Rabid Recall: CH6 - The Intervention

Sixth prompt.
Remember prompt four? That chance not taken? It's back and this time the characters takes that chance! How does it impact his/her life and how will it lead to the story's climax in this second to last chapter?
Remember to highlight the prompt words/phrases in bold, or ALL CAPITALS, or color.
Due on or before October 27, 2009; 11:59PM WDC time.



************************************************************************************************************

Rabid Recall

Chapter 6 - The Intervention

by Indelibleink

Lois Jenkins hurried up the long driveway of the Clemens home. It was almost 5PM, and she had promised Elizabeth that she'd be there by then. She paused momentarily before ringing the doorbell, wondering if there really was anything she could do to assist in the situation that existed here. She had worked with many "problem" dogs before, but she couldn't recall ever working with a dog that only seemed to have an issue with just one person, that person being an 8 year-old, to boot!

Elizabeth smiled and greeted Lois warmly when she opened the front door.

"Lois, so good to see you...please come in. Eddie's not home from work yet, but he should be pulling in any minute. Let me take your coat...and please, make yourself at home."

Elizabeth helped Lois with her coat, at the same time second-guessing herself about the wisdom of calling Lois over to help with their "situation." Elizabeth had been so adamant in her discussions - make that arguments - with Eddie regarding the proper course of action to take concerning Larry and Happy. She had been so vocal in her assertion that they were taking a huge gamble in not taking the chance by asking Lois over earlier, before Happy attacked Larry. Now, she was getting her way for something to which Eddie was still opposed. What if taking the chance now didn't work? Then what? Lois smiled, removed her boots, walked over by the fireplace, and had a seat on the couch.

"Don't need Eddie. At least not at the start. First, I'd like to talk to Larry and Happy together - in private - to get a feel for how they interact without parents present. Then, I'd like to meet with the entire family... where is the dog, by the way?

"Shaun's been keeping Happy up in his bedroom the last couple of days. He's terrified that if he let's Happy out of his sight for two seconds, Happy will be gone. Taken to the pound. That's my fault, I guess. I "lost it" two days ago - we all did - I suppose. Now, everyone seems to be suspicious of each other."

Tears started to form in Elizabeth's eyes as she spoke, and she sat on the couch next to Lois. "I just want things to be like they used to be...before Larry tried to..." Elizabeth began to cry heavily. Lois responded with a reassuring hug, and searched for the right words.

"You know, Elizabeth, sometimes things happen for reasons that are difficult to explain. I hope I can be of some help to you. But I do know, regardless of my impact here, that you have a very warm, loving family. I can say that I know you will all move past this - it may not seem like right now - but sooner than later things will get better." Elizabeth wiped her eyes with a tissue, composed herself, and gave Lois's hand a squeeze.

"I know. You're right. We've just...never experienced anything like this before. Eddie says that we'll be all the stronger for it down the road, but it's...it's tough right now. But you're not here to listen to me cry...I'll go get Larry, and have Shaun bring down the dog."

Elizabeth got up from the couch, and went up the stairs towards Larry's room. Lois removed a loose-leaf binder and pen from her bag, as well as some 5" x 7" note cards on which she had jotted down some questions for Larry that she thought would be of some value. While Elizabeth was upstairs, Eddie arrived home from work and came in the back door by the kitchen. He immediately started checking the contents of that which was simmering on the stove to get an idea of what was in store for dinner.

Elizabeth came down the steps with her oldest son, who was tentative about the whole idea, to say the least. He appeared to become even more-so when he heard Happy not too far behind him. Elizabeth guided Larry - who had already been "briefed" on the purpose of Lois's visit - over to Lois, and introduced her to Larry, while Shaun and Happy waited at the bottom of the steps for further instructions. Happy was dealing with the wearing of a leash, something to which he was not accustomed.

Lois motioned Shaun and Happy to come over to the couch.

"Good to see you again, Shaun. Jessie said to say 'hello'. Give me Happy's leash, please." Shaun was usually quite the talker, but found words difficult with his pal's life literally on the line today. So, he just smiled and did as Lois had requested. "Now, if you and your Mom will give us a little privacy, then Larry, Happy and I will get to know each other. And, don't you worry Shaun...if there's a problem, I will call you right away. Okay?"

Shaun leaned over and gave his dog a hug, and nodded to Lois. Then Elizabeth and Shaun headed into the kitchen, where Eddie, oblivious to the goings-on in the living room, was still sampling tonight's dinner.

Elizabeth was about to chastise Eddie for his brazen attack on the beef stew when the sound of a vicious growl came from the living room; immediately followed by a woman's scream, and then a loud thud on the living room floor.

Eddie, Elizabeth, and Shaun dashed into the living room to see Lois Jenkins lying face up, motionless, eyes wide open, on the floor. Standing over her was Happy, staring down at Lois's lifeless body. Larry was still in the same place he was when everyone had left earlier - on the end of the couch.

Shaun screamed, "Happy, No!"

******************************

The County Sheriff's Deputy walked over to Eddie who was tending to the fire in the fireplace.

"Well, I guess that's all we need from here, Mr. Clemens. Based upon the statements from the only witness - your son, Lawrence - who saw the attack, I'm afraid we're going to have to take your dog and quarantine him until we get some tests on him and Mrs. Jenkins back from the lab. We don't get many cases where a dog is involved in a suspicious death like this, so I can't say for sure, but I'd be surprised if the dog isn't put down when it's all done. I'm sorry; I know your younger boy loves that dog."

"Understood, Deputy. Shaun's up in his room. I think he's aware of the consequences. Thank you for your help. Oh, and one other thing...did the coroner have any idea what exactly   killed Lois?"

"Appears to have been a heart attack. Coroner did say that based upon the look on that poor woman's face, she must have been terrified by something. Probably when the dog lunged at her or something of the sort. The autopsy should give us some clues. How's your other boy doing?"

"He's in the kitchen with his Mom. He seems to be holding up pretty well. Thanks again, Deputy."                                         

Eddie watched the Deputy and another officer exit through the front door, and then sat down in front of the fire, gazing into the dancing flames, in search of answers.

******************************

Shaun got up from his bed and stared over at the clock. 11:58PM. He couldn't sleep a wink.
Yes, he was upset at how Happy - almost for sure - was going to be put down. But what Shaun was really upset about was how he had been so mean to Larry all of this time; blaming Larry every time Happy got into trouble. After all, Larry was his big brother and Shaun had all but deleted him from his life after Happy showed up. It was time to start being friends with his brother. In fact, Shaun decided to go over to Larry's room right now and apologize. He put on his slippers and robe and tip-toed down the hall to Larry's door.

The door was locked, but hadn't been closed fully, so the latch hadn't caught, allowing Shaun to open the door when he gave it a shove. The light from the full moon allowed Shaun to see right away that Larry wasn't in his bed. Shaun turned his glance towards the window and was momentarily frozen from the shock of what he saw.

************************************************************************************************************
word count: 1396            cumulative: 6702