Just before I got out of the car, my mom and Kiki pulled up. Kiki jumped out of my mother’s blue Ford station wagon wearing a giant tiara. My mother was holding yet another giant trophy to add to Kiki’s collection. I gave a weak smile and waved to both of them as they waited for me by the front door.
Gavin looked at me with wide eyes. “Wow. Kiki looks like JonBenét.”
“No kidding. I better go.”
As my mom opened the door, Gavin started up the car. He had his window down as he backed out of the driveway. My mother, Kiki, and I all watched him pull out of the driveway as he waved to us. “Congratulations, Kiki. See you beautiful ladies tomorrow!” he said.
My mom turned to me and asked, “Is he your boyfriend?”
“No, just a friend,” I said, still staring at Gavin.
He looked right at me, blew me a kiss, and yelled, “See ya, Boo!”
My mom walked into the house, shaking her head.
12.Eight Months Ago
GAVIN
I could hear Penny’s ankles cracking and the jingling of a dog collar before I saw her and Buckley coming around the corner.
Sitting on my dad’s porch in the midday sun, I tried to pull myself together.
“Hey,” she said from the sidewalk.
“How was the concert?”
She was squinting against the sun as she walked toward me. “It was great. Thanks again for the tickets and for watching Milo. Do you want me to give you some money?”
“No, I don’t want your money.”
Her expression fell. “What’s wrong?” She sat down on the porch next to me.
“He’s getting worse really fast. He can’t even eat.” My eyes started welling up.
“Gavin, I’m so sorry.” She hugged me around my shoulders. “I want to go in and see him. Will you hold on to Buckley?”
“Sure.”
“Sit,” she told him before handing me the leash.
He was staring right at me. Once Penny was inside, I said to Buckley, “You were supposed to be our dog.Our dog.” He blinked. I let all the possibilities of what could have been rush through me. It made me sick. I had to push them away before she came back outside. “Your dad wanted to name you Sport. Aren’t you relieved your mom has more sense than that?” I scratched him around the ears. “You’re a pretty handsome dog, you know that? You get a lot a looks at the dog park? Those bitches be like—”
“Gavin,” Penny interrupted from behind. “Please tell me you don’t talk to Milo that way?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
She sat down next to me again.
“Your dad doesn’t look bad, but he was sleeping so it was hard to tell.”
I shook my head. “He’s bad, believe me.”
“I’m glad Milo got to hang out with him. He said they had a good time playing chess together.” When she smiled, I noticed she had more frown lines than ever. I hadn’t even asked about her life in the month since I’d been back. I was so swept up in my own drama.
“Yeah, I’m glad too.” I stared off blankly.
“The nurse seems nice.”
