Bertie

By Roben Oaktrey

Many of us wish we had the perfect companion. We will always be disappointed if we continue to look for these qualities in our spouse or a good friend. 

 

The only genuine friend we have that will never let us down is Jesus Christ. He also gave us our best friend on this earth. He called this friend a dog.

 

Don, Joe and Jenny searched for two years for the dog that would be their companion forever. On a beautiful day, while visiting the Humane Society, Jesus placed Bertie in their path.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Young Oak Treasures
• Release date: Dec 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223144670

Roben Oaktrey

Roben Oaktrey is the author of three short stories in the Hailey series: First Show with Buddy; Buddy’s Last Show; and First Show with Dusty. Roben has participated in several adventurous activities throughout his life, and is now a retired construction engineer. He spends most of his time with his grandchildren and writing short stories.

Book preview

EMPTY NEST

I met my wife at a church. I played volleyball, and she exercised in an aerobic workout. We crossed paths several times over the next few months. We did not realize it, but our mutual friends were plotting to get us together.

Wow! Who is that?

Oh, her name is Brenda. She is in Verses class, said Bill.

I hope to see her again.

Don’t worry, you will.

Brenda was in a small groups class at church called Verses and I in one called Friendship. Our group leaders planned an outing to Thunder Over Louisville that invited all members of both classes. Brenda and I now were at the same spot, at the same time.

Hi Bill. This is going to be a wonderful day. I did not realize Brenda was coming.

Yes, she always attends all the outings.

We met, talked, and walked around together.

I have seen you a lot at the Family Life Center.

Yes, and I have seen you, too. I noticed you are a good volleyball player.

Thank you. I have been playing for a couple of years and it is a dominant sport.

My step-aerobics class is on the same schedule as your volleyball.

I’m happy to meet and talk with you. May we get together next week?

My schedule is full next week. Can we get together after that?

At the end of the following week, I contacted her again. Brenda told me what she had to do.

I am dating someone else now. However, it is not going good. He has another girlfriend.

My goodness. He does not sound like a good man. I hope you decided in my favor?

Yes. My plan is to see him tonight and tell him.

Would you like me to go with you?

Thank you, but no. Everything is alright.

Call me if any problems. I will be close.

We started dating and about seven months later; we got married. Bill was our best man.

I asked Brenda to be my wife. Will you be our best man?

I am honored that you asked me.

After we married, we searched for a house and I learned something about Brenda.

Brenda, this house is beautiful! There is a horse farm behind us, and we can look through the kitchen window and watch the sun rise over the horse farm.

This house is not what I had in mind. I would always smell the animals, and we would have an extra amount of flies in the house.

Are you sure? It is affordable, and just what we are looking for.

I am sure.

We found a house in a more populated area, and Brenda loved it, and so did I.

How about this one? It has the open area from the family room to the kitchen, and the primary bedroom is good size.

I love this one.

We will take it. Let’s draw up the contract now.

Our blended family comprised five grown children who lived on their own. In our empty nest, Brenda and I had different views of what we should be doing. I thought we might enjoy traveling and seeing some of the world. Brenda wanted to stay home and invite the children over and go to grandchildren’s ball games. As a result, we rented a cabin at one of