Brownie at Easter

From Volume II

Easter Dinner

Right around three, there was a knock on the back door. Brownie started barking. Lauren went over and looked out the door window. Edith and Ernie smiled. “Are we early?”

“You’re right on time,” Lauren said as she opened the door.

Ernie and Edith walked in, Edith handed a cream colored box with a red ribbon tied around it.

“Thank you Edith, “Mom said as she received it from her neighbor. She placed it on the kitchen counter near the kitchen telephone.

“Drew can you get Mr. and Mrs. Bennett’s coats and put them in the coat closet,” Mom said.

Brownie sniffed and softly whined.

“I brought this to thank you for what your family has done for us and our dogs.”

“For what we did for Rocky?” Mom asked.

“Yes, for your help with Rocky.” Edith replied.

Open the box, Brownie thought.

She trailed behind Mom to the counter where she put the box. She sniffed the air near the kitchen counter.

Everyone, but Brownie ignored that box. “There’s go to be something that only dog can smell.”

Brownie came over to smell Edith. She had the smell of Rocky on her shoes.

Brownie was then picked up by Edith who petted the little dog’s head and back.

Open that present Brownie yawned.

Every one gathered in the kitchen. The dog gate was up separating the kitchen and the dog from the rest of the house.

Mom and Dad both led everyone into the dining room. Brownie buried her head underneath Edith’s arm. The smell of the food drew the little dog’s head out from under Edith’s arm.

This is the first time I’ve seen the table from this angle. The food surely smells better up here than from the floor.

The food was on the table which was fully set with Noritake china and wedding day sliver-ware set on a linen table cloth and linen napkins. Each place setting was marked with a card which had the name of the person who is supposed to sit there.

“Who did the cards,” Edith asked Mom.

“Lauren,” Mom replied.

“Tell her she did a beautiful job.”

“Someone mention my name?” Lauren asked as she walked in from the kitchen.

Mom smiled and promised Edith that she would pass along the compliment.

On Edith’s lap lay the little black dog, looking up and Mom as if to say “I know I’d get her some day.

As soon as Mom saw Brownie snuggled in Edith’s arms. Her eyes opened wide…real wide. Mom dare not say anything to the queen of dog rehabers, she and her husband’s reputation in the dog rescuing world made Edith’s smugling of Brownie into the dining room more acceptable.

Edith felt the pressure of Mom looking at Brownie. She wondered what was wrong.

“Am I doing something wrong. Isn’t Brownie allowed to be here, in the dining room when we are having dinner?”

“Brownie is not allowed outside of the kitchen,” Mom said.

Drew looked at the showdown between Edith the dog rescuer, and Mom the cleaner.
“Who is going to blink first here,” He whispered to Nathan.

Lauren came up to Edith and asked for Brownie. “We usually keep Brownie in the kitchen. She is not allowed in here.”

“I’m you can make an exception for Easter?” Edith asked “Can’t you?”

“I guess we can this one time,” Mom said.

Edith then gently placed the dog on the carpet and petted her on the head.

Thank you Edith for giving me the chance to explore another room besides the kitchen and for giving me the chance to snarf treats from the family in a new room.

Mom did the best she could do to the keep the floor clean. This interfered with Brownie’s chance at making a mess of the carpet.

Now free, Brownie first went over to Drew with an air letting the oldest boy know that he can’t get rid of her. She then went over to Bradley’s high chair hoping for a windfall of food. Then she visited everyone’s chair hoping for a plethora of treats.

Right after dinner was over. Mom and Lauren went back into the kitchen to get the Lamb cake

she so lovingly baked using Edith’s lamb cake mold. Lauren followed behind bringing a half gallon of vanilla ice cream with a big ice cream scooper. Dad said now would be the best time to sing the first verse of “Jesus Christ is Risen Today”. After the song was sung, The Lamb cake was served followed by ice cream.

This Easter dinner was a success. Brownie brought some excitement to the party, especially snubbing Drew. She also also found out that she had a friend in Edith.

Just before Edith and Ernie left, Edith pointed to the present sitting next to the telephone.

“I noticed Brownie sniffing round this box. You should open the box before I leave. There are treat in it for your dog and a bunch of chocolate candy for you and your children. I just want the make sure the contents don’t melt before we leave.”

Brownie didn’t forget Edith. She leaps up on her skirt and begged Edith to pick her up. Once in her arms, The little dog convered Edith’s face with dog kisses.

Copyright Greogry Lamberty