Wish Us Luck Read online

  From inside the kitchen, Mitch must have heard them, “Mom, come see what Lucky can do.”

  Catherine laughed at his name choice, but it did fit. They were lucky to find him, they were lucky he wasn’t infected and that he brought joy to Mitch on his birthday. Lucky was definitely a good fit.

  “Catherine, go on in. I’ll bring this to the garage and close up this door.” Catherine nodded at him with a big smile and walked into the kitchen to see what Mitch and Lucky were up to. Mitch took her at face value and fed the puppy all the leftovers from the days before. The empty Tupperware containers were a dead giveaway. It would have gone bad anyway so at least he got food in his little belly.

  “Okay Mitch, show me what he can do.” She sat on the floor next to them and waited.

  “Lucky,” the puppy sat on his back legs and cocked his head to the side as Mitch talked to him. “Lucky, sit down.”

  Catherine looked from the puppy to Mitch and back again. “That’s your trick? He’s already sitting down, goofy kid.”

  Mitch flopped on his back laughing again, and Lucky took it as his chance to lick him all over again. “Mom! I taught him that, I said sit and he did.”

  Catherine took a closer look at Lucky, maybe he wasn’t as young as she had thought originally. He had to be a bit older to survive for so long alone. Maybe he was malnourished, and that made him appear younger. She bit back a smile. No reason to tell that to Mitch. She’d let him think he was a great dog trainer.

  “Need a hand up?” Catherine had been so busy watching Mitch and the puppy she hadn’t heard Jake come inside. He held a hand out to her.

  Jake grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. “Yes, please. That was a lot easier when I was younger.”

  “Alright, who is ready to open presents?” Mitch whooped and jumped up. “Then we get cake?”

  Jake ruffled his hair. “How about after we eat dinner?”

  Mitch sighed. “I guess so.”

  Catherine walked over to the kitchen cabinets and started pulling out the wrapped gifts they had for him. “We will make this up to you. Sorry, a lot of your stuff has to stay here. Maybe we can come back for it soon.”

  Catherine handed him his first package, and Mitch tore open the wrapping paper.

  “Oh cool! A football.” Catherine was excited to see his enjoyment; hopefully, he wouldn’t be too heartbroken to leave all his presents behind.

  “Okay, here’s the next one.” Catherine glanced at Jake to see his reaction to the wrapping paper flying around the room. He smiled at Mitch and almost looked proud of her son. It was an odd thing to notice, but it was the only emotion she could attribute to the look on his face.

  After Mitch opened all the presents, he sat back on the floor with Lucky. “This was an awesome birthday. I got a puppy, we are going on an adventure tomorrow and now cake!”

  Catherine was awed by his joy and ability to turn the negative into something positive. “While I get us something to eat, Jake, can you take Lucky outside? He may need a potty break.”

  Mitch jumped up to follow Jake outside. Catherine hoped he stayed in the laundry room. Jake would keep him safe, but it was dark now and harder to see. She put her worry aside and focused on what to fix for dinner since they had used the last of the perishables earlier in the day. After rummaging through the supplies they had left, she decided canned goods was their best option. Thankfully she had canned spaghetti type of meals left in the pantry. She would make a few different ones, pack the rest and everyone could pick what they wanted.

  It only took a moment to open the cans and pop them in the microwave to heat up. Catherine wandered to the laundry room to peek out and check on the boys. Mitch was standing in the doorway, and she couldn’t see Jake or Lucky. “Mitch, can you see Jake and Lucky?”

  She moved closer and stood behind Mitch, looking around the dark yard.

  “No, Jake said stay here, and he would be right back.”

  Catherine pushed Mitch behind her. “Go inside, take the food out of the microwave and heat up the next batch, please. I will be right there.” She felt him move away and waited a moment to be sure he was inside the house before she called out, “Jake, where are you?”

  No reply, no sounds at all. Her heartbeat skipped, and panic started to set in, should she go into the yard and look for him or stay inside and protect Mitch? It tore her heart up making that decision but, in the end, her son’s safety was the highest priority. She stepped back and shut the door but didn’t block it. Jake could still get in while they waited for him to return and she felt a measure of safety with the door between them and the outside world.

  Sixteen

  Jake knew Mitch and Catherine were probably worried about him, but Lucky had dashed under the fence and ran down the street. He wanted to see where the pup was going in a hurry and what drew him away. He quickly yelled to Mitch to stay there and ran out of the yard. Now he was a few houses away, and Lucky was scratching at the front door of one of them. He was afraid to go in, but he had to know what was here that the dog wanted.

  “Okay, boy, we will go inside. I wish you could tell me what I was walking into.” Jake shook his head, no idea why he was talking to Lucky like he understood him, but at least no one was around to hear it. He stood outside the door and reached for the knob, and lucky started whining. Should he knock on the off chance there was actually someone in there, or should he just walk in? After an internal debate he knocked, there was no one around to see him do it so what was the harm?

  He waited with bated breath for another couple of moments. Then turned the knob on the unlocked door and pushed it open, Lucky ran past him and into the house. Jake stood in the doorway, hoping again to hear something from inside, a voice, a whine of another dog, anything. That fear they were the last of the inhabitants scared him to death.

  “Hello, anyone home?” Again, he felt stupid but figured he would rather call out than scare someone or something. Maybe he would hear them coming if they were infected so he would have more time to run.

  No sound, so he walked in the living room and followed the general direction Lucky had taken. This house was a bit less disorganized. The occupants either knew to leave quickly or were gone when it happened. He glanced in the rooms as he passed them, no sign of Lucky or anything out of the ordinary. He continued towards a hall, that he presumed led to the bedrooms, and where he could hear Lucky whining now. “Where are you, boy? Please tell me I am safe.”

  Jake put his back to the wall and scooted down towards the room Lucky was in. He hoped it was the dog at least, he didn't want to imagine what else could be there. He reached the door frame and peaked around to see what was waiting for him. He saw the bed and lucky sitting on the far side of it. He continued to whine, but Jake couldn’t see why. There was a smell in the room, stronger than anywhere else in the house though, it smelled like death. A scent he knew would permeate his nose and take forever to remove.

  “Lucky, come here, boy. Please.” Lucky whined once more and laid down on the ground. Jake sighed and tried to breathe through his mouth. He stepped into the room, peering about to make sure there was anything he should avoid.

  He rounded the end of the bed and saw a pair of feet, so he kept moving around the bed until he could see all of the body. Lucky was stretched out next to an old woman, she appeared to be sleeping except… she was decomposed. No obvious damage to her, so he surmised she wasn’t attacked. Could have been just stress or she fell, and no one could come to her rescue.

  “Lucky, I’m sorry, buddy. How about we make her comfortable on the bed and leave a note in case anyone comes looking for her?” Jake sighed, Lucky obviously loved this lady. He may be a dog, but he could show respect for Lucky’s previous owner. “Ok, buddy, she’s actually pretty well put together, morbid I know. I’m going to grab this comforter off the bed, wrap it around her as best I can and lay her on the bed. Okay?” Lucky sat up and whined, so Jake took that as an agreement. A few minutes later, Jake had her in
bed and wrapped up. “Lucky, I’m going to find a piece of paper, I’ll be right back.”

  Jake walked to the door and glanced back at Lucky, he sat next to the bed with his jaw resting on the edge. He looked like he was crying and Jake could barely hold back his own tears.

  “I wish Catherine were here, she would know what to do. What do I say on this note, I’m not sure why I even offered to write one. It just seemed like the right thing to do. Now I am talking to myself again and out loud too. Maybe I am going crazy.” Jake walked into the kitchen and looked around. He saw a notepad on the counter next to the telephone, a landline at that. Jake picked it up, hoping it would still have service. For a second there was a dial tone then it went quiet. Jake slammed it down and spun around to lean against the counter. Across from him was the kitchen pantry. Inside was a huge bag of dog food, some can dog food and on the ground in front was some toys and bowls. “Well, Lucky, at least we found you some food, something good came out of this trip. Ahh... I’m sorry that was insensitive, and I’m talking to you out loud... And you aren’t even in the room.”

  Jake turned back around and wrote:

  To whoever finds this note, My name is Captain Jake Deakon. I found the occupant of this house beside her bed, and she had already passed. I have brought her dog home with me. I am sorry for her passing. If you are looking for “Lucky” and we have any kind of Military left, give them my name, and hopefully, we can reunite you. We wish you luck.

  Sorry

  Jake

  Jake hoped that would be enough. It wasn’t anything big, but the note was a start. He walked back to the bedroom and placed the note on her chest. “Okay, Lucky, I found your food and toys. I’m going to find something to take it home in. Are you coming with me?”

  Lucky lifted his head and woofed quietly. Jake nodded back and turned in the room to find the closet, maybe she would have a suitcase he could use to carry that big bag of food. He opened the door and saw one sitting on the floor. “Success!” He pulled out the luggage and walked to the door. “Goodbye, ma’am, I’m sorry this was how it ended. We will take care of Lucky and love him as I am sure you did.” Jake let the tears fall this time as he walked out of her bedroom. He tapped his thigh, hoping that was enough for Lucky to follow. The tears were choking him, and he didn’t think he could speak at the moment.

  He crouched in front of the pantry and heard Lucky’s nails on the tile as he came up behind him. “Just a minute to load and we will go, boy. Thanks for leading me here.” Jake added the bowls to the suitcase and zipped it close. “Let’s go. Time to find our new family together.”

  Jake walked out pulling the suitcase behind him. At the front door, Lucky stopped, looked back into the house, barked once and walked out. Jake gently shut the front door, and they walked home together.

  Seventeen

  “All right do you want spaghetti, raviolis or a combo of both?” Catherine sat across from Mitch at the table. “They will be back, baby, you need to eat so we can do cake.”

  It took all Catherine had to not get up and pace the house. The need to move was eating her up. Where was Jake? How could he leave them? She tried not to think about his sudden departure, but her mind wandered to the ‘what if’s.’ What if he didn’t come back? What if they had to leave on their own? How far would they get? Could she keep Mitch safe without Jake? She had to stop thinking like this. There was still time, he would be back.

  “All right, Mitch, pick or you're getting whatever I don’t want.” Catherine stuck her tongue out at her son in an attempt to lighten the mood somehow. He took the bait and started scooping the raviolis into his bowl.

  Catherine grabbed the spaghetti and Raviolis, might as well have a little variety on their last night of sanity. She scooped some of each into her bowl and glanced over at Mitch. “Are you ready to leave tomorrow?”

  Mitch half-heartedly took a bite of ravioli and slowly chewed. You would think she fed him glue with the amount of effort he exerted to eat a piece of noodle and meat. “Should we leave if Jake and Lucky aren’t here?” Catherine didn’t know how to answer, she didn’t want to contemplate leaving them behind but what choice did she have.

  “I believe they will be back before we finish eating. So, dig in!” She must have put enough fake confidence in her voice to be believable because Mitch started eating right away.

  Catherine began to worry again, well she hadn’t stopped, but Mitch was almost done eating, and she had to keep him distracted.

  “Mom, I think I hear something.”

  Catherine paused her eating and listened. From the laundry room, she could hear noises. “Mitch, go to your room and hide. We have to be sure who it is before you come out.”

  Mitch stood up, and before he took two steps, the laundry room door was thrown open, and Lucky came running in. Mitch yelled and dropped to the floor instantly to play with the dog.

  Catherine looked up at Jake. “What happened, you just disappeared! How could you do that to me? To us?”

  Jake looked down at the ground “It was instinctive when Lucky took off. I thought maybe he would take me to find someone or another animal. I don't know.”

  Catherine stood up and walked to Jake and laid her head on his chest. “You scared us to death, I thought we would have to leave without you, and I need you. Mitch needs you here.”

  Catherine felt his arms go around her and he pulled her in close. “I am so sorry I scared you.” Jake gave her a tight squeeze. “I seem to be doing that a lot lately. I won't leave you again.”

  Catherine nodded her head but lifted it off his chest. “Tell me what you found out there.”

  “Do you want to finish eating first? Maybe I could tell you while I eat.” He laughed and leaned down to her ear. “I prefer holding you like this honestly, but I’m hungry.”

  Catherine tensed up when she realized she hadn’t moved away yet. “Oh! I’m sorry, yes, you should eat. I am being silly.” She lifted her head and started to back away. Jake caught her hand and leaned close. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, not sure if she wanted him to kiss her or not. She wasn’t even sure that was what he was leaning in for.

  “Don’t be sorry, I will hold you forever if you let me.” Jake let go of her hand and stepped back into the laundry room. “I did find some dog food, toys, and Lucky’s bowls. I have them all in this suitcase I borrowed from his previous owner.” Mitch jumped up and grabbed the handle to see what toys were inside. “Don’t empty it completely, we will have to just repack it. Go ahead and fill his food and water dish though.”

  Catherine laughed to herself, Jake was learning quickly how fast a child could take something apart. “Sit, eat and tell me what happened to his previous owner, please. Mitch will be occupied for a few, so it’s safe.”

  Jake sighed and walked to the table. Catherine sat across from him but pushed her bowl away. Her appetite was gone, and she suspected this story would not have a happy ending for everyone.

  Jake took the last of the food and combined them in one bowl. “Lucky took me down the street a few houses. Not too far really, but he went right up to the door and whined. I assumed it was his home.”

  Catherine covered her mouth with her hand. “Three houses down? Right or left side?”

  Jake stopped for a moment, Catherine assumed he was thinking about how far he walked or how many houses he passed. “I think it was the third on the left. Do you know who lived there?”

  Tears filled her eyes as she thought of the sweet old lady who lived down the street. She nodded. “Her name was Mildred Higgenforth. The kids all called her Miss Hug. She loved everyone and always had treats for them. I should have gone and checked on her.” Catherine was filled with guilt, she knew it was irrational, but it didn't stop her from being upset at the loss and chance she could have prevented her death.

  “I didn’t give you any time remember? This is on me. Actually, it’s on whoever or whatever caused those animals to become infected and attack.” Jake reached out and
covered her hand with his. “We are not responsible, we are doing the best we can.”

  Catherine nodded. She knew he was right but her heart… It would never agree.

  Jake didn’t have to say Miss Hug was gone, it was obvious when he didn’t correct her assumptions.

  Jake must have agreed. “I wrapped her in a blanket and placed her on her bed. I also wrote a note with my name and told them to find any military base and ask for me. Did she have family that you knew of?”

  “No, she never married. Her fiancé and the love of her life died in the Korean War. She said she would never love another man.” Catherine envied that kind of love, but wasn’t Jake offering the same thing? How many men would stay with a single mom and child for six months when he could have left at any time?

  Mitch chose that moment to come running back into the kitchen. “Everyone done eating? Let’s do cake now please.”

  Catherine scooted back from the table. “Let me clear these dishes, and we can eat, but only if you let us sing happy birthday to you.” She knew Mitch hated being sung to, so she loved to torture him by doing it. It’s one of the small perks of being a parent.

  Jake grabbed some of the dishes and followed her to the sink. “I’ll wash this stuff up after we eat cake, okay?”

  After nodding, she gestured toward the cake “Grab that, and I will get plates.”

  When they turned around Mitch was at the table waiting patiently, and Lucky was at his feet. This was how she thought her life would turn out. A family together for the special occasions, a house of love. Well, one day it could still come true, they just had to find a safe place to go.

  Day 152 cont.

  Mitch is in bed, and Jake is doing the dishes for me. I know it seems pointless to wash the dishes when we are leaving in the morning, but the normality of it makes me feel better. The day had a few unexpected events. ‘Lucky’ found us. He’s a dog. He used to live down the street, but his owner didn't make it. We have adopted each other, and I wonder if it was him we heard outside the garage earlier.