The Love Pug

by J. J. Howard

  The bell on the café door jangled, and Theo walked in, with Hallie and Frankie right behind him.

  “We took Frankie to meet Coach Karlin,” Hallie told me as they came over. That was a good idea—introducing him to the soccer coach.

  “Frankie, this is Ms. Bates—our school librarian,” I said. “She’s also the head of our activities committee, and we were going to go over some plans for the winter carnival.”

  Ms. Bates stood up. “We can do that later, Emma. I won’t interrupt you getting to know your new friend. See if you can convince any of these wonderful kids to be part of the dunk tank, and I’ll go have my tea and catch up with Stella.”

  Before I could say anything else, Ms. Bates had made her way over to one of the stools at the café’s counter. Frankie, Hallie, and Theo pulled up chairs and joined me at the table.

  When Stella came over with my mug of cocoa, her jaw dropped. “Theo!” she exclaimed. “I think you grew a foot while you were away!”

  Theo turned a little pink, but I realized that Stella was right. Theo had gotten taller in the last month or so.

  “I’ll have a cocoa too, but just the plain kind,” he said when Stella asked for everyone’s orders.

  “I’ll have a chocolate milkshake,” Hallie said.

  “Make that two,” Frankie added.

  Stella nodded and headed back to the kitchen. As I took a sip of my cocoa, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Dad, asking if I wanted him to bring Cupid over to Morning Mugs. Then we could all go get sandwiches for dinner at The Elephant afterward. I texted back a thumbs-up. Dad likes to eat dinner very early. It’s better for the digestion, he says.

  “What was your season like last year?” Frankie was asking Theo, and I felt myself begin to tune out the way I often did whenever the subject of sports—especially sports stats—came up.

  Theo said some numbers, Frankie gave one of his grunts, and then Stella came back with everyone’s drinks. As Hallie and Frankie sipped their milkshakes and Theo drank his cocoa, I took another sip from my own mug.

  “So, any takers for that dunk tank idea Ms. Bates mentioned?” I asked. “It’s always our biggest moneymaker.”

  “I’ve already told you no like a thousand times,” Theo said, though he smiled as he said it. “I’ll literally make a donation instead. Besides, you’re not doing it.”

  “I’m planning the event,” I said. “Besides, you know my dad would never let me get in that tank.”

  “Emma’s dad’s kind of a germophobe,” Hallie told Frankie.

  “He’s not!” I protested. “He’s just … very conscientious about health.”

  Then, as though I’d magically made him appear with my words, Dad walked into the café with Cupid on his leash.

  And for the second time in two days, Cupid began barking excitedly and pulled so hard on his leash that Dad had to let go. But instead of running for me, as I would have expected, he made a beeline for Ms. Bates.

  I stood up and rushed to Cupid, but Ms. Bates had already crouched down and was receiving a bunch of very wet pug kisses. Her giggle made her sound happier than I’d ever heard her.

  Dad apologized and knelt down to pick up Cupid. My little pug squirmed around happily, and planted one giant, definitely germy, absolutely sweet pug kiss on my dad—right on his mouth. With a glare, Dad handed Cupid back to me and wiped his face with his jacket sleeve.

  “I’m so sorry,” Dad said again to Ms. Bates. “Cupid has never done that! I assure you, that dog was put through lots of training when he was a puppy. But I’m afraid my daughter and Theo encourage that … unsanitary habit.” He pulled one of his handkerchiefs out of his jacket pocket—Dad likes old-fashioned things too, which is probably where I get it—and Ms. Bates accepted it, blotting at her face where Cupid had slobbered.

  “It’s no problem,” Ms. Bates said to Dad with a big smile.

  I froze. Something in her voice and expression made me realize: Cupid had just done it again.

  Except this time, it seemed like Cupid had chosen a match for my dad.

  I stood there in shock, still holding a very wriggly matchmaking dog.

  Ms. Bates was gazing at my dad, her eyes sparkling.

  And Dad, well, his face had gotten sort of red, and he was doing that nervous cough thing he always did when he didn’t know what to say.

  Yesterday, when Cupid had matched Annie and Mateo, I had jumped in and helped things along.

  But now my mouth felt much too dry. Even swallowing seemed difficult.

  I thought about how lonely Dad sometimes seemed. Like the night over winter break when Hallie and I had gone to Autumn Hawkins’s party, and he had stayed home alone. Maybe I should say something … continue what Cupid had started.

  But Hallie had already jumped in for me. “Ms. Bates is having a heck of a day,” she told my dad. Then she glanced at Ms. Bates. “You should tell Mr. Winters about what happened in the library, Ms. Bates.”

  My dad smiled. “Ah, Ms. Bates! I’m glad we’re finally meeting. Emma speaks so fondly of you.”

  Was Ms. Bates blushing? “Likewise,” she said. “Emma and I were going to work in the library together, but like Hallie said, we had a minor crisis. The heat was on all night! And it took several hours to fix this morning. I confess it still has me a bit rattled.”

  “That’s terrible!” my dad said sympathetically. “Coming in from the cold outside to such a blast of heat—it really can’t be good for you.”

  Ms. Bates was frowning now, maybe worrying about something she hadn’t been before.

  “I’m sorry,” Dad said. “I didn’t mean to concern you. I guess I’m just an old valetudinarian.”

  Ms. Bates’s frown vanished, and she smiled again. “I doubt that! Besides, I can be a bit of a hypochondriac myself.”

  That sealed it—here were the only two people in the world who knew what valetude-whatever meant. I couldn’t get in the way of that.

  “A cold dinner could be just the thing after a day in the hot library?” I suggested. I glanced at Dad. “Maybe Ms. Bates could come with us to The Elephant to get one of their yummy sandwiches?”

  Theo caught my eye and smiled at me, so I knew I must be on the right track.

  “Or Emma could come to dinner with us?” he asked. “If you don’t mind, Mr. Winters. We’re showing a new kid around town. Frankie just moved here yesterday.” Theo gestured at Frankie, who gave the kind of wave you’d expect from somebody who usually said yes by grunting.

  “I suppose that could work,” Dad said. “If that’s okay with you, Ms. Bates?”

  “Please, call me Abby.”

  And just like that my dad had a date.

  As Dad and Ms. Bates chatted some more, I joined Theo and Hallie back at the table where Frankie was slurping up the last of his milkshake. I was still more than a little bit in shock. I sat down again and settled Cupid in my lap. He was less wriggly now.

  “We’re taking you to dinner,” Theo told Frankie. “If you want. There’s a diner just a block away.”

  “Okay,” Frankie said. “I just have to text my mom.” He looked over at me. “Cute dog.”

  “Thanks. Do you want to pet him?”

  Frankie nodded and moved over to sit beside me, petting Cupid’s head. “We had a Yorkie when I was younger. I miss that dog.”

  “Well, you can share Cupid,” I told him. Frankie looked up at me, and I was surprised to see what seemed like a real smile on his face.

  “It’s good you like dogs, because if you hang around Emma, you’ll be seeing a lot of Cupid. He’s spoiled rotten,” Theo said.

  “He is not!” I argued.

  Hallie gave a pointed cough. “Um, say that when he’s riding around in his custom-made stroller.”

  “And the only reason he’s not wearing an outfit today is because your dad brought him over here,” Theo chimed in.

  I pulled my pug closer and kissed the top of his furry head. “Don’t listen to them, Cupid. They just don’t under
stand.”

  Dad came over to the table then, Ms. Bates beside him. “We’re going to head over to The Elephant,” he told me, even though I’d been there when they’d made the plan two minutes ago. His hair was even wilder than usual, but his eyes were crinkly at the corners—he looked happy. “Does that sound all right?”

  “Of course,” I said, wondering why he was asking me again. “We’re going to The Dinner Bell, and then I’ll be home.”

  “Do you want to take Cupid home first?” Dad asked.

  “He can come to the diner. Mario will let him in if we eat in the back room,” I answered.

  “Okay,” Dad said. “Um, have fun, kids,” he added, sounding even more awkward than usual.

  Ms. Bates waved to us all, and I watched as the two of them left Morning Mugs together.

  “Are they … going on a date?” Frankie asked.

  “I think so,” I said. “I really do think so.”

  “That’s so cute!” Hallie exclaimed.

  “That was a nice thing you did there,” Theo said in a low voice.

  I nodded. I didn’t remind him it was Hallie who’d started it.

  “Everybody ready for some grilled cheese and fries?” I asked, changing the subject. I stood up and set Cupid on the floor. His tail wagged as he sniffed around for crumbs.

  “You don’t have to order grilled cheese and fries,” Hallie explained to Frankie as they got up from the table. “That’s just what Emma always gets.”

  “It’s the best thing on the menu,” I told Frankie, “but of course you’re free to order something else.”

  Hallie and Theo laughed. Frankie looked at me again; this time it seemed like he was trying to figure me out.

  With Cupid on his leash, Theo, Frankie, Hallie, and I left Morning Mugs and set out for The Dinner Bell. As we walked, I wondered what my dad and Ms. Bates were talking about right now.

  * * *

  We all ended up ordering grilled cheese and fries for dinner, and everyone agreed that it was, in fact, a delicious meal. When we were done, Hallie texted her mom to come pick her up; Hallie lives farther away from downtown than I do. Frankie caught a ride with them, and Theo walked back home with me and Cupid.

  “You’re pretty quiet,” he said as we started down the sidewalk. “And you only ate half your grilled cheese.”

  “You ate the other half, so it didn’t go to waste,” I said, wrapping my scarf tighter around my neck.

  “Well, Cupid had a big bite of it too,” Theo pointed out. He paused, then asked, “Are you worried about your dad and Ms. Bates?”

  I stopped to let Cupid do his business under a tree. “I’m not worried,” I tried to explain. “It’s just … it seems … weird. I feel … weird about it.”

  “So, weird, then?” Theo asked. It was getting dark, but I could hear the smile in his voice.

  “Don’t make fun of me.”

  “I’m not. Emma, I think it’s totally normal for you to feel … uncertain about your dad dating again. But I gotta say, I think this could be really great for him. If it works out, I mean.”

  “Yeah,” I said as we continued walking.

  “But you know,” Theo added. “They just went to get sandwiches, after all. It’s not like they’re getting married …”

  “Getting married!” I stopped walking and turned to him. “Why would you even say that? They were … and Cupid just … and they’re just eating sandwiches!” I finished.

  Theo put a hand on my arm. “Em, I said they’re not … look, would it even be so bad if eventually they did? You love Ms. Bates.”

  We’d reached a streetlight, and I looked into Theo’s green eyes. He really was taller now. I realized Theo was right. I did love Ms. Bates. Maybe Cupid’s magic really had struck again. And Dad and Ms. Bates were sort of perfect for each other if I let myself admit it.

  But then I thought of Ms. Bates moving into our house, and I started to feel really weird again.

  “Just promise me that if it does happen it’ll take a really, really long time?” I didn’t know why I was asking Theo to promise that. It wasn’t like he was actually in charge of my dad’s life. But Theo nodded anyway. “I promise. Remember how long it took your dad to pick out a new car last year?”

  I smiled, thinking about the months and months of research. My father was not exactly Mr. Spontaneous.

  When we reached my house, Theo walked me in to say hi to my dad. I knew he was just making sure Dad’s date was over and the coast was clear before he left me.

  “See you in the morning, Em,” Theo called after he waved to Dad.

  “How was The Elephant?” I asked Dad as I got out some kibble for Cupid. Mario, the owner of The Dinner Bell, had given Cupid a bunch of snacks, but my pup was overdue for his real dinner.

  “It was very nice,” Dad answered, sitting down at the kitchen table. “I like Abby a lot. I knew you enjoyed having her as the advisor of student activities, but I suppose I didn’t expect to have so much in common with her. Did you know she was a classics major in college?”

  “Along with English lit,” I told him. Suddenly, it seemed important for him to know that I knew more about Ms. Bates than he did.

  I studied Dad. He was sitting in his usual chair, wearing his favorite slippers, just like always. But he looked happier, somehow—younger, even.

  So I said, “I’m glad you had fun.” And I kissed him on the cheek before heading upstairs with Cupid to do my homework.

  And silently, I vowed to try to feel less weird about my pug’s latest match.

  The next day, I ran into Frankie as I was walking to school. Frankie was quiet as usual, but I had some ideas for him.

  “I know you’ll be busy with soccer,” I said as we walked along, “but I can introduce you to everyone on the student activities committee, in case you’d like to sign up for other things.”

  “Okay,” he said, although he didn’t sound excited. I decided not to let his lack of enthusiasm slow me down. I was going to make Frankie feel welcome at HMS whether he liked it or not.

  When we got to school, Frankie looked around in surprise at the nearly empty hallways.

  “We’re here really early, aren’t we?” he asked me. “My mom told me to give myself enough time to get to school, but I didn’t realize how short the walk was.”

  “Yeah,” I said. “But I always get to school early. On purpose.”

  Frankie snorted. “Why?”

  I shrugged, feeling defensive. “Because I do. You don’t have to, though …”

  Frankie laughed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just messing with you, Emma.”

  “Oh. Okay.” Something about Frankie always had me off balance.

  Frankie and I headed over to our lockers—they were in the same row. I was hanging up my jacket when Theo appeared beside us.

  “I guess you walked to school with Emma,” Theo told Frankie. “Going to challenge her title for student who gets to school first?”

  “No way. Besides, aren’t you here early too?” Frankie pointed out.

  Theo grinned. “You got me there. But I missed three and a half weeks of school before break, so I’ve got a lot of makeup tests and quizzes.”

  “Where’d you go?” Frankie asked, and when Theo told him he’d been to Morocco and Egypt, Frankie’s eyes widened.

  “Seriously?” Frankie said. “That’s so cool. I’ve never been out of the country. Well, just Canada.”

  “Canada’s great. Where did you go?” Theo leaned against the lockers. With a sigh, I reorganized the already-organized top shelf of my locker.

  “Toronto.”

  “Someday you’ve got to go to Quebec—it’s such an interesting place …”

  Frankie nodded along, looking much more interested than he usually did.

  Great. Yet another person who’d been bitten by the travel bug and was impressed with all the places Theo had been. Why couldn’t people just appreciate good old Highbury?

  “I actually br
ought back some stuff from the trip to show Mr. Denton, my history teacher,” Theo said. “I’m headed there now if you want to come see?”

  “Sure,” Frankie said. “See you later, Emma?” he called as they turned to walk off together.

  I nodded. “Yep, see you in English.”

  “Bye, Em,” Theo called.

  “Having trouble hogging the new boy while Theo’s around?” a voice asked in my ear.

  I jumped and spun to see Autumn Hawkins standing beside me with her usual smirk on her face.

  Technically, Autumn is my friend. I’ve known her all my life. We’re in the same grade, and she’s my co-chair for our grade in SAC. We have all the same friends, and I’ve been to her house more times than I can count. But she also really bugs me a lot of the time. With Autumn, it’s like everything is a competition, and I’m the person she’s always out to beat.

  “I’m not hogging him,” I said. “Besides, of course Frankie wants to hang out with Theo. He’s Theo.”

  Autumn rolled her eyes. “And we all know how big of a Theo fan you are.”

  I frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing. Anyway, come on, emergency SAC meeting.”

  “What? I didn’t get a text.”

  “I totally texted you last night. You must not have checked.” Autumn pulled her phone from her pocket.

  I knew we were rivals sometimes, but would Autumn actually go so far as to not tell me about a meeting just so I might miss it?

  “Oh no,” she said, “it didn’t go through, see?”

  I saw a red exclamation point beside her last message, and there was my name at the top of her phone screen. So at least I knew she was telling the truth. I followed her to the library.

  “Good, you two are here!” Ms. Bates called as soon as we walked in.

  I looked around and saw that there were kids from the SAC team seated at the library tables. Autumn and I took seats at a free table while Ms. Bates faced us at the front of the room. I tried not to think about her date with Dad last night.

  “We’ve got a problem, folks,” Ms. Bates announced. “I’ve just been told that our winter carnival date conflicts with a speaker the parent organization hired to come to school. If we still want to hold the carnival, it will need to happen soon.”