The next day was Friday. I woke up with a dull headache. Not pounding. But, very definitely there, above my eyes. I went to the bathroom and

swallowed two Tylenol, and then got dressed.

Downstairs, I ate oatmeal, and drank some juice, trying not to let on that I didn't feel the greatest.

I headed off to school, sighing a bit when I was on my way, driving down the driveway. Nobody had seemed to notice my

lack of conversation. Even Adam, who had walked out with Guthrie and I, as usual, only gave me a smile and his customary remark to

have a good day.

At school, my headache persisted for the first two class hours. By third hour, it was lessening, and I happened to see

Zack passing as I headed outside for lunch. I halted, my lunch tray in my hands.

"How is the pup doing?" I asked him.

Zach, holding his own tray, with a monstrous amount of food piled on it, seemed impatient.

"Fine," he said, shortly.

"He's settling in alright?" I asked.

"It's only been one night, Harlie," Zack said, as if I needed reminding.

"I know," I said. "I just want to know how he is, that's all."

"He's fine, like I told you," Zach said.

As we separated, each heading to different areas of the school courtyard to eat, I felt irritated, though I wasn't sure just why.

7

At work that afternoon, Ivy was quiet, and seemed distracted. Finally, I asked her, while we were restocking some of the

shelves with medicines.

"Is everything okay?" I asked her, quietly.

She turned to look at me, and I went on. "I mean, you seem as though something is bothering you."

"It's my parents," Ivy said, pausing, with a bottle in each hand. "They both seem to be declining in health at the same time. It's-" she

hesitated. "Really worrisome to me."

"I'm sorry," I said, feeling bad for her.

Ivy sighed a bit, and returned to her task of stocking the shelves. "I'm just trying to decide what to do."

"What do you mean?" I asked, handing her another bottle, and feeling uneasy by her comment.

"There's only me," Ivy said. "I have an aunt that lives near to them, but she's nearly as old as they are, so she can't be

their sole caretaker."

It sounded as though- I felt my stomach sort of sink.

"Are you thinking of going back? To where they live?" I asked.

"I'm not sure." Ivy sighed again, and turned to look at me. "It depends on what arrangements I can make for them, and all

of that."

I guess she saw that I looked sort of shocked, or whatever, because she patted me on the arm, and said, "It probably won't come

to that, Harlie. At least I'm hoping not."

She looked so worried, and down, that I felt guilty about my own feelings. I would miss Ivy, and I wouldn't have a job any longer, if

she was to leave. There wouldn't be a vet here any more. At least until another was hired. And, her and Crane-well, of course I

was of the wishing and mindset that I wanted them to continue as a couple. Ivy leaving would affect all of that. Still, all of those were

selfish thoughts on my part. Especially when she was worried about her parents.

While I was driving home from work, my headache returned, and I found myself myself thinking about how tough it would be, in situations

like Ivy's, to be an only child. Being all alone for the most part. When Ivy's parents passed away, she would be like an orphan. Alone in the world,

except for an elderly aunt. Well, and Crane, if she and he were still together at that time.

I got home and went on and did my outside chores, before I headed inside. I planned to spend a few extra minutes with Pepe, but his

stall was empty. The door to the stall was just slightly ajar, and I began to panic. How had he gotten out? Maybe the door hadn't gotten

closed properly. My first accusatory thought went to Jill. And the possibility that she hadn't closed the door, and Pepe had waddled his way out,

and scurried away. To impending doom.

I broke into a run, looking around the corners of the barn, and other buildings for Pepe. I was still running, when I saw Crane and

Brian driving up thru the pastures in the Jeep. They parked and I stopping running, a few feet from them, as Brian switched off the

ignition.

"Pepe's gone!" I said, breathlessly.

"Are you sure?" Brian asked, still sitting in his seat, as Crame climbed out of the Jeep.

"Of course I'm sure!" I said. "The door's open to the stall-"

"Likely he's not far," Brian said, calmly, getting out.

"He could be miles!" I huffed. "Probably Jill didn't close the door when she put him back in!"

"Now, peach-" Brian began to reason with me.

"I mean it!" I insisted.

"I know you do," Brian said, mildly, giving me 'the eye'.

"Don't be accusing, when you don't know," Crane told me, also quietly, in caution.

"Ugh," I said, turning away to let my eyes scan the yard, hoping to see Pepe.

"We'll give you a hand, looking for him," Brian said.

"Why don't you go and see if Jill did have him out sometime today?" Crane suggested. "Maybe she's still holding him, and there's no need

for any upset."

"I'll go see," I said, a bit grimly, as I turned to head to the house.

"No accusing," Crane called out, after me. "Be nice."

"I don't see why you have to tell me to be nice," I said, without turning around. "Somebody should tell her."

"Harlie!" Brian called. Warningly, I knew.

I went inside, thru the back door. Jill was sitting at the table, shredding lettuce, while Hannah stood on a chair, reaching into

the top shelf of the cabinet.

"You're home," Hannah greeted me.

"Yeah," I said, and immediately I turned to Jill. "Did you have Pepe out?" I demanded.

Jill looked a bit startled. "Earlier I did. Why?"

"He's gone," I said, shortly. "The door was left open."

"Gone?" she said, looking upset. "I'm sure I shut the door-"

"How long ago did you put him away?" I asked.

"I'm not sure," Jill said, looking as though she was thinking. "I think it was about an hour ago-"

"He's probably long gone," I said, and turned to go back outside.

"Harlie-" I heard Hannah say, but I was already outside.

I spent the next hour searching for Pepe. Brian and Crane helped, and so did Guthrie. It was later-when Guthrie found

Pepe in the feed shed, eating from a sack of cat food. Happy as-well, happy as a skunk eating cat food.

"We'd already looked in there," I said. "He wasn't in there before-"

"All that matters is that he's been found," Crane said.

I took him from Guthrie, searching him over. "Is he okay?" I asked.

"He's perfectly fine," Brian said. "Not a hair out of place."

Gathered there, in a circle, we saw Daniel and Jill walking towards us. Jill looked frazzled. Upset.

"Found him, huh?" Daniel said.

"Yeah. In there, eatin' cat food," Guthrie reported, nodding towards the feed shed.

"See? I told you they'd find him," Daniel said, setting a hand on Jill's waist.

"I'm sure I latched the door," Jill said, looking distressed.

"It's alright," Daniel was saying.

I pressed my chin against Pepe's head. I was silent. Crane said, again, "He's been found. Everything's fine."

Jill looked as though she was going to up and cry. "I like him-I'd feel so badly if something were to happen to him-"

"Nothing's happened to him," Brian said, sounding firm. "Except that's he's led us all on a chase."

Jill still looked distressed, and Daniel was looking at me. I knew that look, and what he meant by it. He wanted me to

say something. To show that I was not blaming Jill.

Brian pressed a hand on the center of my back. He said nothing, but I knew what that touch meant, too.

It took an effort from me. But I managed to say, "I guess he had an adventure."

"Yeah. He sure did," Brian agreed.

With a supreme effort, I held Pepe out to Jill. "You want to put him away for the night?" It was the thing that I thought would most

show that I wasn't holding a grudge.

Her eyes met mine, and lit up. She nodded, and held out her hands to take Pepe from me.

"Thanks, Harlie," she said, sounding grateful.

I shrugged. "Sure."

As we were heading inside, I passed in front of Brian, who was holding the door open for me.

I swung my eyes up to his, and he gave me a wink.

7

Kenny showed up, right about the time we were sitting down to eat supper. He'd mentioned at school that day that he might

come over, if he could, but it hadn't been anything definite. I went to the front door to open it to greet him, happy to see him.

He squeezed my hand, and I led him inside, to the kitchen, where he was greeted by the rest of the family, and Brian and Clare

scooted over to make room so that he could sit between me and Guthrie.

"Pull up a chair, Ken," Brian said.

After we'd eaten, Kenny and I went out to sit on the front porch in the swing. I told him what had happened with Pepe earlier, and then

we talked about his dad, and how he was doing with his treatments, and all. We sat out there until he was nearly dark, and Hannah

appeared at the door.

"We're having some pie, Kenny," she told him.

"Thanks, but I guess I'd better be gettin' on," Kenny told her. Before he left, we were standing beside his truck, and he kissed

me quickly. "We might go see my grandma Sunday afternoon," he told me. "Do you think you might be able to go this time?" He was referring to

the last time he and his parents had invited me to go along with them to visit his grandmother, and go out to eat. I'd either been gone a lot lately or

had had a diabetes incident, I couldn't remember which, but Adam had said that I couldn't go, since it's so far, and I wouldn't have been home

until real late.

"I'll talk to Adam," I said. "The only thing is-he might say since it's a school night, that I would be out too late. What time do you think

we might be home?"

Kenny considered, and said, "We were gonna leave mid-morning, and then the drive-and Mom generally wants to stay about

two hours to visit. So with dinner and everything, maybe we'd be home by ten or so."

"I'll ask him," I said, again. "I really would like to go with you."

After Kenny had gone, I headed back inside, once his truck reached the end of our driveway.

I went to the kitchen to do my shot, and swallowed a couple of Tylenol from the windowsill while I was at it. I still had the

dull nagging of a headache. I ate a snack of grapes and some crackers, sitting at the table. It was quiet in the kitchen, but I

could hear the voices and occasional laughter of the family from the living room.

Adam came in while I was sitting there, snapping on the main light. I'd had only the kitchen sink light on.

"Hey," he said. "Why're you sitting in here by yourself?"

I shrugged. "No reason. Just eating a snack."

Adam went over to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup. It's always amazing to me that no matter how much coffee Adam drinks,

or how late he drinks it, it never keeps him awake at night.

I watched him do that, and then I spoke up tentatively, "Adam?"

"Hmm?"

"Kenny asked me to go with him and his parents on Sunday to visit his grandma. And go out to eat. Remember when he asked

me before?"

"I remember," he said, turning to face me, leaning against the counter.

"I was wondering if I could go," I said.

"They be back fairly late, probably, huh?" he asked.

"He said by ten, he thought," I said.

He was surveying me, looking serious, and as though he was thinking.

"Ten's not that late," I pointed out. Though I should likely have just stayed quiet, because he tilted his head slightly, and

looked not entirely pleased.

"I mean-I can have all my homework done, and then when I get home, I can go right to bed," I chattered on.

When he still hesitated, I said, "Please, Adam?"

"School night and all, sugar," he said. Unnecessarily.

"I don't do it, hardly ever," I pointed out.

"I'm aware," he said, drily.

I hushed after that. Just looking at him, and hoping that he would say I could go.

"I guess you can go," he said.

"Thanks!" I said.

"Yep," he said, and headed towards the living room.

I didn't stay up too long after that. I took a shower, in tepid water, (that's all that was left) and then sat on my bed, in my fuzzy pajamas, beginning

on my homework. I was in the midst of a psychology worksheet when there was a tap on my bedroom door.

When I called out 'come in', and the door opened, Daniel's dark head appeared.

"Hey," he said.

"Hi," I said, pausing to look up at him.

"We still on for tomorrow mornin'?" he asked.

When I wrinkled my forehead at him, he added, "You know-I have to go to Oakdale, and you were gonna ride along so we could

talk a bit?"

"Right," I said. "Sure."

"Okay. Great." He gave me a slight smile. Very slight. "See you in the mornin', then. I'm thinking I'll leave about nine or so."

I nodded. "Okay."

Daniel paused, his hand on the upper part of the door. "Jill felt bad, about the skunk gettin' out and all," he said.

I was in a good mood because of Adam saying that I could go with Kenny and his folks on Sunday, so I answered Daniel

more cheerily than I might have earlier.

"Things happen," I said, breezily.

Daniel gave me another half-smile. "Night, squirt," he said.

7