Chapter 104

The homestead has undergone a comprehensive makeover, including the installation of a brand-new roof on the house, the painting of the barn, and the maintenance of the yard, creating a picturesque scene that is fit for a postcard.

Someone was sound asleep in their bed when they were startled awake by a jarring noise.

The alarm goes off, and then there is a moment of silence as someone presses the snooze button with their weight. Gideon heaves a sigh, kicks back the covers, and sits on the edge of the bed while rubbing his eyes. He then pulls out his legs and kicks the covers back over them.

Pippin is lying on the bed with his paws crossed, his head held tilted, and his tail excitedly wagging in notes of three. Gideon casts a glance over at Pippin.

The growl of Gideon "I'm up, I'm up".

Gideon cooks up some bacon and adds it to his breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast. The bacon was fried up in a pan.

He gets down on one knee next to Pippin's bowl and drizzles some of the bacon grease over the kibble as he does so. During the time that Gideon is getting ready to sit down at the table with his coffee, newspaper, and breakfast, Pippin has already started eating.

Gideon changes the oil on his car while Pippin dozes off nearby on a creeper cart while Gideon's car is propped up on Torin Steel Jack Stands. Gideon lays on a creeper cart beneath the car while he works. The vehicle has been meticulously restored and polished to an impeccable state. After completing the task, Gideon pulls himself out from underneath the vehicle and uses a shop towel to remove the grease that was on his hands.

"That ought to put an end to it. Do you want to give it a shot? "? said Gideon to Pippin.

Pippin is wagging his tongue in the air as he stands at the open window of the Subaru as it speeds down the open stretch of the landing strip in the middle of an abandoned field. When Gideon is behind the wheel of his car, it is almost as if his vehicle is an extension of himself; he exudes composure, coolness, and composure in this environment. He shifts gears deftly, reaching speeds of more than one hundred miles per hour, until he hits a long patch of gravel, at which point he shifts, spins the wheel, and skids while remaining in full control as the wheels skim over the earth. Pippin barks. Gideon gives her a grin and reaches over to give her a scratch on the back.

"Good girl, Pippin. Good girl ". Gideon said

Gideon is enjoying a sandwich and a small book of crossword puzzles as he relaxes at a picnic table in a local park. He is working his way through the puzzle book. Pippin is seated at the table, where he is chewing on a tough piece of rawhide while a cup of steaming coffee sits nearby.

While Gideon fills up the tank, Pippin yells at other motorcyclists who pass by the gas station. Gideon climbs inside the motor vehicle, starts the engine, and then takes off.

When Gideon got home, he collapsed onto the cushions of the couch and fell asleep while Pippin snored softly between his legs. Pippin was sitting between Gideon's legs.

***

While Gideon washes his car, Pippin runs after birds until he is exhausted, at which point he lays on her back in the sun and stretches while gnawing on her favorite stuffed animal.

Gideon is seated in his worn-out recliner with his reading glasses on, a book in front of him, and Pippin curled up and fast asleep in his lap. An empty glass of scotch is perched on the end table that is located next to Gideon. A moment later... and Gideon puts his book away and savors the last of his scotch.

Gideon stood up and said, "Come on, then," while Pippin leapt to the ground in front of him to lead the way back upstairs.

Pippin stretches out at the foot of the bed, wagging his tail. Gideon grins and scratches his stomach while doing so. "Good night, Pippin".

Both Gideon and Pippin go to bed, pull the covers over their heads, and sigh as they drift off to sleep.