Read Online A Simple Case of Angels by Caroline Adderson - Free Book Online
Authors: Caroline Adderson
Tags: Juvenile Fiction, Dogs
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was coming from the patients. It grew stronger with each arrival. Also, the fluorescent lights seemed to be ringing in a way she hadnât noticed before, like a wet finger circling the rim of a wine glass. A faint, singing note.
With the quiet, persistent ringing and the sweet perfume, Nicola felt a little dizzy, like her head was filled with birds. Swooping birds writing in the air. Writing something joyful.
She looked at her little dog, so well behaved, and was filled with love for her, though she loved June Bug just as much when she was bad. Nicola felt such a great gush of love that it was more than any little dog would need, so when she looked at Lindsay and Glenda, and all the patients, she had enough love left over for them. Nicola loved poor Mr. Eagleton and Mr. Milton, too, whom Pierre brought in now, Mr. Eagleton shuffling beside Mr. Milton in a wheelchair.
As soon as June Bug saw Mr. Eagleton and Mr. Milton, she ran to them, wagging her usual greeting. Nicola grabbed the leash just in time.
She stood before the seven old people, half of them bundled and asleep.
âGood morning,â she began. âWelcome to June Bugâs show. Are you ready to see some amazing tricks?â
Sit. Give Me Five. Shake a Paw.
Nicola even got June Bug to hang from her braid.
* * *
The good feeling stayed even after the show was over and the girls and the star of the show left Shady Oaks.
âSomething happened,â Lindsay said, and Nicola knew instantly what she meant.
Something had happened. Something special. Nicola felt it. And it had nothing to do with June Bugâs tricks.
They walked in silence for a few minutes, savoring that feeling that had no name.
Then Lindsay asked, âWhat was the matter with Mr. Milton?â
During the show, Mr. Miltonâs head hung down. He completely ignored June Bug Rolling Over and Waving and Pretending to be Dead.
Nicola remembered his word the day before. Entertain.
So why hadnât he noticed June Bug trying to entertain him?
12
â
The next day the Breams went skiing on the trails down by the lake.
âIâm freezing!â Jackson wailed. âI want to go home!â
âYouâll warm up once we get moving,â Mina said.
They didnât bring June Bug, though Nicola had begged to. She hated the thought of her little dog shut up in the kitchen at home. Dogs were pack animals. They didnât like to be alone.
But it really was bitterly cold.
After a quarter of an hour of skiing, Nicola didnât feel any warmer. Her fingers and toes were numb, her nose a frozen strawberry. By then Jared and Mina were far ahead, Terence and Jackson far behind. Nicola may as well have been skiing alone in some vast silvery landscape. Everything was so quiet, except for her own breathing and the swishing of her skis.
She looked around and marveled how the world in winter seemed made of tiny stars â snowflakes â sunlight glinting off them. A million diamonds couldnât be as beautiful.
And out of the sparkling silvery whiteness of that picture, she remembered a face, even though sheâd only seen it for a moment.
Mrs. Michaels.
A warmth seeped through her. Soon all her feeling was restored, even in her nose.
* * *
It was partly that face that made Nicola want to go back. Now that sheâd seen the silver-haired three shut up in their rooms â Mrs. Michaels, Mr. Fitzpatrick and Mrs. Tanaka â she was curious about them. She knew Lindsay was, too.
Nicola also hoped that Mr. Milton would wake up enough to pay attention to June Bugâs tricks. June Bug would be doing such a good deed then. It would make up for all the bad things she had done, if she could entertain him the way heâd asked.
But when they arrived the next day, Nicolaâs pockets stuffed with gingerbread sheâd brought for Mr. Milton, Jorie told them, âNot a good day for Mr. Milton, sweeties. Somethingâs upset him.
With the quiet, persistent ringing and the sweet perfume, Nicola felt a little dizzy, like her head was filled with birds. Swooping birds writing in the air. Writing something joyful.
She looked at her little dog, so well behaved, and was filled with love for her, though she loved June Bug just as much when she was bad. Nicola felt such a great gush of love that it was more than any little dog would need, so when she looked at Lindsay and Glenda, and all the patients, she had enough love left over for them. Nicola loved poor Mr. Eagleton and Mr. Milton, too, whom Pierre brought in now, Mr. Eagleton shuffling beside Mr. Milton in a wheelchair.
As soon as June Bug saw Mr. Eagleton and Mr. Milton, she ran to them, wagging her usual greeting. Nicola grabbed the leash just in time.
She stood before the seven old people, half of them bundled and asleep.
âGood morning,â she began. âWelcome to June Bugâs show. Are you ready to see some amazing tricks?â
Sit. Give Me Five. Shake a Paw.
Nicola even got June Bug to hang from her braid.
* * *
The good feeling stayed even after the show was over and the girls and the star of the show left Shady Oaks.
âSomething happened,â Lindsay said, and Nicola knew instantly what she meant.
Something had happened. Something special. Nicola felt it. And it had nothing to do with June Bugâs tricks.
They walked in silence for a few minutes, savoring that feeling that had no name.
Then Lindsay asked, âWhat was the matter with Mr. Milton?â
During the show, Mr. Miltonâs head hung down. He completely ignored June Bug Rolling Over and Waving and Pretending to be Dead.
Nicola remembered his word the day before. Entertain.
So why hadnât he noticed June Bug trying to entertain him?
12
â
The next day the Breams went skiing on the trails down by the lake.
âIâm freezing!â Jackson wailed. âI want to go home!â
âYouâll warm up once we get moving,â Mina said.
They didnât bring June Bug, though Nicola had begged to. She hated the thought of her little dog shut up in the kitchen at home. Dogs were pack animals. They didnât like to be alone.
But it really was bitterly cold.
After a quarter of an hour of skiing, Nicola didnât feel any warmer. Her fingers and toes were numb, her nose a frozen strawberry. By then Jared and Mina were far ahead, Terence and Jackson far behind. Nicola may as well have been skiing alone in some vast silvery landscape. Everything was so quiet, except for her own breathing and the swishing of her skis.
She looked around and marveled how the world in winter seemed made of tiny stars â snowflakes â sunlight glinting off them. A million diamonds couldnât be as beautiful.
And out of the sparkling silvery whiteness of that picture, she remembered a face, even though sheâd only seen it for a moment.
Mrs. Michaels.
A warmth seeped through her. Soon all her feeling was restored, even in her nose.
* * *
It was partly that face that made Nicola want to go back. Now that sheâd seen the silver-haired three shut up in their rooms â Mrs. Michaels, Mr. Fitzpatrick and Mrs. Tanaka â she was curious about them. She knew Lindsay was, too.
Nicola also hoped that Mr. Milton would wake up enough to pay attention to June Bugâs tricks. June Bug would be doing such a good deed then. It would make up for all the bad things she had done, if she could entertain him the way heâd asked.
But when they arrived the next day, Nicolaâs pockets stuffed with gingerbread sheâd brought for Mr. Milton, Jorie told them, âNot a good day for Mr. Milton, sweeties. Somethingâs upset him.
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