Henry looked once more across the lake from where he sat in the boat at his cabin. The sun was beginning to disappear in the horizon behind it. By the time he finishes skinning this last fish and brings in the boat to the dock, which sits right at the edge of his cabin, it will be almost completely dark. Right now, the sky already has dark orange hues just behind his home indicating that he has about about 30 minutes left to tie down the small boat and go in to start a fire on the hearth.
The day was perfect just like every other for the past few months. He enjoyed these moments alone during the summer but, as he glanced up at the trees noticing that the leaves weren't as bright green anymore, it would remind him that come autumn the loneliness of being a widower would be there again. Amy Lynn, his wife, had passed away 10 years ago come next month but that pain always return.
Shaking his head briskly to forget the thought to avoid the burning tears, he began to bring in the boat. Once he reaches the dock and he ties it down, his faithful spotted brown and white English springer spaniel of 13 years will start barking to greet him with a wagging tail. Henry always enters through the back door and Luke knows this. It's been his pattern for the past 11 years and Luke knows that Henry won't let him down. Dinner time is just 15 minutes after Henry walks in.
"You know the drill, old boy. I have to wash up. You don't want to have the smell of fish on your food, do you now? Calm down and I will get to you." Henry says with a laugh and he scratches Luke behind his left ear. Luke has been a great dog to him since Amy Lynn died. His five children are grown up and all live spread out in different ends of the state of Vermont. Henry, however, stayed true to his commitment and still remains in Killingworth, Connecticut. It was there that he had proposed to Amy Lynn over 40 years ago.
Luke being fed, he prepared the fish for his own dinner to go with the fresh vegetables he grew in the garden behind the cabin. The fish bit good today so he cooked two of them and covered the other three in foil. After dinner today, he intends to finish the last two chapters of the history book his son, Charles, gave him for his birthday three weeks ago. Charles always did know history is what he enjoyed the most and in particular those from before the 1700's to mid 1800's. Henry always had a keen interest for that period. It didn't matter where on the world the events occurred during that time.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Before he even opens his eyes, Henry knows it's 7:30 a.m. as he lays in bed. Luke always comes in at 7:15 a.m. and plops down next to him nestling his nose at his shoulder. He could never figure out why the darn dog always liked that exact position but never questioned it.
Poking one eye open to look at Luke, he sees that the dog isn't even asleep. He smiles and gently laughs. "Okay Luke, old boy. Let's get you outside before you whimper at me, ya old sack of bones." Luke raises his head at the laughter and begins to wag his tail. Once more he got his way early in the morning.
While the dog walks around, Henry thinks about the plans for today. It's Sunday and he knows that Beth, his youngest child, will be there at 2:00 p.m. with the kids and Bill. He promised her a date because she was on her way to Essex to visit with Bill's parents for an anniversary. Beth will only be able to stay long enough for lunch and he would need to go into town within the next two hours in order to be back in time and get a gift for Lee Ann. She was turning seven on Tuesday and he had procrastinated far too much to be able to send something in the mail. Lee Ann enjoys reading and he favors her for that.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Grandpa! Grandpa!" Boy those kids have a good set of lungs, Henry thinks as he rolls eyes but smiles. He doesn't get to see them as often as he would wish. However, it was Beth's job that kept them in Vermont. Before he could even open the door, the kids rush through it first and piled around him. "Grandpa! Grandpa!" Arms are reaching up to him and he peers at them with one eye closed. "Hold on there, where's Lee Ann? I don't see Lee Ann." She's the one with shortest arms but right in front of his body frame. "Grandpa, I'm right here. See! See!"
"No; no Lee Ann. I guess she stayed at home."
"GRANDPA!" She bellows even louder. He laughs and picks her up. "Where's my gift? I want my gift."
"Beth, when are you going to teach these kids some manners?" She just walked in the door and gives him a look. "Dad, don't start. I had enough trouble as it is with them on the road."
A 12 year old Jeremy is still tugging at the hem of Henry's shirt. "Who's that?" Henry says. "Come on, grandpa. I want my hug." His almond shaped grey eyes look up at the tall frame he adores. "Please, Jeremy. We say please." He puts down Lee Ann and waits for the reply from his grandson. "Please, grandpa. Mom said you have to." A startled Beth is heard dropping a glass in the kitchen. Bill breaks into laughter. "Eh? Mom said so?" Henry looks at Bill. "What's so funny?"
"It was actually my idea that he has to get a hug. I didn't expect him to blame Beth." Henry is confused and looks at Jeremy with a raised eyebrow. "You all have the oddest kids but since they are my grandchildren I suppose he gets that from Beth." At that moment, Beth had just walked into the living room. "What?" She says.
Everyone just laughs. This is going to be a great Sunday lunch full of finger pointing and blaming for the next couple of hours.
"Can I have my birthday gift now, grandpa?" Henry laughs. "Sure thing, pumpkin. Right after we eat lunch." Lee Ann gives him a miffed look of being snubbed but Henry pokes her making her laugh. "I love you, grandpa." She says as she plants a kiss on his nose. "Happy birthday, sweetheart."
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Thru Libby's Eyes, ©
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