Absolutely Lucy Read Free

you sure you want to go?” Bobby asked Lucy.
    Lucy kept on dancing.
    “All right. I’ll get your leash.”
    Bobby and Lucy went outside. Bobby snuck a look across the street. The children were gone.
    Bobby and Lucy walked down the street. No one was around. Maybe everyone was inside, trying to keep cool.
    The house on the corner was big and yellow. Old Mr. Davis lived in the house. Sometimes Bobby saw him bringing in his newspaper or weeding his garden. His garden was full of roses, day lilies, and big sunflowers that were taller than Bobby.
    Mr. Davis was sitting in a rocking chair on his porch. When Bobby and Lucy walked past, Mr. Davis lifted his hand.
    “Hi, Bobby,” he said in a tired voice. “What’s your dog’s name?”
    “Lucy.” Bobby could feel his face starting to get red.
    Lucy stood up on her hind legs and barked at the sound of her name. Bobby hurried on.
    On the next block was a small park. It was mostly for little kids. The children went on the swings or played in the sandbox. Today the park was empty except for a toddler and his babysitter.
    The boy was taking fast baby steps on his chubby legs. He looked like he might tumble over, but he never did.
    The boy started to cry when he saw Lucy. His babysitter picked him up.
    “I guess he’s afraid of dogs,” the girl said.
    Bobby didn’t see how anybody could be afraid of Lucy. “She’s nice. She likes everybody,” Bobby said.
    “Do you want to say hello to the doggie?” the babysitter asked the boy.
    He shook his head no.
    “I’m sorry,” the babysitter said to Bobby. “Would you mind taking your dog to the other side of the park?”
    Bobby felt bad that the boy didn’t like Lucy. But he did what the babysitter asked. He and Lucy walked away.
    Bobby sat on a park bench. He tossed a stick to Lucy.
    “Fetch, Lucy,” Bobby said. He wanted to see if she would bring it back to him. She didn’t.
    He looked over at the little boy. Too bad he wouldn’t give Lucy a chance. But Bobby knew it was hard to give something new a chance.
    It was too hot to stay in the park for long. Slowly Bobby and Lucy walked home.
    Mr. Davis was still sitting in his chair, but now his eyes were closed. He must be sleeping , Bobby thought. He was ready to walk by, but Lucy stopped and stood very still.
    “What’s wrong?” Bobby wanted to go home and have a cool drink.
    Lucy wouldn’t move. She stared at Mr. Davis. Then she pulled hard on her leash. She wanted to go up on Mr. Davis’s porch.
    “No, Lucy,” Bobby said.
    But Lucy wouldn’t take no for an answer. She kept tugging on her leash. Finally, Bobby followed her up the stairs.

    Mr. Davis was sweating. His eyes were still closed.
    “Mr. Davis?” Bobby said softly.
    Mr. Davis didn’t answer.
    Bobby felt scared. “Are you okay?” he asked. “Mr. Davis, can you hear me?”
    Mr. Davis’s eyes fluttered. “Bobby?”
    “Are you okay?” Bobby asked again.
    “Bobby, go get your mother,” Mr. Davis said in a weak voice. “I don’t feel very good.”
    Bobby and Lucy ran all the way home.

B obby’s mother raced over to Mr. Davis’s house. Bobby and Lucy were right behind her.
    Mr. Davis was breathing hard. “My medicine,” he gasped. “It’s on the kitchen table.”
    Bobby had never seen his mother move so fast. She brought out the medicine and a glass of water. She helped Mr. Davis take his medicine.
    “I’ll be better in a minute or two,” Mr. Davis said.
    “I’m going to call 911,” Mrs. Quinn said.
    “No, no. The medicine works fast,” he told her. “Take me into the house.”
    Mrs. Quinn helped Mr. Davis inside. He sat on the couch. He was starting to look better.
    “Sorry,” Mr. Davis said. “I didn’t mean to scare anybody. I was so tired, I couldn’t get inside to get my medicine.”
    Mrs. Quinn turned to Bobby. “How did you know Mr. Davis was sick?”
    “I didn’t,” Bobby said. “It was Lucy.”
    “Lucy!” his mother exclaimed.
    “She knew something was