4

Three Mind-Shattering Words

Almost a month passed by. It was going to be a long winter judging by the frigid air hovering over the city that made Thomas’ heating bills soar to new heights. Herman began to act like his old self now that his head was on the mend. Besides the fact that Herman was recuperating, Thomas received more good news. He wouldn’t have to sell any of his possessions after all. Generous Dr. Tuftingle offered his services free of charge.

“How fortunate I am,” Thomas muttered to his work shoes in the corner of his cramped bedroom, next to the small space heater doing its best to spread warmth.

Thomas’ thoughts were cut short by a voice coming from the living room. “That darned cat!”

The TV was off, so who could it be, Thomas wondered?

“That darned cat.” There it was again.

Mystified, Thomas quietly poked his head around the corner. That’s strange? There’s only Herman sitting on his favorite stool gazing out the window. Herman had a “foot-level” view of any creature that passed by…including the neighborhood cat, the one who caused the driver to make that unfortunate swerve.

What happened next was like something straight out of the SyFy channel on TV. Thomas’ jaw dropped like a steam shovel dumping its load. Riveted on Herman’s profile, Thomas’ eyes grew as large as the headlights on his VW. He saw it with his own eyes and heard it with his own ears, but he couldn’t believe what was happening. Herman was talking.

“That black cat is driving me crazy.”

“Herman, you can talk!”

Herman spun around. “And you can understand me!”

Staggered by the sheer craziness of the moment Thomas blurted, “Herman, do you realize what this means?”

“We’re communicating!” answered Herman, shaking with excitement.

“You have a gift that can help people everywhere,” said Thomas scooping the little dog up in his chubby arms. Thomas walked in circles babbling to himself as the true significance of the matter sunk in.

“Your brain operation must have triggered your ability to speak human.” The man and his dog looked at each other as a new bond forged between them—two beings sharing an out-of-this-world experience.

Suddenly it dawned on Thomas the dangers that could result if their secret fell into the wrong hands. “Wait a minute,” he reasoned. “We have to proceed carefully or people with selfish interests will take advantage of your powers, Herman. They’ll separate us…or worse. Remember what happened to Harry Potter. He nearly died lots of times.”

“Even people with good intentions have made mistakes,” Herman said. He shuddered at the thought of losing the best friend he ever had.

“I think you read me a story about a famous doctor who tried to help all creatures. Now I remember,” Herman said, pleased with his canine memory. “It was Dr. Albert Schweitzer in Africa who believed the world needed laws to protect the animals, too.”

Thomas and Herman puzzled an entire week over how they would break their astounding news to the world. Finally, Herman put his paw on the crux of the matter.

“We have to find someone we can trust—someone whose word is as good as gold and has the power to protect us.”

“I don’t know,” said Thomas hesitantly. “I can’t think of a single person who fits that description.”

Later that same day Thomas surfed the tube for something distracting. Nothing on TV but soap operas and game shows. Absentmindedly he clicked through the stations only half digesting the silly images on the screen.

“Wait. Go back to that last channel!” Herman trotted up for a closer look.

Thomas clicked back to the previous channel. It was Victoria Vickers, the famous talk show host, interviewing a proud author whose book had just hit the stores.

“That’s it!” Herman cried.

“That’s what?” said Thomas, not making the connection.

“Victoria Vickers—a person whose word is as good as gold—a way to tell our story to millions of people…”

“…and gain the protection of someone who stands up for what she believes,” added Thomas, always cautious.

“Let’s risk it.” They sealed their deal on the spot with a high five, paw to hand.