Adopting Jenny Read Free

to Lee. I decided it would have to be me.
    I found Duke’s old dishes under the sink. After a moment’s hesitation, I plunked them on the floor beside Pepper’s bowls and set about filling them with dry food and water. It felt strange to give Duke’s things to another dog. Pepper watched me with such intensity that I caved and hurried to the pantry to get her a dog treat. Her tail practically knocked me over as I stepped around her. That dog would turn herself into a helicopter one day, with her tail acting as the propeller.
    When I got back into the living room, Jenny was by the couch sniffing Lee’s head. She gave it a tentative lick, and when everyone started cooing praise, she started to wag her tail again. I watched with something a lot like envy as Jenny made Lee giggle while she sniffed his ears and chin. Mom stroked Jenny’s head and Lee’s giggles turned into a full blown chortle.
    â€œSee? She’s a natural,” Mom said. “When the puppies get here, she’ll take to them in no time.”
    â€œBut will they take to her?” Dad asked. He leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed.
    Mom pursed her lips and arched an eyebrow at Dad. He gave a half shrug that said he conceded. These puppies would have a new mama and that was that. My sisters and I grew quiet as we watched Jenny trundle around her new surroundings. She sniffed at the coffee table for awhile. Then she squatted and peed on our carpet. I held in a burst of laughter.
    â€œNo, no, Jenny,” Mom scolded gently.
    Dad sighed and disappeared into the kitchen to get some cleaning supplies. Mom stood and passed Lee to Kaye. She smoothed a hand over her skirt.
    â€œLet’s get Jenny settled, shall we?”
    In the breakfast nook, Mom set about bunching towels and blankets into a makeshift bed. I gathered Jenny’s food and water bowls from the kitchen. Penny rearranged the small bookshelf that normally stood in the nook corner so that the doorway was partially blocked.
    â€œThis way she’ll have more privacy from Pepper,” Penny said. I liked her reasoning. Pepper was a sweetheart, but also a nosy old busybody. She liked to be in everyone’s business. I smoothed the top blanket.
    Mom surveyed the area. “Looks good, girls,” she said.
    A knock at the door echoed through the house like thunder. Penny and I froze. Excitement shot through me, and I could feel the blood throbbing in my ears. Mom seemed too calm for the moment. The puppies are here. Shouldn’t she be running around or jumping up and down? Instead she smiled at us. Just smiled. A small smile that looked happy and satisfied.
    We trailed after her like baby ducks. Dad was standing at the door with a large cardboard box in his arms. The man he was talking to had a scruffy beard and thick glasses. I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but he was gesturing with his hands and grinning like a madman. I gazed past him into the gathering twilight. Where were the puppies? Were they still in his van?
    Mom joined them and peered into the box.
    â€œThat’s where the puppies are,” Penny said in a soft voice.
    â€œDuh, I know,” I replied, but I hadn’t and that made me feel stupid. How could I have missed that fact?
    Penny inched closer to the small group, trying to get a look into the box. Her efforts were thwarted, however, when a groan came from Kaye in the living room.
    â€œGross, Lee,” she said. “There’s no way I am changing this one, Mom. It’s running up his back. Ew. Ew. Ew. I think it’s in his hair. How did he poop in his hair?”
    Mom gave the man an apologetic smile and headed toward the living room. Dad half-turned toward Penny and me.
    â€œPenny, can you go get Jenny and take her to the breakfast nook?” he asked. Penny nodded and hurried off to find her. I stood still, hoping that Dad would put me in charge of the puppies. Instead, he turned back to the