Johnny Traveled With a Suitcase

For months this is how I imagined I would commemorate today – our first official day of retirement in our new home..............................................

As dusk turns to night, Dean and I somberly walk toward a fire ring made of rocks I’d stolen borrowed from his heap gently cared-for-collection.  Flames gently dance in the cool air, giving off diamond-like sparks which are reflected in the sadness of our eyes.  Angus sits quietly between us as we join hands.  We look at each other.  I speak a few heart-felt words and, as we wipe away a tear, I gently toss the duffel that has been with us through the last two years of back and forth between Casper and Sheridan onto the fire.  Chemical fumes engulf us, we choke.  We clutch at each other.  Angus nearly falls into the fire in mid-sneeze and his fur begins to smolder.   Sadness turns to panic as Dean throws dirt on Angus and I run for the hose. 

Screeeeeech……rewind……………. 

As dusk turns to night, Dean and I somberly walk toward a fire ring made of rocks I’d stolen borrowed from his heap gently cared-for-collection.  Flames gently dance in the cool air, giving off diamond-like sparks which are reflected in the sadness of our eyes.  Angus sits quietly between us as we join hands.  We look at each other.  I speak a few heart-felt words and, as we laugh out loud, I hurl the duffel that has been with us through the last two years of back and forth from Casper to Sheridan onto the dirt next to the fire ring.  We stomp on it like crazed old people.  Angus begins barking and jumping around us.  We whoop and cheer as we kick it around the yard.  Angus grabs the duffel with his jaws and begins running all through the yard, stopping now and then to shake it like a stuffed bunny.  We cheer him on excitedly.  He leaps across the fire ring, the duffel catches fire and as he circles through the yard chemical fumes fill the area and engulf us.  We choke.  We clutch at each other.  Angus nearly falls into the fire in mid-sneeze and his fur begins to smolder.   Sadness turns to panic as Dean throws dirt on Angus and I run for the hose.

Screeeeeech……rewind…………….  

It's good to be home.

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Johnny Traveled With a Suitcase