Changes

By Sally A Allen

Changes is a saga of the Burke family and Ol' Blue, the dog. Their bonding, loves and trials are captured by well defined characters, each one imperative to the plot.
Every family will relate to this story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 21, 2013
• ISBN: 9781493111589

Sally A Allen

Sally A. Allen is originally from Wisconsin and currently lives in West Central Florida with her schnauzer, Sibby. While her novels are fiction, she draws from the many experiences she’s had in her life. Visit her website at www.sally-allen.webs.com.

Book preview

Changes

SALLY A. ALLEN

Copyright © 2013 by Sally A. Allen.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013918444

ISBN: Hardcover 978-1-4931-1157-2

Softcover 978-1-4931-1156-5

Ebook 978-1-4931-1158-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 10/17/2013

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris LLC

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

142029

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 32

CHAPTER 33

CHAPTER 34

CHAPTER 35

CHAPTER 36

CHAPTER 37

CHAPTER 38

CHAPTER 39

CHAPTER 40

CHAPTER 41

CHAPTER 42

CHAPTER 43

CHAPTER 44

CHAPTER 45

CHAPTER 46

CHAPTER 47

CHAPTER 48

CHAPTER 49

CHAPTER 50

CHAPTER 51

CHAPTER 52

CHAPTER 53

CHAPTER 54

CHAPTER 55

CHAPTER 56

CHAPTER 57

CHAPTER 58

CHAPTER 59

CHAPTER 60

CHAPTER 61

CHAPTER 62

CHAPTER 63

CHAPTER 64

CHAPTER 65

CHAPTER 66

CHAPTER 67

CHAPTER 68

CHAPTER 1

Carl Burke was widowed after fifty years of marriage. He was happy that he and his wife, Laura, had had a party on their fiftieth anniversary before she passed on. There were good days and bad days, but they weathered the storms and, because of them, they loved each other more.

Carl and Laura were blessed with a daughter, Nancy, who could do no wrong in their eyes.

Carl was a robust man, weighing two hundred twenty-five pounds with broad shoulders and the beginning of a pot belly, which was due to all of the neighboring women bringing him food. In his town, the women outnumbered the men ten to one, so every man was fair game. Carl wouldn’t give any of them a tumble because he knew how desperate they were to find a husband. He had no intention of marrying again. Laura had been his soul mate and he had no desire to be with another woman.

Carl had one sister, Hattie. She constantly chastised him and told him what to do. They hadn’t been close growing up because he was ten years older than her. Carl knew she was lonely. She had never married and didn’t have friends to speak of, so she concentrated on Carl, making his life miserable.

He lived several miles out of town in a two bedroom bungalow on a large lot. He had a large vegetable garden and gave most of the produce away.

One day Carl was out pulling weeds when a stray dog wandered onto his property. He had never seen it before, so he thought someone had dropped him off. The dog was emaciated and Carl felt sorry for it. He gave him some cereal and water, which the dog ate hungrily.

After that, the dog hung around, even though Carl tried to shoo him off. Finally, he gave him a bath with a water hose and brushed out his matted fur. A few days later, the dog was living in Carl’s house. He was a handsome dog, a cross between a Black Lab and a Golden Retriever. Carl named him Ol’ Blue.

Hattie came over unannounced a week after Carl had taken in the dog. When Ol’ Blue met her at the door, tail wagging, she screamed, What is that mangy dog doing here? Carl, have you lost your mind?

He’s good company, I named him Ol’ Blue.

Well, I never! Here, I bought you a melon so you’ll eat something healthy for once.

Carl could tell the melon was overripe. Hattie must be haunting the half off sales again.

Well, I’ve got to go. Tootles, she trilled and left.

Carl breathed a sigh of relief and went into the kitchen to pitch the melon in the garbage.

Hattie agitated him, so he got a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet. Ol’ Blue followed him and sat down on his haunches, cocking his head.

I know it’s early, but I’m just going to have a nip, he told the dog. Carl lifted the bottle and took a large swig. Oh, that booze is mighty tasty, he said.

The dog let out a yelp, obviously wanting a taste. No, boy, booze is off limits to you. Carl belched loudly. One more sip and I’ll get some shut-eye, he said.

Carl realized he was talking to the dog all the time now, but he didn’t care, it was better than being alone. He took another drink and recapped the bottle. He headed up the stairs and asked the dog, Are you coming?

Blue picked up his ears and followed Carl up the stairs. He was happy about this new development. The second floor had been off limits to him before now. The dog stopped in the doorway of the bedroom, afraid to enter.

Come on, Carl ordered. Aren’t you tired? He lay down on the bed and patted the spot next to him.

Blue didn’t think twice. He hopped up on the bed and snuggled next to Carl. After that, Ol’ Blue slept on the bed every night. It comforted Carl; it had a long time since he had someone in bed with him.

The next morning, he got up at dawn and went downstairs to make some coffee. Blue padded behind him and then went outside to do his business.

Carl didn’t look forward to the day that he’d planned for himself. The week before, roofers had repaired a leak in the roof and Carl couldn’t put off painting the house any longer. The paint he had bought awaited him in the shed. He thought it would take him about a week to finish the job.

When Carl opened a can of paint, Blue, being curious, got his nose and whiskers white from sniffing the lid. The black dog looked like a clown with his white muzzle.

You asshole! Carl shouted at him and burst out laughing. He quickly got the hose and an old rag and scrubbed until there wasn’t a trace of white left on the dog’s muzzle.

Blue, not knowing what he had done wrong, slinked over to a patch of sun and lay down, staring at Carl.

Now you stay there and be a good boy, Carl said, shaking his fist.

Blue laid his head in his paws and closed his eyes.

Carl got a ladder out of the shed and prepared to go to work.

Yoo hoo, an auburn haired woman called, peeking around the corner of the house.

Carl wanted to run, but there was nowhere to hide. Well, hello, Lilly, he shouted in a friendly voice.

I brought over a batch of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, she said, thrusting a platter into his hand.

Much obliged, Carl replied and, without thinking, invited her into the house.

They sat at the kitchen table talking affably while Blue sat at their feet, begging for a morsel. He’s a cute dog, Lilly said and immediately began to cough.

Her nose started to run and Carl handed her a tissue. I’m allergic to dogs, she explained between sniffles.

Carl saw his chance to get rid of her. He took her by the hand and led her outside. I’m sorry about your reaction, he said.

I’ll be going now, she said coldly.

Carl didn’t try to stop her. Hurry back, he called, knowing she wouldn’t. Rubbing his hands together with glee, he walked back into the house.

He found Blue perched on a kitchen chair devouring the rest of the cookies. Carl laughed and patted the dog. You and I are going to get along just fine, he told him. We don’t want those old biddies hanging around, do we boy?

Carl went back outside to paint and noticed a wooden rung was missing from the ladder. He was glad he noticed it in time or he could have taken a hell of a tumble.

He marched back to the house and locked it up. He was getting into his car to go to the hardware store when he heard a screech of brakes. He looked up to see his daughter, Nancy, getting out of her Mustang convertible. What’s next? he asked himself, but put on a happy face and went to greet her.

Hi, Daddy, Nancy said joyously.

Hi, baby, Carl answered and gave her a quick hug. What are you doing here on a weekday?

Did you know that Catering Plus went under?

No, I haven’t been in town for a while.

Dad, this town needs a caterer, Nancy stated.

How so? You just told me Catering Plus went out of business.

Oh, they didn’t do anything right. They robbed their clients blind, charging too much and giving too little.

Says the expert, Carl mumbled to himself.

Dad, they had booked two large weddings. Now what are the people going to do?

I don’t know, Carl replied, knowing what was coming next.

I can do it! Nancy exclaimed, jumping up and down.

Where are you going to get the equipment, young lady?

You could lend me the money and I can buy Catering Plus’s stuff.

You think you’ve got it all figured out, don’t you? You’ll need some good help. Where do you propose to get that?

Around, she said breezily. There are a lot of people who need work right now.

Come in the house and we’ll talk, he told her.

Father and daughter walked to the house together. Blue, hearing a strange voice, began barking furiously.

Nancy stopped dead in her tracks. What’s that? she demanded.

It’s my new protector. His name’s Ol’ Blue.

You know I’m deathly afraid of dogs. Take him back where you got him or I won’t come and see you anymore, she threatened.

Sorry, honey, he’s here to stay, Carl stated firmly.

You’d choose a mutt over me? Nancy cried.

I see you about once a month and then it’s only when you need something.

Nancy was offended. I can see you don’t want to help me so I’ll be going. She flounced to the car and Carl could hear the tires squealing as she drove off.

See what you did doting on her, Laura, he asked, looking at the sky. You raised a spoiled brat!

Carl walked into the solitude of his home. Blue, sensing his distress, came over and licked his hand. Don’t ever get mixed up with some cute little bitch, he warned the dog. All women are a bit off the rocker. He looked upward again and said, Sorry, Laura.

Carl gave up the idea of painting that day; instead he picked up the newspaper that he hadn’t read. When he looked over the classifieds, he saw in black and white what he didn’t want to see. Lost dog, the ad read. Child’s pet. Black Lab mix. Answers to Benny. If found, please call 812-6357.

Carl wrestled with his conscience. He felt bad that Blue was a child’s pet, but what was he doing way out here? Someone who didn’t want the dog must have dropped him off. Carl looked at Blue. He was so cute, staring out the kitchen window at some birds. No way am I going to turn you over to someone who doesn’t care about you, he told the dog.

Suddenly, he realized he wouldn’t be a good master if he didn’t take Blue to the vet. He looked in good health, but what if he had heart worms? Carl quickly picked up the phone and made an appointment for the next day.

CHAPTER 2

Blue was excited to take his first ride in the truck. Carl attached his leash to a pole in the truck’s bed. Riding in the open air, Blue’s ears flapped and his fur ruffled. By the look on his face, he was enjoying the ride immensely.

When Carl parked the truck, he heard a young girl squeal, Mom, there’s Benny! He’s in that truck! Let’s go get him!

Carl’s heart sank. He got Blue out of the back of the truck and watched the girl walk over with a man and woman.

Blue perked his ears up when he saw the girl, but then he saw the man and tried to slink away.

The little girl got down on her knees and put her arms around Blue. Oh, Benny! she cried. I’m so glad I found you!

The woman smiled, but the man shouted angrily, Get away from that cur! You know you’re not supposed to touch strange animals!

He’s not strange, he’s my Benny! the little girl said and