“I haven’t forgotten!”
“Grandma, guess what! We found a gold ring at the beach today! In the sand! Dad reached his hand into the sand and there it was!”
“Really?!”
“Yeah, Grandma, don’t you believe me?!”
“Of course I do, dear.”
“And Dad immediately gave it to Mum! It still had a tag on it!”
“A tag?!”
“Yes! Dad explained that the ring probably accidentally rolled into the sand from a jewelry store.”
“In the sand?!”
“Yes, Grandma!!! That’s what he told us. It wasn’t from a shipwreck or stolen!”
“Well, if Dad said so…”
“Yes, Grandma! And he said there are loads of rings like that down here! Alex and I have been digging all through the sand all week hoping to find at least one more little ring.”
“Has Alex’s cough gone away?”
“Of course, it’s gone. When would he have time to cough?! There’s so much for us to do here! How’s Jimmy?”
“He’s doing well. What are you all eating over there?”
“Grandma, don’t change the subject. Show him to me!”
Grandma turned the phone’s camera to the dog. Jimmy was lying nearby, listening intently to the conversation.
“There he is. Say hello, Jimmy.”
“Grandma, why does he look so sad?!”
“He’s fine, dear.”
“No! I know what he’s like when he’s normal! Jimmy!!! What’s up with you over there?!”
Jimmy seemed to recognize the familiar voice and wagged his tail.
“All right, sweetheart, I need to start getting ready to go to the cottage. How long will you be there?”
“Mum wants to stay for another two weeks.”
“Another two weeks?!” Grandma looked at Jimmy.
“Yeah. It’s great here! If only we could find another ring… Jimmy, would you like a ring for your collar?!”
“Goodbye, dear.”
***
“Mum, hi! Lisa said it was urgent?”
“Yes. When are you flying back?”
“I don’t know. It’s really nice here. Maybe another couple of weeks. Why?!”
“Nothing! Jimmy hasn’t been eating a thing!”
“How hasn’t he been eating?!”
“Just like that. Since you left, he only sleeps and watches out the window, and at the slightest noise at the door, he runs to it and barks.”
“Are you giving him the right food?!”
“No, we’re giving him raw potatoes! Of course, it’s the right food!”
“Darn.”
“Exactly. He’s lost so much weight, you wouldn’t believe!”
“Let me see!”
Grandma showed a sleeping Jimmy.
“There. Skin and bones.”
“Maybe we should take him to the vet?!”
“Which vet?! Are you serious?! He’s just missing you both! You’ve been gone a month! You never left him for this long before!”
“Mum, here’s what we’ll do. I’ll make an appointment with the vet. Please take him.”
“Okay, fine.”
***
“Mum, hello! How did it go?”
“Oh… Hi. It went. He bit the vet when he tried to weigh him. I couldn’t hold him. We had to put a muzzle on him to do the ultrasound.”
“Darn.”
“Exactly. He just curled up in a corner and growled. No idea where he got the strength.”
“So, what did the vet say?”
“He said we need to do a blood test. Everything looks normal on the outside. Most likely it’s stress.”
“Why?”
“Why?! Are you really asking that???”
“Mum, please don’t shout! We’re stressed too.”
“Oh, do whatever you like…”
***
“Mum, hi. Why so late?”
“I think he’s barely breathing.”
“What?! Our flight’s in the morning. Mum, calm down. Please don’t cry.”
“He hasn’t eaten in days. At least before he ate a little…”
One of the children asked from behind, “Grandma, why are you crying?”
“Honey, Jimmy isn’t well.”
“Dad said… But we’re coming back tomorrow!”
“I’m afraid it might be too late…”
Suddenly, a girl’s face appeared on Grandma’s phone screen.
“No!!! Grandma, put the phone next to him and turn on the speakerphone!”
“Darling, he…”
“Put it by him!!!!”
She brought the phone close to the sleeping dog.
“Jimmy, can you hear me?! We’re coming back tomorrow! I know you’re mad at us. You think we’ve forgotten about you! Jimmy, listen to me!”
The dog perked up. He listened intently.
“I get upset too, but then I forget about it. What’s the point in staying sad and upset all the time? Listen, Jimmy, you’re a Smith! And Smiths, when things are tough and scary, don’t lose heart. Jimmy Smith, do you think I’d forget how you sprang at that stupid Rottweiler to protect me?”
“You were half his size, but you defended me! You got hurt then, remember? And now you think I’d forget you?!”
The dog weakly wagged his tail.
“Jimmy Smith, I’m asking you to go to the kitchen and eat those brown bits! Go to the kitchen!”
Slowly, the dog headed to the kitchen and started eating from his bowl.
***
When they arrived that morning, Jimmy had forgiven them. But not immediately. It took about five minutes. At first, he turned away, wandered into his corner, and then suddenly he rushed over to lick everyone. They were filthy. From the trip.
