Earnest: A Fictional Narrative

With his grocery cart over stuffed with cans and bottles, Ernest found it difficult to push on the gravel road, tired and thirsty he stopped by his house to get a drink before going to the center. Although, exhausted, still there was a bounce in step and he hummed, knowing he would be extra funds for his projects. Looking down the street, he saw Justin coming towards him and waited.
Caring for that boy bothered him, he admitted the quantity of time recently spent with him was rewarding and brought back forgotten memories. “If only I could get him to trust me.”
“Hi there, Justin,” Ernest said as he steadied the cart.
“I wanted to check and make sure you’re okay? ”
“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” “I’m sorry my parents hate you and especially my
Your friend lied when he said, he wants Blacky,” Ernest said as we went over and knelt down beside Blacky and hugged him. “My friend, you’ll never be hungry or thirsty again.”
“How do you feed them?” Justin was overwhelmed by what he’d seen.
“You can bet one thing, they’ll eat before I do. Now, do they look hungry?” Picking up a little white French poodle, he played with it. “A butcher in town gives me meaty bones to help with the food cost. Somehow, I manage, and they always have plenty to eat.”
Admitting the animals looked neither hungry nor neglected. “They’re clean and healthy. There’s no odor in here,” Justin said, sniffing the air. “Do you take them outside for exercise?” Justin asked, and recalled how his dad made him or Wayne take Buster for a walk every evening.
“I take some out in the backyard every morning for exercise. They can run and play down here. The others go out in the evening. During the day I clean up the basement.”
“It’s hard to understand how you can do this. They are content and happy.” Justin was impressed as he watched the elderly man interact with the cats and dogs. It impressed him how well the animals played