a Coyote's in the House (2004) Read Online Free PDF Page A

taste to it as he began to eat. Buddy now was looking at the license tag attached to the collar lying on the floor.
    It says your name's Timmy, but I can't read the rest. This tag looks like somebody was chewing on it.
    Antwan raised his head from the kibbles. I did that, homes, so they'll know my name but won't be able to check me out.
    You're pretty smart, Buddy said.
    You just finding that out?
    What happened to this dog Timmy?
    I wouldn't be surprised some coyotes had him for supper, Antwan said, before my time. I don't recognize the collar. He ate some more kibbles before looking up again. Was this Timmy a friend of yours?
    I knew a little schnauzer answers to that name, Buddy said, a show dog, but that collar would've been too big for him.
    I tried sticking my head through it, Antwan said, finished with the kibbles, but couldn't work it past my ears. How'm I gonna get it on?
    What I have in mind, Buddy said, I see little Courtney helping you.
    How you get her to do that?
    Act it out, Buddy said. Don't worry, I'll tell you what to do when the time comes. The collar's gonna be part of the show, getting them to believe you're some strange kind of dog.
    We do it here in the kitchen?
    Outside, Buddy said, while they're having their Sunday breakfast on the patio. I see by the sky it's gonna be nice tomorrow. So the kids will be in the pool or playing around it. I'm talking about when we make our move.
    You sure it's gonna work?
    Trust me, Buddy said. We go out at sunrise and hide in the shrubs back of the swimming pool. We wait till the mom and dad are having their breakfast before we come out and walk toward the house. You keep your head and your tail down and only do what I tell you.
    Antwan said, You let Miss Betty know about it?
    She'll be watching from upstairs, Buddy said, I'm pretty sure. This'll be good for her. Give her something to think about besides herself.
    The next morning, Antwan and Buddy came out of the shrubs and started across the lawn, Antwan with the collar hanging from his jaws.
    Courtney, in her swimsuit, was running from the house to the pool. She didn't see them right away.
    Cody did, standing on the diving board, but only stared, too surprised to say anything.
    Now Courtney saw them and called out, Dad . . . ? not sure whether or not to be afraid.
    The mom and dad were having breakfast on the patio, each reading a section of the Sunday paper. The dad, intent on entertainment news, didn't look up when Courtney called the first time, or when she called again, Da-ad! louder.
    The mom, with a glass of what appeared to be tomato juice, didn't look up either, since she wasn't the dad.
    Be cool, Buddy said to Antwan. Put your tail down.
    I can't help it, Antwan said. I get excited it sticks out by itself. He looked up at Miss Betty's window and there she was, watching. He thought of giving her a howl, but Buddy had told him, No howling. The last thing you want to do is howl and give yourself away.
    Courtney yelled again, Da-ad!
    The mom looked up from the Book Review section. Courtney wants you.
    The dad, behind his newspaper said, What? and kept reading. The mom, her back to the yard, sipped her juice.
    Stay here, Buddy said to Antwan, while I go see Courtney. I look around, you come with your head low, like you're telling them they're the boss, you're just a dog.
    Cody kept staring at Antwan, squinting his eyes. He said to Courtney, You ever see that dog before?
    It's not a dog, Courtney said, it's a coyote, but didn't know what to do about it. Now Buddy came over to her and began touching her with his nose and licking her hand.
    Now he looked up at her little girl face with soul in his eyes. As soon as she started petting him he motioned for Antwan to get over here. He came with the dog collar and Buddy said, Drop it in front of her. Okay, now you think you can take Courtney's hand in your mouth and put it on the collar?
    In my mouth?
    Without chewing on it?
    Antwan said, Man, I don't know.
    Forget it,