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“Yep.”
“Yep.”
“Mhm…”
Dale, Bill and Boomhauer look to their friend, Hank, who had been awfully quiet as of late. Hank kicked a spare rock across the alley, staring at his feet. Bill looked to Dale and Boomhauer, who gave him an approving nod. “Hank, are you okay? You seem kinda... down?”
“I’m fine. I had to take Ladybird to the vet, cuz she hasn’t been eatin’ too well, and they talked about having to put her down cuz of… somethin’ or another. I know she’ll be just fine and she’s sick, but I dunno anymore.” Hank explained, as he sipped his beer. His friends were at a momentary impass about how to proceed- Ladybird meant the world to him, but they couldn’t let him be in such denial about death again. Wordlessly, Boomhauer handed his can of beer to Dale, and then walked to Hank. The blonde man placed his hands on his friend’s shoulders and looked at him square in the eyes.
“Hank… tell ya what, man. It may be time to let go, let ‘er go to … dang ol’ greener pastures, man.” The normally long-winded Boomhauer kept his suggestion short and sweet. Hank’s eyes widened, as he looked at Dale and Bill, who nodded sadly in agreement.
“No… no, I can’t just give up on her like that!” Hank responded, as he gently grabbed Boomhauer’s wrist with his free hand.
“Well Hank, Ladybird is an old lady… maybe you should let her go. Oh, I’ll put her down for you if you want it to be quick and painless. With your aim-- ow!” Dale was cut off with a jab to the ribcage by Bill, and on the receiving end of nasty looks from his friends.
“Don’t you dare come anywhere near her with a firearm, Dale!” The straitlaced man responded, narrowing his eyes. Suddenly, his glare softened. “‘Scuse me, fellas… I uh… I have some wood to cut.” He quickly said, voice cracking as he broke away from his friends and sped walk to his garage. The garage door shut, and the whirring of a saw could be heard.
“I would have made her transition quick and painless.” Dale stated flatly, taking a drag from his cigarette, earning yet another angry look from Bill and Boomhauer. “Jeez, I don’t think I’ve seen Hank that upset in… well, ever.”
“Dale, do you even realize how much Ladybird means to him? That dog was practically his first child! How would you feel if that was you?” Bill asked with a stern tone of voice.
“You’re right… I guess I should apologize.” Dale sighed. The remaining two nodded, as he left his beer on top of the cooler, and walked up the driveway. Seeing Peggy in the kitchen, he knocked on the glass door. She looked up, and came to open the door. “Hey Peggy, I uh… heard about Ladybird. I’m really sorry ‘bout that. Is there any chance I can talk to Hank?”
“Thank you. And of course. Maybe you can talk some sense into him. Ladybird’s old and in a lot of pain and doesn’t eat anymore and Hank doesn’t want to put her down.” Peggy sighed, as she stepped out of the way to let Dale in. “He’s in the garage ‘cutting wood’.” She made airquotes with her fingers.
He nodded, as he walked through the living room to the garage entrance. “Hank?”
Hank looked up, tears rolling down his face with a handkerchief in hand. “Dale, I already told you that I--”
“I came here to apologize for what I said back there.” Dale closed the garage door behind him as he leaned against the workbench. “I shouldn’t have offered that. But Boomhauer’s right, Hank. I think it’s time to let her go. She’s old, in a lot of pain and doesn’t eat anymore.”
Hank sighed. “Maybe you’re right. I should… call the vet, and make that appointment.” His voice wavered, obviously trying to hold it together.
Dale slightly opened the door again, and raised his voice slightly. He looked over his shoulder. “Maybe you should let Peggy do that.” Having received the hint, Peggy nodded and picked up the phone. He shut the door once more. “If you want to cry on my shoulder, I’ll let you. You know, for the time you let me do that when my mama died.”
Hank took off his glasses, and set them down on the workbench. He immediately broke down into sobs, as he approached his best friend. He was immediately pulled into a comforting hug. Sympathetically, Dale patted him on the back.
“I can’t believe I’m just… giving up on her.” Hank choked out.
“Come on, Hank, you’re not giving up on her. You’re doin’ the right thing.”
He took a deep breath, wiping his eyes with his handkerchief. “You’re right… It’s what’s good for her. Now… wanna go have a beer with us?”
Hank nodded, breaking free from Dale. He opened up the garage, and the two returned to their friends to continue with their beer and small talk. Of course, tomorrow would be a school day, so Peggy and Bobby went to say their final goodbyes to Ladybird that night. Hank felt bad for what he was about to do, but he definitely did not want to go to the vet alone, so he asked his three best friends, who were willing to go with him. That night, he found himself unable to sleep. Instead, he slowly crept out of bed and to the dog bed. Ladybird’s favorite toy was lying in it. He gingerly picked it up and clutched it in his hands. With a hitched breath, he slowly set the toy down in her bed, and slowly laid down beside it. When he thought he was safe to just close his eyes for a moment, he was wrong. The next thing he knew, he was being woken up by someone violently shaking him.
“Oh for goodness sake, Hank…” Peggy sighed, as his eyes opened. “Please get up off the floor.” She sighed, slowly kneeling down beside him. He sat up. “Look Hank, I know how upset you are about this, I am too… but sleeping on the floor by Ladybird’s bed will not make you feel better.”
“I know, I know…” Hank struggled to get up off the floor, but eventually did, wobbling a little. “I lost track of time while sitting here.”
Peggy walked over to the stove to start preparing breakfast. “Are you sure you’ll be okay today?”
“Yeah, I think I can do this… I’ve asked the guys to come with me.”
“Oh, that’s good. I think it’ll be good for you to have them there when I can’t be there.”
Soon, Bobby entered the kitchen, yawning as he sat down at the table. “Morning Mom, Morning Dad.”
“Good morning, Bobby.” Peggy greeted him as she placed a plate of eggs and bacon in front of him. She served Hank the same thing. Bobby watched as Hank did not seem particularly hungry. The boy was concerned, slowly looking to his father.
“Dad, are you okay?”
Hank idly poked his eggs with his fork. “I’m just fine.”
“Are you sure? You’re usually eating and not just sitting there.”
“I’m fine. Now mind your own business.” Hank snapped. Peggy glared, as Bobby looked away and finished up his breakfast. He took his dishes to the sink before heading back to his room. Peggy had eaten her breakfast quickly as well, exiting the kitchen after cleaning up as well. In the meantime, she explained to Bobby that he wasn’t doing anything, and his father was just very upset about Ladybug. Bobby understood. He was sad too, that dog was around ever since he was a baby. But of course, he would much rather go to school than be sad all day. The two of them got ready. Just as they were about to exit, Peggy stopped in the kitchen, with Bobby.
“Bye honey, see you later today.” Peggy kissed her husband’s cheek.
Bobby waved goodbye. “Bye Dad.” He called back as he was escorted out the door by his mom. Hank bid them a goodbye as he turned to his food. There was nothing wrong with it, of course, but he couldn’t find a reason to eat. He wasn’t hungry, but he took a few bites of the eggs and bacon. He sipped his coffee before standing up and walking into the living room. His feet felt heavy with each step, his body feeling like nothing but a burden to itself. He couldn’t find the motivation to walk any further, so he just stopped. That was, until there was a knock on the door. Hank turned and proceeded to the front door.
“Luanne? What are you doing here so early, are you alright?” Hank asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine but Aunt Peggy told me to come over, just until you need to go to the vet’s office. She’s awfully worried about you… and I am too.” The blonde explained.
With an exasperated sigh, Hank let her in. “Well, that’s awfully nice of her… and you, but I’m okay.” He lied.
Luanne shook her head as she immediately embraced him. “Nah-uh, Uncle Hank, Aunt Peggy told me you were sleepin’ on the floor…”
He sighed. “Yeah… so maybe I did, once.”
“You’re sad about Ladybird, aren’t you?”
“...Of course I’m sad… she was my first baby. It’s like my child is dyin’, Luanne…” His eyes welled with tears, the young blonde frowning as her uncle hugged her.
“I loved Ladybird too, Uncle Hank. I’m gonna miss her.” Luanne began to cry as well, sobbing into his chest, hugging him tighter. Hank patted her back as he cried with her. After a few minutes of a sob fest, Luanne encouraged him to get dressed, as he would have to go soon. He nodded, heading into his room to get dressed. While he was doing that, Dale, Boomhauer and Bill showed up. Luanne let them in, and they sat in the living room. Minutes later, Hank emerged, dressed and at least physically put together. Hank went to go grab his keys, before Bill stopped him.
“Hank, how about you let one of us drive instead? You seem a bit uh… um…” Bill tried to gently suggest. Relenting, Hank put his keys back down.
“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea. On one condition, though. I call shotgun.”
The men agreed, and Dale volunteered to drive. After saying their goodbyes to Luanne, the men walked next door and got into Dale’s van. The ride to the vet’s office was awfully silent, as Hank found himself staring aimlessly out the window. Arlen was so beautiful, but what was the point of maintaining such beautiful lawns and lovely plants if all they were going to do was die, anyway? What was the point of even trying with his own lawn anymore? When the van was parked, Dale poked him, and then shook him. Hank snapped out of his trance as he turned to his chain-smoking best friend. “Alright, alright, I’m coming… jeez.” Hank replied quietly, as he stepped out onto the pavement. As the friends walked into the vet, Dale, Bill and Boomhauer were about two and a half feet in front of Hank. Boomhauer looked over his shoulder and noticed that Hank was severely dragging behind when he usually leads.
Boomhauer looked to Dale and Bill, and began to express his concern, “Hank man, slower than dang ol’ molasses in a jar, tell ya what man.”
“Yeah, he’s in pretty rough shape.” Bill agreed, his voice dropping to a whisper. “He’s extremely depressed. Maybe we should stay with him until Peggy comes home.” That was a great idea, the other two men thought. However, Dale and Bill walked back to Hank, each of them grabbing an arm and throwing it across their shoulders. The three of them caught back up with Boomhauer, as they walked into the vet’s office.
“Howdy folks, what can I do for you today?” The young lady at the receptionist desk asked.
Hank hung his head in sorrow, as the other three looked to each other. Quickly, Bill and Boomhauer swapped places. Bill approached the front desk. “We’re here for Ladybird Hill.”
The receptionist’s fingers typed away on the keyboard. “Ah, yes, for euthanization. Oh dear. I’m so sorry.” She frowned, as she handed a clipboard to bill. He signed in on Hank’s behalf, handing it back to her. “We’ll call you in just a few minutes, okay?”
“Thank you, ma’am.” Bill smiled, as he ushered the others to some chairs. Boomhauer and Dale still kept holding onto their friend, because he’d need the help. Hank was awfully silent, not uttering a single word since calling shotgun at home.
“Mr. Hill?” A nurse called from the back rooms. With a bit of a struggle, the blonde and the man in the Mack cap hoisted their buddy to his feet. The four followed the lead of the nurse, guiding them to a room. Ladybird was laying there, seemingly already asleep. Hank looked away. He didn’t want his last memories of his beloved bloodhound to be her lying on a medical table. There was only one chair in the room, and of course, Hank was given it. They pulled the chair closer. Once they were all situated, the vet came in.
“Hello everyone, how are we all doing today?” The vet asked, as he walked in, with a folder in his arm.
“We’re doing great…” Dale responded with a smile, but frowning as he looked at his despondent friend. “Well, most of us are. Our friend here isn’t doing too well.”
“I see, I see… we’ll administer the medicine to help Ladybird cross over the rainbow bridge momentarily, Mr. Hill. It’ll take just a few minutes, and then she will no longer be suffering. Do you have any questions?”
Hank just looked at the vet blankly. He finally spoke, “No, doctor.”
“Alright then… we’ll be right back.” The vet said, as he exited the exam room. Hank was unable to keep his head up, as he got comfortable in his chair. Bill grabbed Dale and Boomhauer’s wrists and dragged them to the back of the room.
“I’m really worried.” Bill whispered.
Dale looked back to Hank, and then to Bill. “I am too. He actually seems actually depressed… just like you those times.”
“Slightly better than me, but not by much. We better tell Peggy to look out for… you know…”
The doctor returned, with a nurse and a needle of medicine to administer. Hank mindlessly watched as the team administered the medicine into Ladybird’s vein. They took a step back, as Hank’s friends took a step forward. They placed a hand on his shoulder, the four of them watching the elderly dog. Each minute, her breathing slows down more and more… until it finally ceased for good. Hank’s hand reached for her paw. Still warm, but limp.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Hill, Ladybird has expired.” The vet said. “We’ll leave you alone.” He signaled for the nurse to follow him as they exited the exam room.
“Hank? Are you doing okay? How are you feeling?” Dale asked, as his hand idly rubbed Hank’s shoulder.
Hank looked up at his friends, his gaze hollow. “I feel nothing.”
“That’s… good… I think.” Dale trailed off as he looked at Boomhauer, who shook his head.
“Oh, this is bad.” Bill whispered.
Hank leaned forward, as he detached Ladybird’s collar from around her neck. He held it in his hands, and looked down at it. He wanted to cry, but he felt as if he’d done enough crying at this point. His fingers closed around the red strip of fabric. “Thank you, Ladybird… you were such a good dog. There’ll be no one like you.” He spoke solemnly, as he closed his eyes for a moment. He put the collar in his pocket. “Okay guys… let’s go.”
“...Are you sure, Hank?” Bill asked with a bit of concern.
“Positive, Bill.” Hank stood up from his chair. He returned the chair to where they got it from. He walked to Ladybird, and gave her one last pet before walking to the door. The guys followed behind him. Hank explained to the vet that he took her collar with her to keep, and that per plan, she was to be cremated. The vet kept that in mind, and bid the men a good day. The four exited the vet’s office, and returned to Dale’s van. On the drive home, it was just as silent as the first one, with Bill and Boomhauer looking at Hank, while Dale kept his eyes on the road. When they returned to Hank’s house, the three had to help their friend inside, before setting him on the couch. It was about lunchtime now.
Bill stood up in front of his friends and asked, “So, is anyone hungry? I’ll make lunch.”
Dale and Boomhauer responded positively, but Hank responded, “I’m not, but you three can go ahead.”
“But Hank, aren’t you hungry? Luanne told us you didn’t eat breakfast.”
“Yeah, but I’m still not that hungry…”
“Come on, Hank, you should at least eat something. Maybe some comfort food, because it’s about to rain. Oh, I know! How about my grandma’s chicken soup, and grilled cheese sandwiches? It’s a perfect fall day for that.” This excited Boomhauer and Dale.
Hank looked up. “Well Bill, I can never pass up your grandma’s soup. So yes, that sounds greatl.”
Bill smiled. “Great! I just need to go to the store and grab some ingredients. Mind if I cook it here?”
“Go ahead. You’re welcome to use whatever’s in the fridge, too. We have all the ingredients for grilled cheese sandwiches, so don’t worry ‘bout that.” Hank explained. Bill nodded, as he went into the kitchen to start surveying what he had to work with. Once taking inventory, he left to head to the Pink and White store for some ingredients. After Bill left, Hank sat up straight and frantically looked around.
“Yo Hank, you good?” Boomhauer asked.
“I thought I heard Ladybird whining.” Hank responded as he tried to look for her. There was nothing to be heard.
Dale put a hand on Hank’s forearm. “I don’t hear anything… Ladybird’s not here… remember?”
“Shut up, Dale. Listen…” he urged. The three listened, but still there was nothing.
“Gribble’s right. Dang ol’... hearin’ things, man.” Boomhauer explained.
“Laaaadybird…” Hank called. She never came. “Yeah, I think you’re right, guys. God, I’m losing my mind.”
“Relax Hank, it’s okay.” Dale patted Hank’s back before reaching for the TV remote. “I think we should watch some TV. What do you say?” With approval from the other two, the TV was turned on to the local PBS station. It was the only thing broadcasting anything remotely interesting at the moment. They were rebroadcasting an episode of Bob Ross’s painting show. They sat back and enjoyed the calming voice of Ross as he painted his happy little trees. While the artsy shows usually are a target of Hank’s snide comments, there were no snide remarks he could come up with for Bob Ross. Well into the show, Bill returns with some grocery items, and just in time, as it started to rain as he closed the door. He began to whip up a pot of soup. Hank stood up and signaled he’d be right back. From the linen closet, he grabbed a large, white blanket, and walked back to the couch. He unfolded it, and spread it across his lap. Boomhauer and Dale took some of the blanket for themselves as well. They got settled. They remained that way until Bill poked his head out from the kitchen.
“Soup’s ready.” He said. The thre others removed the blanket from them and helped themselves to some soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. The four of them brought their plates back into the living room, with Hank, Boomhauer and Dale sitting on the couch and placing their plates on the coffee table. “Hey, what about me?” Bill asked.
“There’s plenty of room for ya too, Bill, come on.” Hank said, as they all moved over so Bill could join. The rain began to pour, the light sound of thunder rumbling as the men enjoyed their lunch. Hank’s spirits were lifting somewhat. Good food, good friends and comfort were doing exactly what they should be doing. For the first time in a while, Hank smiled at them. “Thanks guys. You’re the best friends I could have ever asked for.”
“That’s what dang ol’ friends are for, man.” Boomhauer nodded.
Once finished, the dishes were left on the coffee table, Boomhauer getting up to take them to the kitchen, before joining his friends on the couch, though Hank had fallen asleep, which the man probably needed, so they let him, as they continued to watch TV. When Peggy and Bobby returned home, though, she was surprised to not only smell something extremely tasty, but she saw the foursome asleep. She smiled a bit, happy to see that at least her husband was well taken care of. Bobby immediately went to his bedroom at the advice of Peggy, while she went into the kitchen to clean up. The light noise level was enough to wake up Dale first, who realized he had fallen asleep on Hank. Slowly pulling away, he noticed that Peggy was in the kitchen.
“Oh, I see one of you’s awake now.” Peggy looked up from the kitchen sink.
“Well, I’m a very light sleeper.” Dale shrugged, as he leaned against the kitchen wall.
“So… how did it go?”
“Uh… about that. Hank keeps saying that he ‘feels nothing’ so… that’s something to watch out for. He didn’t cry, but I think that’s because he did that before we left.”
“Oh God.” Peggy sighed. “Well, I think you guys handled him well.”
“Of course, we’ve known him since elementary school. You want us to stay, or can you handle it?”
“I got it from here.”
Dale wordlessly tipped the brim of his hat, as he exited the kitchen. Boomhauer and Bill had woken up by this point, so the three decided to head out, and head into the alley for some beer, per their usual afternoon. They hoped and waited for Hank to maybe join them, but that time didn’t come that day… or the next day… or the day after that. The men were starting to really worry now. Dale sighed, as he lit up a cigarette. “You know, I overheard Peggy tell Nancy that Hank hasn’t gotten out of bed in two days… you think we should go and check in?”
“Of course we should! Come on, guys!” Bill said, as they calmly walked to the front door. Boomhauer knocked, and Peggy answered.
“I overheard you talking to Nancy that Hank hasn’t gotten out of bed in two days… Can we see him?” Dale asked.
“Sure, I’m sure he’d love to see you guys. Good luck trying to get him out of bed, though. I’ve tried everything imaginable.” Peggy remarked flatly as she let them in. The men entered the master bedroom, which got Hank’s attention.
“What are you guys doing here?” He asked, as he turned over to be on his back.
“We’re here to get you up and out of bed.” Bill said, folding his arms across his chest. “If you didn’t let me stay in bed when I was this depressed, then we’re sure as hell not letting you stay in here. Don’t make us bathe you.”
Hank slowly sat up, as he looked at them. “What’s the point? Anything I have to do will be worth nothing in the end anyway.”
“Come on, Hank, being nihilistic isn’t you, that’s me.” Bill pleaded, turning to Boomhauer. “Didn’t you say you got a new fixer-upper car for the four of us to work on?”
“Mmmhm.” Boomhauer smiled softly and then nodded.
“...You’re serious?” Hank asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Honest man, cross my dang ol’ heart.” Boomhauer made an ‘X’ on the left side of his chest. They exited the bedroom to let Hank get himself properly dressed. Peggy and Bobby were stunned when they saw Hank emerging from the bedroom, fully dressed. She should have known- Hank loves to fix things. She watched as they walked across the alley to Boomhauer’s house. Sure enough, there was a vintage Camaro, under a blue tarp. Boomhauer opened the hood of the car, and they began to work on it. They took turns, checking and then fixing the parts needed. They even chose to repaint the car, the color they settled on being a beautiful royal blue. Hank even added some white racing stripes on the body once the spray paint was dry. The car was finally complete- and just in time. The sun was starting to set, so the test drive would have to wait until tomorrow. They decided to go home for the night, to meet again tomorrow. Hank promised he would be there.
And that was the intention, but just as he was about to step out of the house, Peggy returned home. She said she was running an errand but never specified what. He froze upon seeing what Peggy was holding in her arms. A medium sized wooden box with the name “Ladybird” on a metal plaque. “
“She’s finally home…” Hank’s eyes watered, as he took the box from Peggy. He sighed and hugged it to his chest. “Peggy, I was thinking, I should take some of her ashes and spread it in her favorite place… that park not too far away from our house. But I’ll need that right away...”
“Oh Hank, that’s perfect. Why right away, though?”
“Well, the guys and I need to test drive that Camaro we spent all day fixing. So, we’ll drive that car there.”
“Of course.” She responded, as she went into the kitchen. In a plastic baggy, she transferred some of the cremains from its beautiful wooden box, to the new bag, being extremely careful in not spilling. Once she put in enough, she carefully packed away the urn for the last time, and sealed off the plastic bag. She walked back into the living room, and handed it to him. “Here you are, honey. Good luck.”
“Thanks, Peg.” He hugged her for a moment, before a car horn startled him. Boomhauer pulled into the driveway. Hank grabbed his coat, tucking the bag into his pocket as he exited the house. He got into the backseat, sitting next to Bill. “This Camaro sounds like a dream, I tell ya what.” He remarked. “Hey, let’s drive out to the park.”
Boomhauer nodded, as he peeled out of the driveway, and sped down the alley. They were excited, pleased that all their hardwork more than paid off. Great steering, good acceleration and speed, fantastic braking… When they pulled into the parking lot, Hank excused himself, stepping out of the car, and beginning to walk towards the creek hidden in the backwoods. They noticed he was fumbling with something in his pocket. Their curiosity was too much, so they followed him. With one hand in his pocket, Hank stood at the creek’s edge, looking out. The gentle fall breeze blew causing the remaining wildflowers to sway gently. He took the plastic bag out of his coat pocket, with his buddies soon at his side.
“Whatcha doin’, Hank?” Dale asked, looking at the bag. “...Is that an illicit substance?”
Hank sighed. “No, Dale, if you want to know, they’re… some of Ladybird’s ashes. I thought I’d spread them here… since we’re here, and she loved this park.”
“Oh.”
The tallest man slowly opened the Ziploc bag, and adjusted his glasses. He dumped the contents out into the creek.
“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” He mumbled, the four of them staring into the water gently flowing past their feet.