Reunion

Reunion

         The wind was howling outside the window as Gregory readjusted the logs on the fire with the poker and pulled his chair next to the fireplace. He loved this old chair; it was worn in just the right places and fit him perfectly. After smoothing the comforter over his lap he saw Humphrey, his old basset. He lifted the edge. "Climb up here, old boy." The dog scrambled up beside him and Gregory tucked the comforter around him.

         "I'm sorry it's so cold. I couldn't afford the oil for the furnace. Maggie's funeral took all I had; she deserved the best." He looked at the small-framed picture on the table next to his chair and wiped away the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand. He heard Humphrey whistle through his nose.

         "You miss her as much as I do. Don't you?" He reached down and rubbed the dog's ears. "Preacher says we'll see her again someday. I hope he's right." Gregory picked up his Bible, but found it too hard to read by the small candle on the table. He put the book back on the table and fell asleep.

         When he woke, he found that the candle and fire had gone out, but he wasn't cold. As he hurried to the window, he heard Humphrey's toenails clicking on the floor behind him. "Look, old boy, there's no snow; it looks like spring out there. We've slept all winter."

         "Don't be silly," said a familiar voice.

         Gregory turned and saw a woman standing by his chair. "Maggie, is it really you?" He hugged her tightly.

         "Yes, it's me. Come now, we can't stay here."

         "Where are we going?"

         "You'll see." She smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "It's more wonderful than we ever imagined."

         Gregory scooped up Humphrey and followed her out the door.


         The policeman shook his head as he looked at the scene before him. "It looks like the fire went out and the poor old man and his dog froze to death. I hope they're in a better place now."