Dogs rule in the Grove. Paul Goldfinger photo.    Auditorium Square Park.

By Stephen Goldfinger.  May 30, 2022.  Ocean Grove.

Setting:     Guy with his dog off leash 6 a.m.  They are both standing on Mt. Hermon Way, just before the corner of Delaware Ave. A large holly tree at the intersection of Mt. Hermon and Delaware Avenue obscures a clear view of the northern approach from Delaware.

Suddenly his dog  lunges around the holly tree heading north on Delaware, and the guy with an alarmed expression on his face BELLOWS AT HIS DOG!

GUY: BRUTUS, NO!!! GET OVER HERE!!  NOWWW!!!

The dog abruptly turns back to his owner just as an attractive woman on an early morning stroll adorned in running shoes and leggings suddenly emerges from the cover of the holly tree heading south on Delaware.

The man, realizing that his dog was not in fact pursuing what he imagined to be another dog and its unsuspecting owner and thus his startling bellow was altogether unnecessary, he glanced up somewhat shamefacedly at the woman.

GUY: So sorry. I thought you were a dog.

The woman looks up with an expression of playful and exaggerated astonishment.

WOMAN: Well! I’ve been insulted before, but really…..

She flashes a broad, cheerful smile which is met by the man’s relieved chuckle as he contently pats his dog’s head, and the woman continues merrily along on her brisk peregrination heading south on Delaware, the first rays of the brilliant Memorial Day weekend sun glowing warmly upon her back.

The end.

“Waltz For Debby”   by Bill Evans  (piano) and Cannonball Adderley  (alto sax)

From The Best of Bill Evans  (remastered.)