The Bravest Word by Kate Foster

Author:Kate Foster [Foster, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781760654764
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
Published: 2022-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

I drag my body up my bed, rest my pillow against the wall and lean back. It’s 9:30 am. I type the pass code into my phone and swipe away all the notifications quickly, before I can read them, other than the one from Dad telling me to check my bedside table. Before I do that I open PicRoll.

Cool air and singing birds and distant traffic sounds float in through my open window. My eyes are puffy and sting a bit this morning, probably from both the crying and the deep sleeping, but I do feel a lot better. Still achy and I have a bit of a headache, but I actually want to eat. My stomach grumbles loudly as I think about heading down into the kitchen to make peanut butter on toast.

I’m definitely getting better!

Once I’ve got some food, I plan to read through the pile of leaflets and booklets sitting on my bedside table about bringing home a new dog. There’s a neatly written note paper-clipped to the top one from Dad.

Hope you slept well. I’m working two streets away this morning so call if there’s a problem. I’ll be home by midday anyway and Jane’s next door too. She knows you’re home alone. Rest up and feel better. Dad.

I smile. I look back at my phone and check the photo I added to Cliff’s story. I plan to get the next one uploaded today.

My eyebrows rise as I see the number of smiley faces the PicRoll post has received.

Wow. 423. That’s . . . surprising. I’ve never had that many on any of my posts before, not my Jungle Warfare uploads or my football reposts, not ever.

And the best part is there are twenty comments as well!

Excitement races through me, making my hands tremble as I open each comment bubble.

You are so not ugly or sad. Gorgeous boy.

Awww Cliff! You’re the best. Happy new life!

Cliff you are THE cutest. I’m sorry that’s happened to you!

Cliff!!!!! I love your sweet little face and want to give you a huge big fat kiss!!!!! You are gorgeous and I reckon you’re about to have the best life from this day onwards!

That person loved exclamation points.

Sending you love, Cliff!

There are a few more like that, saying how cute and how lucky he is to have been found by someone so loving and special. I can’t fight the smile, knowing that’s me and that now I get to continue being loving and special for Cliff.

I scroll down to the last comment bubble and read.

Cliff, I hope your new family help you heal. It will be hard and you will have good days and bad days, but as long as you are always moving forwards and making it to the end of every day, you should be proud of yourself. Here’s to a wonderful future.

I read it again and then lay my head back, thinking about the words.

Good days and bad days.

Always moving forwards.

I hope Cliff has more good days than bad

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.