Saying Goodbye to Shady
Originally posted on March 30, 2010
Jim: You sure you packed everything you’ll need?
Jesse: Yeah.
Jim: *attempting a joke* It’s a long ride back if you forget something.
Jesse: Yeah, like I can’t find a toothbrush or tee shirt where I’m going. Doubt they’re as far out in the sticks as your place here.
Jim: You’re right; there are plenty of stores there to buy provisions. I was…. kidding.
Jesse: Sorry. Guess I’m not much in the mood to joke around.
Jim: You never are anymore. That’s one of the things I hope moving away will do for you – help you regain that great sense of humor you used to have.
Jesse: Not sure I can move far enough away for that.
Jim: You can always change your mind and stay here, you know.
Jesse: You mean stay here and keep hiding out? Aren’t you the one that said I shouldn’t hole up forever?
Jim: I know we both agreed it would be best if you could go someplace and make a fresh start. But maybe it hasn’t been long enough….
* a dog barks*
Jim: *whistles* Here, Shady!
Jesse: Sorry, girl, you can’t come with me. Got no way to take you with me, not on the bike.
Jim: Jesse…
Jesse: Just saying goodbye to my favorite girl, Uncle Jim. She doesn’t get it; she thinks I’m just going for another ride. Don’t let her sit out here all day when I’m gone, okay? She doesn’t know…. I won’t be coming back this time.
Jim: You’ll be back, Jesse.
Jesse: I wouldn’t be so sure. What’s here to come back to?
Jim: Your dog there, for one thing.
Jesse: Shady’s not my dog.
Jim: She can be, if you ever get settled in a place where she is allowed.
Jesse: But your son left her with you when he went overseas. Don’t you think he’d be pretty pissed if you gave away his dog while he was gone?
Jim: No, he won’t. He re-enlisted and will be stationed in Germany for the next four years. His family will be able to join him there, but Shady won’t. Shady’s getting old, Jesse. When Jim Junior finishes this next tour of duty, she probably won’t even remember him.
Jesse: Shady would. She’d remember.
Jim: She’ll always have a home here with me, but she’d be even better off with you. You know she’s favored you over me since you moved in with us.
Jesse: You really mean it? I can really have her? I mean, when I find a place that will let me keep her?
Jim: Yes, I mean it. You get settled upstate and if you decide that’s where you’d like to stay, come back for Shady. Come back for your dog.
Jesse: Hey Shady, I’m gonna be away for a while, but I’ll be back for you. I promise. Stay, girl. That’s a good girl.
Jim: *to himself* I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before. *to the dog* You’ll keep an eye on him for me, won’t you, Shady? Remind him that he’s loved. Don’t let him shut everyone out. Don’t let him get to feeling …. hopeless.
