Love Comes in Darkness (7 page)

The roughness in Gordy’s voice told Howard to let the topic of conversation go, even though he wanted to know more. Gordy was obviously a kind person. He’d stopped and helped him when Cedric had stranded him by the side of the road. Others hadn’t stopped, but Gordy had. “How about we talk about something else?”

“Yeah,” Gordy agreed. “How long have you lived here?”

“About a year. The house was in nice shape when I bought it, and it felt like a place I would like. It felt like home to me. My Realtor was the most patient man on earth. He drove me around and waited patiently while I listened to the sounds of neighborhoods and then guided me through house after house. He was used to showing people things like fancy woodwork and nice plaster, but I was interested in the way the house felt and how it flowed. I wanted it to be in good condition because I can’t do much around the house at all. My dad used to spend his weekends doing home-improvement projects, but that isn’t possible for me.”

“Your house is very nice, and there are plenty of people who can help you with maintenance. I know of companies that do general home maintenance. They also do yard work.”

“You noticed, huh?” Howard said. He’d been trying to get someone to help him around the yard, and while he’d managed to get his yard mowed a few times, he hadn’t been able to find someone to do it regularly.

“Yes. I can give a friend in the area a call, if you want. He’s a good handyman, and I’ve known him since I moved here.” Gordy’s fingertips barely touched Howard’s chin. Howard moved with the gentle touch and waited.

Gordy kissed him softly and sweetly with just a touch of the heat Howard could feel simmering under the surface. He wrapped his arm around Gordy’s neck, holding on as he kissed Gordy, deepening it. A flame shot through him like a blowtorch, hot and focused. Never in his life had Howard felt this kind of attraction for another person. Heat spread through him instantly. Howard shifted on the sofa, moving closer to Gordy, intensifying the kiss as Gordy went along with him.

It felt so right, and Gordy tasted just the way Howard had thought he would—warm and rich, with a touch of sweetness. Gordy held him, closing his thick arms around Howard’s body. Howard pressed to him, vibrating slightly at the way his body felt against Gordy’s. It was nice, almost perfect. Just what he longed for.

“Do you want to go to the bedroom?” Howard whispered.

Gordy stiffened and stilled. Howard stopped, wondering what he’d done wrong. “No. I should get going,” Gordy said.

“Okay,” Howard said, sitting back on the sofa.

“It’s getting late, and I have to work in the morning,” Gordy told him. Howard knew it was only an excuse, but there was nothing he could do. “Can I get your number? I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“All right,” Howard said and told him his phone number. Gordy touched his shoulder, and then Howard heard his footsteps heading toward the door. After a few seconds, his front door opened and closed. Gordy was gone, and Howard sat on the sofa, wondering what had just happened.

After a few minutes, he located his bottle and the one Gordy had placed on the table on the other side of the sofa. Howard took them to the kitchen and placed them in the recycling bin. Then he made sure all the doors were locked before getting ready for bed, wondering the entire time what he’d done wrong. But he didn’t have any answers. Whatever it was, Howard was sure it had been written in Gordy’s expression. Howard could read the smallest inflection in a person’s voice. He could feel the slightest difference in temperature with his hands, but the emotions in someone’s expression, just like the words written on the pages of most of the world’s books, were closed to him without special equipment. And they would always be closed to him, no matter how hard he wished it were different.

G
ORDY
did call the following day, as promised, but they talked about nothing. Gordy asked if Cedric had been around. He hadn’t. And other than a few more general questions, they really didn’t say much. The call hadn’t taken too long, and once they hung up, Howard didn’t hear any more from Gordy. No more phone calls, no visits, nothing.

“Honey,” Lizzy said when he told her about it. “You know being with you is a big commitment. It requires more than the average relationship, and a lot of people aren’t up for it. But that doesn’t mean you won’t meet the man who’s perfect for you and will stand by you no matter what. I know he’s out there; you just need to find him.”

“Thanks, sis,” Howard said, sitting back in his chair. He’d been working on his programs and had been grateful for Lizzy’s call. He hadn’t made much progress and needed a break.

“Hey. If this Gordy couldn’t see how wonderful and caring you are, then he doesn’t deserve you,” Lizzy said and then began to cough.

“Are you okay? That sounds pretty nasty. Have you been to the doctor?” Howard asked.

“It’s just a cold. I’ve had it for a day or so. It’ll pass,” Lizzy told him. “Sophia and I are planning to come visit you in a few weeks, if that still works. She’s napping right now, but all she talks about is seeing you.” Lizzy chuckled and then coughed once more.

“You better get that taken care of,” Howard said.

“I will,” Lizzy told him. “When do you get your service dog?” she asked, changing the subject. She was very good at doing that, and Howard let her. There was no use fighting. Lizzy did things in her own time.

“The trainer called yesterday and asked if she could bring Token by today.” Howard had been excited for the past few days about the prospect of a companion. “Her name is Wendy and she should be here at any time.” Howard pressed the button on his watch.

“Two-twenty,” the female voice said.

“I bet you wish you could reprogram your watch,” Lizzy told him, and Howard laughed.

“The company is interested in using my programs. They promised me one of their first watches with the new voices,” Howard said.

“Of course they did,” Lizzy teased and then began coughing again. “I better let you go. Call me in the next few days and let me know how things go with Token.” They said good-bye, and Howard hung up. He went back to work, refining the programs he was getting ready to deliver to a client. He got paid very well, and always delivered on time if at all possible.

An hour later his doorbell rang, and Howard grabbed his cane and walked carefully, but surely, through his house to answer his door.

“Good afternoon, I’m Wendy Villant.” She had a pleasant voice. “I’m here to introduce you to Token.”

“Please come in,” Howard said, stepping back. The screen door opened, and he heard her come in as well as the soft steps of dog feet on his floor.

“This is Token,” Wendy said. “Why don’t you sit down on the sofa and I’ll introduce you properly.”

Howard moved slowly and sat down. Then he felt the dog brush against his legs. “What kind of dog is he?” he asked and reached down to stroke his back.

“He’s a German shepherd,” Wendy said, and she placed Howard’s hand on a harness. “This is how Token will help you see. He wears a harness and he’s been trained to guide you. He’ll take his cues from you, and he’s been trained to do a number of things. He crosses the street safely, and he’ll navigate through crowds of people. Over time, I’ll be able to demonstrate all his abilities and help you understand how to work with him. It’ll take time for you to trust him.” Howard reached down and found Token’s head, then stroked him slowly. Token leaned against him, and Howard smiled.

“He’s taking to you already,” Wendy said.

“He seems to have,” Howard said.

“Token’s a good boy. He’s smart and was tops in his class. It takes a great deal of training, and many of the dogs that enter the program don’t make it for one reason or another. Token, here, is exceptional.” Wendy sounded proud, and Howard wondered if she was going to have a hard time letting Token go.

“Can we go for a walk?” Howard asked.

“Of course,” Wendy said. “Take hold of the harness, and Token will guide you to the door. He’s been trained to help you handle stairs. I’m sure you’re familiar with the front of your house, but let Token guide you.”

Once they were out front, Howard let Token guide him down the familiar sidewalk. The dog seemed to understand Howard’s pace and very quickly adjusted so they were walking easily together. “How does he react around other dogs?” Howard asked Wendy as they continued walking.

“He pretty much ignores them. Token is focused on your reactions and on watching his surroundings,” Wendy explained. “You’re familiar with this sidewalk, so go ahead and begin to move toward the edge.” Howard did, and Token nudged him back toward the center. When he went the other way, Token lightly tugged him back. “The thing to remember is that you aren’t just taking him for a walk. He’s helping you. As long as he’s in the harness, he’s working.” They approached the corner, and Token stopped. “You’re in charge, but Token will disobey your commands if he thinks you’ll be put in danger.”

“How do I cross the street?” Howard asked.

“Say ‘forward’ and Token will guide you. But if it isn’t safe, he won’t move. Why don’t we turn around and head back. At the house, I’ll take you through all the commands.” They turned around and walked slowly back to the house. “Are you expecting company?” Wendy asked him as they approached the house. “There’s a man standing at the base of your steps, looking at you.”

Howard stiffened a bit. “What does he look like?”

“He’s really large,” Wendy said.

“Hi, Howard.” He instantly recognized Gordy’s voice. “Can I talk to you?”

“Not right now,” Howard said. “I’m working with my new leader dog.”

“Okay,” Gordy whispered.

“If you want to come back in a few hours, that would be fine.” Howard wasn’t sure if they had anything to talk about. Gordy hadn’t called in days, and their last conversation had been rather distant. The truth was, Howard hadn’t expected to hear from Gordy again.

“Okay,” Gordy said, lightly touching Howard’s arm. “I’ll come back then.” Howard longed for more of Gordy’s gentle touch, but he wasn’t going to beg, and he didn’t understand Gordy running hot and cold like this. “Can we get back to work?” Howard asked Wendy.

“Of course,” she answered brightly. “Token obeys a number of commands: sit, down, stay, come. Those are pretty standard and self-explanatory.”

“I understand,” Howard said.

“Good. Take Token for a short walk and practice them. You need to know what each one feels like. It’ll help you get the feel for him.”

“Okay. Forward,” Howard said, and Token began to walk. “Sit.” Token stopped and his angle changed. “Stay,” Howard said and took a few steps away, releasing the harness. “Come,” Howard said, and he heard Token come up to him and wait at his left side.

“The command is ‘around’ and he’ll switch sides,” Wendy said from behind him. Howard said it. A few seconds later he reached down and found Token waiting on his right side.

“You’re a very good boy,” Howard said, stroking Token’s head. “Around,” Howard said again, and once Token had switched sides, Howard felt for the harness and issued the command to walk.

“You’re getting the hang of this,” Wendy said, her voice displaying her pleasure. “There are direction commands. ‘Forward’ will start him walking. There’s also ‘right’ to turn, ‘hup up’ to get him to speed up, and ‘steady’ to slow down. Speak clearly and accentuate the consonants. Those are what resonate with the dog. He can also find things. The command is ‘Find the….’ Token knows a number of different things like door, chair, curb, and over time he’ll learn more as he works within your life.”

“Is he a pet?” Howard asked.

“Yes and no. When he’s in the harness, he’s working, and when he’s not, Token will be your companion. He’s very friendly, gentle, and loves attention. None of our dogs are taught to be aggressive in any way. But like most dogs, once you build a relationship, Token may become protective.”

“Are you taking him back with you today?” Howard asked.

“That’s up to you. I have his dishes and bed with me in the car. We can continue working for a while, and then I can help you get him settled. Normally when we transition a dog, we have the new owner come to a facility where we work with both of you for sometimes up to two weeks. But the nearest facility is in Cadillac, and since I’m local it didn’t make sense for both of us to travel, so I can leave him and then I’ll come over and work with you directly until both you and Token are comfortable.”

“That would be nice,” Howard said, stroking Token’s head. “Umm, what about when he needs to do his business?”

Wendy chuckled. “You’ll need to ‘park’ him a few times a day. Once you get into a regular routine of feeding and parking, everything will be just fine. I also have the contact information for a veterinarian we’ve used in the area. They work with leader dogs, and if you call for an appointment, they can arrange to pick you up for the appointment.”

Wendy worked with him for a few more hours, making sure Howard understood all the commands and how Token would react. Then she got Token’s bowls, and they set them in a corner of the kitchen. Howard showed Token where they were, and Wendy explained the feeding schedule. She also left him food.