REX

Slow down there buddy, there are kids in this street’ thought Rex as a car sped across the narrow street and disappeared into corner.  Some people are always in a hurry he scoffed and took a deep breath and filled his lungs with fresh air. He loved to sit by the porch and watch people walk by. what else do I have left to do, served my country and my family as well as I could have and now they are happy I don’t get in their way anymore.  Besides anyone would be out on their porch on this lovely sunny day, Spring was in the air and all the trees in the area were beginning to bloom. His garden was already in spring mode, Flowers and sprigs sprouting out with life. It was colorful and fragrant bringing about all sorts of visitors. Bees were busy getting on about their day (quite contradictory to Rex’s), butterflies fluttering by adding contrast and camouflaging to the already vibrant color show on display, birds singing their merry tunes. There is so much going on yet everything is so peaceful. This is what heaven must be like he imagined as he was carried away into a different world

He reminisced his childhood, which had been rough, being  separated from his parents when he was barely  6 months old. By the time he was of age, he was drafted into the military, don’t think he had any say in that, but he went along with it. He was a ‘scout’ investigating the unknown areas for mines and other threats that lay across. At first, he was ignorant of the nature of the job but as he uncovered all the possible dangers he became quite good at it.  He had an instinct which hardly was wrong and excelled in his role, until that dreaded night where he almost got the entire team killed. But they all survived including Rex who was badly injured. And for his troubles he was forced to retire. Although they gave him a medal for his service he knew that  his life was done.

He returned to his ‘home’, realized it was futile to even think about trying to search for his family. He bunked in with his mates, some of whom had  lived a scarier life of abuse and abandonment. They exchanged their sad stories and comforted each other. The only thing Rex looked forward to  were the walks,  few times a day when he would be out and about, take in what little of the outside world he could see and forget his sadness. And this is where he would meet Sheila who always came out for a smoke break exactly when he would be coming around the corner. He began to think if she was timing her break to have a rendezvous with him.

Days turned into weeks and weeks into months and before you know it. Rex had moved in with Sheila. At last he had finally found a family and  was grateful for that.  He found joy in little things. Though difficult at first with his trauma  Sheila’s kindness and  support brought him out of his mental block. Rex was slowly putting all that horror behind. He loved Sheila more than his life and he knew Sheila loved him for they only had each other in their lives. But he did not take that for granted and that’s what happiness is all about and of course ice cream, especially when there was an ice cream shop around the corner which served the best chocolate covered caramel ice cream ever. It was worth every single brain freeze. He remembered how Sheila used to laugh looking at his frozen brain expressions. Ahh the little things that make women happy. Rex began to drool just at the thought that he would be experiencing yet another brain freeze shortly.

What a ride it has been so far, wonder how long we can go on this way he thought. Everything starts and eventually stops, it’s the things  in between that counts and I have no regrets. This is how life should be with ups and downs, laughter and pain, the vicissitudes of uncertainty is what makes life interesting. As he was about to close his eyes and day dream again, his thoughts were interrupted by the call ‘ Hey Rexyyyy, here boy, come here. who wants to go out for a walk’? Rex gleamed with all the energy left and even managed to wag his tail. He slowly stood up with his 3 wobbly legs gave a smile and thought to himself ‘ there better be some squirrels on the way’ 

~~Paddy