Read Online A Dog's Way Home by Bobbie Pyron - Free Book Online Page A

looking up from the map I was working on, I said, “It’s only six shelters, not that many. And I don’t call each and every one of them every single day.”
    Daddy set the guitar aside and came to sit on my bed. “Money’s tight right now, peanut. And Christmasis just around the corner.”
    I just shrugged. I drew Mr. J. T. Fryar’s son finding Tam’s crate and collar in White Rock Creek onto my map.
    â€œWhich is why,” Daddy continued, “I’m leaving again, right after Thanksgiving.”
    â€œI heard,” I muttered.
    â€œFrom who?”
    I sighed and set my sketch pad aside. “From you and Mama,” I said. “I could hear y’all fighting about it this morning. Mama sounded pretty mad.”
    It was Daddy’s turn to sigh. “Yeah, I’m in the doghouse with your mama. As usual.”
    â€œYou’ll be back in time for Christmas, won’t you?”
    Daddy smiled. “Wouldn’t miss it for anything, sugar.”
    I studied my daddy’s face for a long time. His eyes were still the bluest blue, his nose straight and strong. He had Meemaw’s red hair, wild as an Appalachian storm in the summertime. I knew exactly how he smelled.
    â€œI wish I could go with you, Daddy,” I said. “Be your navigator.”
    Daddy grinned. “You came by loving maps rightly. Your mama and me driving all over the place, you just a tiny little baby sitting in her lap, looking at the map. Your mama always swore you liked having her make up bedtime stories straight from the lines on the road atlas.”
    â€œI wish too you wouldn’t go,” I confessed.
    â€œI got to follow my north star, Abby honey. Being a professional musician is my dream.”
    â€œJust like the three wise men followed that north star to Bethlehem?” I said.
    â€œJust like.” Daddy nodded like he was agreeing with himself. “Most folks got a north star in their life—something that gives their life extra meaning. Mine is music.”
    Without even thinking, I said, “Mine is Tam.”
    Â 
    Mama says to her mind, Thanksgiving is the best holiday ever. She says it’s all about family and friends and good food to share. “Thanksgiving is all about sharing ,” Mama said as we peeled apples for the pies. “Not about getting. ”
    I was thinking about that as I looked around the table. Mama sat next to Daddy with shining eyes. I knew they were holding hands under the table. Olivia and her granddaddy sat across from me, Mr. Singer saying for the millionth time to Meemaw, “I ain’t never eaten so much good food in my life.”
    Meemaw laughed. “You ate that turkey and dressing like a man with a hollow leg, Alphus.”
    Daddy winked at me. “Do turkeys still come with wishbones, peanut?”
    Meemaw jumped up and took something off the top of the woodstove. “Just had it over there drying,” she said,handing a big ol’ wishbone to Daddy.
    Daddy narrowed his eyes and studied the two prongs. “Looks perfect for wishing on to me. What do you think, Miss Olivia? Abby?”
    We both grinned and nodded.
    We each took hold of one piece of the bone. “Make your wishes, girls,” Mama said.
    I closed my eyes and pictured Tam grinning at me with his rich brown eyes. I felt his head on my knee.
    â€œYou ready?” Daddy asked. We both nodded.
    â€œOkay,” he said. “One, two, three…”
    Snap!
    â€œWell for pity’s sake, would you look at that?” Meemaw exclaimed.
    I opened my eyes and looked at the bones we held. They were exactly the same length!
    Olivia shook her head. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before.”
    â€œYou must have each had awful powerful wishes,” Olivia’s granddaddy said, scratching his beard.
    I wanted so bad to ask Olivia what she’d wished for. But Daddy said, “I’m not a smart enough man