Sit, Stay, Love Page 4

  Maybe they left early to go pick up Potato, I thought, before I realized that Eric had said they were taking him home next week.

  I fought back another wave of sadness. I reminded myself that I was at least lucky enough to know the people who were adopting him.

  Maybe if I could just get to know them well enough to ask for visitation rights, I would get a chance to see my Potato.

  * * *

  Lori had trouble meeting my eyes when I walked into Orphan Paws after school. “Good news!” she announced, in the most fake-cheerful voice I’d ever heard. “Your little guy there’s got a forever home in his future.”

  I didn’t say anything back, but bent down to let Potato out of his crate. I picked him up and took him with me into the back. I walked out the back door and sat down on a little bench.

  Bending my head down close to his, I kissed the side of his face. He responded by licking the side of mine.

  “I know you’re disappointed …” Lori was standing in the doorway, this time using her real voice.

  “Yeah.”

  “You know you’re not allowed to have a dog, kid,” she went on gently. “Unless something’s changed? If so, I’ll tell those people that …”

  “No, there’s been a change, but not a good one. We lost the house. It got condemned.”

  “Oh no! I’m so sorry—that’s terrible! Does that mean you’ll be staying with your aunt permanently, then?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe.” I honestly had no idea. And Dad seemed so blue about the whole thing that I was afraid to even ask.

  Coming over to sit down beside me, Lori sighed and reached over to pet Potato. He licked her nose. “I’m so sorry, Cecilia. But you know, the family does seem really nice.”

  I looked over at her. “Yeah, the boy—Eric—he told me today at school. I know the Chungs are taking Potato.” I felt a spark of anger again. “They want to turn him into a show dog! Did you know that?”

  Lori nodded. “Yeah, isn’t that something? Potato here might go from being left out by a Dumpster to being a champion. Isn’t life funny sometimes?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Hysterical.”

  Lori patted Potato on the head again and went back inside.

  I turned Potato around gently so that he could see my face. “You don’t really want to be a show dog, do you?”

  I could have sworn that Potato shook his head back and forth, just a little.

  class president

  frustratingly charming

  rich

  good at sports

  my dog

  “Incoming!”

  It was Monday—day three of math-class kickball. I yelled to give Lily a heads-up. Austin Fuller had kicked the ball incredibly hard and it was headed straight for us. We both ran away from the ball as fast as our legs would carry us, and the rest of the kids on our team all yelled angrily. Finally, Lily picked up the ball from the ground and threw it to Medi Banerjee, who was manning third base.

  “You seem like you know what you’re doing there,” I told her.

  Lily shrugged. “It’s progress, I guess. I just wish I could stop running away when a ball comes flying at my head. I do it every time.”

  “Well, I think that sounds like a sensible thing to do,” I told her.

  Lily grinned. “It’s not that I hate all sports. I really love skiing. And ice-skating. I just don’t like …”

  “Anything that involves stuff flying at your head,” I finished for her.

  “Exactly!” She grinned.

  I was surprised at how much Lily and I had bonded over the last few math-kickball sessions. It was hard balancing how much I’d grown to like her with the fact that her family was about to take Potato away from me. I had managed not to mention anything about it to her, though. I liked getting to know Lily, and I was worried that bringing Potato into the mix would mess things up.

  Chip yelled that class was over then, and we started walking back into the building.

  “This kickball marathon’s got to end eventually, right?” Lily asked as we made our way off the field.

  I nodded, but honestly, I kind of didn’t want it to. It was fun spending time with Lily. You can always just ask her to hang out after school, I could imagine Lori telling me. Hmmm. Maybe imaginary Lori was right. But what if asking Lily to hang out crossed some invisible social boundary? What if our maybe-friendship only existed on the kickball field?

  “Well, I guess I’ll see you later.” Lily’s voice pierced through my thoughts. She was already turning the corner to her next class, and I had to head the other way.

  “Okay … Well, wait!” I said before she could walk away. “Are you doing anything after school, by any chance? I volunteer at Orphan Paws, and today I’m taking the dogs on a walk. Would you … would you like to join?” I braced myself for potential rejection.

  “That sounds great!” Lily said with a grin. “I’ll meet you at your locker after school.”

  And before I could even reply, she was already bouncing away.

  Her brother may be a dog stealer, I couldn’t help but think, but Lily’s not half bad.

  * * *

  “Heel! HEEL! Why won’t you heel?!” Lily shouted.

  I cracked up watching Peaches, Twinkie, Mallomar, and Coco drag Lily around the grass. We were in the park across the street from Orphan Paws.

  Oreo had found a forever home. But the other pups were still at the shelter. Now they were full of energy, having waited patiently all day for me to come take them out. Lily had volunteered to take the reins, which ultimately resulted in her crashed on the grass, tangled in a mess of puppies and leashes.

  “I don’t know how you do it,” Lily said, slowly pulling at the leashes in an attempt to escape. We moved the tangle of puppies into the gated dog park. Then I helped Lily unclip all of the pups from their leashes so they could run around. “This is exhausting.”

  “You get used to it,” I said, sitting down on a bench. “Wait,” I added, “doesn’t your family have a lot of dogs?” Show dogs, I added silently.

  Lily nodded as she sat down beside me. “But I kind of stay out of their way. Eric and my parents are the dog people in the family.” She smiled. “I mean, don’t get me wrong. Dogs are cute. But I think I’m more of a cat person.”

  I laughed. “Okay. I think I can accept that.”

  We sat there for a while, watching in comfortable silence as the puppies pranced around the park, chasing one another and playing with the other dogs. After a minute, Coco ran up to me and begged to be picked up. I lifted her up and she promptly started licking my face.

  “You’re just like my brother,” Lily said with a grin. “He’s crazy for dogs. And ever since he found a box of abandoned puppies outside a church last week and brought them to Orphan Paws, he’s been obsessed with the idea of adopting a rescue dog. Our parents think that’s a bad idea, but Eric wouldn’t let it go, so they eventually gave in, on the condition he takes full responsibility for the pup. In fact, our family is gonna adopt …”

  Her eyes flicked down and her words trailed off. I could tell that Eric had already filled her in on my relationship with their soon-to-be pup.

  “Yeah, I heard about Potato,” I said, trying and failing to suppress my immediate frown.

  “You can still visit him, you know,” Lily said softly.

  “Yeah, maybe. But it’s not the same,” I replied, wishing we’d move on to another conversation topic. I didn’t want to think about Potato and his new home right now.

  “And Eric can be super annoying sometimes, but he’s good at taking care of dogs. I think you guys would get along …”

  “Doubtful,” I said, standing up quickly and picking up the leashes. “But I am glad that you came today,” I offered, realizing my tone may have sounded a bit harsh.

  “Me too,” Lily said. She stood up next to me, and together we gathered all the puppies and got their leashes back on.

  As we headed out of the park, I thought about what
Lily said about Eric, and how ridiculous it was. Eric might be a fellow dog monster, but that was no reason he had to take my dog.

  But Potato’s not technically mine, a voice in my head was quick to remind me. My confused thoughts followed me all the way back to the shelter.

  “Thanks for inviting me,” Lily told me.

  “Sure,” I said, and we waved good-bye.

  The next day at school passed in a blur. I knew I didn’t have much time left with Potato, so I was frantic to get back to Orphan Paws as soon as I could. The minute the final bell rang, I ran to O.P., threw open the door with my usual gusto, then leaned, panting against the doorframe.

  “Was someone chasing you?” Lori asked.

  “No.” I paused for breath. “I just like making a dramatic entrance.”

  Lori shook her head, laughing. “Well, anyway, I’m glad to see you. We’ve got these two new guys in just now.” She gestured to one of the intake crates, which held two very dirty medium-sized dogs. They both looked like mixed terriers. “I’ve got to go pick up some meds. Could you bathe them and do the flea dip?”

  I nodded. “Sure. Whatever you need.” I rolled up my sleeves and went over to the big sink to gather my supplies and prep. I glanced over at Potato, who was napping across the room, but I knew duty came first.

  I gave each terrier a bath, followed by the dreaded flea dip. You had to apply the solution with a sponge just a little at a time, then towel the dog dry. The smell was pretty crummy, but hopefully it would work to get these puppies flea-free.

  When I was finally done I took off the coverall I’d worn and washed my hands, then scooped up Potato. He’d woken up and barked happily at the sight of me. I sat on the floor with him and checked all his bandages—all his cuts had healed nicely, and he was moving better now. His ribs were probably healing, too, I thought.

  I nuzzled my cheek against his. “Well, Potato,” I whispered, “I know you’ve found a forever home. They are nice people—well, I guess Lily is, and Mr. and Mrs. Chung. Eric maybe not so much. Except they are super into dog shows. I personally don’t approve, Potato. I mean, with all the great dogs that are out there in every shelter, why do people have to breed dogs? It’s very irresponsible.”

  I set him down gently and then walked a few paces away. “Come, Potato.” I clapped my hands and he waddled back over to me. Then he stopped and looked at me expectantly, as if he were waiting for my next command. What a cutie.

  “Sit,” I said, motioning my hand down.

  Potato sat.

  “Can you shake my hand?” I asked him, putting my hand out.

  Potato looked at my hand, tilting his head quizzically.

  I gently lifted his paw and shook it, showing him what I wanted. Then I let his paw go and put my hand out again. The request seemed to register in his head, and Potato quickly lifted his paw for me to shake.

  “Good Potato!” I said, elated that he’d listened to me.

  Potato gave a small victory bark in reply.

  “I’m going to miss you,” I whispered sadly.

  I heard a throat clearing behind me. “You’re right. He really listens to you,” said a voice.

  I jumped a little in surprise. I never in a million years would have guessed who was standing there. Eric Chung.

  “You scared me half to death!” I told him.

  “Sorry. Just thought I’d come by and see Potato—see how he’s doing.” There was a look on his face that I couldn’t quite read. I wondered how long he had been watching me, and if he had heard my rant about dog breeding.

  “I don’t think he’s ready to go home with you yet,” I heard myself saying, my tone harsher than I’d intended. I didn’t stop to think—I just knew I wasn’t ready to part with him yet.

  Eric looked down at Potato. “He’s a great example of his breed, build-wise. He’ll be a fierce competitor in the dog show circuit.”

  I tried to hold my tongue, but I couldn’t. “I don’t think Potato’s dog show material,” I blurted. “I mean, I’m sure he’d be awesome because Potato can do anything. But he doesn’t deserve to have such a high-pressure life. What if he doesn’t perform up to your expectations? Will you be mean to him? Potato’s been through enough, and he doesn’t need any more stress.” I knew I was rambling at this point, but I felt such a surge of emotion that I had to let it out.

  Eric looked offended. “I’d never be mean to a dog, Cecilia, especially to one I’m responsible for.”

  “Well … good,” I said, disappointed in myself that I couldn’t come up with a better retort. An awkward pause followed.

  Eric still looked a little miffed, but then moved closer to me and knelt down to scratch Potato’s head. “There’s a good boy,” he said softly. Then, all of a sudden, Eric got up abruptly, his nose wrinkling as if he smelled something rank.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked. “I thought you came to see Potato.” He’d moved a few feet away from where he’d just been kneeling.

  “Nothing,” Eric said quickly. “I—I just can’t stay. But I’m glad Potato’s doing so well. We can’t wait to bring him home in a few days.”

  Before I knew it, Eric was out the door, and I was still sitting there confused.

  “What was that about?” I asked Potato, who stared at me. The pup seemed to be thinking hard but had no answer.

  * * *

  I found out the real answer a half hour later, after I’d run home and slid into my spot at my aunt’s dinner table. I hadn’t bothered to change, since Aunt Pam had announced that she had made her famous macaroni and cheese.

  Aunt Pam’s nose wrinkled just as Eric’s had. “What’s that smell?”

  “It’s probably me. I guess I smell like wet dog.”

  “No, that’s not it. I mean, yes—that, too. But you’ve smelled like that before.”

  Dad reached across the table to grab the bread basket. “That’s flea dip smell, I’ll bet.”

  I smacked my palm against my forehead. “Oh, gosh—yes. I totally forgot. That must be why he made that face! I smell like pyrethrin.”

  Aunt Pam was shaking her head. “Run up and take a shower and put on some fresh clothes. I’ll warm up your dinner.”

  I frowned—the food did smell amazing. But Aunt Pam was right—the flea dip smell was mixing with it in a very unappetizing way.

  I ran upstairs, almost tripping in my hunger-based haste. I rushed through a very hot shower. About halfway through changing my clothes it occurred to me that Eric Chung had caught me smelling like wet dog—and worse. But I didn’t actually care what he thought about me.

  Right?

  I slammed my locker door shut, giving myself a little pep talk. It was a new day, and I was pretty sure I smelled okay. Time to focus on the positive. Even kickball wouldn’t be too bad, with Lily to talk to in the outfield.

  “You ready for some kickball?” Lily fell into step beside me as we walked into math class.

  “As long as we can hide in the outfield,” I told her.

  We took our seats but didn’t get out our books, expecting the familiar call to go outside.

  When Chip walked in I noticed he had on a tie for the first time since he’d started subbing for us. He also looked a little pale. Lily tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the doorway, where the assistant principal, Mr. Danvers, was standing.

  “Please open up your textbooks to chapter eleven,” Chip said.

  Austin Fuller started to yell, “Hey, what about kick …” but the look on Chip’s face silenced him right away.

  The rest of us shrugged and opened our books to chapter eleven. Lily and I exchanged a knowing look. I guessed that was the end of math-class kickball.

  * * *

  “And then I took the world’s fastest shower. Because, well, you know how I feel about mac and cheese.”

  I was Skyping with Mel after school (finally) and had just given her the complete rundown of everything that had happened with Potato, finishing off with a recap of Eric running away fro
m the stench of my flea-dipped clothes.

  But even as I joked about my smelly encounter, Mel knew me too well to miss how devastated I was about losing Potato.

  “There’ll be other dogs, C! You guys get new dogs in at O.P., like, every single day. Soon enough, a new furry face will come along and you’ll be in puppy love all over again.”

  I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help but giggle. Mel always knew how to make me laugh.

  “How’s the living situation?” Mel asked. “Has it gotten any better with Aunt P?”

  “It’s been fine, I guess,” I said with a shrug. “But I do hate to mooch off my aunt. A part of me wonders if my dad insists on staying here because he doesn’t have enough money to find a new place.” I felt a small weight lift from my shoulders. That had been a worry I had carried for a while, but this was the first time I had said it out loud.

  Before I could continue, I heard my dad bellow, “Cecilia!”

  “Noooo! I guess you have to go,” Mel said. “But hang in there! Things will get better, I promise.”

  “Thanks,” I sighed. “I hope. Talk to you soon.”

  I shut my laptop and walked the five steps out to the kitchen to see what he wanted.

  “You bellowed?”

  Dad smiled at my word choice, but it seemed like something was bothering him. “Your aunt has her book club tonight. I was going to heat up the rest of that soup she made for dinner, but then I just couldn’t face it.”

  I made a face. “Good. Usually everything she makes is yummy, but I don’t think soup is her thing.”

  Dad smiled again. “I think you may be right. Go get your coat.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “Out for dinner.”

  “Awesome!” It had been a long time since my dad and I ate together, just the two of us. “Where?”

  “Your pick,” he said with a grin.

  I thought about it for a second. “Can we go to Chili’s?”

  “Sure thing, kid.” He turned and led the way out.