Bohemia Village Voice

What a Lovely Photograph That Would Make

Adam was 20 years old, lived with his parents and liked nothing more than to take his Labrador, Jackson, for a walk.
This morning, as Autumn was approaching, Adam and Jackson walked to the end of the road and Adam opened the gate as he and Jackson went into the field. It was quite early and the dew was still on the lovely green grass, glistening in the early morning sun. Adam took Jackson for quite a long walk; he liked to see the imprints of his patterned boot soles in the grass with Jackson’s little paw prints alongside.
‘What a lovely photograph that would make’, thought Adam. But he knew there was not enough time to go home for his camera as he was due to be somewhere at 8.30am, and it was already gone 8. He knew that he’d be in trouble with his Dad if he was late, as he’d be dropping him off on his way to work, so he made a mental note to remember his camera tomorrow.
He arrived home, changed his boots and called out to his Dad. Soon Adam and Jackson were in the car. His Dad had to put on the windscreen heater to clear it and Adam saw the steamy window begin to clear and felt the heat. His Dad turned up the radio volume in order to hear the news because of the noise of the blower. In a few minutes Adam’s Dad pulled up outside a building in town. Adam got out of the car, taking his waterproof with him due to the dampness and coldness of the air. Then he opened the rear door of the car and out jumped Jackson. Anybody looking would think how pleased they were to be walking together. Luckily Jackson had his dog coat on which would save most of his golden hair from getting wet. Adam turned round to smile at his Dad and wave goodbye as the car, its windows closed to stop the bad weather coming in, made its way back into the traffic. Adam lifted his thumb to say thank you to his Dad, and his Dad stuck up his left arm at the elbow in return.
Adam took a deep breath, checked his watch and went up to the door of the office. It was a job interview; he’d already passed the written test and today was to have an interview with the manager and to see how well he would fit in with everyone. He and Jackson walked through the door. Adam removed his damp jacket and hung it on a peg. Jackson still wore his coat.
As Adam walked through the office, everyone smiled at him and at Jackson, whose coat was bright yellow and said ‘Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.’ Adam smiled and said ‘hello’ in his own way, which although slightly faltering, was understood by everyone who all replied hello. Then Adam scratched his ear, in which there was a hearing aid. It made a very high pitched sound which everybody heard and it made them curious; Jackson however just kept walking with Adam towards the manager’s door. Adam knocked.
“Come in,” said the manager, and Jackson put his nose against the door. Adam opened the door, went in with Jackson beside him and they were greeted by a smiling Mr Godfrey with his outstretched right hand.