Read Online The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson - Free Book Online Page B

salty. Avery had talked her into getting some of the boxed kind at the store when she’d been visiting Betty one summer. One bite and Betty had decided that Avery needed to learn a better way. Avery had been cautious at first, complaining that Betty’s macaroni “looked funny,” but after she tasted it, she declared it to be the “bestest macaroni and cheese ever.” Betty made it with real cheese and butter and cream, and she always baked it in the oven, removing the foil for the last few minutes so the bread crumbs turned crispy and golden brown. Betty hadn’t made macaroni and cheese in ages, but her mouth was watering when she finally slid the heavy casserole dish into the oven.
    She looked at her messy kitchen, then smiled to herself. This was one of the benefits of having Avery here. Betty could cook what she liked, and her granddaughter would clean up the mess. Not a bad little setup.
    “Grandma,” Avery said from the living room. “Someone’s at the door. Want me to get it?”
    “I’m coming.” Betty untied her apron and went out to see who was there. It was nearly six now, and most respectable people would be having dinner.
    “Oh!” Avery said. She opened the front door wide enough for Betty to see Jack standing there, a somber expression on his face and a familiar-looking garbage bag in his hand. The dog stood at his feet, wagging his tail and looking into the house like he expected to be invited in for dinner.
    “What do you want?” Avery put her hands on her hips and scowled at Jack.
    Jack studied her for a moment, then turned toward Betty. “I don’t know what your game is, but I do not want a dog.”
    Avery stepped forward and stared up into Jack’s face. “Seems like you should’ve thought of that sooner.”
    “Huh?” He frowned. “Who are you anyway?”
    “This is my granddaughter, Avery,” Betty said. “Avery, I’d like you to meet my neighbor Jack.”
    “I know all about you, Jack,” Avery said. “I wanted to report you to the Humane Society, but Grandma wouldn’t let me.”
    “What?”
    Avery pointed down at the dog. “You’re a grown man.
    You should know better than to treat an animal the way you’ve treated him. He’s a sweet dog, and you have totally neglected and—”
    “You’re crazy,” he said. “This isn’t my dog.”
    “He was filthy and cold and half-starved and—”
    “And he’s not my dog,” Jack said. He looked over at Betty again. “I thought he was your dog. I saw him in your yard.”
    “And I saw him in your yard,” Betty said. “I assumed he belonged to you.”
    “Looks like we both assumed wrong.” Jack dropped the plastic bag in her house. “Here you go.”
    “What do you mean, ‘here you go’?” Betty said.
    “You got him this stuff.” Jack glared at her. “I guess that means he belongs to you.”
    “He does not belong to me.” Betty stepped closer, glaring back at him now.
    “Looks to me like he does. You got him the collar and leash and—”
    “But he is not my dog. I only got those things because I thought you were—”
    “So you admit that you purchased the dog paraphernalia?”
    “I felt sorry for the dog.”
    “And they say possession is nine-tenths of the law, right?”
    Betty didn’t know how to respond.
    He kicked the plastic bag with the toe of his boot. “So this is your dog bed, and that must mean this is your dog.”
    “But I don’t want a—”
    “I’d appreciate it if you’d quit dropping your dog off at my house.” He narrowed his eyes at Betty. “And if you do it again, I will report you to the Humane Society. Do you understand?”
    Betty was too angry to respond.
    “We understand,” Avery snapped, “that you are a selfish, mean man. And you don’t deserve a dog like this.” She reached down and picked up the mutt, holding him protectively in her arms. “He is lucky to escape you.”
    “You got that right!” Jack turned and slammed the door shut behind him.
    “What a beast!” Avery