Sue and Kismet approaching University Blvd., at 18 Street South in Birmingham, Alabama.
Chapter 1 The Move
“Are you really sure you want to do this?” Jimmy Seymore asks his wife Suzy. “What? Move to Alabama?” says Suzy. “It’s too late now, the house, is sold and we have taken the jobs!” “I know, but look at what we are leaving; a log house in the woods of Maine!”
Jimmy and Suzy Seymore had just sold their log home on ten acres in North Ellsworth, Maine. Lobster land, Vacation Land, Life the Way it Should Be. They had lived in North Ellsworth for nearly 12 years. Jimmy worked for the State of Maine, Division of Eye Care as an Orientation and Mobility instructor for blind and visually impaired adults and children, covering all of Downeast Maine. He had grown accustomed to driving all around the beautiful countryside of Maine. Suzy worked for a private agency for the blind providing computer access training in Downeast and northern Maine. She didn’t know it, but her job was about to be eliminated due to the budget shortcomings of her agency. The two of them had applied for and been offered jobs with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Birmingham V.A. Medical Center in Alabama. They had accepted jobs at the Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Center, providing services to blind and visually impaired veterans. Jimmy started out as an O&M instructor and Suzy became the Subject Matter Expert for the CATS program. The Computer Access Technology Section provided training to veterans in computers and technology that would allow them to become active and fully functioning in our modern world.
Suzy was from Birmingham, Alabama. She knew the people and culture of the South. Jimmy had only been to Alabama to get married and to visit her family at Christmas. People were always more friendly around Christmas time.
“Let’s say goodbye to Bruce, Carol and little Holly.” Said Suzy.
Their neighbors had become friends and walking buddies. Holly loved to see the dogs and particularly Silver Girl the Alaskan malamute. They would walk from their house to the top of a huge nearby hill. Suzy with her guide dog, Quoddy, Jimmy with Silver Girl, and Holly with Iris the little foxy dog they had gotten in Tennessee. That’s a whole other story.
Holly was crying. Bruce and Carol were visibly shaken as they wished Jimmy and Suzy farewell. They might not see them again in the foreseeable future.
“Well let’s get moving”, said Jimmy to Suzy. By then they were down to just two dogs, Sue’s guide dog, Beverly and Silver Girl. They loaded both dogs into the Subaru dog house and set sail for Alabama.
Chapter 2 The Party
“Where’s that guy from Maine?” Said James Richards, the Chief of the SBRC. “Where is that little fellow from Maine, ah ha ha ha”. “Hello Mr. Richards.” said Jimmy. “But I am actually from Michigan”. “Maine, Michigan, who cares!” says Richards. “Awoooo, awoooo, awoooo!” howls Richards like a wolf.
Jimmy and Suzy are at the first get together of co-workers since they arrived from Maine. It is an annual Octoberfest put on by Fabious and Maria Kleinhans at their home.
“Don’t mind James.” said Maria. “He gets like that when he drinks too many beers. I am sure he really likes you.” Jimmy thinks for a moment, then says “no problem, I have seen guys like him plenty in my past life.” “What was your past life like?” asks Maria who has long black hair and large pendulous breasts. “Oh, I used to hang out with a rough crowd back in Flint. Lots of drinking and drugs.” says Jimmy. “I see”, says Maria flirtatiously. “Maybe we can talk more about that later?”
Jimmy returns with a beer and some pretzels for Suzy. “Mr. Richards is a bit crazy, don’t you think?” says Jimmy. “Well give him some time; he’s just letting off some steam.”
“How did you like Maine?” asks Dr. Breckenridge the Chief of Staff for the medical center. “It was interesting and challenging” says Jimmy. “Well I own some land Downeast of Ellsworth near Steuben.” Says the doctor. “I hope to retire there and build a house.” “Steuben is interesting, but does have some people with drug addiction, mostly methamphetamine’s.” Jimmy said. “Why do you think that is?” asks the doctor. “Well Downeast Maine, and particularly Washington County is very poor and uneducated. I call it “Appalachia by the Sea”. Says Jimmy. “Nonsense!” blasts Dr. Breckenridge. “It has nothing to do with the economy or the level of education. You liberals are always blaming the system.” “Yes sir.” mumbles Jimmy as he slinks away.
Jimmy joins Suzy back inside the house and asks, “think it’s time we slip away?” “Yes, I am a bit tired.”says Suzy. “My head is starting to hurt and it’s too noisy.” As they hear James Richards outside howling over and over again. “Let’s get out of here.” Jimmy says as he heads towards the door.