Free The Dog Days of Charlotte Hayes by Marlane Kennedy Page B

“Daddy,” I blurt out, “there’s already a buyer for Killer.”
    Daddy’s eyebrows shoot up. “There is?”
    I nod.
    Daddy tells the person on the line, “Excuse me for a minute.” He cups his hand over the receiver. “How much are they going to pay for him?” he asks.
    â€œFour hundred dollars,” I say—more than the ad asked for.
    Daddy frowns for a moment in thought. Finally he takes his hand off the receiver. “I’ve already got an offer of four hundred for him. Would you be willing to top that?” There is a pause. Then Daddy says, “Oh, I see.” He hangs up the phone. “A breeder from West Townfield,” he tells me. “She was only willing to pay three hundred for him. Now, who’s buying my dog?”
    I stare at my feet and bite my lip.
    â€œWho’s buying the dog, Charlotte?”
    I dare a peek at Daddy. He’s got his hands on his hips, and he’s staring at me like he’s all of a sudden afraid I’m up to no good.
    â€œUh…I am?” The words just pop out, but as soon as they’re said, I realize maybe I have accidentally stumbled onto a brilliant solution.
    Daddy’s red face grows redder. “I just lost a sale because of you. Didn’t even get the woman’s number, so I can’t call her back.” I can tell Daddy is real mad, but then he does what he always does when me or Agnes gets in trouble: he yells for Mama.
    She comes into the kitchen, looking annoyed. She’s got Justin Lee in her arms, and he’s fussingover something; his face is all scrunched up, and he’s making growling noises. It’s pretty obvious she isn’t too happy either; not only does she have to deal with a grumpy baby, but an unhappy husband as well. “What?” she says.
    â€œI had someone interested in Killer, and Charlotte went and ruined it for me.”
    â€œMama.” I cross my legs. “I really have to use the bathroom. Could you please punish me after I’m done?”
    Daddy sees my crossed legs, and he can’t help himself. He starts laughing.
    Justin Lee struggles to be put down, and Mama stands him on the floor, clasping his hands. “Go do your business first,” Mama says.
    â€œThanks.” I uncross my legs, and then something incredible happens. Justin Lee shakes his hands free of Mama’s and takes five wobbly steps over to me.
    â€œChar Char,” he says, grinning, reaching up.
    I forget my uncomfortable bladder for a moment and scoop him up.
    Mama’s hand flies up to her mouth. “His first stepsand his first word,” she gasps. “And he just turned ten months old!”
    â€œPut him down; see if he’ll walk to me,” Daddy says. He kneels, stretching out his arms. “Come on, buddy!”
    I place Justin Lee’s feet on the floor, and he stumbles toward Daddy like he’s had one too many, but he doesn’t fall and makes it safely to his outstretched arms. Daddy picks him up and twirls him around. “That’s my boy!”
    While Mama’s busy clapping, I make a beeline to the bathroom.

Chapter 19
    W e are all seated in the living room, Daddy and Mama on the couch and me in the chair across from them. Justin Lee partly crawled, partly walked over to the basket, got out one of his board books, and brought it back to me. Now he’s snuggled in my lap, and I’m using him as a shield of sorts. Mama and Daddy are looking at me, but since their one and only son just took his first steps a few minutes ago, the proud expressions on their faces do a good job of masking whatever anger they might have at me.
    I give Justin Lee a gentle squeeze. I owe him. Big time.
    â€œWhy?” Mama finally asks. “Why did you lie to your father?”
    â€œI didn’t really.” While relieving myself in the bathroom, I finalized my hastily come-up-with plan. “Listen, that woman wasn’t