Final chapter! Thanks for reading and DSCWin, thanks for the help

CHAPTER 3 – NOT THE BEST WAY TO FINISH YOUR VACATION

Marley´s point of view – I felt sorry for Mr. John as all his plans for the remaining few days went downhill and it started that night. It was the middle of the night when Mrs. Jenny got really sick. She was throwing up in bed making Mr. John start to scream for help. Mr. Hank and Mrs. Sue came running in and when they saw the distress Mrs., Jenny was, they knew what to do. They grabbed the kids and Mr. Hank came back with towels to help clean up Mrs. Jenny. Mr. John was scared as he carried her out of the room, saying "I'm sorry," every few seconds. I followed Mr. John wanting to be there to try and comfort Mrs. Jenny but I kept getting pushed away.

"Just take care of her. We'll take care of the kids for you." Mrs. Sue had said as she opened the front door letting Mr. John out of the house. I stood at the top of the stairs and began to cry wanting to go with them. Mrs. Sue came up and gently scratched the back of my ears and I licked her hand as a thank you for the scratch. "It's going to be okay, sweetie." She said with a smile. "Come on and help me with the kids." I wagged my tail excited that I was going to be with the kids.

I walked into the room Mr. John and Mrs. Jenny was but I didn't want to stay long as it smelled sour and I didn't like it. I quickly made my way to the kid's new room where Mrs. Sue had sat up and tried to calm them down. They ended falling asleep while later with me at the foot of the bed waiting for Mr. John and Mrs. Jenny to return.

I woke up hearing soft voices coming from the hallway and I knew it was Mr. John and I began to wag my tail with excitement. He walked in to check on the kids and when he saw that I was awake he walked over and scratched my head. I looked up at him and it was if he knew what I was going to ask. "She's going to be okay, boy." Mr. John looked sad but continued to rub my head. "She's just got to sleep more." He looked at his kids before leaving the room.

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Although it was breakfast time and I wanted to eat some of the food like in the day before I was so worried about Mrs. Jenny, that I lay under the table and dozed off listening to the conversation.

"Dad," Patrick's voice woke me up as he spoke. "Are you going to go fishing today?"

"I'm sorry, Pat," Mr. John sighed. "I know I promised but mom's very sick. So I'm going to stay here okay?" I left the table now and looked over at Patrick who looked sad. "But you know why don't you and Conner go take Marley on one of the trails outside, and when mom's better I'll come and go fishing with you."

"Okay." Patrick said his voice sad as he the promise was broken. But I looked excited about the walk.

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I hated the leash but I knew it was so I wouldn't run off and chase something I wasn't supposed to chase. Patrick and Conner both walked beside me and we all saw Bob laying in the sun.

"Hey Bob!" I said excitedly. "We're going for a walk. Want to come with us?" Bob blinked his eyes open and looked at me and at my two humans.

"Sure." He said and walked beside me.

We all spent talking to one another, me and Bob while Conner and Patrick talked behind us. I told Bob about Mr. John and Mrs. Jenny and how I had to stay with the kids.

"They're lucky, you're their guardian." Bob told me.

"Thanks, Bob." I said and we continued to listen to the boys chatter. I knew they were to young to know what to do if something were to happen to Mr. John and Mrs. Jenny. But I knew what I needed to do. I needed to be their protector. I knew if something were to happen to those kids, Mr. John and Mrs. Jenny would be disappointed.

As we were halfway down the trail we were on, I saw that cat again. I heard Bob saying I needed to ignore that cat but I couldn't help myself. That cat hissed at the kids and I knew he wasn't a good cat. The leash broke free from Patrick's hands letting me race towards the cat. The cat hissed at me leading me towards the downhill. I continued to race towards it knowing I needed to teach it a lesson in threatening those kids. I didn't see the loose rocks and I before I knew what was happening I felt it give way underneath me.

I lay on the ground my back paw was in so much pain. I could barely see Patrick and Connor's shapes on top of the hill and the last thing I remember was one of them asking Bob to go get help.

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Hank Ness point of view - John and I sat at the table as Sue was upstairs taking care of the baby allowing Jenny to sleep. "How are does that trail go?" John asked sipping at the tea I had made for him.

"It's half a mile they should be back soon enough." I said trying to calm him down. Even in the few short days he and his family arrived to enjoy their vacation they felt more like family and I wanted him to know Sue and I were there for him and his family.

"I just feel like I'm such a burden on you guys. You've shouldn't have to deal with us..."

"John, you're not a burden. It's an honor to help you out." John gave me a small smile as he wasn't sure he want to believe Sue and I were there for him and his three kids, his dog and most importantly his wife. I was about to say something to him when we heard a frantic whine coming from out the door. I turned and saw Bob scratching and barking as if he was scared of something. But I knew Bob and knew he wasn't scared of anything. I rushed to the door and opened it open but Bob didn't come inside. He barked and started towards the trail and turned to look at John who looked scared. I feared as well that one of the boys were hurt. "Sue! We'll be right back!" I yelled up the stairs.

John and I didn't wait for a reply as we chased Bob down the dirt trail path. There was a moment of relief as we saw the boys were crouched down on the ground looking over the hill. They looked scared but unharmed.

"Daddy!" Connor screamed tears streaming down his cheeks. "Marley fell! Help Marley!" John pulled Connor and Patrick away from the edge of the hill and we both peered over the edge. At the bottom of the hill we saw Marley. He wasn't moving but I could see his chest rise and fall.

"Marley!" John called and we watched as the poor dog twitched but let out a long and painful yelp. That's when we both noticed the paw bleeding and at an odd angle. "Mr. Hank what are we going to do?"

"Don't worry John, I'll be back with some rope." I raced back towards the house and headed for the barn. I was amazed that even in my sixties I still was able to jog all the way back to the house and grabbed the rope that hung on the hook inside the barn. I raced back towards the place where John was trying to calm his boys but also try and find a way down to his hurt dog.

I reached the ravine and saw that John had found a way down to Marley. Connor and Patrick both were trying to calm down each other as I tossed the rope down to John. "John," I called down to him, tossing him my jacket I was wearing. "Wrap Marley in my jacket and then tie the rope on him." John nodded and with careful movements gently encased Marley in my jacket and carefully tied the rope around him. "Okay. Lift him up and I'll pull him out okay?"

"Okay!" John called back. He gently scooped Marley into his arms and held him up while I began to pull Marley up from the Ravine. As Marley was placed on the ground I tossed the rope back over watching as John grabbed it tightly. With a few quick pulls both man and dog were up on the trail with Bob licking at Marley trying to comfort his hurt friend. "What happened here?" John asked as I did a quick scan over Marley to make sure nothing else was wrong with him. Luckily for Marley it was just a broken paw.

"We were walking down the path..." the youngest boy Connor, took in a deep breath as more tears began to fall, "When that cat Ziggy appeared and Marley chased him."

"Typical you, isn't it pal?" John teased lightly gently rubbing Marley's head. Marley's eyes twitched open and we all were glad to see that.

"I tired to keep a hold on his leash dad," Patrick said looking as if he was being scolded. "But Marley was too heavy for me."

"You boys did just fine." John said wrapping both of them in a hug. "But now we got to take Marley back to the ranch."

"Leave that to me." I said gently picking up the dog and began to walk with a slow and easy pace back to the house. "I'll have my vet friend come down and take a look over Marley."

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When we got to the house Sue, and John's Wife Jenny, were waiting for us in the dining room. Connor and Patrick, on seeing their mother quickly ran up to her and wrapped their arms around her. Even when I could see that she wasn't back to her normal self she held her kids close. She looked up and saw me gently set Marley on our couch while I raced to head to the phone to call my Vet friend.

As I picked up my phone to call I could hear Jenny talking to her husband. "John, what happened?"

"It's kind of a long story." John had said as I began to press the buttons to call my friend. "But he broke his leg and Hank is going to call his vet friend to make sure it's just the paw that's broken."

I left a quick message for him thinking he must have been outside in his garden. I walked back inside to make sure Marley was comfortable and I saw John and Jenny hugging each other.

"Are you doing okay?" John asked Jenny who nodded slowly.

"A little bit." She said smiling and then sitting down next to Marley on the floor. "Is your vet friend coming over?" She asked me looking at me.

"I had to leave a message. But I'm sure he'll be here once he hears it."

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Forty-five minutes later my friend had arrived and had just finished looking over Marley. Setting his broken leg into a cast he stood up much to the family's fear. "Is he going to be okay?" Conner asked and my friend nodded.

"He's going to be okay. He's just gonna be needing to take it easy for a while." He handed John a small business card which John took it. "If you need me to come out and take a look over him."

"Oh we're just visiting." John said. "We live-"

"Hey don't worry. I have plenty of recent flyer points that I could use so traveling isn't going to be a problem." John nodded and they shook hands. "Take care Hank." He said before gently rubbing Marley's head

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John´s point of view –After the vet left and Marley rested on the couch, Jenny had asked me to take the boys fishing. I thought it was a good idea to try and get distracted from how our vacation was ending. Despite the fact I was worried about Jenny and about Marley, Conner, Patrick and I were all having fun. We each caught a fish and I fumbled with the camera to take a picture of each of the fish. Hank had come and joined us after about an hour after we left. He helped us catch more fish for dinner. Hank kept looking at me as me and my boys continued to fish but I shook my head not wanting to talk right there. Hank nodded and continued to fish for another couple of hours before taking the fish we caught and the fish he caught, and took them up the house to get cleaned and cooked.

After dinner, while the kids and Jenny were asleep, I helped Marley outside in the garden to relieve himself he lay on the porch while I sat there trying to relax and to enjoy the music of the night from the crickets and frogs that hid near the house. Hank came out with two bottles of beer and handed me one before sitting down in the other chair.

"Evening Hank." I said gently sipping at the beer I was given.

"How you doing, John?" Hank asked me as Marley slept.

"I'm okay." I said even though I knew it wasn't completely true. "Hank I want to thank you for what you and your wife has done for me, my kids, Jenny and even Marley." Marley lifted his head as he his name had been called but laid it back down. "We must be the worst visitors you ever had to visit you."

"No, you didn't give us any trouble." Hank said sitting up in his chair. "You and your family has been through the ringer a few times. Sue and I are happy to lend a helping hand. Hell, you six are like part of our family. What's that line from the Three Musketeers? 'All for one and one for all'?" I nodded not sure where he was going with that. "It means that no matter what comes your way you have us to help back you up."

"Well, I do than you for that." I fumbled with my beer before taking in a deep breath. "The doctor messaged about Jenny." Hank turned listening intently. "The Biopsy came back. He says he needs to see me as soon as possible."

"Oh John," Hank said solemnly. "I'm so sorry. Have you told your kids?" I shook my head.

"I haven't spoken to Jenny either. I want her to be there when the doctor explains to us what he's found." I finished the rest of my beer before setting it down on the porch. "But we're going to be leaving probably tomorrow afternoon."

"I figured the trip was over." Hank said with a small smile on his face. "But John, I want you to know, you and your family are welcomed to come back once things gets hectic in the big city."

"Yeah, I'll pay for the deposit fee-"

"You'll do no such thing." I looked over at Hank. "You and your family is going through the ringer once again. I'm not going to make it worse by charging you over something you couldn't control." I could hear the fatherly anger in his voice as he was trying to put a point across.

"Okay, Hank. Thank you."

"You're welcome John. Now the only thing I ask you to do, I want you to take care of Marley, take care of your wife, and most importantly take care of my three new adopted grand-kids."

"I will, Hank." I said with a smile. "I will."

"At least you had fun this week." Hank said with a smile. "I mean, there's some very fun memories. Like you and the chicken." I shivered as Hank gave me a sideways glance and let out a chuckle. "The most important thing is you did have fun, and you never know. We might see you and your family again."

"I would like that so much." I smiled and looked down at my watch. "I should probably head to bed." I bent over and gently picked up Marley. I looked down at the empty beer bottle but Hank held up a hand. I nodded silently and headed inside and I set Marley on the couch placing a pillow under his broken paw before heading upstairs. I fist checked on my kids seeing they were fast asleep and I headed into my room to find Jenny sitting up reading a book.

"Everything okay, John?" She asked her voice weak and tired. I slowly nodded and sat at the edge of the bed. My wife looked at me and gave a sad smile of understanding. "The biopsy came back didn't it?" She asked and once again I nodded again. "I see."

"We're also going to head home tomorrow." I said looking up at Jenny. "I think it's best we head to a place where we can relax and heal up."

"I think that's a good idea." Jenny said leaning her head on headrest of the bed. "Come to bed, John. We have a long drive ahead of us."

"Yeah. Okay." I said getting dressed in my sleepwear and climbed into bed.

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The next afternoon, after saying goodbye to Hank and Sue at breakfast, we all piled into the van ready to travel home. Marley had been placed in a position so he could sleep and his paw wouldn't bump against any of our bags. Sue had also made us large amounts of snacks and sandwiches so that we didn't have to stop for food on our long drive home.

Understandably Connor and Patrick were crying for leaving but Sue and Hank tried to lighten the mood by giving them toys to entertain themselves while I drove. She had given Colleen a homemade blanket and Jenny a small bouquet of wildflowers that Jenny had said she loved the first day we arrived.

"You guys take care and may God bless your travels so that you can arrive safely." Hank said shaking my hand.

"I'm sure he will, Hank." I said with a smile. "Thank you for all that you have done."

"Just come back soon, alright?" Sue said with a smile handing me a small wrapped package. I shook her hand and they moved to the porch where Bob stood whining as he barked his goodbye.

"Alright everyone ready to leave?" I asked there were sad 'no's' but I knew once we started to travel they would be better. I started the car and pulled the car through the long driveway out to the main road. I looked back and saw that Hank and Sue were still standing on the porch waving and I quickly opened my present before we moved. I smiled at a new leather bound workbook with freshly blank pages. Except for the main page which read, "Whenever you write your columns that you'll always remember us." I looked over at Jenny who smiled at the gesture and grabbed my hand. I knew it was a crazy week but I knew once we got home, I would never forget Hank and Sue Ness and I knew what my next column was going to be.

THE END