffing behind her. She enters the yard, runs onto the porch, and starts barking excitedly. When Eli arrives, his heart is full of anger and sorrow. A realtor’s sign, House for Sale, is posted at the edge of the street. “Why those sons of bitches! They moved away and left the dog to fend for herself!” Eli climbs the steps and sits on the porch. The beagle approaches Eli with her head down and whimpers. Eli pats her and turns the collar to read the dog tag.

“Bell.” He turns it over, but there isn’t a phone number or street address. ‘Well, Bell, I have to tell you I know how it feels to be left alone. One day, the people you love disappear.  I don’t know their reason for doing so, but I have no use for them. My wife, who I loved very much, left me too, but she had no choice. She died. A little while ago, a friend asked me if I considered getting a pet, and I said no. I’ll tell you now that Margaret will be so mad if I don’t take you home!”  “Woof!” Bell looks up with big, watery brown eyes. It seems to Eli that he sees a spark of hope returning to them. That spark reignites his desire for living. Wiping tears from his eyes, Eli looks up at the sky. “What do you say, Margaret? Shall I take Bell home and give her all my love for you?” A strong breeze ruffles Eli’s hair the way Margaret would do when she was pleased with him.

All the way back to his home with Bell trotting jauntily, Eli tells Bell about all the fun and exciting things they will do together.