"Bubbly Hearts," fractal art by the author, Deeann D. Mathews
Vanna Trent found out for the first time in life what it is to have heartbreak turned into joy.
All her college dreams had gone down in flames because of Covid-19.
She hadn't seen anything but her siblings having fun in the “work” of training their dog Goody in how to sniff up paper that smelled like people and ground – first of all, that shouldn't have worked because Goody to all appearances had zero hound in him, and second of all, there was a lot of paper on the ground in the world.
But, Goody had sniffed up a page of a newspaper with an announcement for that day:
“Attention, prospective students for W&L University: in cooperation with the Veteran's Lodge and the Lofton Trust, W&L is offering a full ride scholarship program for new and transfer students resident at the Lodge who were disrupted in their matriculation path by Covid-19, covering their first full year of online classes. Requirements are a 3.0 GPA or better, and a confirmation of one or both parents' honorable service record. Simply file certification of both requirements at the Veteran's Lodge housing office, attention Sgt. Baker. There are 50 such scholarships available, first come, first serve.”
There were more details about the drop off method to avoid potential spread of Covid-19, but the Trents got on top of those in a heartbeat, and everyone piled into the SUV to be on site the instant Sgt. Baker showed up, so everybody could see Vanna hand in her application.
“With your 4.0 GPA self – and first in line!” Melvin said.
Sure enough, other cars were pulling up as the Trents were driving away, but the job was done.
One week later, Vanna's scholarship was confirmed College was all paid up for her first year studying online at W&L University, from the comfort and safety of her own home.
This also meant that Vanna was rich, by Trent sibling terms. All that money she had been saving up from work to have spending money at NYU – she still had that in the bank!”
That gave Vanna a good idea.
“Y'all deserve a finder's fee – here's a good solid dog treat for you, Goody, and a good petting!”
He enjoyed that a lot.
Then Vanna went and washed up and then came out of her room with $150. She gave $50 to Velma, $50 to Milton, and $50 to Gracie.
This is how Goody the moneyhound helped Milton sniff out the $50 he wanted to add to that month's rent, to help his father and brother pay the household bills.
Milton went and solemnly put his $50 in his father's hand.
“I promised I was going to help with the rent this month, sir,” he said. “Here it is.”
Sgt. Trent stood up straight at attention, and saluted his younger son. Milton saluted back, and then Sgt. Trent knelt down and he and his son embraced.
Gracie and Velma reshuffled their cash and presented Milton with $34.
“We can't have our brother broke, now,” Velma said, “and that will put you up on next month.”
Embraces over there – and then all of them ran over and embraced Vanna.
Later on, Vanna cried in her father's embrace from joy, because God had snapped her heartbreak up and turned it into rejoicing for the whole family.