by Susan Lubner
“I wish somebody would carry me around in a sling all day and let me sleep,” Officer Hodge said.
“Ditto,” Blumstein added, sipping from his mug.
As if on cue, Mom yawned and shook her head. “Don’t we all?” she answered.
“Another cup of coffee will have to do,” Sid said, refilling the policemen’s mugs.
Ava started to squirm. She let out a cry. “She sounds like a kitten,” I said, stroking her cheek.
Mom bounced lightly in place, and Ava fell back to sleep.
At a little past three o’clock, the last few customers paid their checks. I flipped the CLOSED sign in the window. Joss and I quickly refilled the napkin dispensers and ketchup bottles.
“We’re out of here,” I said, rushing to the back to get our coats. We shoved on our hats and mittens and grabbed the sandwiches that Sid had waiting for us.
“I’ll pick you girls up from the shelter at five thirty,” Dad said, on our way out the door.
We ate while we walked. “I can’t wait to see her,” I said.
“Me too.” Joss nodded. Then she pointed up at the sky. “Look. An ice-cream cone. See it?”
Above the tops of the bare trees, a puffy white cloud hovered over a cone-shaped one. “Yup.”
“Do you think it’s a sign? Maybe we should go eat some ice cream!” Joss said.
I smiled. “Oh, now you believe in signs?”
“Well, how often does an ice-cream cone show up in the sky?”
“Or maybe you just want some ice cream,” I said.
“Wait. What? You don’t believe in signs anymore?” Joss asked me.
“I didn’t say that. It’s just… maybe the signs weren’t showing me stuff I wanted to know. Just… stuff I already knew.”
Joss looked confused for a second. “Well, I know for sure I want some ice cream.”
“Exactly,” I said.
We were still a few yards from the shelter when I saw Charlotte and a man through the window. Just based on the color of his hair, anyone would know it was her dad. The two red heads brightened the doorway. She turned to face us when we stepped inside. I wanted to grab her and hug her hello. Joss must have sensed it, because she held me back against her side. “We don’t know her yet, remember?” she whispered.
“Ah! My two helpers!” Franny shouted out when she saw us. “Girls, say hello to Charlotte and her father. Then go on and take Charlotte in to meet our kitties.”
Now that Charlotte’s dad had moved to Portland, she’d be a lot closer to Joss and me when she stayed with him on weekends. Once she started volunteering at the shelter like we had planned, it would be easy to introduce her to our parents and invite her to our houses for visits.
Charlotte’s father introduced himself. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Same here,” I said. Then to Charlotte, “I’m Lizzy.”
“I’m Joss.”
“Hi,” Charlotte said.
“You’re adopting a cat today?” I asked, even though I already knew she was.
She nodded. “Aren’t I lucky?”
Joss and I smiled. Charlotte’s eyes changed into smiling green lines.
I thought of the mural in my closet. It would remind me, whenever I needed it, how lucky I was, too.
“Let’s go see the kittens,” I said, leading the way to the cat room.
Out the window, the ice-cream cloud had melted into a white puddle. It spread across the bluest sky. The sun poked through and poured its shine on top of us. And when I turned my face up into it, I saw a perfect day.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
SO MUCH IN THE MAKING OF A BOOK GOES UNSEEN, and I am thankful to many. My husband, David, and daughters, Hannah and Jules, and friends and family for their love, support, and enthusiasm.
My critique partners, Patty Bovie, Susan Lynn Meyer, and Anna Staniszewski, for their invaluable feedback, friendship, and chocolate. Thank you Karen Fiore at J&M Diner for the answers to my diner-related questions. Thank you Marjory Levey for your knitting tutorials; Stacy Calabrese and Charlie Calabrese, and cousins Ali, Carly, and Emma Cornfeldt for quick and thorough responses to my random questions; to my sister Sally Mitchell and cousin Denise Masalsky: teachers rule! A loud shout-out goes to Kim Ivers, Barbara Spiri, and all the folks at the Southborough Public Library; the many I’ve met and workshopped with at the Writers Loft; the talented Erin Dionne; and Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton that does so much for so many.
I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with extraordinary editors Adrienne Szpyrka and Julie Matysik, and the terrific and talented team at Running Press Kids. Thank you for the great care and attention that went into this book and for laughing at cat sweaters.
To Linda “Glinda” P. Epstein at Emerald City Literary Agency. You are the kind of agent every writer hopes to work with. I am so lucky.
Lastly, I would like to acknowledge my cats Buzz and Woody, who sadly passed away during the time this book was written. Buzz would have happily worn a sweater and Woody, not ever. But for sixteen-plus years, both filled my days with love and companionship.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SUSAN LUBNER grew up in Bangor, Maine, but has lived in Massachusetts for most of her life. She has published three picture books and the middle grade novel The Upside of Ordinary. Her stories have appeared in Spider Magazine and Highlights for Children.
Susan lives with her husband, David, outside of Boston. They have two grown daughters and one precocious poodle.
Read more about Susan at www.susanlubner.com.
PRAISE FOR
LIZZY AND THE GOOD LUCK GIRL
“Readers are in luck! Lizzy and the Good Luck Girl is a lively tale of compassion and self-discovery, with a perfect blend of humor, heart, and hope. Lizzy’s optimism, drive, and quirky belief in signs from the universe make her a character worth rooting for.”
—Anna Staniszewski, author of The Dirt Diary
“Lizzy’s desperate need for luck tugged at my heart. Bittersweet, beautiful, and recommended for anyone who’s searched for a sign that things will turn out okay—or worried that they might not.”
—Kelly Jones, author of Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer
“Brimming with small-town charm, quirky characters, and clever humor, Lizzy and the Good Luck Girl showcases just how courageous we must be to hold on to hope, especially after loss.”
—Beth Vrabel, author of The Reckless Club, Caleb and Kit, and the Pack of Dorks series
“Readers will root for the memorable, kindhearted protagonist in this engaging story about loss and recovery.”
—Martha Freeman, author of Zap! and the Secret Cookie Club series
“Lizzy Sherman is the kind of kid you want to give a hug and a high-five to, as she tries to make the world a better place one lost cat (and one runaway kid!) at a time. I feel very fortunate to have found Susan Lubner’s fresh, funny, and utterly unforgettable novel, Lizzy and the Good Luck Girl, which winningly imparts the wisdom that it’s not enough to just hold on to lucky things… sometimes, you also need to let go.”
—Erica S. Perl, author of All Three Stooges and When Life Gives You O.J.