Absolutely Lucy Read Free Page A

wrong,” Bobby told her. “She wouldn’t go home until we checked on Mr. Davis.”
    Mr. Davis was sitting up straighter. “That little dog is a hero,” he said.
    Bobby looked down at Lucy, who was sitting quietly at his feet.
    “Wow, Lucy. You’re a hero.”
    Mrs. Quinn gave Lucy a pat. “I should say so,” she said. “Mr. Davis, how are you feeling now?”
    Mr. Davis took a deep breath. “Just about back to normal.”
    “Can I call someone for you?” Mrs. Quinn asked Mr. Davis.
    “My daughter, maybe,” he replied.
    Bobby and his mother said they would wait with Mr. Davis until his daughter came over.
    Mr. Davis had a very interesting house. Pictures of soldiers and cowboys were on the walls. Two big fish hung on the wall, too. Mr. Davis told Bobby he caught those fish when he was a boy.
    The other things that filled the house were books, books, and more books. Some were in bookshelves. Some were on tables. There were piles of books on the floor. Bobby liked the book of Bible stories with shiny colored pictures.
    Mr. Davis’s daughter made a fuss when she came. She thanked Bobby and his mother over and over. She thanked Lucy, too. Mr. Davis told Bobby to come by anytime.
    The next day was hotter than the one before. Bobby was bored.
    “Mom, will you take me to a movie?” he asked.
    “I’m busy paying bills. Maybe later.”
    Then Bobby had an idea.
    “Do you think I should go to Mr. Davis’s house?” Bobby asked.
    Mrs. Quinn looked up at him. “Do you want to?”
    “His house had lots of neat stuff,” Bobby told her. “And he told me to come over anytime.”
    “Yes, he did,” his mother agreed.
    “I could see if he’s feeling better today,” Bobby said.
    “It would be very nice of you to visit Mr. Davis,” Bobby’s mother said.
    “Okay. Lucy and I will go.”
    Bobby put Lucy on her leash, and they walked down the street. The closer they got to the yellow house, the louder Bobby’s heart bumped. It was one thing to help Mr. Davis when he was sick. It was another thing to stop by for a visit.
    “Maybe we should just go home,” Bobby whispered to Lucy.
    But Lucy pulled Bobby forward. Mr. Davis was working in his yard.
    “Hello, there!” Mr. Davis called. “I’m feeling fine today. Did you come by to say hello?”
    Lucy hurried toward the gate. Bobby had to run to keep up with her.
    “Yes,” Bobby said. There was no turning back now.
    “My daughter brought me some cookies and lemonade this morning,” Mr. Davis said as they climbed the stairs. “Would you like some?”
    Bobby nodded. Bobby, Mr. Davis, and Lucy went inside. Mr. Davis got the lemonade and cookies. Bobby looked at a picture of a cowboy on the wall.
    “That was my grandfather,” Mr. Davis said.
    “Your grandfather was a cowboy?” Bobby asked with surprise.

    “He was a cowboy in Texas after the Civil War.” He pointed to another picture. “That’s him when he was a soldier.”
    “Wow,” Bobby said. “A cowboy and a soldier. All my grandfather does is work in a grocery store.”
    “Would you like me to tell you about my grandfather?” Mr. Davis asked.
    “Sure,” Bobby said.
    Mr. Davis sat on the couch. Bobby sat next to him. Lucy snuggled between them. Mr. Davis opened a photo album that was on the table. “Now this is a picture of my grandfather when he was a boy in Ohio,” Mr. Davis began. “That little fellow with him is his friend from the next farm. They were friends for their whole lives. They even went to Texas together when they were grown up.”
    Bobby liked listening to Mr. Davis’s stories. He especially liked the stories about the two young friends.
    Bobby looked over at Mr. Davis. Bobby thought maybe now he had a friend. White hair. Lots of wrinkles. Old. But a friend.

“S chool!” Bobby exclaimed. “Mom, Lucy doesn’t want to go to school!”
    Bobby’s mother looked out the kitchen window at Lucy. Lucy was digging a hole in Mrs. Quinn’s garden. It was the third time this