Page 29 of A Daddy for Christmas 2: Kitt

“Did you keep her until you went into the Army at least?”

“No. Pippi died right in front of me when I was fifteen.”

“Oh no, what happened?”

“She got excited and ran out in front of a car when she came to meet me at the bus. I held her in my arms as she bled out on the pavement. I buried her in the backyard. I wrapped her up in the blanket from my bed, and I put in all her favorite little dolls and toys. And she was wearing her black, leather collar.”

“Did you cry?”

He glanced over at me and shrugged. “Yes. I wasn’t sorry about it either—she was a good girl, and she deserved to have someone cry over her. After that, I said I’d never have another dog. It hurt too much to get close to an animal that wouldn’t live all that long anyway. It was better to just avoid the pain altogether than to go through that again. My mom said I was wrong, and that I had to take chances on love. Because love didn’t come with guarantees.”

He glanced over at me when I didn’t say anything and widened his eyes when he saw my face, because I was sitting there with tears streaming down my face for poor little Pippi and that boy who lost his little red puppy and was afraid to love again. I knew it was a long time ago, but damn, it was a sad story.

“Kitt, don’t cry. What’s the matter, baby?” he asked me, his voice full of concern, and it only made me cry harder.

I waved my hand and wiped my eyes, embarrassed and hoping he wouldn’t think I was a “wuss” like my father used to call me. “Nothing. It’s just sad. But don’t say Pippi was a pain in the ass. Please. I know you don’t mean that. You loved her.”

“I know. Of course I loved her. I shouldn’t have said that. Stop crying. You’re right. I didn’t really mean it, and it was a long time ago.”

“But you really never got another dog? That’s so sad. I wish I could get you one someday.”

“I don’t need a dog, but once you get all this mess straightened out with the cops, maybe we can get you one.”

“Jazz won’t let me have it.”

“It won’t be up to Jazz. It’ll be up to you by then and no one else if you want a dog.”

I looked over at him so fast I almost got whiplash. “But he’s in charge of me and what if he says no? He’s my guardian and he won’t let me stay by myself.”

“I’d like to help you with that. You’ll be over legal age soon, and as soon as I can, I intend to help you fix this fucked-up guardian situation. It’s not right.”

“But why?”

“Because I care about you. I thought I made that pretty clear last night. We’ll get you a good lawyer. You can get out of Georgia if you have to. Out of the country, if it’s necessary. Now blow your nose and don’t wipe it on your sleeve—there are tissues in the glove compartment.”

“Okay.”

“Does…does this mean you’ll be taking care of me?”

“I…let’s wait and see about that, Kitt. We’ve just met, and so far things have been rocky between us. But I’d like to get to know you better. Much better. Now be a good boy and get some rest. We have a long way to go today, and I’d like to get as far as we can. Maybe Arkansas, if we make good time.”

“It’s getting pretty close to Christmas. There might be a lot of traffic.” I stared out the window and then sneaked a glance over at him. I was trembling a little. He hadn’t said no when I asked him if he’d take care of me. Not exactly, anyway. That must be a good sign.

“I guess you have big plans for Christmas.”

“Not really. I don’t have any close family left. My boss’s family has invited me over for dinner Christmas day, if I decide I want to go. You’d like them, I think.”

“I-I would? Me? Am I going?”

“If you can go, I’d like to take you. They won’t mind if I bring you. They have a huge place, and they always cook way too much food.”

I sat back in my seat and didn’t think about what he just said. It was too much to hold in my head.

Still, I wanted to clarify what I thought I’d heard.

“So, are you saying that you would take me…because …why exactly?”

He glanced over at me. “I don’t like the idea of you spending Christmas alone or with people who aren’t nice to you.”

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