What the Dog Knows by Sylvia McNicoll

Author:Sylvia McNicoll [McNicoll, Sylvia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Dogs
ISBN: 9781459749917
Publisher: Dundurn Press
Published: 2022-03-23T00:00:00+00:00

14

Monday, June 28:

Bikini Shopping

After I finish breakfast, I lead Diesel down to the cool of the basement and turn on the television to the Super Dog finals. I put out a large bowl of water. He won’t even have to climb the stairs if he gets thirsty. Not like last time I left him, in the yard with nothing. “We’re heading for the mall. Dogs are not allowed.”

“Aroooh!” He slumps down in disgust.

I kneel down and pat him. “I’m sorry, Diesel.”

Alone. His toffee eyes fill with sadness.

“I’ll give you a treat.”

Okay! He thumps his tail.

I slip him a sliver of wiener left over from yesterday, still in my pocket. He swallows it and drops his mouth open in a relaxed pant.

I give him one last pat goodbye.

Then Morgan and I head off to pick up Baby Luanne. By the time we have her diapered and dressed and all the buckles done up in the stroller, it’s getting close to her nap time. Her head nods as we set off for the bus stop. Dead asleep by the time the bus comes, but it turns out strollers aren’t allowed unless they’re folded up.

“You do not want this kid awake, trust me.” Morgan manages to convince the driver the stroller won’t block the aisles, and for once I’m glad for her mouth.

A block before the mall we climb down the back stairs of the bus, Morgan carrying the wheel rod of the stroller and me holding the handle. The doors fold closed behind us as we head for my bank, Luanne still sleeping.

Withdrawing from an ATM makes me feel tense. I’m spending money, after all, drawing from my safety nest egg. It’s been so long, I have to think about my birthdate password. Is it month, day, year or day, month, year? My fingers tremble as I finally count three crisp twenties fresh from the machine.

“What’s wrong now?” Morgan asks when I stare at them.

“I need this money to go to medical school. My parents can’t even afford rent.” I look down at my watch. Will I even get to go to school?

“You’re a brain.” She pats my head. “You’ll get a scholarship.”

She’s so irritating. I duck from her hand. Can I win a scholarship? I can’t even learn how to swim. But she’s still right about the bathing suit. I can’t be seen in public in Little Mermaid anymore.

We power march the rest of the way to the mall, me anxious that I’ll back out if we don’t hurry. If we slow down, Luanne might wake up, too.

The parking lot looks full, and the moment we step through the doors the air conditioning blasts us. Racks of clothing and tables with markdowns line the halls. Too many people crowd and paw through the offerings.

“Let’s go to Economart. That’s where Aunt Cathie gets all her bargains.” I don’t wait for an answer, just steer the stroller in that direction.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Morgan asks as we pass through the open door of the store and I head toward the children’s department.

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