They Called It Puppy Love

THEY CALLED IT PUPPY LOVE

By

R.A. Rios

Copyright © 2017 by R.A. Rios

All Rights Reserved.

2021 Revision

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 She Moves In

Chapter 2 Showing Mary Around

Chapter 3 They Called It Puppy Love

Chapter 4 Falling Deeper

Chapter 5 Bad News

Chapter 6 Nine Years Pass

Chapter 7 The Birth

Chapter 8 I Have To Leave

Chapter 9 A New Directions

Chapter 10 My Search Is On

Synopsis

CHAPTER 1

She Moves In

The heavens above were painted black with dark ominous looking nimbostratus and cumulonimbus clouds that darkened the heavens above the city blocking out all vestiges of sunlight. It seemed strange how they just hung heavily in the expanse above as if gathering together to express their great sorrow. All the while below we can see the trees come alive as the leaves rustled and swayed in the wind causing the branches to make these heavy groaning sounds.

Gradually there came a heavy sigh from the heavens above as they wept bitterly giving way to a sudden buffeting wind’s. We now watch the heavy branches still covered in leaves to crackle, snap and sputter as they were still dripping from the heavy onslaught of the earlier tumultuous thunder showers. Yes the waters dripped like heavy tears from the leaves above as they wept upon the earth below brought on by those early morning gusts of wind.

To add to this onslaught there was this clapping and mighty rumbling of thunder as if there was a deep grumbling within, it sounded like the sound of a mighty army of foot soldiers shouting a stupendous war cry as they came marching from far away. Suddenly it struck the air and land with a thunderous mighty bellow as it treads across the land striking fear into man and beast alike.

With that, the heavens answered back as the skies were lit up with the static charge of explosive bolts of lightning etching their way across the canvas of the heavens! It was as if they were being flung by Angels expressing their great pain! Yes, there had been a stunning display of lightning and the deafening clapping of thunder that could be heard for miles, all of which…in a way was fitting for this most solemn occasion. Soon thereafter the storm gradually began to pass and all that lingered…was the sweet smell of fresh, clean…air.

Looking up into the sky was the welcome site of the rays of sunlight as it began glistening and sparkling through the broken clouds like fingers gently dancing on the keys of a piano. The freshly washed streets gave way to a parade of cars jousting for a parking space. Soon throngs of people began arriving; silently as they single filed their way up the sidewalk leading to this picturesque early style colonial home.

As we draw closer to this most solemn occasion, we…find ourselves in this crowded home now filled with people of all ages and nationalities. Young and old alike we can see that most of them are dressed in black and immersed in soft conversations…still others are crying to themselves softly.

While we look about we can see that nearly everyone has a plate of food in their hands. This mixed emotional occasion is unmistakable. It is a fact that this single person that everyone has gathered here too remember has made a definite and everlasting impression on all their lives. Maybe for the good or maybe for the bad…either way, everyone here today is here to pay their last and finale respects.

This gathering here together today…is a memorial for Mary. We listen in as two women at the table reminisce while holding a saucer and gently sipping their tea.

Yes

Says one of the women…

She was a loved and well respected woman in the community.

She will be sorely missed.

Says the other as she shakes her head in agreement, stating…

There will never be another one like Mary, she was remarkable and she touched so many lives!

As we pass through the home it is easy to see that this Mary, that they are speaking of…will be deeply missed! Yes, walking through the crowds of people we do hear many sentimental comments about what a great and giving person she was. On this side of the room we see a tall and slender man gently rubbing the back of a young woman as she comments between her tears about all that Mary did for her and how she accomplished so much in life as a person, wife, mother and grandmother.

Outside, we watch as well wishers are still arriving. We can see as this one car in particular a late model sedan, slows to a crawl as it rounds the block a second time, all in an effort to find a single parking space. Noticing the car a bit closer, we can see a small child in the back seat with her face pressed intently up against the rear passenger side window. The look on her face is one of an anxious and desperate child; it is easy to see that she is frantic with eager anticipation to disembark.

Yes, she…is desperately urging her father to park the car as she wants to get off…

Hurry daddy, hurry, over there is a parking spot…she points her finger, OH DADDY please hurry and park!

As soon as the family car finally comes to a stop, this young child quickly pulls on the lever of the car door then with all her might she shoves the backdoor wide open! She jumps out and begins running down the block swiftly.

We watch as she turns onto the walkway that is still covered with wet windblown maple leaves of red, yellow and orange leading up to this well weather front porch. In her haste she runs in thorough the front door dodging grownups as if in a labyrinth as they shake the rain water from there umbrellas’ and over coats. We see her parents in tow, franticly trying to catch up as they call out her name…landing on deaf ears.

Finally entering the home they shuffle thru the crowd, searching for their small child…now looking down, they see her jet across the room. This child…small for her age is anxiously evading one mourner after another as she makes her way thru the maze of people searching and searching! The look of intensity on her face is unmistakable.

This young child is ten year old Sarah. We watch her as she shifts through the crowd, searching…for someone in particular! Undeterred and unrelenting even as tears began to well up within her eyes, still, she is focused in her search. Nothing and no one, is going to stop her!

Then like an eagle catching sight of its pray from the heavens above she makes a bee line across the room, suddenly she stops and stare’s, she has found him…the one she is was looking for! There is a look of fortitude on her tiny face as she slowly and deliberately walks up to this well dressed gentleman. The first thing she notices is that he is sitting in the far right corner of the room next to the bay window…all alone. She watches him from a distance at first…only but for a moment, all the while he somberly peers out of that family room window.

Sarah is a pretty little thing. She is very petit for her age, standing just about thirty six inches high. With long wavy light brown auburn hair and beautiful baby blue eyes that are so expressive the even bird seem to chirp her name as she passes by. She is the cutest little thing with a great big heart. We watch quietly as she scuffles across the room toward this solemn and wayward gentleman.

At first she is unsure about approaching him, not knowing if she can find the right words or even…if he will accept her embrace. She notices that he is gazing longingly in the distance out of the rear bay window at Mary's flower garden…yes he is lost in his thoughts. Her heart sinks in pain noting that he is all by himself.

Too little Sarah, she imagines him looking out the window like a wayward sailor gazing out at the vast waters of an open sea, longing for home in a distant shore. It was only then that Little Sarah started walking slowly toward him. Finally she comes to a stop as she pauses but for a moment as it is obvious to her that he has still not noticed her. So now she stands right beside him, but he still does not see her so she moves closer and then closer still. And then once again she moves a little bit closer, this time making her presence even more obvious! Still unsure of what to say, she gently puts her hand upon on his shoulder.

He only then turns and looks at little Sarah as he forces a smile through his tears and sorrow. We can see now that he is well aged with deep lines etched into his brow indicating that grief…is not something new to this gentleman. Still at a glance it is evident that he is notably troubled and broken hearted as tears continue to trickle slowly down his face.

Little Sarah leans forward and kiss's him on the cheek, then very gently she wipes away his heavy tears with her little laced hankie, only then does she ask him very softly…in almost a whisper.

Grandpa, aren’t you going to eat?

Noticing that the plate in his hands had not yet been touched, he shakes his head as if to say no. Looking down at little Sarah, he forces a quivering smile with tears billowing up within his eyes before breaking loose and rolling down his cheeks. His hands shaking in emotional pain when he cups her sweet little face between his palms, he kisses her on the forehead.

I'm sorry honey (his voice is quivering) but I’m just not hungry.

Clearing his throat he continues…

I'm, I’m…

(There is a very deep down grumbling within him as he tries to get the right words out)

I will miss your Grandma, so very much!

(He starts to cry once again)

Little Sarah now takes a seat beside him, looking up into his very sad and soggy eyes.

Grandpa, I know that no one could ever take grandmas' place… (with the most sincere look in her eyes) but I will try if you let me, you know how much I love you!

Little Sarah says this with all her child like sincerity and love.

I know honey, I know you will and that makes me so very happy!

She has brought a smile to this broken hearted gentleman's face.

Sarah I do appreciate the offer so very much honey…but.

Lowering his head down once again…

As you said…no one will ever replace your grandma, you see honey, she was…very special to me…she was my very first love!

Your very first love Grandpa?

Yes Sarah, she was my very…first…love, ever since the day I met her…I knew, there was something special between us…something, everlasting!

Can you tell me Grandpa, how you first met Grandma?

Sitting next to Toby little Sarah took his aged and wrinkled hand into hers and held it tightly, she then looked up at him with her baby blue eyes and that innocent face that only a child has.

(He smiles slightly)

She has that child like look in her eyes of both curiosity and of love. As he looks down at her, he took in a slow, deep, breath…she now has his rapt attention!

Toby wipes his eyes and clears his throat.

Well honey let me see if I can remember correctly…it was a real long time ago!

Toby begins to smile as he allows his