Alana smiled at him, but the smile faltered. “I don’t know. I’m not sure what I want right now.”

  “Okay.”

  “JayB. I don’t … I wouldn’t read too much into last night.”

  He shot her a glance. “Is this like the morning after the fireflies? You’re feeling regrets?”

  “No, no regrets. But I don’t know … that was one thing, but talking about moving to Colorado? Together? That’s a whole different deal.”

  “I get it. What happens in Glenwood Springs stays in Glenwood Springs.”

  Alana laughed. Then her mood turned serious. “Part of listening to my heart is making sure it’s my heart. If I went from living with Guy to living with you, I’d be repeating a pattern I’ve been stuck in my whole adult life.”

  “I understand.”

  Alana nodded. “You really do, don’t you?”

  They were quiet long enough for me to settle into a nap, but I opened my eyes when Alana spoke again. “Oh, hey, I sold the house.”

  “Again?”

  “This time it’s people who claim to have all cash. Unloaded their place in California and have a ton of money. Picked Prairie Village because it’s such a good place to raise a family.”

  “I thought you wanted to meet the people first, though, make sure they weren’t Hannibal Lecter.”

  Alana shook her head. “Guy said that was ridiculous, that I shouldn’t care. That I should just take the highest bidder.”

  “Okay.”

  “God,” Alana groaned.

  “What is it?”

  “I’m just … stupid. I always let Guy tell me what to do about everything. I didn’t visit my mom or even talk to her for more than two years.” She pounded a fist against the side of the car. “I hate that I did that. Why did I let him tell me what to think?”

  “Hey, why don’t we pull over at this rest area, take a break? Breathe in some Kansas air.”

  We dogs were delighted when the car stopped and the door slid open. A new place!

  Dear Diary:

  Alana is angry, I can tell. But she is not angry at us dogs—I can tell that, too. When people are angry at dogs, they speak sternly to us. Usually, we don’t understand the reason for the harsh tones, but we believe we’ve been bad dogs and feel ashamed.

  Alana doesn’t seem upset with JayB, either. Often when people are angry at other people, they shout, but other times they say nothing. When one person is unhappy with another, dogs can tell. That makes us feel like bad dogs, too.

  People are supposed to be happy around dogs. That’s why there are dogs.

  The only thing that would not make me feel like a bad dog would be if Alana were angry at the cat in the bag. Rhiannon is mean to dogs—a bad cat, in other words, deserving of stern words from Alana. But Alana only speaks soothingly to the cat.

  So who is she mad at?

  Love,

  Clancy

  Thirty

  JayB gathered our leashes and walked with Alana.

  She turned to JayB. “You know what? I never stand up for myself. That’s my problem.”

  “You did say that, but I’m not sure I agree.”

  “Well, who are you to disagree with that?”

  JayB dropped his eyes. “I’m sorry; I just see a person who’s being hard on herself for no reason. I think you’re stronger than you’re making out.”

  Alana looked around. “How far away are we now?”

  “It will be after sunset when we get there, even though in June it feels like the sun doesn’t go down until midnight.”

  “Then we should get back in the car,” she suggested curtly. “Why did we stop?”

  “I just thought you could use a moment.”

  “So you decided for me that I needed to stop, and I went along with it because I have no free will,” she observed bitterly. “I just let everyone walk all over me. Rodney and Walter invited themselves to Vegas and I couldn’t say no. They told me to chase after Guy, so I did. I don’t make a decision for myself, ever.” She glared at my person. “I allow men to run my life.”

  JayB said nothing and remained quiet for the rest of what turned out to be a very short walk. Then we jumped back in the car for more car ride, which had all us dogs wagging with excitement. I couldn’t tell how the cat felt.

  For a long time, we drove with no people talking.

  “At least one problem is solved,” Alana finally observed.

  “Which one?”

  “What to do about Odin. I told the leasing company to look for a place that takes dogs. Odin? You’re going to live with me in LA, okay?”

  Odin flapped his tail but otherwise didn’t move.

  I recognized the scents as we approached home. I knew where we were and so did Phoebe. We stopped in a driveway, and when JayB opened the sliding door, Spartan jumped out. He was wagging that little stub of a tail of his as he trotted up to the front door. I smelled Rodney when he opened it and I wagged a little in greeting, but I stayed in the car with Alana and the rest of the dogs. Rodney waved, grabbed Spartan’s leash, and trotted across his yard and up to Alana’s window. She sat, looking at him, and he laughed and rapped his knuckles on the glass, so she lowered it.

  “Hey, Alana,” he greeted. “Oh man, are you a sight for sore eyes. How was the ride? I didn’t realize you were going to be here this soon. So, did you dump the guy, is that why you’re back after just one night? Did you fly back to KCI or what?”

  “I don’t want to talk to you right now, Rodney,” she replied.

  Rodney looked nonplussed. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean,” Alana repeated evenly, “I’m tired and I don’t want to talk to you right now.”

  Rodney laughed. “You’re not serious.” He put a hand on his heart. “You got to me.” He was still grinning when Alana put the window back up.

  JayB slid into the front seat. “Ready to go?”

  She nodded.

  JayB started the car and glanced at her. “Look, why don’t you come to my house. The sitter dropped off Kelsey; we’ll introduce the cats to each other. I’ll make you a late-night snack, maybe have a glass of wine?”

  He seemed very awkward.

  “It’s getting pretty late.”

  JayB nodded. “Just a bit? Unwind after the trip?” He gave her a shy smile.

  She was expressionless and then she shook her head and laughed softly. “Why not.”

  I was happy to lead the charge of the dogs into my house, to show Phoebe it was still my territory. Odin followed willingly, and Phoebe, as always, was delighted to trot along with us, though she kept turning to stare at the cat bag. I sensed Kelsey fleeing our arrival the moment we opened the front door. She had probably been in the window the whole time we’d been gone, glaring out at the world, hating everything.

  “Hang on,” JayB requested. “I’ll put Odin and Phoebe in the back room and keep Clancy here on his leash. I’m not worried about Rhiannon around the dogs, but Kelsey’s terrified of Odin.”

  We were in the kitchen. I registered JayB strolling with Phoebe and Odin down the hallway. He put them into a bedroom and shut the door.

  “Kelsey … Kelsey,” he called. “Kelsey, Kelsey, Kelsey. Where are you, kitty kitty?”

  Cats sometimes come when they’re called, but only if they feel like it.

  Alana reached into the case and set her cat silently on the floor. Rhiannon immediately started to lick her paw, looking around contemptuously. I knew that she was probably missing all the signs that she was here as my guest—not that I had any expectation of anything but rank hostility from her.

  JayB rustled Kelsey’s food bag. There was still an open can of food up on the counter, but he was going to give her even more to eat. This never happens to a dog.

  Soon, I sensed Kelsey padding her way silently down the hall toward us. She walked into the kitchen and caught sight of Rhiannon.

  Kelsey screamed.

  It was a sound I had never heard her make before, and it was absolutely chilling: a high, deep-throated, full-bodied cry. She immediately squatted and made a puddle of cat urine on the floor. Then she turned and fled down the hallway.

  JayB shrugged. “Well, that went pretty well.”

  Alana laughed. “I take it Kelsey’s never had a roommate before.”

  JayB shook his head. “No, but I think people and cats should get used to different circumstances, don’t you?”

  Alana folded her arms and leaned up against the counter, regarding him as he unspooled some paper towels. “So that’s how it’s going to be?”

  “Meaning…”

  “You’re going to continue making all these supposedly subtle points? People and cats should get used to different circumstances, huh? Like, move to Kansas City, start a doggie gift shop in a restaurant?”

  “This will all go easier if you just pretend I’m as smart as you are,” he replied with a smile.

  “I feel like Kelsey.”

  He cocked his head. “You feel like you’re going to pee on the floor? Because I’m almost out of paper towels.”

  Alana shook her head, not smiling. “No, I mean I feel like my world was perfectly normal and predictable and I was happy, and then my mother died and everything changed. Suddenly I’ve got to find a new place and my boyfriend and I broke up and I’ve got a dog. How’s that for different circumstances? Is that good enough?”

  “It’s pretty good,” he admitted, wiping up the cat urine. I could still smell it even after several scrubbings. I knew Phoebe would be most intrigued.

  “I’m already under a lot of pressure, JayB,” she continued quietly. “Could I ask you to just not add to it? Maybe give me a break?”

  “Of course.”

  “I’ve had a lot of decisions thrust at me all at once.”

  “I completely understand.”

  She gave him a small smile. He smiled back. I wagged because I could feel the anger leaving the room.

  “So, hey, what do you want to eat?”

  “Do you have any fruit?”

  JayB pulled out some raspberries. “Of course! I am a full-service—” He stopped.

  “A full-service what?” Alana inquired, regarding him sternly. “You weren’t going to say full-service boyfriend, were you?”

  JayB grinned sheepishly.

  Alana gave him a long look. I wagged tentatively. Finally, she shook her head. “You’re really giving yourself a promotion there, big boy.”

  JayB stepped up to her. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to violate protocol. I know in the manual it says you have to post for the position and interview all the candidates before making the final determination.”

  “And then I have to have a security guard present, in case some woman shows up to punch you in the nose.”

  “That’s also in the manual.”

  She looked intently into JayB’s eyes. “I can’t move this fast, JayB,” she whispered. “I’m not at all sorry about last night, but I’m also not ready to make life-changing decisions.”

  “How long is your leave of absence?”

  “They told me to take as much time as I need.”

  “Okay. I’m telling you the same thing. Take as much time as you need, Alana.”

  He reached out his arms and Alana stepped into them. I watched with interest as their mouths came together. I felt myself wagging because of the emotions pouring off of them, and I wondered if I should try to jump up and wriggle in between their hug as they clutched each other. I was preparing to do that when I heard a loud rap on the door, followed by the doorbell. I, of course, barked. It’s my responsibility to do so whenever someone comes to the door. I heard Odin and Phoebe responding from down the hall.

  Rhiannon acted unfazed by the barking. Kelsey was still cowering under a bed somewhere. JayB and Alana were staring at each other.

  The doorbell rang again.

  JayB stepped back and blinked. “In order of who I don’t want that to be, I’m going to go with Rodney, then Maddy, then my father, then the FBI.”

  JayB opened the front door.

  “Hey!” a man boomed. I wagged because it was Walter. “Why’d you lock your door?” He pushed inside. He held a big bottle in one hand.

  “To keep people from walking in without knocking, I’m guessing?”

  “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?” Walter asked with a chortle. He presented his bottle and smiled. “We have cause for celebration.”

  “And this is such good timing for that celebration,” JayB responded.

  Alana laughed.

  “Hello, Alana, you’re looking lovely as always,” Walter greeted. He grinned at JayB. “You’ll never guess.”

  “You and Rodney are investing in a drug cartel,” JayB speculated.

  Walter guffawed. “Nope. You ready? Celeste is coming to visit. Time for some champagne.”

  I looked up at JayB because he seemed stunned. A long silence followed.

  “You know,” Alana stated carefully, “I think I’m going to go back to my house and unpack and everything. You two can talk.”

  “Sure,” JayB agreed faintly.

  “Walter, I’m sorry,” she said regretfully. “We haven’t had a moment to talk about your bank statements yet. I’ve been … preoccupied … with other things. And obviously this is not a good time. But we need to do it soon.” She and JayB exchanged meaningful glances.

  Walter grinned. “Money can always wait.”

  Alana put Rhiannon back in the bag, retrieved Odin, and left. Phoebe tracked them to the door, then stopped, puzzled, when it shut behind them. She looked to me for an explanation. I didn’t know how to tell her that this is just what people do. Humans come and go, with or without dogs.

  “So did I hear you correctly?” JayB asked finally. “Mom is coming to visit?”

  “Exactemente,” Walter responded. “Where are your champagne glasses?”

  JayB wordlessly pulled two tinkling glasses from a cabinet. With a flourish, Walter played with the bottle in his hand and there was a sudden loud pop and a dog toy flew up, hit the ceiling, and bounced on the floor. I jumped on it, but then let Phoebe have it. She lay down and began chewing on it vigorously until only bits remained.

  “When is she coming?” JayB asked his father.

  “She gets here Thursday.”

  “Thursday, as in, day after tomorrow? Wow.” He held up his glass and touched it briefly to Walter’s before they sipped.

  “So, what do you think?” Walter asked slyly. “Maybe her marriage isn’t as solid as you said it was.”

  JayB shook his head. “I didn’t say anything about her marriage,” he corrected. “I don’t talk to Mom about Twain.”

  “Twain,” Walter snorted derisively. “What kind of name is that?”

  “We’ve been through this,” JayB responded patiently. “So, all right, she’s coming. Do you know for how long?”

  Walter shook his head, but then gave a wink. “I’m hoping I can talk her into staying for a while. But if she wants to go somewhere else”—he shrugged—“Maui, Paris, whatever she wants. We’ll go.”

  “Okay … but, those sound like expensive trips,” JayB agreed cautiously. “Maybe wait until we’ve had a chance to sit down with Alana about the numbers. Okay, Dad?”

  Walter waved a hand. “Nah. This is one of the happiest days of my life, son.”

  JayB nodded carefully. “Well, be sure not to tell her that.”

  Walter stared in surprise.

  “Look, all I’m saying is, you need to go slow. You know how Mom’s going to react if you take the position that her coming here means she’s leaving her husband for you? That might not be what’s going on. People don’t like to be rushed into things, especially when it comes to relationships.”

  Walter thought about this.

  “You need to give her space,” JayB concluded.

  “Is that what you’re doing with Alana? Giving her space?” Walter challenged shrewdly.

  “Actually, before you showed up, there was very little space. I’m just saying, remember why Mom left in the first place.”

  “She left because I was broke,” Walter contended. “That’s not the case now.”

  “Is that really why she left?” JayB asked.

  Dear Diary:

  I’m noticing that, over time, a change has come over Odin. It’s subtle, but something is tiring him out from within and slowing him in obvious ways. This is beyond his suffering over the loss of his person. This is physical.

  He smells a little different as well. Again, subtle, but something is going on; it’s on his breath. Our eyes meet—he knows that I know.

  Love,

  Clancy

  Thirty-one

  The next day, Odin did not come to greet us when Phoebe, JayB, and I stopped at his house.

  “How goes the packing? Need any help?” JayB asked.

  Phoebe went into the kitchen to sniff along the floor, but I padded over to where Odin lay in his bed and lowered my nose to him. He tiredly raised his head. I knew he would not want to walk with us, but he’d go if JayB asked, because that’s what dogs do.

  “There’s not much, actually. Thanks anyway,” Alana said. “You still want me for dinner?”

  “That’s why I came by, to make sure you didn’t try to get out of it.”

  Alana laughed.

  We took a long walk, just Phoebe and JayB and me. I was so happy. I pictured chasing Phoebe around in the old dog park. If that mean, brown dog showed up to challenge her, I would show her that her dog Clancy could be there for her, too. Unless he threatened to bite me or something.

  But we didn’t go to the dog park. Instead, we turned up a sidewalk that was familiar to me. This was Phoebe’s house. Phoebe strained at the end of her leash.

  JayB pushed a button. The door opened and Dominique fell to her knees. “Phoebe!” she cried.

  Phoebe wagged and whimpered, climbing around and around Dominique, kissing her face out of absolute joy. I couldn’t help but wag.

  Dominique smiled up at JayB. “She looks great. Thank you so much for taking care of her.”

  “No problem. How’s your sister?”