Bernie Knows Best!
by
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The
It also was close enough to Matty Hatton’s palatial estate in Boston, allowing the pack to visit Alyce.
On this late March day, Bernie and Marion considered taking advantage of their Quincy home’s sunny lawn. Their pup Alfred, had just awoken and was still under the influence of having a restless night. He usually slept well, but on occasion his dream world would become disrupted by scary images. But they didn’t last long after he woke and looked forward to the new day.
“It’s kind of chilly, “ Bernie said to Marion.
“Oh, Bernie, “ Marion warmly responded, “I don’t mind it.”
She never experienced the feeling of being with someone who was so concerned about her welfare…until she met Bernie.
“Alfred’s not quite awake, yet.” Bernie commented. “Maybe we kept him up too late?”
“Well, you just try to get him back to bed now.” Marion laughed, “He’ll be himself again soon enough.”
“I’m sure he will.” Bernie agreed, “God help us!”
Marion laughed, “But he’s still a good boy. He just has to learn like all pups do.”
“I’m sure he will, dear. Time and patience is a great teacher.
I’m going to say good morning to Janet. Be right back.” He left their sleeping quarters and headed for Janet’s room.
On the roadside, a child stared from a car window with her eyes riveted toward the house. “Mommy, where are they?” she pleaded, “BERNIE!” she called.
“Darling.” Her mother explained, “We can’t stay forever…they may not want to be bothered.”
“But I want to see them! I want to see Bernie!’
Her mother turned to her husband who sat patiently behind the wheel. “Jack! Tell her we have to go!”
“Aw…let’s wait a little longer. I mean when will we have a chance to come back again?”
The mother tried to placate the family, but reasoned that traveling again from Nebraska with the intention of seeing Bernie, and his family, might never be possible. “All right, let’s wait a little longer…but they might not want to get close.”
Many other cars with license plates from distant places lined the side road, filled with sightseers, also hoping to get a glimpse of the famous pack. The blossoming trees on the lawn were introducing the new season. Birds flapped their wings overhead and perched on tree limbs…and chirped and warbled adding to the fact that winter had left…and the warmth of summer would soon arrive. There was still a nip in the air, only instead of Carson’s Island…it was the pack’s new home.
Marvin Fallon dressed in a business suit, and adjusting his bow tie, entered the warm kitchen and said to his wife Terry, “I’m running late.”
“You should have gone to bed earlier.” She replied.
“Well…we’re way behind in answering our mail. Sometimes I feel like we lived at the White House. We must get as many letters as the president!”
“You’re exaggerating, dear. But you’d think by now people would lose interest.”
“I know. But since Bernie did that first commercial…there’s no avoiding his fans.” Marvin said as he nodded at the curtained front window.
“They’re all lined up out there.” He laughed, “I mean it’s not even eight and look at them!”
“Should I call the State Police?”
“Aw, mom,” their young daughter Janet said, as she entered the kitchen, still in her pajamas, followed by the three year old Labrador retriever.
“They love Bernie, and Marion, and Alfred as much as we do.”
Gladys, the cat, sitting on the windowsill stared down at Bernie, then brushing aside the curtain, eyed the line of parked cars, and thought as she purred, ‘I guess they do. I suppose Morris the cat…must have gone through the same thing…oh well…poor thing.’ The household she knew would never be the same again. At least in New York she only had to compete with Bernie…now she felt lucky if she got a few pats from the family. Oh well, they say cats were self absorbed…and independent…but what do they know? It’s no fun being taken for granted. Maybe she thought, ‘If I ran away or got lost…they’d finally see what they’d been missing. I wonder if they’d even bother to look for me?’ She yawned, then placed her head upon her paws…closed her eyes…and tried to forget her new lifestyle for the moment.
The family prepared for the day. Marvin devoured a quick breakfast, and picking up his attaché case, kissed Terry and Janet…then said, “Gotta go! Matty wants the reports by nine!” He left the house, with the ever-present pencil in his ear, and headed for his car. He was greeted with shouts from behind the fence.
‘BERNIE! BERNIE! BERNIE!
Marvin waved, smiled and announced, “Good morning everyone…he’ll be out soon!” A loud shout of approval came from the visitors as Marvin drove to the gate, left the car to open it, and was surrounded by people for his autograph.
“I’m sorry folks, I’m late for work…Bernie’ll be out soon. Sorry!” He got behind the wheel and driving a distance from the fence, left the car, closed the gate, and finally drove off.
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About the Book
Bernie found happiness in the house he shared with
No matter how caring and perceptive Bernie was, the problem continued until the now deceased Saint Bernard, Wolf, visited him in a dream. The scholarly old canine explained that until the rebellious Alfred was reunited with his paternal father, Bruno, his future would suffer.
Matty’s senior reporter, David, who also was her suitor, suggested that in order to increase her newspaper’s circulation, they should have the canines revisit
However, they were unaware that
The visit became the answer to Alfred’s problem, when he finally meets Bruno on the island. However, the German shepherd was no longer the villainous canine, but maimed and helpless. Bruno instructs his offspring to avoid becoming what he once was. During the visit, Alyce becomes lost in the island’s forest and is found and held captive by Mike Warren. The dogs and humans search for and find where Alyce was being held. The villainous abductor tries to escape but is cornered and held by Bruno and his son.
As the group prepares to return home, Alfred explains to his mother, that his father shouldn’t be left alone. Alfred remains on the island to care for Bruno.
Although
About the Author
Mr. Weston had an extensive theater career appearing on Broadway, television, and in numerous films. He has been writing for over 30 years, and has been teaching writing to teens and adults for over 15. His writing credits include the award winning documentary, Inca Remembered, the screenplays for Carnival Magic, Pershing, One Strike You’re Out! and successfully produced plays as, The Ninth of April, I’m With You!, De Witt C!, Bagels and Luck, Beckwourth, and Their Sacred Trust! His novel Bernie was published in