Street Shadows
Page 16
Pica’s face became serious. “Don’t joke about that. I know you didn’t plan to be involved, but I still can’t really think about it. I hope once we find somewhere new to live we can move past it.”
“Sorry. It’s really hard for me, too. I just can’t quite believe that this is happening.”
“I know. I was going to head back home, but I just ended up here. I think, on some level, I knew that I needed to be with you.”
“Well, I feel like that, too.”
“All right, it’s settled. Tonight we go back, tell my family, and then we can set out.”
“I don’t think I should go with you.”
“You don’t have to come right up and kiss them. Feel free to keep your distance. But I think we should travel together from now on. It’s safer, and I want to.”
“Fine. I can already see who will be calling the shots in our pack.”
Pica just smiled and curled up against him, her breath slowly matching his. They lay together for a few moments, each thinking about the sudden new direction their lives were taking. Then they rose and began the journey back to Pica’s family. They trotted together as if choreographed, Scruff falling in just behind Pica, their legs moving at almost the same time.
Breaking the news to her family was not easy. Pica left Scruff a short distance away and returned on her own. It took quite a while to round everyone up because they had already started their evening hunt. Finally, everyone was assembled. As Pica spoke, their relief at seeing her again turned into concern and anger.
“How could you make a pack with him?” Kai burst out angrily.
“Him?” Pica replied, equally sharply. “You mean the one whose mother died because of us, and who happened to be there when Jagger killed our father? Is that the him that you hate so much?”
Kai was silent. Sage spoke next. “I don’t want you to leave.”
This one was harder. “Sage, I still love all of you. I just feel like I need to move on.”
Dane walked over and nuzzled both of them. “I understand. I have been thinking of moving on, too. It doesn’t mean that we’ll never see each other again. Things change — they have to.” He looked Pica straight in the eyes. “If you want to form a pack with Scruff, then I’m okay with it. As long as you’re happy.”
“I am.” Pica felt relieved. Dane had always been on her side, though. She still had yet to make eye contact with her mother.
“Pica.” Gree’s voice was soft. “I’m not really surprised.” Pica lifted her head with surprise, looking at her mother. The loving expression on her face was almost enough to bring Pica to tears. Gree continued, “I’ve seen how you two play — even as pups, you were so alike. I’m sorry that things happened the way they did, but if you want to join him and start a pack, I accept that. I don’t want him around here, but I want you to be happy, and I think that you can be, with him.”
Pica breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn’t expected this. They all stood awkwardly. Taba finally broke the silence. “Where is he?”
Pica motioned her head. “Waiting for me back there.”
Gree sighed. “You should probably go then.”
Now that it was the time to leave them, Pica had a flash of regret. After all this time, she had finally found them again. Why was she leaving? Before she could lose her resolve, she began her final goodbye howl. It began low and quiet, and got louder as she threw her head back. Soon, she heard her mother’s and her siblings’ voices join in, weaving around each other in an ancient melody. They sang out their grief, their worry, and their sadness. Slowly, the others trailed off until it was just Pica. Her final note rung out in the cold winter air. Then, everything said in those notes, she walked away from her family.
TWENTY-SIX
A NEW LIGHT
Pica
The ground dropped off underneath her feet, and then, far beneath her, there was only water. She followed the narrow metal path, keeping up a steady trot. Cold air ruffled her fur, and every few moments, a car passed on the other side of the barrier to her left, pushing a wall of air at her. She stopped briefly to look down at the ocean. It was a big dark eye, with the moon highlighting the flecks in its iris. She could smell the salt. It wasn’t long until she saw ground underneath the pathway again, and caught its earthy, loamy smell. All she could see ahead of her were trees, standing tall, dark sentinels of the night. She looked behind her and smiled. Scruff smiled back. Then, she began the descent toward her new life.
Scruff
The ground dropped off underneath his feet, and then, far beneath him, there was only water. He followed the narrow metal path, keeping up a steady trot. Cold air ruffled his fur, and every few moments, a car passed on the other side of the barrier to his left, pushing a wall of air at him. He stopped briefly to look down at the ocean. It was a big dark eye, with the moon highlighting the flecks in its iris. He could smell the salt. It wasn’t long until he saw ground underneath the pathway again, and caught its earthy, loamy smell. All he could see ahead of him were trees, standing tall, dark sentinels of the night. Pica looked back and smiled at him. He smiled back. Then, he began the descent toward his new life.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
They say it takes a village to raise a child. I found the same is true for writing a book.
Here is my village.
Kristin McHale and Barbara Bradford. Champions of the book from the beginning and the first two people to set eyes on the finished manuscript. Thank you for your sage advice and your endless corrections of comma splices and repeated words.
Don Bailey. My guide and mentor through this process of “writing a book.” Thank you for all of your words of wisdom, including telling me to “get started on the sequel already!”
Sathya Siva. The first kid to read my book. Thank you for giving me the best compliment possible: that you couldn’t put it down. Nothing could have been more encouraging.
My “Coyote” People: Janet Kessler and her Coyote Yipps blog inspire me every day, bringing the lives of urban coyotes alive in stunning detail; Dan Straker and Greg Hart of the Stanley Park Ecology Society coordinate a co-existing with coyotes program that provided me with ample anecdotes for the story; Janelle VanderBeek at the Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C. showed me where they rehabilitate coyotes and allowed me to bring that section of the book to life; and Alessandro Massolo at the University of Calgary gave freely of his time to help me understand what coyote habitats look like, and showed me the cutest video of coyote pups I’ve ever seen.
The Dundurn team, especially Scott Fraser, who took the leap of faith because Pica and Scruff wouldn’t leave him alone. Laura Boyle and the artistic team created an absolutely perfect front cover, and Shannon Whibbs edited with a keen and careful eye.
The many members of my loving family, both in B.C. and Washington. In particular, Hannah, Mom, and Dad, my nuclear nest. Thank you for your constant and unconditional support in the form of (amongst many other things) baby-holding, hugs, coffee runs, funny cards, and late-night texts.
Seth. I couldn’t have finished this project (and had so much fun doing it) without such strong support. You wore all the hats: cheerleader, editor, critic, sounding board, coyote spotter, and tech-support master. Thank you for doing this and more with intelligence, generosity, and love.
Finally, Zoe. I finished writing this story while pregnant with you and got my publishing contract as I welcomed you into the world. This book is dedicated to you, birthed together with this project. May your imagination be rich and your heart full.
Book Credits
Acquisitions Editor: Scott Fraser
Project Editor: Jenny McWha
Editor: Shannon Whibbs
Designer: Laura Boyle
Publicist: Elham Ali
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