A Present Just for You
Fall, 1947
Hitch and Isla had returned from their honeymoon. For two weeks they had sailed to Italy and then to Greece, exploring historic sights, visiting museums, attending the opera and other theatrical events, even catching several ballet performances. Of course, there was also a fashion show or two in Milan which Hitch tolerated for Isla. He didn't really mind, The rewards of her favors more than made up for the inconvenience.
As close as they were from a deep, life-long friendship, they were amazed at how much more profound their relationship had become now they were married. Each day was exhilarating and a new experience they had never before shared. Neither had expected the depth of intimacy and lovingness this heretofore unexplored connection had brought about. They truly felt and understood the statement from their wedding regarding the two shall become one.
Upon their return to New York City, Hitch had to dive back into his studies while she devoted herself to the ballet. Time was spent traveling back and forth between Boston and NYC, so they rarely spent a night apart, but it was mostly due to the near daily flights between the two cities on behalf of business concerns of Hitch's father. Isla sometimes suspected her father-in-law arranged these frequent flights to make it easier on the newlyweds, but the elder Hitchcock would never admit such a thing.
As a wedding present, both sets of parents had gifted the couple with a large, luxurious, apartment in Manhattan, located in the same building as all the other members of both families. When they took up residence, so did Isla's Scottish Terrier, Lorna Doone. The dog and Hitch had always gotten along well together but Lorna was accustomed to sleeping on the bed with Isla. It came as quite a shock when Hitch relegated her to a comfortable dog bed in the corner. She was not happy about this new arrangement at all.
The first morning in the apartment, after certain noisy activities that Lorna found even more confusing, Hitch swung his legs over the side of the bed, reaching for his glasses as he did so. When his feet hit the floor, his right foot landed on the soft carpet, but his left foot connected with something warm and squishy. An unpleasant odor arose from the contact and slowly Hitch released what had happened.
"What the heck?" he reacted, pulling his foot from the steaming pile of dog poo. "Isla, the dog has left a little present and I just stepped in it," he said in disgust, standing on one foot and hobbling to the bathroom.
"What?" Isla left the bed and went around to the opposite side. Sure enough, Lorna had left a gift, especially for the man who had usurped her place in the bed. "Bad girl, Lorna," Isla scolded, "You know better than that." She took the dog to the balcony connected to their bedroom where a grassy area had been installed for the dog's use. She cleaned up the mess while Hitch cleaned his foot, gagging several times in the process.
"I thought she liked me," he said when Isla entered the bathroom.
"She does," Isla insisted. "I think she's just mad or jealous that you now share my bed."
"Well, she certainly made her point," he added. "And I'm not about to give in to her mood. I want you all to myself," he pulled her close for a long kiss.
That evening, Lorna acted as if nothing had happened, and Hitch made a point of giving her more attention. The next morning brought another carefully placed, thoughtful gift for the usurper. And the next morning. And the next. Finally, Hitch began to cautiously check the floor before getting out of bed and while he avoided stepping in another mess, Lorna continued to leave one for him each morning.
"We have to do something about this," he said to his wife. "Any suggestions?"
"She's never done this before. We follow the same nighttime routine with her as always. The only thing different is you sleeping in her place," Isla replied.
The next day was Saturday and Hitch made a point of taking Lorna on a long walk and spent time throwing her ball for her to retrieve. If the couple was cuddled up together, talking on the couch, he allowed the dog to lay on his lap, scratching behind her ears and speaking softly to her, giving her lots of praise and treats. Soon she was jumping into his lap in the evenings instead of Isla's. She gave him doggy kisses and laid her head over his heart.
In a short time, Lorna had accepted Hitch as part of the family and the special deliveries stopped.
"I think perhaps I'm getting a bit jealous," Isla pretended to pout. "I think my dog prefers you to me."
"You know that isn't so," Hitch grinned. "She's just finally accepted me as part of the family."
"Well, you don't have to worry about my expressing my dissatisfaction the way she did," Isla joked.
"That's because I never leave you dissatisfied," he grinned sliding his hands around her waist and pulling her to him.