"I'm fine, Nellie. The doctor said it would be good for me to go home. Anyway, there's nothing else they need to do. I'm not ill, I just got struck by lightning."
Nellie leaned over, and inspected the bandage on his right shoulder. "Well, I guess it can't hurt if you come home. As long as you promise to rest. But the first time I catch you rattling around the house with that toolbox of yours, William Bellows Christopherson, it's right back to Piersville Memorial for you!"
He winced. "When have I ever disobeyed you, Dear?"
She crossed her arms over her chest, and scowled. "Only every time I let you out of my sight. Remember when you decided I needed a bigger kitchen, so you knocked out the wall? Well now I have a big kitchen all right, but no dining room to entertain all those guests I'm able to cook for."
His face fell. "I know, I should've built the addition first. But I just couldn't bear to see you struggling to work in such a confined space. You didn't even have enough shelf space for your basic appliances."
Her face softened. "I know you were only trying to help. Can you walk, Will?"
He quickly sat up. "Did you bring my clothes, Nellie?"
"They're right here. But don't get any ideas, it's right into pajamas as soon as you're home."
"That's fine, I'm just glad to stretch my legs a little, and sleep in my own bed tonight."
Thirty minutes later, they pulled into the driveway. Will got out, and looked at his tidy little home. "The lawn needs mowing..."
"Not by you it doesn't! Do you remember our agreement?" she whispered.
He took a step back, and gulped. "Of course, Dear.
As he entered the living room, a Yorkie looked up. "Hello, Jerry. I've missed you."
A deep voice spoke, from everywhere and yet nowhere. "You can talk?"
Will's eyes widened. "Who said that?"
"I didn't say anything, Dear." a female voice called out.
"Oh, I was just saying hello to Jerry."
Nellie walked into the room, and looked between the dog and man, eyebrows raised. "I guess I misunderstood you..."
Will sighed. "I think I'm going to relax on the couch for a while. Maybe watch the new episode of Darling the Wonder Dog."
Nellie smiled. "That's an excellent idea. I think once you're in bed I'll move the TV, so you can watch it without having to get up."
Will stiffened slightly. "No need for that. I have to get up to take a quick shower, I'll just move to the couch afterwards," he replied casually.
"Oh, it's no bother. You'll be much more comfortable on the bed, where you can stretch out."
Without another word, Will turned on the TV.
"I'm going to make you some good homemade vegetable soup," announced Nellie, as she headed for the kitchen.
"She's really got you on a short leash this time," said the same deep voice.
"Who is this?" he whispered, after making sure that Nellie had indeed left the area.
"It's me, Jerry. But how is it you're talking? You've never even heard me before."
"It must have been the lightning strike. I guess it rewired my brain somehow. I can't let Nellie know, or she'll have me in bed for the rest of my life."
The little dog covered his nose. "She would have both of us there if she could, whether we needed it or not."
"Yes... I heard you when I walked in, but Nellie didn't. How did you do that?"
"She can't hear me, any more than you could before. I'm not actually making noise. You can just hear what I'm sending you. Try doing it yourself."
Will thought "Can you hear me?"
No response.
He pictured Jerry in his mind, and tried again.
Jerry's tail thumped on the worn carpet. "You're coming in loud and clear."
"This is incredible! We're communicating telepathically."
Jerry jumped into Will's lap. "I've never heard of a person able to do it. A few of my littermates can. Mom too. But not a person..."
The two sat in companionable silence, occasionally commenting on the show. When it was over, Jerry went to his soft spot by the front door. A few minutes later, Nellie came in with the soup.
True to her word, she moved the TV into the bedroom. Will was well and truly stuck.
Jerry spent most of the next day with him, but by evening he kept pacing.
"Would you like for me to throw a ball for you?" Will offered.
"No, thank you. I need to get outside for a while. Would you mind?"
Will stood, stretching slowly. "Not at all. I'll let you into the backyard now. I wish I could go with you."
"Thank you, Will. Maybe she'll let you go out for a while tomorrow."
The two walked into the kitchen and before they reached the back door, Jerry stopped.
"Will, does that light above us sound different?"
He listened carefully. "I don't hear anything."
Jerry whined. "It's usually like a low hum. Now it's an angry hiss."
Jerry went over to the supply closet, and returned with a stepladder. "I'll have a look."
Nellie walked in, and put her hands on her hips. "Exactly what do you think you're doing?"
Will jumped, then studied the intricate design on the tile floor. "Uh, that light isn't acting right. I was just going to check it out. Safety first, right?"
Her eyes narrowed. "You said it. Now get back to bed, and I'll have an electrician come over right away."
"I will, Dear. I just got up because Jerry needs to go outside. I thought a little fresh air might do me some good too."
"Well let him out, then. It's getting late, but maybe tomorrow you should get some sun. I'll set out one of the lounge chairs if it's a nice day."
He smiled at the thought. "Maybe we can play ball in the yard tomorrow, Jerry."
The little dog's tail wagged happily, then he darted onto the well manicured lawn.
Nellie put the stepladder back, and watched Will until he disappeared into the bedroom.
An hour later, she opened the bedroom door, and Jerry rushed in and sprang onto the bed.
Nellie followed the little dog in, and quietly sat on the edge of the bed, absently rubbing Jerry's ears.
"You were right, Will. The electrician said it could have caused a fire at any time. What a stroke of luck that you noticed it!"
He looked at Jerry. "Thanks."
"No need to thank me. It's what we do... but she was wrong, you know. It wasn't a stroke of luck. It was a strike of luck."
Cover image made in Canva Pro. Original fractal artwork by me. Yorkie image and text is from the Canva Pro gallery
