Free Dad in Training by Gail Gaymer Martin

make smart decisions.”
    Molly nodded. “Everyone can make wise choices.”
    “Dogs can think.” Adam’s voice cut through the air. “They’re smarter than some people.”
    Brent popped into Molly’s mind and she agreed. “Dogs are very smart, but they can get confused with choices sometimes just like we do.” She looked at each of them as she realizedthat she’d confused Brent. What’s more, she’d bombarded him without regard to protocol.
    Noise grew in the room, and Molly got a grip on herself. “Today we’re going to talk about things we can learn from a dog.” Somehow she led the discussion on attributes, hoping they could see that they had also learned some of these qualities. She watched the time tick by. Finally the class ended and they left the room and headed for the large multipurpose room.
    Once there, Adam headed for the exit door and opened it. Outside, Molly saw the shelter’s van. “Does everyone have a leash?”
    The students waved the leashes while a couple cracked them like whips.
    “Careful.” She motioned them toward her. “Line up and we’ll bring in the dogs one by one.”
    Struggling to stay focused, Molly asked an adult volunteer to keep the line moving and headed to the center of the room. As she reviewed her teaching notes, an office secretary stepped through the corridor door and beckoned her.
    “You have a visitor.” She pointed behind her. “Is it okay if he comes in?”
    He? Molly’s heart stood still. She shifted closer to the doorway and saw Brent standing in the hallway. “It’s fine.” Her voice sounded breathless.
    The secretary motioned him inside and left, closing the door.
    Molly watched as Brent strode toward her. He looked uneasy. Seeing him that way, she pulled herself together and filled her lungs. “Thank you for coming. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”
    He scanned the room and then focused on the students.
    “This part of the class is hands-on. School ends in two weeks, so this is their last chance to prepare for graduation. The shelter staff who houses the dogs will test their skills.Then if all looks good, they’ll be adopted or at least will go to a foster home until they can be adopted.”
    His gaze finally settled on her. “Molly, I’m sorry about Monday. I know I hurt you and—”
    She ached, seeing his discomfort. “I’m sorry, too.” She glanced over her shoulder at the students. “I need to get started.” She pointed to a stack of chairs piled against one wall. “Have a seat anywhere.”
    He studied her as if he had more to say, but instead he ambled toward the chairs.
    Molly turned her attention to the children, hoping to make a good impression on Brent. If he understood what her program could do, he’d want to support it. If she had her own shelter, she could train more dogs so that they were socialized to be adopted or live with foster families, and she could invite the best students from her groups to work part-time. Another win-win situation. The animals would receive good training and the kids would feel purposeful and earn money at the same time. The experience would give them confidence and self-esteem.”
    Her gaze drifted back to Brent, who watched her from across the room. Her heart lurched.
    Lord, help the kids shine today. This is not as much for me, but for the kids and the dogs. They need to be loved.
    So did she.
     
    Brent sat on the hard chair, his discomfort rising each second. He’d been rash to stop and give her hope. His motive was selfish. Randy needed something to draw him out of himself, and if Molly was right, something like this might work.
    Randy was about the age of these kids, but Randy’s school didn’t have a program like this. A school psychologist had diagnosed Randy with ADHD. But Brent suspected no one had really put a finger on Randy’s condition. One thing he’dnoticed since he’d tried to be more like a dad is that when he gave Randy his undivided attention, the boy’s