Baxter Read Free

awful.”
    “I’m not even that upset about the job part,” said Elaina. “I didn’t exactly love being a receptionist at an office building. But at least I was able to support myself — and Baxter. I could afford an apartment and food and vet bills — just barely, but I could. Without a job, I’ll have to move, right away. If I stay in my apartment even a few more days, I’ll owe a whole month’s rent, and I can’t afford that.”
    “Where will you go?” Lizzie asked.
    Elaina sighed. “I’ll have to stay with myparents. They already told me I was welcome. And they still live in the big old house I grew up in, right by the beach.”
    “That doesn’t sound
so
bad,” said Aunt Amanda. “Baxter will love the ocean.”
    “You don’t understand.” Elaina burst into tears all over again. “I — I can’t take Baxter with me.” She sank down to sit on the floor next to her puppy. Then she gathered him into her arms and began to wail the way the Bean sometimes did when he was extra-tired or really hungry. Big, loud, gasping, runny-nosed sobs. Baxter licked her face, as if he were trying to wipe away her tears. Elaina kissed his nose. Sniffling, she said, “My parents have these two ancient Siamese cats, Mischief and Junior. They’ve been around forever, since I was twelve years old or something. Mom already told me there is no way she will let their lives be disrupted by having a puppy come into their home. Mom treats those cats like they were her babies.” She beganto wail again. Then she buried her face in Baxter’s neck.
    Aunt Amanda patted the top of Elaina’s head. “I can understand your mom’s feelings,” she said. “It really wouldn’t be fair to the cats. Older animals deserve quiet, happy lives.”
    Elaina sniffed and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “I know,” she admitted. “But what am I going to do? I’ve been on the phone all afternoon, calling every friend I can think of, trying to find Baxter a home. All my friends know that Baxter is a real handful because he can’t be left alone. Not ever. Not even for fifteen minutes. Nobody wants to deal with a problem dog like Baxter. And how can I take him to a shelter? He’d never get enough attention there.”
    Lizzie looked at the puppy in Elaina’s arms. She looked at Aunt Amanda. “Maybe my family —” she began.
    Aunt Amanda’s eyes lit up before Lizzie could finish. “Yes! That’s a great idea.” Aunt Amandaturned back to Elaina. “Lizzie’s family fosters puppies,” she explained. “They’re very experienced, and very responsible. They’ll give Baxter a safe place to live until they can find him just the perfect home.”
    Elaina began to look more hopeful as Aunt Amanda spoke, but when she heard the last part, about finding Baxter another home, she burst into tears once more and hugged her puppy close.
    Lizzie felt sorry for Elaina. She knew how awful she would feel if she ever had to give up Buddy. It was hard enough to give up each of the puppies that her family fostered, even though she knew they were going to good homes. Having to give up her own puppy was just about the worst thing she could ever imagine. Her eyes met Aunt Amanda’s. “Should I go call my mom and ask?”
    Aunt Amanda nodded, and Lizzie slipped away, into her aunt’s office. She dialed and waited forsomeone to answer at home. When Mom picked up, Lizzie spilled out Baxter’s story. “So? Can we foster him? Please?” Lizzie held her breath. She had been
mostly
honest about Baxter’s problem with separation anxiety, but maybe she hadn’t told Mom every little detail about how challenging he might be to foster.
    “What about going to the Santiagos’ cabin?” Mom asked.
    Lizzie’s stomach flipped. The cabin! How could she have forgotten? Her best friend Maria’s family had a very special weekend place, a tiny cabin deep in the woods. It was a two-hour drive north, way up in the country, far away from any other houses. It was