Free My Boyfriends' Dogs by Dandi Daley Mackall Page B

Mom?”
    â€œBailey’s right. Thanks, Went.” Mom put her hand on his shoulder.
    Went smiled over at her. “My pleasure, Mrs. Daley.”
    â€œHe can’t keep calling you Mrs. Daley,” I objected.
    â€œSome of Bailey’s friends call me Big D.” Mom elbowed Amber, who was silently sanding. “You’d have to ask Amber where they came up with the name, though.”
    Went shook his head. “I don’t think I could call you Big D. How about ‘D’?”
    The rest of the day, it was “D” this and “D” that, as Went fixed the broken furniture. He stained the garbage-pick table, two other tables, and an oversized dresser. We worked and talked and listened to the radio count down the top singles.
    Mom dashed into the house and came out with her own CD player. “My turn,” she announced.
    â€œNot the Beach Boys, Mom,” I complained. Her player held five CDs, and four of the slots always went to the Beach Boys.
    â€œAre you kidding?” Went put down his rag and wiped his hands on his jeans. “I love the Beach Boys!”
    â€œMakes sense,” Amber commented. “Very California.”
    â€œI wore out my Pet Sounds album,” Went said.
    â€œNo way!” Mom punched on her first CD— Pet Sounds .
    â€œGo to track seven,” Went commanded.
    Mom did. After two notes, she shouted, “‘Sloop John B’! I love this one.” Mom started snapping her fingers and tapping her feet. Went danced up and took her hand. Then, as if they’d rehearsed it, they broke into this cool rock ’n’ roll routine, with Mom twirling under Went’s arm, then both of them making a bridge and spinning under it.
    â€œGo, Big D!” Amber shouted.
    I clapped. Adam barked. Our neighbors across the street looked up from lawn trimming to see what was going on. Went and Mom danced the whole song, finishing with a dip that had Mom inches from the floor.
    â€œWhoa,” Mom said. “That was fun. But it used to be a lot easier.”
    â€œYou are one terrific dancer, D,” Went said, shaking his head. “It was a privilege to rock with you.” He bowed and went back to refinishing. But they both sang along with the Beach Boys for the rest of the album.
    Mom brought out sandwiches. Then we went right back to work and sanded or stained all afternoon. Finally she called it quits. “Step away from your brushes. I’ve had it for today. I can’t believe what a terrific job you guys did.”
    Amber stretched. “I think I’ll call Mom to come get me. I’m pretty beat.”
    â€œI’ll take you home, honey. It’s the least I can do.” Mom turned to Went. “Went, you were a huge help. I really appreciate it.”
    â€œAlways a pleasure to help out another Beach Boys fan.” He glanced around the garage. “Where’s Adam? I better get Dad’s car back before he has a fit.”
    I was lodged behind the dresser with the little dog sleeping peacefully on my lap. “Adam’s here, Went. Are you sure you have to go? We could order pizza.”
    â€œTempting. But I told the guys I’d hang tonight.” He called our dog. “Adam!”
    Adam didn’t budge.
    â€œWhy don’t I keep Adam overnight? You won’t be home anyway.”
    â€œFine with me.” Went walked over and kissed me goodbye on the forehead. I got to my feet and carried Adam toward the house. “Bye, Went,” I called again.
    â€œBye, Bailey,” he called back. He was still talking to Mom.
    I couldn’t help watching the two of them together. If you hadn’t known better, you could have thought they were boyfriend and girlfriend.
    I set Adam down by his water dish and let him drink. Then I hurried back to the garage, in case Went was still there. I got there just in time to see Went whisper something to Mom. And as he did, his hand slipped around her