This story features a band new character, Calvin Richards, who prefers the nickname Cal. As you might have guessed from  Nautilus’ fabulous drawings, Cal is a deaf Boxer. He is befriended by one of my established canine characters, L. Roy Connelley. This is the first of six chapters I’ve already written for Cal. They will all appear in a future Long Division book. I hope you enjoy this introduction.

I’ve adopted six deaf dogs over the years and Cal’s appearance is based on Callie, a Boxer who was very dear to me.

Oh, and if you like the art, please fave the original in Naut’s gallery here:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/64593014/

All of the books in the Long Division series are available in paperback and electronic editions at LD-Books.com. These books contain mature content for adult readers age 18 and up only.

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Cal
July 2024

Roy Connelley tapped his wife’s number on their Forester’s touch screen. Belinda answered answered after only two rings, “Hello, O husband o’ mine.”

Roy smiled. “Hi, Sweetie. What are you up to?”

“I’m at the zoo with Mom and the kids,” Belinda replied. “What’s up with you?”

“I was just on my way home and thought I might pick up some lunch for us.”

“Aww, that’s sweet of you,” said the female, “but we’re just going to grab something at the concessions here.”

“Alright,” said Roy, “I’m going to swing into Taco Bell, then… Damn!”

“What’s the matter?”

“Oh, there’s a car accident right here in front of the restaurant.”

“Well, you drive careful,” Belinda advised. “I’ll talk to you later. Bye.”

“Bye.” Roy kept his eyes on the traffic and let his spouse disconnect the call. He had to wait for a few rubberneckers to maneuver around the disabled vehicles before he could pull into the parking lot.

Inside, the restaurant’s two self-serve kiosks were in use, so Roy stepped up to the counter to place his order in the old-fashioned way. The calico cat working the cash register took Roy’s request for a Burrito Supreme combo and handed him a drink cup. Roy thanked the pretty feline and made his way over to the soda fountain. A white Boxer was standing in front of the soft drink dispenser, gazing at the accident scene outside the window where the police had arrived to sort out the mess.

“Excuse me,” Roy said to the other canine. The Boxer continued staring out the window. “Excuse me,” Roy repeated but still the other dog failed to acknowledge him. Roy was beginning to get annoyed. “Hey, Buddy. Are you deaf or something?” he asked with a tap on the Boxer’s shoulder. The short-faced canine turned and tilted his head. “I’d like to get something to drink, if you don’t mind,” Roy said, pointing to the Pepsi machine.

The Boxer held his fist in front of his chest and traced a couple of circles over his heart. “Sahrry,” he said in a flat, nearly unintelligible voice. “Dint hear you. Ahm deaf.” The white canine pointed to his ear then moved his finger to his chin, just below his lips.

Roy’s mouth gaped open and his ears drooped. “Oh, Dog! I’m sorry,” he said. The Boxer shrugged off the apology and went to retrieve his order at the counter.

The embarrassed German Shepherd finished pouring his Mountain Dew in time to hear the calico at the counter call out, “Order for Roy.” He picked up his tray, scanned the restaurant, then walked over to where the Boxer was seated alone at one of the small tables for two. The deaf dog noticed Roy’s approach and looked up. He pointed to the other chair in invitation.

As he sat, Roy noticed for the first time that the white dog had a brown patch of fur around his right eye and several small black “ink spots” on the tips of both ears. “I wanted to apologize,” Roy began. He looked down at the tray in front of him. “Dog, I feel so stupid.”

Roy felt a tap on his arm and looked up. The Boxer pointed to his eye, then to Roy’s face and back to his own. “Read lips. See yoohr face.”

The other dog’s point was clear. Roy looked squarely at his companion and said, “Now I feel really stupid.”

The Boxer patted his chest, tapped the index and middle fingers of his right paw on top of those of his left paw. He formed a half circle shape with his thumb and fingers, made a fist, and then an L-shape with his right thumb and index finger. “Cal,” he said, tapping the C-shape on his chest near his left shoulder. Then he pointed at Roy and tilted his head quizzically.

After a quick moment, the light went on in the German Shepherd’s head. “Oh! I’m Roy.” He pulled out his cell phone, quickly opened the Notes app and tapped out his commonly used middle name. He held the phone up for the deaf dog to see.

Cal gave his companion an evil grin and emphatically shook his head. He pointed at Roy again, then gestured with both hands making those L-shapes in front of his chest.

“Uh, I don’t know how to sign it,” said Roy, looking quite lost.

Cal held up his right paw, first and middle fingers crossed. He waited. Roy finally got the idea and mimicked the gesture. The Boxer grinned even wider. His hand now formed an O-shape, touching his thumb to his curved fingers. Roy did the same. Cal turned his fist, palm facing Roy with his thumb and pinky extended. The Shepherd reproduced the Y-shape with ease. Cal clapped and repeated the three gestures in rapid sequence. Roy attempted the same, although his transitions were slow and clumsy. The Boxer squealed loudly with delight and held out his fist, knuckles toward his pupil. Roy held out his own fist, mystified as to what this new sign could possibly mean, then laughed as he found himself on the receiving end of a common fist-bump. Cal laughed with him.

❖

The two new acquaintances enjoyed a pleasant lunch together. Roy asked Cal to teach him the signs for some common, useful phrases: “Hello”, “Goodbye”, “Nice to meet you”, “Yes”, “No”, “Please”, and “Thank you”. Cal was thrilled that Roy showed such interest and gladly assumed the role of teacher.

The two canines finished their meals. They’d had a lesson more than a real conversation and Roy found himself wishing that he knew more about Cal’s personal life, including his experiences as a deaf dog in a hearing society. Cal tapped his wristwatch and indicated that he needed to leave. Before going, he produced his mobile phone and, after a couple of taps, slid it across the table toward the German Shepherd.

Roy looked down at the Boxer’s phone. The Add Contact screen was open. Roy looked at the other dog and asked, “You want to stay in touch with me?”

Cal signed “yes” and nodded. He pointed to Roy, then to his phone again.

Roy tapped in his information and returned the device. “Text me,” he said to the Boxer, “then I will have your number.”

A moment later, Roy’s phone chimed. He opened the Messaging app and found a text that read, “Testing. 1,2,3”. The Shepherd grinned, tapped the Add to Contacts button, and entered “Cal” into the First Name field. The other canine was beckoning for Roy’s phone so he handed it over. When it was returned, the name fields now read “Calvin Richards” and the address fields had been filled in.

“Um, let me have yours again,” said Roy, holding out his hand.

Cal tilted his head, but placed his phone in the G-Shep’s outstretched paw. He got it back with the Contacts app open and Roy’s information amended to read “Llewelyn Roy Connelley”. Cal looked up in amusement and said “L’ellen?” in that flat voice of his.

Roy, looking slightly embarrassed, gave his companion the newly learned “yes” sign.

Face beaming, Cal thrust out his paw for a shake. The two dogs clasped hands. “Happy meet you, L’ellen,” he said.

“Nice to meet you,” Roy signed.