and waited.
"Greetings," Trevor said when he opened the door, a coffee cup in his hand. He was dressed in his usual cotton t-shirt and faded jeans. His hair was tousled, face unshaven. Theo worried he might be intruding.
Buddy, tail wagging, greeted Wally with a welcome sniff.
Trevor waved them in and gave Buddy a hand signal that it was okay to play. He was not wearing his service vest today. Wally sniffed the kitchen floor in hopes of finding a scrap, with Buddy close behind.
“And how are you both doing today?" Trevor said, smoothing his hair back and slipping his glasses on.
"We're doing just fine," Theo said.
Trevor smiled. "I'm glad to hear it.” He took a seat by the river rock fireplace and motioned for Theo to do the same. “Something new and exciting in your life you came to tell me about?”
"Not really,” Theo said. “We're just starting to get out a little more. I think the summer weather is helping.”
Trevor rose and retrieved his coffee cup from the table. “I just made a pot of fresh coffee. Would you like some?”
Theo nodded. He usually stopped with one cup in the morning, but today he could splurge. He watched Trevor navigate the small but well-stocked kitchen. Mason jars of grains and beans were lined up on barnwood shelves, and pots hung from a rack below them.
The dogs stood at the French doors that faced the tall trees and lake. “Shall I let them out?” Theo asked.
“Sure, go ahead.”
Theo opened the door and watched Wally tag behind Buddy down the stairs to the grassy fenced backyard. He knew that Trevor enjoyed the secluded peace and quiet and “space,” as he’d put it.
"Here you go," said Trevor. "Black, right?"
Theo followed Trevor out on the deck. They sat on the redwood chairs that afforded them a panoramic view of the lake. Bird calls were plentiful here in the trees, and the sweet smell of pine lingered in the air. Theo thought it would be a wonderful spot to take some photos. He circled back to the idea of volunteering. He’d been an amateur photographer for years, even taught classes before they’d retired to the lake. The veterans might enjoy the hobby too.
"I’ve been thinking about the Veterans Center,” Theo said. “Can you tell me more about the volunteering you spoke of?"
"Be happy to. There are several men and women, all ages, who are interested in doing some kind of creative outdoor activities. I thought you could offer a photography class, you know, taking shots of birds, local flora and fauna, the water at sunset."
Theo nodded. It might boost his own confidence to be useful again. "I think I could do that. We could start small. Talk a bit about cameras and shooting angles. Even if they don't have a camera, they could use a cell phone.”
"The center can probably pick up some used cameras too,” Trevor said. “Get them donated.”
"That's a splendid idea," Theo said. "Why don’t I come down and check it out in a few days?" The thought of starting something new made him anxious, or was it excitement?
"Sure," Trevor said, looking a little surprised. "I'm there almost every afternoon, so just stop by. And if you want, I’m giving a little talk about my journey with a service dog next Tuesday. You could join us.”
“Sounds interesting,” Theo said. “I’ll put it on my busy social calendar.”
“Be sure to bring Wally. He’ll be popular there.”
“That reminds me,” Theo said. “There is a new young girl here for the summer, Shelby. She’s a teenager and living with her grandmother, Alice Meyer.”
“I remember Alice. Didn’t she just lose her husband last year?”
Theo nodded. “Shelby is trying to start a little dog walking business. If you think of anyone who could use her services, let me know.”
“How do you know she’s good with dogs?”
Theo gave him his best smile. “She is. I’ll introduce you. Then you can decide.”
“Fair enough.”
Theo noticed the sun was getting higher in the sky and the morning would soon slip away. He walked over to the railing and watched the dogs play in the shade of the old growth trees. He knew Trevor still worked at home running websites for large nonprofits. He didn’t want to take up too much of his time, so he called Wally to him.
The dogs tramped up the steps and toward the glass door. Trevor opened it and the dogs sped in.
Theo put his mug on the tile counter. "Thanks for the coffee.” He put