Buddy/Mack remembers that he’s waiting for Justine. This is just what’s happening today, this being tied business. He is waiting for Justine, but these people don’t seem to understand that. Justine will tell them in their tongue language that he is not the kind of dog that is tied. He needs to get back to the cemetery gates, where he thinks that Justine will come to get him.

He is still nursing his frustration when Ed comes to the sliding door and offers to take him on go-for-a-ride. And, as he thinks every time Ed suggests a ride, Buddy/Mack hopes that the cemetery will be the destination and that Justine will be waiting for him.

Chapter 32

32

Ed sits in the Cutlass but doesn’t start the car. Buddy is sitting beside him, waiting patiently for the ride to begin. Alice is doing her usual morning routine of vacuuming, something she’s doing more often now that they have this furry dog living with them. He’s on his way to Lil’s. Again. Ed sighs. What would be the harm in changing routine today? He’s already had two cups of coffee. He doesn’t need a third or fourth. But what would he do? He’s run out of household tasks. In the year of his unemployment, aka retirement, he’s painted the trim and edged the walk, taken care of all those little jobs that had been waiting for him to have the time to attend to. Turns out, there weren’t so many after all. Now he’s left with puttering—cleaning out the workshop, sorting through nails and screws. He’s not the kind of guy to sit around watching daytime television; he’s a doer, not a sitter.

It is a crisp, clear September weekday morning and the best he has to do is sit in a coffee shop with guys he has little more in common with than their early retirement, or their living in this little town. Their allegiance to the Sox. Okay, so a few things in common, but is it enough? Ed gets out of the car. Buddy looks at him anxiously, as if to say, What? No ride?

“Be right back.”

The dog seems to nod, but Ed knows that’s just his imagination.

Ed lets himself into his workshop. The garage of the raised ranch leads directly into his work space and Alice’s laundry room. The washer is beating out a rhythm as he opens the cabinet filled with his paint supplies. Ed grabs his wire brush, a whisk broom, and a dustpan and dumps them in the trunk. He has a purpose.

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