{"id":3068,"date":"2020-12-03T19:15:48","date_gmt":"2020-12-03T23:15:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.otownmedia.com\/blog\/after-breakfast-copy\/"},"modified":"2024-06-16T10:43:52","modified_gmt":"2024-06-16T14:43:52","slug":"cfafc","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.otownmedia.com\/blog\/cfafc\/","title":{"rendered":"
C-F-A-F-C or A Promise to Misty<\/div>"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Misty,<\/p>\n

When the one you love goes missing and it\u2019s all your fault, how do you make amends?<\/h4>\n

An Eddy and McClure Story<\/em><\/p>\n

\n
\n

Nancy McClure carefully fingered an A chord on her guitar. Three fingers, one on each of three strings, second, third and fourth. She strummed. \u201cNot bad for a rank beginner,\u201d she thought. It wasn\u2019t \u201cher\u201d guitar, really. It was her brother Doug\u2019s. But he had lost interest last year in favor of the swim team and the guitar ended up in the back of his closet. <\/span><\/p>\n

Nancy had rousted it out last week in a fit of boredom. Now she sat cross-legged on the floor of her bedroom, guitar propped up on her lap. She\u2019d mastered four of the twelve Beginner Guitar Chords according to onlinemusicschool.com and was going for numbers five and six.<\/p>\n

Fingering a C chord, she began strumming first the C and then the F.<\/p>\n

\u201cOooooo!\u201d she sang out. \u201cWhat a beau-ti-ful daaay!\u201d<\/p>\n

Mischief, the beagle, was dozing alongside. At the sound of Nancy\u2019s voice, she lifted her head and yowled. \u201cAuuuwooo!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOooooo! That\u2019s all I have to saaaay!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAuuuwooo!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, common, Misty!\u201d Nancy glared at her musical partner. \u201cThis is a solo, not a duet!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAuuu-Auuuu-wooo-oooo!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, okay. You win. This time only. Come on let\u2019s go outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Nancy could put the guitar aside and jump up, Misty was already down the stairs, and waiting at the back door. She wrestled the beagle into her new harness of bright pink felt with green trim and affixed the leash. All the while, Misty was jumping up on her and barking with excitement.<\/p>\n

Off they went, Misty pulling Nancy along like a little red wagon. After about a block or so, the beagle started to calm down and trotted alongside her mistress. The yellow and reds of the fall leaves glowed in the late afternoon sun, warm on Nancy\u2019s back. Scuffing through fallen leaves, she headed up Jane Street near Lawrence Road on the way to Crawford Park.<\/p>\n

Lawrence Road was the oldest street in Crawford. The sidewalks were bumped up from the roots of old oak trees lining the street. The houses were from the 1920s and 30s with wide front porches and real shutters framing the windows. Picket fences and deep front lawns distinguished the neighborhood as were garden borders with old fashioned flowers like daffodils, lilacs, iris, and hydrangeas blooming in sequence every year. Interspersed between the old-fashioned homes were woods to give privacy and allow for future development.<\/p>\n

One of these woods was next to the house belonging to Mrs. Sackett, maker of premier chocolate chip cookies for PTA nights and one of the gossipiest women a small town could have.<\/p>\n

It was Mrs. Sackett that thought Eddie Eddy couldn\u2019t even run for dog catcher when he was trying for highway supervisor . And it was she that reminded townsfolk that the Eddy property was unkempt and that the Eddy\u2019s son Hale was \u201ca troublemaker.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nancy always tried to steer clear of Mrs. Sackett, who also was a cross walk guard at Crawford Middle School where Nancy was in the 7th grade. But this time Misty was in charge and off they went trotting down Lawrence Road.<\/p>\n

Just as they were approaching Mrs. Sackett\u2019s house, Misty spotted a squirrel loping across her lawn. Galvanized, Misty took off like a rocket ripping the lead from Nancy\u2019s hand. Tearing through Mrs. Sackett\u2019s front gate, trampling on her flower border, and barreling across the lawn, Misty set up a frenzied barking as the squirrel leapt onto a nearby tree and sat looking down, chittering in alarm. In doing so, the leash caught the hasp of Mrs. Sackett\u2019s front gate and tore it off at the hinge.<\/p>\n

Nancy stood frozen. The trail of destruction was monumental for one small dog. And Mrs. Sackett\u2019s house besides. She felt tears coming and sternly repressed them. \u201cNot now,\u201d she told herself. \u201cLater.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs. Sackett herself had been resting on the front porch, the smell of newly-baked chocolate chip cookies wafting serenely though the open windows from the kitchen. Soon as Misty entered the yard, Mrs. Sackett was up and starting down the porch steps waving her arms and shouting \u201cGet away! Go away!\u201d Waving your arms on a fairly steep set of steps is not a guarantee for keeping one\u2019s balance. And so it was with Mrs. Sackett. She toppled, waving her arms even more energetically as if to right herself, and crashed in a heap at the foot of the steps.<\/p>\n

Nancy thought she would faint. \u201cLater!\u201d she shouted to herself and ran to see if Mrs. Sackett was still alive, though she wasn\u2019t sure what she would do if Mrs. Sackett wasn\u2019t. But she was relieved to see the older woman glaring at her furiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter with you? Are you an imbecile? Your idiot dog has ruined my gate, trampled my yard and \u2013 oh, oh!\u201d The pain of falling cut Mrs. Sackett\u2019s tirade short. \u201cOh! Oh! Oh, my Lord! I\u2014I can\u2019t move! Oh!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Sackett are you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs. Sackett grimaced, a flash of her old anger masking the increasing pain, \u201cWhat do you think, you idiot! You careless, privileged, selfish, little brat! I\u2019ve held traffic for you and your snobby little school friends. Nobody ever says \u2018Hel-lo, Mrs. Sackett!\u2019 \u2018How are you Mrs. Sackett!\u2019 Nooo! Your heads always buried in your phones — Oh! Oh! Oh, my Lord! You! Brat! Do something!\u201d<\/p>\n

Trembling, Nancy thought for a moment. \u201cCan you move?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you fool! Oh, oh!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c Mrs. Sackett, I am going to call 911 and get emergency help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAhhhhhhggg.\u201d Then silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh snap! Is she dead?\u201d Nancy tapped 911 with a shaky finger. Giving her name, Mrs. Sackett\u2019s address, a description of the accident and her apparent condition. Nancy squatted by the older woman.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Sackett? Are you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Groan.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp is coming soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Groan.<\/p>\n

Nancy heard a siren in the distance. \u201cI better call Mom,\u201d she thought and dialed.<\/p>\n

\u201cMom? I\u2019m over at Mrs. Sackett\u2019s house and she\u2019s fallen down. Can you come?\u201d<\/p>\n

(Sqawking from the phone as Nancy held it away from her ear.)<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you just come, please?\u201d Pause. Moderated squawking. \u201cI love you too, Mom. Please come.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sound of the siren came closer, arriving just as Sydney McClure pulled up.<\/p>\n

The emergency crew took over. What happened? She fell down the steps. What was Mrs. Sackett\u2019s full name? Antoinette Sackett. (Really? Nancy wondered.) This was her home? Yes. 475 Lawrence Road. Her ID? Likely in the house. (Ms. Sackett gestured weakly towards the front door.) Sydney went inside, found a purse by the telephone and held it up to Mrs. Sackett. (A nod and a wince. Yes.)<\/p>\n

Sydney said to the paramedic. \u201cWhere are you headed? St. Vincent\u2019s or Southcove? I can meet you there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSouthcove,\u201d was the answer.<\/p>\n

They loaded Mrs. Sackett onto a gurney, rolled it into the back of the ambulance and took off.<\/p>\n

Nancy sat down on the porch steps, heaved a sigh, and began to sob. \u201cIt was Misty, Mom! She -she-she r-r-ran after a s-s-ssquirrel through Mrs. (gulp) Sackett\u2019s y-y-yard. She came down the s-s-steps after Misty and f-f-fell down (sniff).\u201d<\/p>\n

Nancy suddenly looked up with horror in her eyes. \u201cMOM! Misty! Where is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

After calling and calling, it became evident that the beagle was nowhere to be found.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

Mischief, aka Misty, was a proud little beagle. At 18 months she was fully grown, complete with big soulful eyes, floppy ears, a pert comma of a tail, and a mission to be the best beagle the McClure family would ever have. She might well have exceeded expectations\u2014 until today.<\/p>\n

But right now, Misty was lost. She\u2019d treed the squirrel and was feeling pretty good about that when the squirrel took off again along a branch and down the trunk of another tree further into the woods.<\/p>\n

Misty took chase crashing through barberry bushes and over rocks. She almost kept up with the squirrel who was now leaping from branch to branch over her head. After a while, even the chasing game was getting tired. It was time to go home. Misty stopped and looked around. Where was home anyway? Woods on all sides. Smells like earth, and mold and deer poo. Hmmm, did she smell a whiff of the Nancy?<\/p>\n

Misty snuffled in the fallen leaves a bit, just to make sure, lifted her head with assurance and trotted off in the opposite direction from Mrs. Sackett\u2019s house toward Route 75, the four-lane highway connecting Crawford and Sanders.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

Nancy walked tearily back home, her mother heading for Southcove Hospital. Coming through the kitchen, she saw the twins, Desi and Danny, in their underwear for some reason, wrestling on the kitchen floor. Doug was on the phone in the TV room, presumably with his best friend Hale Eddy.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, guys!!\u201d she shouted. \u201cMeeting in the kitchen right now! Emergency!\u201d<\/p>\n

Doug looked in through the kitchen door. The twins just looked bewildered. \u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d Doug asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMisty\u2019s gone missing over by Mrs. Sackett\u2019s house and we\u2019ve got to find her!\u201d Nancy started to sob again and caught herself up. The twins were watching fascinated.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa! That\u2019s serious! What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe took off after a squirrel and pulled the leash from my hand. And, and\u2026Mrs. Sackett was on her porch and fell down the steps chasing Misty. Mom\u2019s going to the hospital with her!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoly candy! You\u2019re in deep, Nan!\u201d Doug prided himself these days on clean-living expletives.<\/p>\n

The twins edged in closer as Nancy and Doug sat down at the kitchen table.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think, first off, we should have a flyer.\u201d Doug said.<\/p>\n

\u201c I can make a flyer right now.\u201d Nancy ran and got her laptop from her bedroom and opened up Word. In a few minutes she had a flyer which said:<\/p>\n

LOST DOG
\nAnswers to the name Misty or Mischief.
\nClassic beagle, 1 year old female, fully grown. Friendly. Wearing a pink and green harness and possible trailing a leash. Last seen at 475 Lawrence Road.
\nWent missing around 3:50 pm October 14.
\nPlease call cell: 678-846-3737.
\nREWARD!<\/p>\n

\u201cDoug? Do you have a good picture of Misty? She\u2019s asleep in all of mine!\u201d<\/p>\n

Doug rapidly thumbed through the photos on his phone. \u201cCheck your email!\u201d<\/p>\n

Nancy downloaded a sweet photo of Misty and added it to the flyer. \u201cPoor baby,\u201d she thought, looking at Misty\u2019s innocent face.<\/p>\n

\u201cSend me the flyer so I can email it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShould be \u2018possibly trailing a leash,\u2019 not \u2018possible\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShoot,\u201d Nancy made the change and started to print twenty copies.<\/p>\n

Doug added the flyer to emails to veterinarians in Crawford, the ASPCA, the local animal shelter and the library.<\/p>\n

When they both came up for air, Nancy looked at Doug. \u201cWhat\u2019s next?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s post the flyers on Mrs. Sackett\u2019s street and ask around her neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t leave Desi and Danny by themselves!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen we\u2019ll take them with us.\u201d Doug called out, \u201cDesi! Danny! Put your clothes on! We\u2019re going for a walk and you\u2019ve got to come, too!\u201d<\/p>\n

Flyers, tape and a staple gun in hand, Doug and Nancy with Desi and Danny in tow started their search for Misty.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

When Jane Gardner got a call from Southcove Hospital that her sister Antoinette Sackett had an accident and would be there overnight, she decided to drive to Crawford right away and get to the hospital first thing Saturday morning. \u201cThe old bat,\u201d Jane muttered to herself. Then she shrugged mentally. \u201cOh, well. It was bound to happen one of these days. To her or to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jane was Mrs. Sackett\u2019s older sister by five years. Unmarried, she kept house for herself in Lexington up north. Her sister visited maybe twice a year once at Christmas and once for her birthday, though neither ever ended up being a happy occasion. This past year they hadn\u2019t seen each other at all.<\/p>\n

So it had been a while since Jane traveled to Crawford and the construction on Route 75 had her confused. Stopping for gas just outside of town, she asked the attendant, \u201cDo I take 75 all the way into Crawford or is there a shorter way?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere ya goin\u2019 in Crawferd?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLawrence Road.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. The old pert a town. Take 75 to Grand Ave and follow Grand to Jane Street\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHah! Street\u2019s named after me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind. Grand to Jane\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026and Lawrence is off a Jane.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks!\u201d<\/p>\n

Jane Gardner got into her Subaru Forester and headed back out on the highway.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

Around 5:30, Sanford\u2019s phone buzzed as he drove home from work. It was Sydney.<\/p>\n

\u201cSanford, would you fix some dinner for the kids? I\u2019m at Southcove hospital. Mrs. Sackett has had an accident at her house and I happened along to help out.\u201d He stopped for a red light and texted a thumbs up. At the corner of Bank and Broad, at the new stop light, his phone buzzed. It was Sydney. \u201cThere\u2019s frozen burgers and leftover mac and cheese. And, would you make a salad?\u201d He texted a thumbs up.<\/p>\n

Pulling into the driveway, he observed the house ablaze with lights. The kitchen door was unlocked. \u201cDoug! Nancy!\u201d he called coming into the kitchen. No answer. \u201cDanny! Desi! I\u2019m not playing! Come out wherever you are!\u201d Nothing.<\/p>\n

Then he noticed a note on the kitchen table. \u201cDad, we went to look for Misty at Mrs. Sackett\u2019s house. Love, Doug, Nancy, Desi, Danny\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA note? Since when do kids leaves notes? They couldn\u2019t text me?\u201d Sanford thought for a moment. \u201cBetter go see what they are up to.\u201d He picked up the pencil and scribbled at the bottom of the note: \u201cSydney, went to get the kids. They are off to find Misty(?) \u2014Sanford\u201d Then he looked up Sackett online, got the address, grabbed his keys, locked the kitchen door, and headed for 475 Lawrence Road.<\/p>\n

The first indication that Misty was truly missing was the flyers with the headline LOST DOG that started appearing along Jane Street. Sanford followed the flyers to Lawrence Road and right up to Mrs. Sackett\u2019s house. And there were Desi and Danny chasing each other on Mrs. Sackett\u2019s front lawn. Doug and Nancy were in deep conversation pointing this way and that. They saw the Jeep drive up and ran to the car.<\/p>\n

\u201cDad! Misty\u2019s lost and Doug and I put up flyers everywhere and I want to search the woods next to her house, but Doug\u2014\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cDad, we need more flyers and it\u2019s going to get dark and we can\u2019t track Misty in the dark and Nan wants to try anyway and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Desi and Danny ran up. \u201cDaddy! Daddy! Misty\u2019s missing! We can\u2019t find her!\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanford took a deep breath. \u201cOkay! Okay. Everybody take a deep breath.\u201d Sanford took another deep breath himself. \u201cThat\u2019s better. Doug\u2019s right. It\u2019s starting to get dark and it will be even darker in the woods. And the flyers\u2013you did the flyers, Nan, right? I thought so. They\u2019re great. But we\u2019re going to need more. And\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The kids stood silent sensing there was going to be more. There was always more.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026and, tell you what,\u201d Sanford spoke thoughtfully. \u201cLet\u2019s leave some water for Misty in case she finds her was back here.\u201d At Nancy\u2019s amazed look, he said, \u201cThey do you know.\u201d Resuming his thought, he said, \u201cWe\u2019ll go have some dinner at the Crawford Diner and make a plan. Then head home and print more flyers.\u201d To himself he added, \u201cAnd I\u2019ll call the police department, just in case they find something along the road\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The twins were ecstatic to eat out on a weeknight, even if it was Friday. Nancy was very quiet. Doug nodded looking around Mrs. Sackett\u2019s yard for a bowl for water. He found an overturned flowerpot with no holes in the bottom, filled it at the spigot, and put it near the tree where Misty had chased the squirrel.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan we have milkshakes, Dad?\u201d Desi asked. Danny added, \u201cAnd fries?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet in the car and we\u2019ll see.\u201d Sanford smiled. \u201cThe little ones move on,\u201d he thought. \u201cThe big ones have already learned to worry.\u201d<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

Sydney McClure got back home about 7:00 that night.<\/p>\n

In the interim, she had learned a lot about Mrs. Antoinette Gardner Sackett, including the fact that she had a son out west and sister up north. Jane Gardner was a \u201cspinster\u201d \u2013 as Mrs. Sackett called her. The hospital called Miss Jane and confirmed that she could stay with her sister when Mrs. Sackett was released. \u201cShe used to be a nurse,\u201d grumbled Mrs. Sackett. \u201cGot lazy and retired. Humph.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sydney stayed with her helping with the admitting forms and keeping her company waiting for the x-ray. Then she was banished to the waiting room to wait by herself until the doctor came out to say that because Mrs. Sackett had apparently hit her head on the way down the stairs and bruised a rib, she would be spending the night in the hospital for observation.<\/p>\n

Mrs. Sackett\u2019s fall had not changed her crabbiness one bit. Sydney was hard pressed not to call her up short for all the grief she gave everyone \u2014 the paramedics, admittance staff, the emergency doctor, nurses, x-ray technicians \u2013 even the housekeeper who came to empty the waste basket. What finally did slow her down was the generous dose of acetaminophen and ibuprofen.<\/p>\n

When Sydney pulled into the driveway she saw lights were on all over the house. \u201cThe place is ablaze,\u201d she thought. Unlocking the door, she called out, \u201cHey everyone, I\u2019m home! Mrs. Sackett\u2019s okay!\u201d No answer. No movement. No nothing. \u201cHey, guys?\u201d Sydney looked around the kitchen and saw the note on the table. \u201c\u2026Misty\u2026Mrs. Sackett\u2019s house\u2026\u201d she murmured reading the kids message. Then Sanford\u2019s addition about getting the kids. \u201cWriting notes?\u201d she said out loud, \u201cWhat year is this anyway?\u201d Fumbling for her phone, she saw the battery was down to nothing. \u201cGreat.\u201d she thought, putting the phone on the charger in the kitchen.<\/p>\n

Grumpy, she went into the TV room and flopped on the couch to wait.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

Misty was hungry and thirsty. Where were the people that put out food and water for her? She tramped on through the woods looking for a path that would surely lead her back to her people. She trotted further away from Mrs. Sackett\u2019s house and deeper into the evening dusk.<\/p>\n

She came to a road she vaguely recognized but at this point was too hungry and thirsty and just a little scared to make much of it. So, she crossed Jane Street and followed it up towards Grand and the Route 75 interchange, leash dangling along behind her.<\/p>\n

Along came a car flashing high beams in her eyes. She stopped and barked. Were these the people? The car passed. Another car came by. Misty barked. These were the people. She was sure of it. After the car passed it pulled over and came to a stop. A people got out and crouched on the ground next to the open car door.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, boy! What are you doing out late dragging a leash like you ran away. Are you okay? Come here to Mama and let me look at you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Misty didn\u2019t recognize that people\u2019s voice. It wasn\u2019t the Doug or the Nancy or the big people. But it was a kind voice and Misty was tired and hungry. She trotted to the people and allowed herself to be stroked and petted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a pretty boy \u2013 oops, girl \u2013 you are! Where do you live? Where are your tags?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mistry liked the people\u2019s voice, so when the people opened car door, she jumped in.<\/p>\n

Jane Gardner got behind the wheel. \u201cWelcome to Crawford,\u201d she thought. \u201cAction-packed from the getgo.\u201d She drove down Jane Street looking for Lawrence. Unfortunately, it was too dark to see Nancy\u2019s LOST DOG flyers.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

Ranged around the table at the diner, the kids showed that adversity didn\u2019t affect appetites particularly. All except Nancy who was still quiet and withdrawn.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay!\u201d Sanford called the group to order. Let\u2019s plan what to do next. Ideas?\u201d<\/p>\n

Doug looked up from his phone. \u201cIt says here that you can institute a ground search by dividing up the area into a grid and searching each section with a partner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat could work. Doug and Nan can be one pair, Sydney and Danny, Desi and I can be the other pairs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow big an area is behind Mrs. Sackett\u2019s house, anyway?\u201d Nancy wondered.<\/p>\n

Sanford entered \u201c475 Lawrence Road\u201d into his phone and set it to satellite. \u201cHo, ho! The \u201cwoods\u201d behind her house goes along Jane Street all the way back to Grand Avenue. With Crawford Lake on the other side of Jane, that\u2019s a big area! I never realized that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nancy started to tear up. \u201cWe\u2019ll never find her. It\u2019s all my fault,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

Just then the check came and the twins were getting squirmy, so Sanford herded them all into the Jeep and headed home.<\/p>\n

They piled in through the kitchen door to meet with a furious Sydney standing in the middle of the kitchen, hands on hips, and fire in her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo here you are! Leaving half-baked notes on the kitchen table. Not even bothering to check in with me. Where were you? Why were you gone so long? What\u2019s going on?\u201d She paused for breath then added sarcastically, \u201cAnd thanks for including me in your plans, by the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone stopped in their tracks. Then started all talking at once. \u201cWe were at the diner and had fries!\u201d \u201cWe have a search plan for finding Misty. Can you help?\u201d \u201cSydney, I\u2019m sorry, there was a lot going on. How\u2019s Mrs. Sackett?\u201d Everyone that is except Nancy who ran up to her room and shut the door.<\/p>\n

Mollified, Sydney listened to the search plan and agreed to help out the next morning. \u201cNancy better print extra flyers. I\u2019ll bring them to the supermarket,\u201d Sanford looked around for Nancy. He found her in her bedroom flat out on her stomach on the bed. Shoulders shaking.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, baby, don\u2019t take this so hard. Things will work out.\u201d he said sitting by her side.<\/p>\n

Nancy rolled over, her tear-stained face and red eyes looking so woeful. \u201cOh, Dad! I\u2019m so glad you are here! I\u2019ve lost Misty and likely killed Mrs. Sackett. I feel so awful and scared\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanford gathered her up into his lap just like he used to do when she was small. \u201cNan, Nan,\u201d he said. \u201cYour mom is back from the hospital and Mrs. Sackett will be all right. What we need to do is get up early tomorrow morning and start the ground search Doug suggested. Go wash your face and hands. Can you print some more flyers tonight?<\/p>\n

Nancy sniffled and made a small smile. \u201cYea. I can do that, Dad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. Now wash your face. I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

Arriving at 475 Lawrence Road, Jane let Misty out of the car and began looking for the flowerpot her sister always used for the hide-a-key. The front gate was askew and the flower border looked dug up. \u201cWonder what she was up to?\u201d Jane thought. \u201cLet\u2019s find that key to the house.\u201d Be sheer luck in the darkened yard she found the key box near the faucet, but the flowerpot wasn\u2019t around. Letting herself in through the kitchen door, she flicked on the lights and saw two dozen chocolate chip cookies on the cooling rack. \u201cMmmm,\u201d she thought helping herself. \u201cIf there\u2019s one thing I envy Antoinette for is her baking.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a scrabbling sound at the back door and there was the dog, tail going like a windshield wiper on high. \u201cCome on inside, little one. I\u2019ll bet you are hungry. We need to find you some dog food.\u201d Jane dug her phone out of her purse and located herself on the map and searched \u201cNearby Groceries.\u201d There was a Safeway about a mile down Grand. \u201cOkay, doggie-dear. Back in the car. We\u2019re going to get you some dinner!\u201d Scooping up Misty\u2019s leash she headed back out to the car.<\/p>\n

Misty liked this new people very much. When Jane\u2019s car pulled into Mrs. Sackett\u2019s driveway and let her out, Misty was thrilled. She knew she\u2019d been here before with the Nancy. So naturally, they would find her and she could go home. Yay! While Jane looked for the hide-a-key, Misty bounded around the car following her own trail to the foot of the tree \u2014 wow! there was a bowl of water! Yay! And the scent of the Doug! She barked ecstatically.<\/p>\n

The new people were in the house. Maybe she was home already! Misty dashed to the back door and entered Mrs. Sackett\u2019s kitchen.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

With everyone back home, except for Misty, of course, Sydney discovered that she was very hungry. She heated up the leftover mac and cheese and made herself some dinner. Wandering into the TV room with her food, she stretched out on the couch. Sanford was there alone and was on the phone. He looked towards her and put a finger to his lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. About 18 pounds. Wearing a harness. Yes, there are flyers around the neighborhood where she got lost. Okay. I appreciate it. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sydney gave Sanford a questioning look. \u201cThe highway department,\u201d he said quietly gesturing with his eyes to the rest of the house where the kids might be.<\/p>\n

\u201cOhhhh.\u201d Sydney took a deep breath. \u201cOh, Sanford.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt may not come to that, Syd. But I wanted to alert the police just in case.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sydney curled up next to Sanford. As Sanford put his arm around her, she said, \u201cI hope for everyone\u2019s sake, that never happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

They stayed quiet for a while.<\/p>\n

\u201cMom? Dad? Can I come in and be with you?\u201d It was Nancy, still a little tear stained holding another two dozen flyers.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, baby, come here next to me and we\u2019ll snuggle up to Daddy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three of them sat quiet.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, guys! I was looking for you.\u201d Doug came in and sat next to his dad. \u201cKinda lonesome without Misty around.\u201d At Nancy\u2019s sniff, he quickly said, \u201cBut that\u2019s all gonna change tomorrow, right Dad?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Doug.\u201d Sanford looked up, \u201cWell look who\u2019s here!\u201d Danny and Desi in their pajamas came over to the couch and stood looking at everyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe made a sign for Misty,\u201d Danny said. \u201cI colored it!\u201d Desi added.<\/p>\n

They held up a hand drawn picture of what looked remarkably like Misty done in crayon and magic marker on notebook paper. \u201cHelp Find Our Dog\u201d it said.<\/p>\n

Nancy sat up. \u201cThat\u2019s amazing guys!\u201d Sidney opened her arms to the twins who crawled onto the couch for a hug.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess we all miss Misty.\u201d Doug looked at his fellow McClures almost as if it was the first time. \u201cDad!\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019re sleeping!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh? What?\u201d Sanford came out of a doze with a jerk.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe it\u2019s time for all of us to go to bed.\u201d Sydney said. \u201c Come on twins, bedtime, I\u2019ll tuck you in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTuck me in, too, Mom?\u201d Nancy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure sweetie. Come on along.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doug and Sanford sat in silence for a while.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess it\u2019s just you and me, Dad,\u201d Doug finally said. \u201cDad? Maybe it\u2019s time for you to go to bed!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh? What?\u201d Sanford came out of a doze with a jerk.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

Mrs. Sackett was having the time of her life. Pain free from the acetaminophen and ibuprofen, with dinner on a tray and multiple people to harass, she now lay watching the TV her hospital roommate had ordered. \u201cWheel of Fortune! Hrrumph! Stupid show,\u201d she thought, watching avidly. \u201cBuy an \u201ca\u201d you nincompoop! The word is Halloween!\u201d<\/p>\n

Soon she began to feel extraordinarily sleepy. Her eyelids started to droop and her breathing became very slow. She opened her eyes one more time and there at the foot of her bed was Henry Sackett. \u201cHenry! What the deuce are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Henry Sackett came around the bed and took the chair by her side. \u201cCame to see you, Toni-girl. Make sure you are all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHenry Sackett! You are dead! You\u2019ve been dead for the last 15 years. What do you care if I\u2019m all right or not. You sure didn\u2019t when you were alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Toni. You\u2019ve always had a trigger temper. Maybe this time you got what you deserved. Scaring that little girl. And chasing off her dog. You gotta calm down in life. Take it from me. I wasn\u2019t the nicest guy on the block and now I wish I\u2019d tried harder to mend my ways.\u201d Henry took Mrs. Sackett\u2019s hand and stroked it softly.<\/p>\n

The touch of gentleness warmed her hardened heart in a way she would have never thought possible. It has been too long since anyone showed her unconditional kindness. She had borrowed into her own bad temper as a defense. She knew it was just a defense. Henry\u2019s touch brought it all to the fore.<\/p>\n

\u201cHenny, maybe we didn\u2019t try hard enough to be good to each other. Bickered a lot. You drank. I was a crank\u2014\u201d She laughed. \u201cMade a rhyme, Henny.\u201d They smiled at each other for the first time in more than 15 years.\u201d Still smiling, Mrs. Sackett fell asleep.<\/p>\n

It was morning when she woke up and there was her sister Jane standing at the foot of her bed.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Bout time you got here,\u201d she groused.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m here now,\u201d Jane replied. \u201cHow are you, Toni? What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI tripped and fell down the porch stairs chasing a dog that tore up my flower bed and broke my front gate.\u201d Mrs. Sackett started to boil all over again. \u201cHe was on a leash and the little girl just let him go! Now I\u2019m laid up and I don\u2019t know what\u2019s going on.\u201d She added, \u201cHenny was just here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jane blinked. \u201cOh, really?\u201d she said slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. After all these years. He actually said he was not the best husband in the world. Held my hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jane swallowed. Henry Sackett had been a lout at 15 years old and dead for as long. Her sister was hallucinating \u2013 the drugs or maybe a concussion? She decided to go with it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad he made amends, Toni.\u201d Jane chose her words carefully. In her experience anything could set her sister off and it would be war from that moment on. \u201cAnd I\u2019m here to give you a ride back home. Keep you company for a while til you get back to your routine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s nice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNice?\u201d Jane thought. \u201cMaybe Henny really was here and made up with Toni.\u201d She determined to not let Mrs. Sackett get \u201cher goat\u201d like they used to say.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

While Jane Gardner was at the hospital getting Mrs. Sackett, the McClure family with the addition of Hale Eddy, Doug\u2019s best friend and Hale\u2019s brother Palmer, who was in the same grade as Nancy, were starting out for Mrs. Sackett\u2019s house to search for Misty.<\/p>\n

\u201cEver done a ground search before?\u201d Doug asked Hale and they walked along.<\/p>\n

\u201cNope.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe split up into groups of two and each take a section of the woods behind Mrs. Sackett\u2019s house and look for clues.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of clues, dog poop?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe. Or scuffed leaves, scratches. Maybe her leash left behind. Like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds iffy. Wanna go to the DD\u2019s over on Grand after this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm. Sure. If it\u2019s okay with the search party. After all, we\u2019re here to find Misty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nancy was walking with Palmer. \u201cSo, when we find evidence in our section that Misty has been there, we text everyone and we stay put until they get to where we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got Family Sharing on your phones?\u201d Palmer asked. \u201cThey\u2019ll find you faster that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea. Mom!\u201d Nancy called to Sydney walking with Sanford and Danny and Desi. \u201cLet\u2019s all connect on our phones so we can find each other!\u201d<\/p>\n

The kids and adults stopped in a clump to connect their phone\u2019s location with each other. The resulting GPS map showed all their photo icons clustered on lower Jane Street.<\/p>\n

Sydney and Sanford walked along with Desi and Danny. \u201cWhat\u2019s a ground search, Mom?\u201d Desi asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to spread out in the woods behind Mrs. Sackett\u2019s house and look for Misty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThink she\u2019s still there, Mom?\u201d Danny looked worried.<\/p>\n

Sydney repressed a sigh. \u201cI think so, Danny. I hope so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou guys stay with Mommy and me,\u201d Sanford looked at the twins. \u201cLet\u2019s hold hands so we don\u2019t get lost as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arriving at Mrs. Sackett\u2019s house, the three teams spread out and entered the woods. They called to each other as they went along, but as the woods got wider and thicker, they soon lost sight of each other. The GPS location sharing kept them in touch with each other.<\/p>\n

Nancy and Palmer had the outer edge of the woods nearest to Mrs. Sackett\u2019s house. \u201cHere\u2019s where Misty treed the squirrel.\u201d She pointed to the maple now in brilliant fall color.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere did she go from there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. That\u2019s when Mrs. Sackett fell down the stairs. I wish I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doug and Hale tramped through the woods. It was more like a hike than a search. \u201cSlow down, Hale! We have to look around!\u201d \u201cOh, yeah, right.\u201d They surveyed the area. Everything looked like a woods. Leaves, twigs, rocks, trees.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d Hale pointed to a twig with a bright pink piece of fluff attached to it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa! This could be from Misty\u2019s harness!\u201d Doug knelt by the twig. \u201cI\u2019d say it definitely is from Misty\u2019s harness. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cSee where we are on your phone. Who else is nearby?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Dad and Mom and the twins. I\u2019ll call Dad.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanford answered his phone. \u201cYes, Doug?\u2019 He listened. \u201cInteresting. I\u2019ll be right there. Stay put.\u201d Turning to Sydney, \u201cDoug says he found some fluff from Misty\u2019s harness. Can you manage with the twins while I check it out?\u201d<\/p>\n

At Sydney\u2019s nod, he started off following the map on his phone towards the dot where Doug was.<\/p>\n

Sydney watched Sanford disappear into the brush. \u201cOkay, my dears, Take my hand. Let\u2019s see if we can find Misty.\u201d With a Danny on one side and Desi on the other, they walked together through the woodland. Sydney looked for signs of a dog. The twins looked at everything.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that sound, Mom?\u201d \u201cA woodpecker.\u201d Giggles. \u201cA wood pecker?\u201d Giggles. \u201cWhat\u2019s that, Mom?\u201d \u201cWhat?\u201d \u201cThat pile of pebbles.\u201d \u201cDesi, that\u2019s deer poo \u2013 Danny, don\u2019t touch it!\u201d \u201cMom, are we going to find Misty?\u201d \u201cI hope so.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sydney and the twins reached the upper end of the woods on Grand Street way before everyone else. \u201cI\u2019m going to ping your father and tell him we are going to walk back home.\u201d They started down Jane Street. The sidewalk faced traffic so as they walked back they didn\u2019t see the Jane\u2019s tire tracks from last night and the doggy paw prints in the soft earth on the other side of the street.<\/p>\n

With Sanford along, Doug and Hale didn\u2019t find any more fluff, but the location of the fluff they did find showed Misty was headed up towards Grand Street. As they exited the woods on Grand, Hale said to Sanford, \u201cI\u2019m headed for DDs, can Doug come?\u201d \u201cAll right. Doug, get home by one o\u2019clock, you have Saturday chores.\u201d Sanford crossed Jane Street with the boys. They headed for DDs and Sanford started down Jane along the shoulder.<\/p>\n

About 100 yards along, he saw tire tracks on the shoulder. He almost walked past but something made him take a closer look. That\u2019s when he saw the paw prints and how they stopped next to the tire tracks.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone picked up Misty!\u201d It wasn\u2019t much to go on, a piece of fluff, some paw prints, and tire tracks, but somehow he was sure of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow what am I going to tell everyone,\u201d he thought.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

After they searched their part of the woods as best they could, Nancy wanted to look around Mrs. Sackett\u2019s yard to see if maybe Misty had gone another way. \u201cJust to check and be sure,\u201d she said to Palmer. So, they retraced their steps back to Mrs. Sackett\u2019s house.<\/p>\n

They stood and looked at the house. \u201cLet\u2019s circle the house and back to the tree.\u201d Palmer followed her as she walked toward the back yard near the garage. \u201cDo you hear something?\u201d he said. Nancy listened. \u201cIt\u2019s very faint,\u201d he said. She shook her head. \u201cDoesn\u2019t sound like a dog barking to you?\u201d She listened again. \u201cNo. I think you\u2019re hearing things and it\u2019s not nice to tease.\u201d Palmer shrugged. \u201cI wasn\u2019t teasing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Misty spied the Nancy and another people from the front window. There they are! There are my people! Misty barked and barked, but the Nancy and another people kept on walking. Misty stood paws on the sill and watched them walk away until she couldn\u2019t see them anymore. Jumping down from the window, she flopped down resting her head on her paws, soft beagle eyes staring sadly. Surely the people would come for her soon.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

Mrs. Sackett didn\u2019t get discharged from Southcove Hospital until 4pm. It had been a long afternoon. First there was lunch to be eaten at 12:30. \u201cWhat is this?\u201d \u201cRice pudding.\u201d \u201cUgh! Looks like rabbit puke!\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s what rabbit puke looks like, I didn\u2019t know.\u201d \u201cYou don\u2019t know anything, Jane, and that\u2019s a fact.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then the wait for the doctor\u2019s final visit. \u201cWhat time is it?\u201d \u201cQuarter of two.\u201d \u201cWell, where is he? I want to go home!\u201d \u201cHe\u2019ll be along. He\u2019s got other patients to see.\u201d \u201cGo see what\u2019s keeping him.\u201d \u201cToni, I will not \u2018go see what\u2019s keeping him\u2019. He\u2019ll be here when he gets here.\u201d<\/p>\n

The discharge nurse briskly entered Mrs. Sackett\u2019s room around 3:15. \u201cWhere the hell have you been?\u201d \u201cExcuse me, you\u2019re Mrs. Antoinette Sackett?\u201d \u201cHurrumph!\u201d \u201cYes, she is. I\u2019m her sister. How can I help?\u201d<\/p>\n

By that time, it was all Jane could do to keep her own temper in check.<\/p>\n

The nurse consistently addressed Jane with her questions thereby infuriating Mrs. Sackett to the point of apoplexy.<\/p>\n

Nurse: Where will she go? With you?<\/p>\n

Mrs. S: Of course not. She lives miles away. I want to go home.<\/p>\n

Jane: I\u2019ll stay with her at her house until she\u2019s feeling better.<\/p>\n

Mrs. S: I feel fine!<\/p>\n

Nurse: Where is her home?<\/p>\n

Mrs. S: It\u2019s my home! 375 Lawrence Road. In Crawford. And don\u2019t talk over my head!<\/p>\n

Jane: It\u2019s 475 Lawrence Road.<\/p>\n

Mrs. S: That\u2019s what I meant!<\/p>\n

Nurse: (unperturbed) Here\u2019s a list of precautions she should follow. No stairs for two or three days. A prescription for pain relief. Take two times a day as needed. She needs plenty of rest. No strenuous activity \u2013 cleaning, cooking. No bending over to pick up something or reaching for something overhead.<\/p>\n

Mrs. S: You done? Cause I\u2019m ready to get out of here.<\/p>\n

Jane: Got it.<\/p>\n

Nurse: If she\u2019s dizzy or disoriented, is nauseous, or gets overly excited, check with her doctor. If she becomes unconscious, call 911.<\/p>\n

Mrs. S: What the hell do you think is wrong with me? Am I on my deathbed?<\/p>\n

Jane: Now, Toni\u2026 (to nurse) Thank you. I\u2019m glad I have nursing experience.<\/p>\n

The nurse gave Jane a speaking look of pity, gave Mrs. Sackett the papers to sign and got her into wheelchair.<\/p>\n

On the way home, Jane asked, \u201cToni, how are you really feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

Antoinette Sackett looked over at her sister. A tear glistened in the corner of her eye. \u201cI feel pretty terrible,\u201d she said slowly. \u201cRight now, I\u2019m feeling pretty terrible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be home soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

When they pulled into the driveway, Jane motioned for Mrs. Sackett to stay in the car while she unlocked the kitchen door.<\/p>\n

From the window of the kitchen, Misty saw the car pull into the driveway. The people are here! They\u2019ve some to take me home! She bounced across the kitchen floor and waited impatiently at the door. Oh, boy, oh, boy, oh, boy! Now I get to go home! Yay!<\/p>\n

When Jane opened the kitchen door, Misty bounded out barking joyously. Jumping up and down like a pogo stick, she greeted Jane and tore towards the car, ready to jump in.<\/p>\n

Mrs. Sackett was trying to stay awake. The pain killers and excitement were taking their toll. But when she saw that self-same dog that got her into this mess come charging out of her very own house, she completely lost her temper. Jumping out of the car she went after Misty. \u201cGet away, you vile dog! You are the cause of all this! Shoo! Shoo!\u201d<\/p>\n

Misty took off for the woods and Mrs. Sackett felt the blood rushing from her head. She took a step, swayed, and toppled to the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cCripey!\u201d Jane thought. \u201cHere we go again.\u201d She ran down the steps stripping off her sweater as she went and wadded it up to put under Mrs. Scakett\u2019s head. Soon Mrs. Sackett was stretched out son the ground, with her legs lifted to get blood flow back up to her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cToni? Toni? Can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs. Sackett moved slightly and opened her eyes. \u201cWhat just happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got up too quickly and did a faint. Rest here for a minute and we\u2019ll get up slowly and get into the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

For once Toni Sackett did not argue or fight back. She sighed and rested her head on Jane\u2019s arm. \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n

It took Jane about forty minutes to get Mrs. Sackett up and into the house, into comfy clothes and sipping homemade hot soup which she found in the fridge.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are a good cook, Toni,\u201d Jane said. \u201cAnd baker. I snitched a couple of your chocolate chip cookies and they are stellar.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs. Sackett looked up from her soup and said nothing. Jane kept up the small talk lighting on a topic that she thought would help her sister get over the whole \u201cdog\u201d thing.<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember Moxley? Our dachshund? I was just thinking about her. Those little legs that would go so fast they were a blur.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, my. I had forgotten all about her. Moxley. How did we come up with that name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were living in Knoxville, remember? And there was this mountain folk tale about little creatures \u2013 I\u2019ll bet they were shrews \u2013 that they called moxleys. They would scamper about under the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right! And Moxley was always burrowing under the crawlway to get at them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDachshunds are like that. Moxley used to dig up the garden, too. Remember?\u201d Jane bit her tongue mentioning digging up the garden. Would Toni got ballistic again about the little beagle that tore up hers?<\/p>\n

But Mrs. Sackett didn\u2019t make the connection thankfully. \u201cShe was a stubborn little dog. Only came when it suited her. And picky with food!\u201d She thought for a moment. \u201cI loved her, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow old were you when we had Moxley, Ton?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019d say twelve or thirteen. Maybe twelve. Moxley was my best friend at the time. Funny how I\u2019d forgotten all about her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I was seventeen or eighteen, then. Before we moved from Knoxville.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess,\u201d Mrs. Sackett yawned and then yawned again. \u201cJane?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you help me go to bed, now? I\u2019m fearsome sleepy.\u201d<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

A half hour later Jane stood at the back door looking out at the night. \u201cWhere oh where is that little dog now?\u201d she thought. Then she heard a little whimper. \u201cIs that you, little lady? Come on up here on the porch. I\u2019ll get you some dinner. Then let\u2019s think about what we are going to do with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Misty crawled up the steps and looked up at Jane tail wagging like an old fan in a hot hotel. When Jane returned with her dinner, she perked up a bit but didn\u2019t eat as much as she could have.<\/p>\n

This is a nice a people. The other people is not nice. I want to go home. Misty put her paws on Jane\u2019s knee, then laid her chin on her knee.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, girly-girl. Who are you?\u201d Jane had picked up Misty\u2019s harness on the way out with the idea that they would go for a walk while she considered what to do. The dog couldn\u2019t be inside with her sister that was for sure. But it was getting chilly at night and it was not right to leave a dog outdoors in the strange place or anywhere for that matter. She settled on a solution of a blanket and chair on the porch.<\/p>\n

As Jane helped Misty step into her harness, she caught sight for the first time of the name and phone number inscribed on the clasp across the back. \u201cOh-ho! So your name is Mischief, is it? Well, that sure fits, little Miss Mischief!\u201d<\/p>\n

At the sound of her name, Misty barked. \u201cShhhh!\u201d Jane shook her head. \u201cDon\u2019t get into any more mischief today, okay? I\u2019ll call this number tomorrow and hopefully you can go home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harness on, the tall gray-haired woman and the little brown and white dog with a bright pink harness started up Lawrence Road toward Grand.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

Sydney McClure looked in at the twins, who were already fast asleep. \u201cUnless they are pretending again,\u201d she thought. \u201c Danny\u2026Desi\u2026\u201d She spoke softly. No response. \u201cOkay, you\u2019re asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

She passed by Doug\u2019s room hearing that he was on the phone. \u201cHale, most likely.\u201d<\/p>\n

She came to Nancy\u2019s room and the light was on and Nancy was sitting on the floor with Doug\u2019s guitar.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, sweetie. Can I come in for a bit?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure.\u201d Sydney sat down on the bed. Nancy was cross-legged on the floor with the guitar in her lap. \u201cWant to hear the song I made up for Misty? I call it \u2018A Promise for Misty\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sydney eyes widened. \u201cYes, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nancy began to sing using the four chords she had learned on Doug\u2019s guitar.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll take care of you
\nI\u2019ll take care of you
\nWhatever else I do
\nI\u2019ll take care of you
\nI\u2019ll be there for you
\nI\u2019ll be there for you
\nBecause I care for you
\nI\u2019ll be there for you
\nI\u2019ll hold you in my arms
\nI\u2019ll hold you in my arms
\nTo keep you from all harm
\nI\u2019ll hold in in my arms
\nI will see you through
\nI will see you through
\nYou can depend on me
\nLike I depend on you
\nI will see you through
\nI\u2019ll be here for you
\nI\u2019ll be here for you
\nWhen your day is through
\nI\u2019ll be here for you<\/p>\n

When she finished, Sydney sat looking at her sweet, young teenager. Smart, sensitive, grown up, yet still a child. Caught in her first trauma of her own making.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s beautiful, Nan,\u201d she whispered. She felt a knot in her throat of love for this girl. \u201cWe\u2019ll find Misty, dear. I know we will.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that Mrs. Sackett gets better,\u201d Nancy added.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that, too, dear. Please go to sleep soon. It\u2019s been a long day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Okay, Mom. I\u2019ll go to bed soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, sweetheart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Night, Mom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sydney walked slowly down the hall to her bedroom. Sanford was at the door. He folded her in his arms and murmured, \u201cI heard her song. She\u2019s pretty special, Syd.\u201d \u201cSo are you, Sanford.\u201d They quietly closed the door to their bedroom.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

Early Sunday morning Sydney\u2019s phone rang. She reached for the phone on the bedside table and answered in a gravelly voice, \u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHello? My name is Jane Gardner. I\u2019m staying with my sister Antionette Sackett. You may know her.\u201d Sydney sat up, wide awake.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I do\u2014\u201d Sidney started to say, but Jane was going full steam ahead.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy sister suffered an accident on Friday and I drove in from Lexington to take care of her while she recovers. Along the way, I found a little dog\u2014\u201d Sydney gasped. \u201c\u2014who was lost. I think she belongs to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI-I I can\u2019t believe it \u2014am so grateful\u2014Is she alright? The dog, I mean. And Mrs. Sackett, of course, too, of course.\u2014 Oh, thank you, thank you! You don\u2019t know what this will mean to my little \u2013 well, teenage \u2014 girl. And, well, the whole family, really.\u201d Sydney knew she was being incoherent, but she just didn\u2019t care.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you nearby? Would you like me to bring her to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sydney pulled herself together. \u201cYou\u2019re Jane Gardner,\u201d she said. \u201cThe hospital contacted you on Friday night. My daughter Nancy was the one that called the ambulance for Mrs. Sackett and I accompanied her there. My name is Sydney McClure. And you found our dog! That is so incredible!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is coincidental isn\u2019t it. Also, that my sister\u2019s accident was also due to a dog! What\u2019s the likelihood of all that happening?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sidney paused. This Jane person sounded a little cold and reserved. But it was time for the truth. She took a deep breath. And chickened out. Instead, she said, \u201cCan we meet somewhere, maybe Crawford Park? I don\u2019t want to bother Mrs. Sackett, but I would like to meet you and talk with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jane cocked an eye at the phone. \u201cAlright,\u201d she said slowly. \u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn fifteen minutes?\u201d Sydney hoped she didn\u2019t sound pleading.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat should work. I\u2019d like to walk the dog anyway and I can hand her off to you there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sidney breathed a sigh of relief. \u201cThat\u2019s a good idea. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s up, babe?\u201d Sanford opened a drowsy eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to go meet Jane Gardner, Mrs. Sackett\u2019s sister.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Umph.\u201d Sanford groaned and pulled the pillow over his head.<\/p>\n

Sydney threw on some clothes, got her jacket from the front hall, and started off to Crawford Park.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

Nancy woke Sunday hearing her mother\u2019s phone ring. The events of the past two days since Misty ran away came flooding back. She curled up in bed and pretended Misty was there beside her. She had almost drifted off to sleep again when she heard her mother come down the hall. She listened and the sound of the front door closing made her sit up in bed. \u201cFirst her phone rings, then she tiptoes out? she never goes out on Sunday mornings,\u201d she thought. \u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n

She slid out of bed and pulled on a sweater and jeans. \u201cI think I need to find out.\u201d Nancy had never been sneaky in her life, but today was different somehow. With Misty gone the norms had changed and it felt like anything goes. She crept down the stairs and let herself out the front door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoo, should have worn a jacket,\u201d she thought, striding along in the crisp morning air. Then she saw her mother some blocks ahead just turning into Jane Street. \u201cWhere is she going? Maybe just for a walk and some \u2018me time.\u2019\u201d Nancy had read all the Shape magazine articles Sydney kept in the TV room. She slowed her pace to keep from catching up.<\/p>\n

Nancy reached Jane Street just in time to see her mother stop at Lawrence, wave (\u201cWave?\u201d Nancy thought.), and disappear from view. As she reached the corner of Jane and Lawrence, there was her mother talking with a tall lady in front of Mrs. Sackett\u2019s house. (Mrs. Sackett. Nancy shivered.) The tall lady had a dog on a leash \u2013 OMG! It\u2019s Misty!<\/p>\n

\u201cMisty! Misty!\u201d Nancy shouted and started running.<\/p>\n

Misty was happy to be outside with the nice people. The inside place did not smell like home and it made her uncomfortable. So, she submitted to the harness and leash and dutifully followed Jane down the porch steps. As they started down the front walk, Misty saw one of the other people coming towards them. That made her very happy and she danced at the end of the leash. Then she heard a familiar voice calling, \u201cMisty! Misty!\u201d She knew that voice anywhere. It was the Nancy! Yay! Hooray! Time to go home!<\/p>\n

Misty tore the leash from Jane\u2019s hand, shot through the garden border (again!) taking down a birdbath along the way, and bounded into Nancy\u2019s arms, tail wagging furiously, barking ecstatically, licking Nancy\u2019s face until the two of them fell back on the sidewalk in pure bliss.<\/p>\n

Jane and Sydney stood at the foot of the porch steps. \u201cYour daughter?\u201d Jane asked rubbing her hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cNancy. She\u2019s thirteen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA match made in heaven,\u201d Jane observed watching the joyous reunion.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe got Mischief for the whole family, but it was obvious from the beginning that Misty \u2013 as we call her \u2013 preferred Nancy.\u201d<\/p>\n

As they watched, Nancy looked up towards them and suddenly she froze. She pulled Misty to her and slowly stood up. Jane and Sydney followed her gaze.<\/p>\n

There was Mrs. Sackett standing on the top step of the porch. Her hair uncombed, her bathrobe catching the breeze, her eyes shooting both fire and ice as she glared at Nancy.<\/p>\n

Nancy stood straight and tall. Misty leaned against her looking nervous and quivering a little.<\/p>\n

Jane made the first move. She quietly mounted the steps and took Mrs. Sackett\u2019s arm. \u201cToni, let\u2019s sit down on the porch. I\u2019ll get you a blanket.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nancy who was stock still, barely breathing. Sydney drifted back to stand behind her, hands comfortingly on Nancy\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n

Jane returned with the blanket and tucking it up she whispered, \u201cToni, remember having the love of a dog when you were thirteen?\u201d Nod. \u201cThis young girl is thirteen and she has a dog she loves dearly. She is you 60 years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs. Sackett looked out at Nancy still as ice Misty at her feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember what Henny told you in the hospital?\u201d Mrs. Sackett\u2019s eyes dropped to her hands twisted in her lap. \u201cYes,\u201d she said slowly hearing Henny\u2019s voice in her memory.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Toni. You always had a trigger temper. Maybe this time you got what you deserved. Scaring that little girl. And chasing off her dog. You gotta calm down in life. Take it from me. I wasn\u2019t the nicest guy on the block and now I wish I\u2019d tried harder to mend my ways.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHe took my hand and stroked it like he never was able to do in life,\u201d Mrs. Sackett\u2019s eyes misted over. She looked up at her sister and sighed deeply. Then she looked out at her bedraggled garden and sighed again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t talk to anyone today, Jane. My head hurts and my ribs hurt and I am very tired. Tomorrow.\u201d She closed her eyes.<\/p>\n

Jane came down the porch steps, stopping to look at the ravaged garden, and met Sydney and Nancy at the end of the front walk. \u201cCan you visit us tomorrow for tea?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

Nancy\u2019s eyes widened. Sydney put her arm around her daughter and gave her a squeeze. Nancy knew what that meant. \u201cYou are on your own. I will back you up whatever you decide, but this is your decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just like the old lady on the porch Nancy took a deep breath. She looked down at Misty who looked back at her with trust and adoration. She looked at the garden, the birdbath, the broken gate and sighed again. Then she cleared her mind and said quietly, \u201cYes, I would like to visit and apologize to Mrs. Sackett.\u201d She paused then said, \u201cCan my mother come, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. But Nancy, this time it\u2019s best to leave Misty at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nancy nodded and gave Jane a small smile.<\/p>\n

Sydney, on the other hand, gave Jane an incandescent smile. \u201cI am so pleased to have met you, even under these circumstances. And\u2026\u201d Sydney raised her voice to be heard on the porch, \u201cour thanks to you and Mrs. Sackett for having us to tea tomorrow. We\u2019re delighted to accept. We can come after school. Is about 3:30 okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jane smiled yes and Sydney and Nancy turned to go.<\/p>\n

As they walked down Lawrence Road towards Jane Street, Misty bouncing as her side, Nancy turned and looked back at Jane. \u201cThank you,\u201d she mouthed.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

Yay! I\u2019m home! Misty was in a permanent state of ecstasy. It\u2019s so much fun to chase the people that look the same! Misty ran back and forth in the yard with Desi and Danny. The Doug is throwing the disc! Yay! Misty ran and jumped, tearing back to Doug with the Frisbee ready to go again.<\/p>\n

Later, she gobbled a meaty supper prepared specially by Sydney with the whole family looking on. Yum! So hungry! So happy!<\/p>\n

After dinner for the remaining McClures, Sanford called everyone to order. \u201cMeeting in the TV room. All must attend.\u201d There was a general shuffle as everyone headed for the TV room, Misty following along behind.<\/p>\n

\u201cStarting next week,\u201d he pronounced, \u201cMisty goes to dog training school. She\u2019s just old enough at 18 months to learn manners. I will pay to have Mrs. Sackett\u2019s garden and fence repaired. Nancy, I want you to contribute to the effort from your allowance and you and Doug are responsible for Misty\u2019s training. Understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Dad.\u201d Okay, Dad.\u201d \u201cCan we help, too?\u201d Desi rubbed Misty\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou watch what Nan and Doug are doing and be sure you understand the rules. I don\u2019t want either of you to make it difficult to train Misty not to pull on the leash or chase squirrels.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, Dad!\u201d The twins giggled and poked each other.<\/p>\n

That night, Misty lay on the bed in Nancy\u2019s room while she finished her homework assignment on geography as a factor in the rise of civilzations. Taking a break, she looked over at the exhausted little beagle. \u201cI think I\u2019ll sing you your song, Misty.\u201d She picked up the guitar and strumming gently began to sing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be here for you. I\u2019ll be here for you. When your day is through,
\nI\u2019ll be here for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

As she finished, Misty\u2019s head drooped and eyes closed in perfect contentment.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

Mrs. Sackett sat with her sister on the porch. She looked over the front yard mentally replacing the flower beds, uprighting the birdbath, and getting a new latch for the front gate. \u201cWhere\u2019s the flowerpot for the key?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

Jane pointed. \u201cLooks like it\u2019s over by the tree.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I see it. How the heck did it get there, I wonder?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGoodness knows. I\u2019ll put it back by the faucet and tuck the key away. I still have it in my purse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo hurry. Just peculiar don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomewhat, I guess.\u201d Jane changed the subject. \u201cToni, are you truly ready to meet that little girl and her mother tomorrow afternoon?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs. Sackett closed her eyes for a moment. \u201cYes, Jane. Henny was right. I gotta calm down.\u201d She thought for a moment. \u201cShe seems like a nice girl. Brave. I couldn\u2019t stare her down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI noticed that.\u201d Jane chuckled. \u201cI think you are beginning to feel a bit better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so. Anyway, let\u2019s think about what we should have for our \u201ctea party\u201d tomorrow. We\u2019ll have to have chocolate chip cookies, that\u2019s for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

And so, the two sisters began to plan a sumptuous tea for their new guests.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

Nancy just couldn\u2019t concentrate in geography class. It was the last class before school let out and all she could think about was what would happen at Mrs. Sackett\u2019s tea party. She determined not to be afraid or if she was not to show it. She would just think about was how happy Misty was to be home again. She smiled to herself.<\/p>\n

\u201cNancy McClure!\u201d It was Mrs. Goldfeld. \u201cWhen you return from dreamland, would you please and tell us the meaning of the word Mesopotamia and where it was situated?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nancy flushed crimson. She was a straight A student and this was the height of embarrassment.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I \u2013\u201d She scrambled to collect her thoughts. \u201cYes. Well, the word Mesopotamia \u2013\u201d<\/p>\n

Just then the bell rang and the clatter of twenty-eight students exiting Mrs. Goldfeld\u2019s geography class masked her reply. \u201c\u2014means two rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates.\u201d Mrs. Goldfeld smiled approvingly above the racket.<\/p>\n

Looking back on that afternoon, Nancy felt she had never walked home from school so fast. She was home by twenty after three.<\/p>\n

Bursting into the kitchen, she called, \u201cMom, Mom! We got to go! We said we\u2019d be there at three-thirty!\u201d<\/p>\n

Sydney picked her car keys off the rack. \u201cWell, wash your hands and face and meet me at the car. Afterwards we\u2019re going to sign Misty up for dog training.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just as she was about to leave, Nancy ran back upstairs and picked up the guitar put it in its case. Breathless, she slid into the back seat. Sydney looked into the rear view mirror. \u201cWhat are you doing back there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wrote a song for Mrs. Sackett and if it seems right, I want to sing it for her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s lovely, dear. I hope you have a chance to sing it.\u201d And off they went.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

Jane looked out the living room window. \u201cHere they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

The tea fixings were all set out. P\u00e2t\u00e9, red pepper feta spread, salmon on toast rounds, grapes, tiny butter pecan souffles, and, of course, a plate of chocolate chip cookies along with tea, coffee and ginger ale.<\/p>\n

There was a low bouquet of tuberoses in the center of the coffee table smelling like lace and oranges and creamy peaches. The floral teacups were trimmed in gold and the old ivory linen napkins had hand crocheted edges and a monogram \u201cS\u201d on the outer corner.<\/p>\n

Nancy took all this in in awe and the women greeted each other. She was starting to feel like maybe she should courtesy when Jane drew her into the conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, hello again, Nancy. I\u2019m Jane Gardner. Everyone calls me Miss Jane and you can, too.\u201d Jane gave her a welcoming smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Nancy.\u201d Mrs. Sackett patted the seat next to her. \u201cWould you join me for some tea? Or would you prefer ginger ale?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nancy swallowed and tried not to look nervous. She played back all the scenes from Jane Austen\u2019s Emma that she\u2019d read over the summer. \u201cThank you, Mrs. Sackett. Some tea would be very nice.\u201d She sat down very straight on the couch.<\/p>\n

Jane was pouring tea from an elegant footed teapot that matched the cups. She and Sydney began talking about how Crawford had changed \u2013 and not changed \u2013 since the last time Jane had visited.<\/p>\n

That left Mrs. Sackett and Nancy to themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s your full name?\u201d Mrs. Sackett asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNancy Grace McClure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have brothers and sisters?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have an older brother, Doug, and two younger brothers, twins, Desi and Danny. Rather, Desmond and Daniel. My stepbrother is Sheldon. He\u2019s in college. Oh, and Doug is short for Douglas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI gathered that,\u201d Mrs. Sackett said drily. Speaking of names, why did you name your dog Mischief?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nancy gulped. Here we go, she thought readying herself for a stern reprimand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, when she was a puppy, she was very curious. She wanted to know about everything. Like she wanted to be the best beagle the McClure family could ever have. But sometimes, well, actually, a lot of the time, she went overboard and got in trouble. Like she did on Friday and ruined your garden.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then all in a rush, Nancy blurted out, \u201cI\u2019m so really sorry that your garden got destroyed and that you were hurt because of my dog. It was all my fault. I didn\u2019t have a good grip on her leash and she just took off. I apologize for all the inconvenience and pain and disruption I have caused.\u201d<\/p>\n

About halfway through her apology, Jane and Sydney had paused their chat and Nancy\u2019s voice rang out in the room.<\/p>\n

So did Mrs. Sackett\u2019s. \u201cAt first, well, more than at first, I was very angry. I guess you must have sensed that. But this episode has slowed me down. Since I\u2019ve been back from the hospital, I\u2019ve been thinking. For some people what happened would have been unfortunate but they wouldn\u2019t have acted so mean and called you names, made fun of your friends, and disliked your dog just for being a dog.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs. Sackett took a sip of tea. In the silence, she continued. \u201cSome people would have come up smiling. Been hopeful. Been forgiving. And having thought about it these past two days, that is what I want to do. Apologize to you for being mean and hope we can be friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jane realizing that she was now eavesdropping on a private conversation motioned to Sydney, \u201cWould you like to help me serve up the ice cream cake? This way to the kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Left alone the old woman and the young girl sat quiet. Nancy was the first to speak. \u201cMrs. Sackett, when Misty got lost, I missed her so much that I wrote her a song. I\u2019ve made new words for that song hoping we could be friends. May I sing it for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs. Sackett nodded. Nancy ran out to the car for the guitar. Mrs. Sackett was just sitting down on the porch when she mounted the steps. \u201cPlay your song here where we can enjoy it without interruption,\u201d Mrs. Sackett said gesturing towards the living room and Jane and Sydney.<\/p>\n

Nancy began to sing softly.<\/p>\n

If I could be your friend
\nIf I could be your friend
\nI could make amends
\nIf I could be your friend
\nIf I could visit you
\nIf I could visit you
\nI\u2019d stop by after school
\nIf I could visit you
\nIf I could learn from you
\nIf I could learn from you
\nI\u2019d help with what you do
\nIf I could learn from you
\nI know Misty\u2019s been bad
\nI know Misty\u2019s been bad
\nShe\u2019s learning to behave
\nShe knows that she\u2019s been bad
\nSo please don\u2019t be too mad
\nIf I could be your friend
\nIf I could be your friend
\nI could make amends
\nIf I could be your friend<\/p>\n

Antoinette Sackett felt her heart touched in much the same way as when Hennie held her hand at the hospital. She remembered being a young girl of twelve or thirteen, having a dog she loved dearly, being unsure of the world around her, yet sure of herself. Like Nancy Grace McClure was today, singing her song of apology.<\/p>\n

Nancy finished singing. Suddenly she was overcome with shyness and anxiety about how her boldness making the song might be received. She looked up as Mrs. Sackett was looking into her eyes and smiling in a gentle way.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Nancy. I\u2019d like to be your friend. Have you visit after school.\u201d She warmed to her theme. \u201cI can teach you to make chocolate chips cookies with my secret ingredient — you promise not to tell anyone!\u201d<\/p>\n

Nancy shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd one more thing. I\u2019d like it if you would call me Mrs. T. T for Toni, short for Antoinette. Like my Henny used to do.\u201d Mrs. Sackett started to laugh. \u201cAnd it sounds just like Misty, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nancy smiled her yes, then began to laugh, too.<\/p>\n

_._<\/p>\n

So, what happened after that?\u201d Doug asked on behalf of the rest of the family who were gathered in the TV room after a classic McClure spaghetti and meatball dinner.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had tea! It was like a meal, not like a snack at all. Finished up with homemade ice cream cake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you bring some for us?\u201d Desi was the ice cream addict of the family.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo! It wasn\u2019t like going to the Crawford Diner at all. It was all very proper and all. And fun!\u201d<\/p>\n

Sydney had taken Jane Gardner aside and explained about paying for the garden. Now she made her report to the family. \u201cJane thought that Mrs. Sackett would welcome having help repairing her garden but insisted that her sister have full input on what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, brother,\u201d Sanford sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s not like that. Not this time. Something\u2019s changed in her. Maybe it\u2019s the realization that you just can\u2019t fight everything. Especially as you get older. Maybe it\u2019s meeting our Nancy,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can help with the garden, if she\u2019ll let me. I\u2019ll ask,\u201d Nancy volunteered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, is this a happy ending?\u201d Sanford looked around his family, then frowned. \u201cWhere\u2019s Mischief?\u201d<\/p>\n

Cue a crash from the kitchen. Doug got there first to find Misty on the counter having moved a chair to do so, knocking a tray of leftover meatballs to the floor for a snack.<\/p>\n

The twins were paralyzed with laughter. Sanford and Sydney looked at each other. Nancy shook her head. \u201cWhen are you going to stop being Mischief and become Misty for real!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Story by Caroline Meyers, 2020<\/p>\n

Photo 181780291<\/a> \u00a9 Przemyslaw Iciak<\/a> | Dreamstime.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When the one you love goes missing and it\u2019s all your fault, how do you make amends? An Eddy and McClure Story Nancy McClure carefully fingered an A chord on her guitar. Three fingers, one on each of three strings, second, third and fourth. She strummed. \u201cNot bad for a rank beginner,\u201d she thought. It […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/full-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3068","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.otownmedia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3068","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.otownmedia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.otownmedia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.otownmedia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.otownmedia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3068"}],"version-history":[{"count":52,"href":"https:\/\/www.otownmedia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3068\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3518,"href":"https:\/\/www.otownmedia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3068\/revisions\/3518"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.otownmedia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}