“This is just a temporary cast,” he said. “It will need to be changed in a couple days after the swelling goes down.” He gave me a long, stern look. “Now, you have to promise me that you won’t put any weight on the ankle and you’ll keep it elevated.”
I lowered my chin. I hurt too much to talk.
“The next time I see you at my office, you can choose any color you want.” He patted my shoulder. “Do you have a favorite color?”
I whispered, “Purple.”
The nurse scheduled our next appointment on Wednesday morning. A piece of my heart broke off and disappeared. If I can’t take care of Colton, what will happen to him?
Three hours later, Dad carried me to the couch and Mom propped my leg on two pillows. The nurse had given me a pain pill, and I couldn’t stay awake. I’d be sleeping downstairs again.
Colton rushed over, sniffed me, and worked his way down to my cast. He glanced at me, and lightly pawed my knee. He knew I hurt. For the next few days, I could only get up to go to the bathroom.
Mom hadn’t mentioned what we’d do with Colton. What would Ms. Jennifer do? Would she place him with another family while I healed?
What if he never comes back?
I pictured saying goodbye to Sydney. My whole body shuddered, and I couldn’t see through my flooded eyes.
Mom sat on the edge of the couch and rubbed my back in circles. “I’ll take over today with Colton, but I need to call Ms. Jennifer and Mrs. Brown to explain the situation.”
I buried my face in the pillow. I drew in a deep gasp and tried to pull away from her touch. I had no place to go.
She paused and silence filled the air. “Maybe Morgan will help out for a few days? And Heather?”
I shrugged.
My aching heart strummed a wild beat like a bass guitar. I stayed hunched in the corner of the couch, thinking. Morgan’s going to disappear. Where would she go on her bike? I worried about her and what she was planning to do. I had to help her. But how? In my situation?
I’d be using crutches for weeks.
Chapter 32
The meds dissolved the pain and knocked me out cold. Waking with nightmares and the sweats, I fought dozing off, but sleep always won. I dreamt more about Morgan missing, or Colton being handed to another family.
Mom crumpled in the recliner and called Ms. Jennifer. Her side of the conversation came as murmurs to me. I held my breath so I could hear. She spoke about how I’d be down for at least a week and a half, and then I would be able to get around using crutches. Mom’s head bobbed to what was being said on the other end. When I was forced to breathe, I had a coughing spell and started crying.
After Mom hung up the phone, she sat next to me with a long face. “Ms. Jennifer thinks it might be good for Colton to be with a foster family until you’re mobile.”
“No! No! I’m going to lose him. Like Sydney came to me after his first family deserted him. I can’t let him go! I can’t!” I cried so hard, I threw up.
Mom grabbed the bowl next to the couch, but it was too late.
She didn’t say a word. Like a robot programed to clean things up, she walked to the laundry room and returned with the dust pan and towels to clean up my mess.
I snuffled. “I’m sorry Mom.” In slow motion, I leaned back and let my head fall back on the pillow. “The medicine is making me sick.”
Mom wiped my face with a cool rag. “It could be the meds, but I have a feeling you are all worked up over Colton.” Mom bent down on her knees and took my face in her hands. “Honey, I don’t have the time to do his training.”
I shook my head until the room spun. “No! No. No. Mom, please don’t let him go.”
“Trina, you’re going to be down for a week after the hard cast is on, and Dad is going out of town. Ms. Jennifer says, ‘Two weeks. That’s all.’”
“I can’t be without him!” I covered my face and wept.
“I don’t think you have a choice.” Mom squished next to me with a twinkle in her eye. “Now listen to the good part.”
Forcing myself to sit up, I glued my swollen eyes to hers.
“When Colton comes back, Ms. Jennifer would like you to do some special training with a wheelchair, and teach Colton skills that a person needs from a mobility dog. Dad has already ordered a wheelchair for when you’re feeling better.”
I stopped crying and sniffed. Mom handed me a folded Kleenex from her pocket, and I blew my nose. “Really?”
“Ms. Jennifer believes Colton is going to be a sturdy Lab and will make a great mobility dog” Then she fingered my tangled bangs off my wet face. “He’s calm and steady. He’ll be strong enough to help with a wheelchair, open doors and drawers, turn lights on and off, and pick up objects that fall to the floor. So, you see, this will be a chance to do some new kind of training. And, he will be coming back to you.”
I bent my head, breathed in and out, and thought about what she said. This happened because I lied to my parents, and this is how I’m being punished. Only my eyes lifted. “When, when is Colton leaving?”
“One of her volunteers is on her way. I’ll put a few of his favorite toys in a bag and send his dog food and treats. Can you think of anything that he’d want or need?”
I fell back on my pillow and stared at the ceiling. Suddenly, I remembered Sydney carrying my sock as his pacifier. “Mom, could you get one of my dirty socks.”
She smiled and headed upstairs.
Colton sensed I was sad and pawed me to make me happy. That wasn’t going to happen until he was back at my side.
I cried myself to sleep, and then Colton barked, jolting me awake. Someone was here. I thought about hiding Colton, but of course, I couldn’t move. He bolted to the door, forgetting all of his door manners. Oh no. What if this person believes I’m not training him correctly?
Ms. Sue walked into the room, speaking softly to me. Relief filled me, but I didn’t make eye contact. My favorite trainer. Her words entered my ears, but stung my heart.
“Trina. I promise, he’ll be back as soon as you’re ready.”
Afraid to look at her, I glanced sideways.
“Honey, I will love him and work with him on just the things you’ve recorded. He’s yours to keep until he moves on to a permanent family.”
I grimaced. “You’re sure?”
She smiled her big grin and kneeled by my side. “Ms. Jennifer and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Without really believing her, I muttered. “I’ll have my new cast and will have a wheelchair by Thursday. He could come back then.”
“Trina, I won’t have time to bring him back until the following Saturday.” Ms. Sue stood. “We have a number of dogs to work with and take on outings. We’ll include Colton. This will give you time to rest and get well faster.”
I stared up at her and blinked away my tears. “How about if Mom or Dad picked him up this Saturday?”
“Trina, no more.” Mom patted my shoulder. She handed me my purple sock and spoke in a strong voice. “You need at least ten days. Stop pleading.”
I wiped my tears with the sock and tied knots. “Here, this will help him remember me.” I handed Ms. Sue the damp sock.
She leaned down and hugged me. “Trina, call anytime you want to know how he’s doing.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Mom walk Colton out the door with Ms. Sue carrying his supplies. What was left of my heart melted into a puddle.
How do I function without a heart?
Chapter 33
Sometime in the afternoon, Morgan texted me. “Stayed and rode Knight. Mrs. B has no idea. Fed me lunch. Heading to train station. Did MapQuest. Text you when I’m there. Thanks.”
Since I had no heart left, numbness took over. What should I do? If I told my parents, they would rush to go get her. But at least she’d be safe then.
> What if I don’t tell, and she gets hurt?
Mom stepped over and looked at me. “What’s going on in that mind of yours? You have a strange look.”
“I’m—” I rubbed my cheek. “—I’m worried about, um, Colton. He’s not going to know why he’s not with me.”
Mom smiled and patted my shoulder. “I’m going to get you some chocolate chip ice cream. That will make you feel better.”
By five o’clock, my nerves rattled in every limb. The ice cream churned into sour butter. I hadn’t heard a word from Morgan. She had promised to let me know she was safe by five o’clock, or she knew I’d tell my parents. I’d give her a few more minutes. Evenings came earlier, and I’d have to get help before it grew dark. By five thirty, I sent a text to her. “Where are you? Will get help.”
My phone vibrated just as mom walked in with a cup of tea. I hid the phone under the blanket and smiled up at her. “Thanks. I’ll sip on this. And close my eyes for a little while.”
“Good idea. Dinner in an hour.”
As soon as she disappeared, I yanked my phone out and read her message. “Trees down. Can’t get around. Got lost. Almost to hayloft.”
I sighed. Woo. So far, she was okay. And I hadn’t gone back on my promise.
Mom’s phone chirped in the kitchen. She spoke in a friendly tone, and then her voice changed to a high pitch. “I don’t know. Hold on, and I’ll ask Trina.”
Her conversation didn’t sound like it was with Sarah. Uh oh! Mom took forceful, giant steps toward me. I pretended to be asleep. Her voice went to a whisper, and she walked back into the kitchen. “She’s sleeping right now. As soon as she wakes, I’ll call you back.”
If that had been Sarah, Mom would have said, “Trina will call you back.” My eyes stayed closed while I thought. Tomorrow was a teacher workday, no school for us, and then Morgan’s parents would come home. I’d only miss the next two days of school, and they’d be excused.
After a few minutes, I needed to check the lightness out the window, but instead of seeing the view, Mom sat in the recliner, watching me.
“Okay, sleepy head. Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”
I flinched. “What are you talking about?”
“Where’s Morgan? Her parents came home early because of the storm. I guess they had a sitter scheduled, but no one’s at the house. Turns out Morgan called and canceled the sitter. I know she’s around because she helped you with barn chores.”
Truth or consequences? I stared at her.
“Trina, I know why you want to protect Morgan. Convince me why I shouldn’t say anything, and I won’t mess up her plan. But please tell me, so I won’t worry. I’ll keep it hush-hush. I don’t like her parents, and I’d like to give them a piece of my mind.”
I lifted my head from the pillow and breathlessly asked. “You’re not angry at me?”
“I understand why you didn’t tell me about what’s going on. But I’d like you to be honest with me now. I promise, I will help, not interfere. Does this have anything to do with your injury?”
“Um. In a way.” I told Mom what happened.
She nodded. “I believe you’ve already suffered the consequences for not asking for help. Next time, I hope, you’ll feel better talking things over with us. I agree with what you did. I’d have done the same thing.”
My heart came back to life, thumping a cheerful beat.
Mom’s skin wrinkled around her eyes. “But if she gets hurt on her way back, I’d feel responsible. Do you have any idea where she is?”
I shook my head. “No!” The sour butter bubbled up my throat. I made a sick face, and put my hand over my lips and swallowed. “She said she’s on her way back to the barn. She’s going to hide in the hayloft. It seems the roof didn’t blow off.”
“Doesn’t it seem a little silly to have her hiding in the barn when she could be at our house, warm and safe?”
“Really?”
“Does Mrs. Brown know she’s there?”
“Nope. Morgan told her she had something to do today and wouldn’t be coming back. I’m not even sure if Heather went over to help. I feel terrible leaving Mrs. B stranded.”
“Accidents happen. I’ll call and see if she needs a hand. Now rest.”
When Mom vanished, I texted Morgan again. If she was peddling down the street, she probably didn’t hear the phone buzz. I waited. What if something bad’s happened? I hope she’s close by.
Mrs. Brown didn’t expect to see Morgan. When she showed up at the barn she’d pretend she came to check on Knight. Oh no! Morgan doesn’t know her parents are home. They’ll drive over to the barn.
I texted Morgan again. “Your parents called. They’re home looking for you.”
Since I hadn’t heard anything for almost an hour, I wanted to scream. And I couldn’t move from the darn couch.
Mom slammed the back door and rushed over to me. Breathing fast, she mumbled incoherent things. “Honey. You were so right in helping Morgan. I’m almost tempted to call social services. Don’t they know what they’re doing to their daughter?” She rubbed her hands back and forth.
“What’s going on? Tell me. Morgan never texted me. I’m on my last nerve from waiting.”
Mom paced two steps away and returned with a scowl. “After I arrived at the barn, Morgan peddled her bike into the barn. Just as I started to speak to her, a car sped up the drive, raising dust. Two car doors slammed. I looked up, and Morgan’s parents stood face to face with her. Furious doesn’t begin to describe the scene. I understand why they’d be angry. And it wasn’t my place to butt in. Words were said.”
I nodded and only said, “Oh!” I shivered inside.
“Her dad placed her bike in the trunk. Morgan calmly walked to the car, climbed into the back seat, and crunched down while the tires screeched their goodbye.”
Smiling, I relaxed. “I guess she got her parents attention.”
Mom frowned. “If that’s what you want to call it?”
“Well. I hope it works for Morgan. I’ll know tomorrow.” I looked down at my phone to see if it was charged. I sighed and shrugged. “She better be in touch.”
Chapter 34
Awake most of the night on the couch, I fought sleep and fidgeted. The dark, empty room echoed loneliness. Could Colton sleep without me? Was he eating? And what about Morgan?
I pictured Morgan and her parents in the same house together. That brought a shudder. I hoped she told them how she felt and made them listen.
With the sunrise, catlike footsteps moved through the hallway. Mom leaned over me.
I smiled.
“Oh, you’re awake. Can I help you to the bathroom?”
I nodded. “That’d be great.”
Mom handed me my crutches and followed me to the bathroom. The room spun. I wobbled, but Mom caught me just before I threw up in the toilet.
She kept a steady hand on one arm and led me back to the couch. “Last night I called Sarah and told her what has happened. She wants to come over, but I’ve told her you are kind of out of it. She said she’d call today.”
Next to the couch, a stack of books and Discovery Teen magazines lay on the end table along with my new phone and iPod. This was how I was supposed to pass my day. I looked out the sliding glass door and into the woods. Cardinals, wrens, doves, and bluebirds took turns flying from one bird feeder to the next.
Enjoy these days, birdies. Only five more days without Colton, which meant only five more days of free-flying room with no dog chasing them. I pictured Colton’s waving tail, toothy grin, and dangling tongue.
After lunch and a nap, my phone buzzed. The caller ID said, “Morgan.” My heart knocked on my chest in a staccato beat. I caught my breath. “Hello!”
“Hi, you! It’s me. I survived last night’s war. First, I need to know how you are.”
“Oh!” I inhaled twice. “Thanks for calling.” I crashed back into the cushion with a giant sigh. “You won’t believe how my leg looks. It is so swollen and black and blue, the doctor had to put on a temporary cast almost up to my knee.”
Morgan groaned. “Oh. I’m so sorry.”
“It wasn’t your fault.” I spoke louder. “So don’t go blaming yourself. I see the doctor again on Wednesday, and I’ll get a purple cast.” My voice squeaked. “For six weeks.” Then I spoke in between crying. “And I don’t have Colton right now. He had—had to go to my trainer’s house.”
“That’s terrible.” Morgan whined. “I said, I’d help you. Once I get things worked out here, I’ll be over.”
“That’d be great!” I drew in a long gulp of air. “Tell me what happened. I need to think about something else besides missing Colt.”
After a long pause, Morgan started from where she left off. “I think I won the first battle. Thanks for all your help and suggestions. I didn’t bark, but I spoke up.”
I covered my mouth so she couldn’t hear me snicker. “Oh, good for you! Tell me what happened. If you want to.”
“You were right, Trina. They had no idea about the way they treated me.” Morgan even made a small giggle. “Dad especially listened. He had no clue Mother stayed so busy and ignored me. He realized how much they did without me, but he thought I didn’t want to be with them. I know where he got that idea.” Morgan stopped talking for a few seconds.
I wasn’t sure if she was crying or just catching her breath. I waited.
“And then Dad said he never knew I hadn’t agreed to sell Melody or Sally. He glared at Mother, turned to me and asked, ‘Did you want Knight?’ I shook my head. Dad gasped. ‘What is going on here?’ He stared at Mother. She didn’t say anything, so he stared back at me.”
“I’m so proud of you.” I couldn’t stay quiet and found the energy to squeal. “You stood up to your parents, and now they know how you feel.”
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