Chapter Thirty Six
It is late the night after Claymore has left. Everyone is in bed except for Carolyn, she sits in her favorite chair in the living room in front of the fire. It is a chair where she can stare at Captain's portrait, and I often find her doing so. I wish I could talk to her the way I talk to Captain, then it would be easier to get them together. I stare at her while she stares at the portrait and she has a lovely smile on her face. I think she wishes he was real and not a ghost. If that were possible perhaps they would be mates by now and save us all a lot of nonsense.
Finally she realizes that I am staring at her, and she pats the couch beside her. Obligingly, I jump up. I am not one to refuse affection unlike a spirit that I know. She scratches me and I roll over so she can rub my tummy. I don't do that for many people. It can be construed as a sign of weakness and a terrier must never show weakness! But for those I really love and trust, I will let them rub my belly. Besides, it feels sooo good!
I am content and she smiles happily but I know she is thinking of him.
I see him out of the corner of my eye but remain silent. I know he is invisible to her.
This could be you, I say to him.
"But I do not need my tummy rubbed," he said quietly so that only I can hear him, and I see the laughter in his eyes.
Then other things? I laugh silently at the indignant look on his face.
"Scruffy!"
Tell me you wouldn't like her to rub your…
"That's enough!" He said, torn between indignant and amused.
Your loss… I sighed as he disappeared. I don't care. Carolyn is rubbing my tummy.