Free Shadow by Ellen Miles Page A

plates and began to go around the table again, putting a plate at each setting. “I think he might be even smarter than Goldie.” Goldie was a golden retriever puppy the Petersons had fostered. She lived next door with Charles’s best friend, Sammy, and his family, and their older golden retriever, Rufus.
    â€œI don’t know about that,” Charles said. “Goldie’s pretty smart. She already learned how to open the cabinet where Sammy’s mom keeps the dog food.”
    â€œThat’s just because she’s hungry,” Lizzie said, laughing. “Golden retrievers are big chowhounds. They love food more than anything. But Goldie’s no dummy, that’s for sure.”
    â€œYou can say that again,” said Mr. Peterson, coming into the room from the kitchen.
    â€œGoldie’s no dummy,” Lizzie repeated with a straight face, “that’s for sure.” Then she cracked up.
    Mr. Peterson laughed, too. “Why the blindfold?” he asked.
    Lizzie explained again about Helen Keller.
    â€œHmm,” said Mr. Peterson. “Interesting. Well, you did a very nice job setting the table, even without being able to see. But you’re going to have to squeeze in one more place. We’re having company for dessert tonight.”
    â€œWho?” Charles and Lizzie asked together.
    â€œDr. Gibson,” their dad told them. “Remember, the veterinarian we took Snowball to? Your mom and I invited her over. She called today and said she has something to talk to us about.” He smiled at them. “And I have a feeling it might have to do with a puppy.”

“A puppy?” Lizzie pulled off her blindfold. Suddenly, she was too excited to concentrate on pretending to be blind. “What
about
a puppy?”
    Dad shrugged and held up both hands. “I have no idea,” he said. “Your mom spoke to her.” Then he checked his watch. “By the way, Mom and the Bean will be home any minute, so let’s get dinner on the table. I made macaroni and cheese.”
    â€œBut Dad!” Charles said. “Are we getting another puppy to foster, or what?”
    Lizzie sighed. Sometimes Charles just didn’t listen. “Dad doesn’t
know
,” she said. “Come on, help me finish setting the table.”
    They all rushed around for a few minutes, andby the time Mom and the Bean walked in, dinner was all ready.
    â€œWe heard about the puppy!” Lizzie said, as her mom took off her coat and put a bag of groceries down on the counter.
    â€œOh?” asked her mom, raising her eyebrows. “What exactly did you hear?”
    â€œWell,” Lizzie admitted, “not much, really. Just that Dr. Gibson is coming over later and it might be about a puppy.”
    Mom nodded. “Well, that’s about all I know, too,” she said. “I was rushing around when Dr. Gibson called and I really didn’t have time to talk. But we’ll find out more soon, I’m sure.”
    â€œWe’re getting another puppy, we’re getting another puppy,” chanted Charles, hopping around the room.
    â€œUppy! Uppy!” yelled the Bean. He knew that word. He
loved
that word.
    â€œI wonder what kind,” Lizzie said. “I hope it’s a big dog this time. Great Dane? Poodle? SaintBernard? Even an Airedale would be cool.” Lizzie loved looking at her “Dog Breeds of the World” poster and learning about all the different kinds of dogs there were. She loved big dogs best — in fact, she didn’t even really think little dogs counted. “Really,” she finished, “any puppy would be great. Look at Snowball. He was a little dog, and he was adorable and smart and so, so much fun.” Lizzie knew she was rattling on a little but she couldn’t help herself. She was excited.
    â€œWhoa, whoa,” said Mom. “Hold on there, kids. Let’s wait and find out what Dr. Gibson has to tell