Ivy watched as the little dog, ran off. She just didn't know what to do, so she made another mug of coffee and went back out to think, surely the little dog was home and safe by now.
Ivy went inside, but she kept watch through the small window near the back door, with it's wavy glass, it had been part of the old mansion down on Center street that later became an orphanage, then was demolishes to make room for , well she just couldn't remember what ,,,,offices or something.
Della stopped over to pick up the excess zucchini and green beans from ivy's garden, the paperboy stopped in for a quick visit, and to tell Ivy that he was going to be an uncle. Ivy said that she wondered if he or she would be a paperboy also, by the time it was sunset ivy was exhausted.
"Oh. Mister Chips, this has been a funny day! Imagine Randy, a grandpa, imagine Darius old enough to be a Daddy, Wes has graduated and will be off to college, Cameron, is growing up so fast!! A Funny Day Mr. Chips, a funny day. Well in case I fall asleep in m,y chair i had better cover you up, sweet dreams ." With tha she climbed the steps to the attic, settled into her chair and began scanning the streets for a small white and purple dog.
Ivy met the crisp early morning as she always had, messy hair , over sized shirt and huge mug of coffee. But this morning one look out the window just wasn't enough, truth be told she was wondering if the little dog would be back.
There were canning jars to scrub and Ivy stood at the sink looking out over the lawn looking at the asparagus bed and apple trees, this summers was too wet then too dry then cold weather had stressed even the tress, who's leaves were beginning to turn early. The asparagus fronds that usually stood taller than she could reach, were not even as tall as her, the apples were small but plentiful. there was just something not right. Especially that little white dog with the faint purplish stains on it,sitting on the back steps.
Ivy dried her hands on a damp towel, and opened the back door,"Come on in, Puperronie!" the little guy just looked at her. "Then com on in, Elderberry hound" "Well what should i call you? huh?, how about pupsicle, no don't like that." Ivy walked out to the steps and sat down next to the him, he appeared to be very content and was sprawled out as if sunbathing. "Are you sunbathing, little fella, perfect day for it just look at that sky, " and with that the pup raise himself to sitting and thrust out his paw. Ivy was, quite surprised but she put out her hand and the pup put his paw in her hand. the pup tilted his head and they both looked at each other for awhile, finally Ivy said "Skye?" and the pup gave a several small, happy barks. There they sat in silence watching the the clouds go by and soaking up the warmth of the sun. i stood up and opened the door, Skye strolled into the kitchen and curled up on the rug in a patch of sun. "You think you live here, don't you?"
Ivy returned to scrubbing jars, she whistled "ode to joy" as she worked, Mister chips joined in with his own version, and just as she place the last jar in the rack to drain, Skye tried to join it. Skye' attempt was drowned out by Della's cheerful greeting. " Hey, there whistling woman!". "common in I'm in the kitchen." Ivy's voice rang out. Della came in and scuffed Sykes' ears, "new Pup?" she asked. Ivy replied "He thinks so."
Della sat at the table, Oh look, there's the School bus." Skye stood to attention and ran to the door and scratched at it until Della let him out. "There he goes! he must be going home." Ivy said very softly and the room was silent for a moment.
Ivy grabbed her cup and sat across from Della, grinning behind her cup she said "Now what was so important that you had to scare my star boreder away?" unsuccessfully stifling a laugh. Della's eyes widened, and then she too began to laugh. After she recovered her composure she replied " did you hear that some ghost hunting show is going to investigate the old Sweeny place?"
Ivy returned "The only spirits in that place came out of a bottle." "That was something the older kids made up to keep the younger ones out so they could party there." "I always wondered about the stories about the house that Angie Belliini lived in." her voice drifted off. " Ivy, is it true that you punched her in the face? " Della queried. " No, no! Angie was a real sweet kid." Ivy snapped back, "I meant that teacher , forget her name." Della paused. Ivy stood up and made a grand sweeping gesture, and in an affected accent said" Miss Isobel K. Laventine, is that who you mean? Hurts your throat to talk like that, need more coffee." pouring herself another cup "Well pretty much, she was teaching us kids a new song, called' Boys may whistle, but girls must sing.', anyway i whistled along with the boys, and she got furious grabbed me and shook me, so I belted her. Hell, she must have outweighed me by 300 pounds, I never saw anyone cry and carry on so much." Ivy said grinning her best Cheshire Cat grin. "How about some pie, Della? I swear I didn't make it." Ivy put a slice of pie on a plate and put it in the microwave. "Who did you say is planning the ghost hunt? Surely you don't mean the famous ones from SyFy." She place the warmed pie in front of Della, "Honestly i don't know."
