Page 121 of Wag More Bark Less

I lifted the pup and set her in the back seat, closing the door as she yipped and cried. Fuck me, I wasn’t strong enough for this.

Maggie looked at me through her open window, swiping at tears. I almost leaned in to kiss her goodbye. But where would that leave us?

“Drive safe, Maggie.” I clapped the top of her SUV and shuffled backward in my driveway. I waited until she put her car into gear and drove away from my house and out of my life, taking all the sunshine with her.

FORTY-THREE

ELLIE

We’re stopping?

Oh, good!

“Ellie, you have to stay in the back.”

But we’re stopping.

What is this place?

“We need gas.”

Is Forever Dad here?

Paw, paw, paw.

Forever Mom, my window doesn’t work.

“I’ll crack it for you. But I don’t trust you not to jump out of it right now.”

Ellie Belly’s a good girl, Forever Mom.

Sniff, sniff, sniff.

No Forever Dad.

Wait.

I have his big shirt sock.

Sniff, sniff, sniff.

Here it is.

Hop.

“Ellie, that’s not the back—what is that?”

Here, Forever Mom.

Use it to Find Forever Dad.

“Did you . . . steal Luke’s Star Wars T-shirt?”

Don’t cry, Forever Mom.

We can use the big sock to find Forever Dad.

It smells just like him.