The day started with Herman’s alarm clock beeping at 6:15 am. He fumbled around his
bedside table, reaching to turn the alarm off and find his glasses. He accidentally knocked
over the picture of his deceased wife, Ruth. Herman slowly rolled out of bed, massaging
the cramp in his lower back. He clutched the bedside table for support and then slowly
made his way toward the foot of the bed, where his beagle, Johnny, lay sleeping.
bedside table, reaching to turn the alarm off and find his glasses. He accidentally knocked
over the picture of his deceased wife, Ruth. Herman slowly rolled out of bed, massaging
the cramp in his lower back. He clutched the bedside table for support and then slowly
made his way toward the foot of the bed, where his beagle, Johnny, lay sleeping.
“C’mon, good boy,” Herman called as he tenderly rubbed Johnny’s stomach. “It’s time to
wake up.” Once awake, Johnny jumped out of bed and dashed toward the kitchen.
Chuckling, Herman followed his dog. Before starting breakfast, Herman tuned the radio to
the classical music station and hummed along to the symphony. He fed Johnny and then
started his coffee. Even though Herman could see out the window that the day would be
wet and grey, he was already surrounded by enough color. The walls of the kitchen were
lined with his landscape paintings and pictures of his children and grandchildren.
wake up.” Once awake, Johnny jumped out of bed and dashed toward the kitchen.
Chuckling, Herman followed his dog. Before starting breakfast, Herman tuned the radio to
the classical music station and hummed along to the symphony. He fed Johnny and then
started his coffee. Even though Herman could see out the window that the day would be
wet and grey, he was already surrounded by enough color. The walls of the kitchen were
lined with his landscape paintings and pictures of his children and grandchildren.
After breakfast, Johnny was eager to get outside. Herman grabbed an umbrella before
heading toward the elevator to get downstairs. It was when he was walking in the hall
that Herman remembered about Mr. Evans. He would miss his fellow old-timer and the
conversations they shared over red wine and jazz. He hoped that the police would quickly
solve the crime.
heading toward the elevator to get downstairs. It was when he was walking in the hall
that Herman remembered about Mr. Evans. He would miss his fellow old-timer and the
conversations they shared over red wine and jazz. He hoped that the police would quickly
solve the crime.
Once outside, Herman struggled to keep up with Johnny. His achy knees resisted as
Johnny pulled ahead on the leash, eager to follow new smells. Luckily, the street was
almost empty at this hour, so Herman did not have to worry about accidentally hitting
other pedestrians. After a loop around the block, Johnny was satisfied. The twosome
headed back towards their apartment, shaking off the rain when they got to the lobby.
Johnny pulled ahead on the leash, eager to follow new smells. Luckily, the street was
almost empty at this hour, so Herman did not have to worry about accidentally hitting
other pedestrians. After a loop around the block, Johnny was satisfied. The twosome
headed back towards their apartment, shaking off the rain when they got to the lobby.
After the walk, Johnny fell asleep while Herman sat down to read a book from his large
library. He had to strain to see the words, and eventually, he gave up on reading and went
to the piano. He played a few chords, but his fingers were too stiff to do much more.
library. He had to strain to see the words, and eventually, he gave up on reading and went
to the piano. He played a few chords, but his fingers were too stiff to do much more.
In the afternoon, Herman called each of his five children and talked for a couple hours,
then took Johnny for another walk. After dinner, he settled into bed and fell asleep to
Johnny’s soft snores.
then took Johnny for another walk. After dinner, he settled into bed and fell asleep to
Johnny’s soft snores.
