Drake the Dandy Read Free Page B

sunlight. “Really? I’m so happy to hear that, honey!”
    â€œI wish you could have seen it, Mom! I got to go up in front of the class and introduce Drake, and then all the kids came up and wanted to pet him. And then at lunch, a bunch of girls actually asked to sit with me. They asked me questions about Drake for a little bit, but then we started talking about normal stuff, like vacations and things like that. No one even talked about my seizures!” She pauses to take a breath. “Today was the first day I felt like I was one of them , Mom.”
    â€œWow, Kinsey,” her mother says. “I can’t tell you how happy

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    i t makes me to hear you say that.”
    I wish that I could tell Kinsey how much I love seeing her happy, too. But since I can’t, I just lean over and lick her cheek instead.
    She laughs. “I love you, too, Drake.”
    When we get home, Chaucer is sprawled out on the little bench that sits in the big picture window in the living room. He bathes himself lazily, ignoring us when we enter the room.
    When Kinsey is busy watching television, I turn to Chaucer. “Hey,” I call to get his attention.
    â€œWhat do you want, Dog?” he asks, still not looking at me.
    â€œAll that stuff you told me about school? Well, you were totally wrong. We had a great day today. The teacher was super nice, and so were all the kids.”
    Chaucer yawns. “It was only the first day, Dog. Don’t get too excited. The first day is always the best one. Give it a week, and the teacher and the kids will be sick of you. Just wait and see.”
    I frown. I don’t want to believe a word that comes out of his mouth anymore. But for whatever reason, his words make me feel nervous. A little part of me begins to get scared all over again.
    But when I look up at Kinsey’s face and remember what a wonderful day she had, I tell that scared little part in my mind to go away. Even if the rest of the year is as terrible as Chaucer says it will be, the way she feels right now will make it all worth it. If the teacher and the other kids really do get sick of me, that’s okay—the only one who matters is Kinsey.
    That night, I climb up into my spot in Kinsey’s bed. I feel exhausted after the big day we had. Kinsey is tired too, and her eyes begin to close right away.
    I start to drift off to sleep almost immediately, but Kinsey’s whisper startles me awake. “Drake, I just want to thank you for everything. I made friends today for the first time in my life, and it’s all because of you. This was the best day of my life. I’m so happy I have you as my best friend.”
    I snuggle in closer, resting my head on her shoulder. If only I could tell her that it’s not just because of me that she had a great day. She is the sweetest, most caring person I know. Maybe the kids in her class haven’t had the chance to see that before, but they’re starting to see it now. I know in my heart that as time goes on, they’ll all come to see her the way I see her.
    As I begin to fall into a peaceful sleep, I wonder what adventures the school year will bring. They may not always be good, but the one thing I’m sure of is this: together, Kinsey and I will get through anything.