The Turning Season Read Online Free PDF Page B

But Bonnie says he won’t try out for the school team. Too much pressure, maybe. Too much time naked in the locker room, where other kids might see his scars.
    Alonzo sinks a basket from the top of the key—well, the back edge of the concrete—and Celeste misses the same shot. “Shit,” she says. “
H
-
O
-
R
for me.”
    â€œGo, Alonzo!” I call, and they both look my way. Alonzo lifts a hand in a casual wave, while Celeste pushes back some stray hair and gives me a quick appraisal.
    â€œWell, look what the cat dragged in—literally,” she says, and then laughs.
    â€œGee, thanks. Just the sort of positive reinforcement I need,” I reply.
    â€œI think you look pretty good,” Alonzo says.
    By this time I’ve crossed the patio and I’m close enough to give him a hug, which he endures more than enjoys. “Thank
you
, more sincerely,” I say. “You’ve been a lifesaver these past few days! I
really
appreciate it.”
    Celeste dribbles the ball a couple of times, then bounces it over to Alonzo, who catches it one-handed. “Hey, I’ve been mucking around in dirt and dog poop for the past three days, too.”
    â€œYes, but you’re not as nice about it.”
    She grins. “This
is
me being nice.”
    â€œSo did I miss anything important?”
    â€œDaniel changed and left Sunday night,” Alonzo says. “One of the puppies got out, but we found him after a couple of hours.”
    â€œYou have two customers coming out Wednesday afternoon, one on Thursday morning,” Celeste adds. “I wrote everything down in your appointment book. Oh, and I put all the bills in a stack on your desk. I would have paid them but I couldn’t find your checkbook.”
    â€œYeah, plus I couldn’t tell you how much money I have in my bank account anyway, so just as well,” I say. “Okay, great. Thanks again. Are you guys gonna stay for dinner?”
    â€œI will,” Celeste says. “But Bonnie called this morning and says she wants to come back for Alonzo tonight. She misses him.”
    Alonzo drops his head and concentrates on bouncing the ball between his feet, but I think he’s smiling.
    â€œI’ll call her. Maybe she can stay for dinner, too, before she takes him back.” I give Celeste a stern look. “A
healthy
dinner, for a change.”
    â€œWhat?” she says. “Don’t we look healthy?”
    I roll my eyes. “I’m gonna go check on the animals. See you back at the house.”
    I head toward the barns. Behind me I hear the satisfying sound of the ball rattling through the hoop. Alonzo has scored again.
    I’m halfway across the open area between the patio and the kennels when Scottie bounds up to me, his whole body quivering with excitement. “Hey, boy,” I say, dropping to my knees to wrap my arms around his neck and let him lick my face. “Did you miss me? Here I am. Yeah, boy. Good to see you, too.”
    He accompanies me on my rounds, where I cause much less excitement in my human state. The hawk with the broken wing has made steady progress; I might be releasing him within the week. The injured raccoon is gnawing at the cage and looks determined enough to eat his way through it. Fine, he can go, then. I put on a padded vest and heavy gloves, carry him out of the barn and to the edge of the property, and let him go. He takes a few steps into the thick grass, pauses to look back at me, and then runs off as fast as his little feet will take him.
    Be careful,
I want to call after him.
Stay out of trouble. Come back if you need anything.
But I don’t, even though no one is listening.
    It’s close to five before I’m back in the house and remember I’m supposed to call Bonnie. I cradle the phone between my ear and my shoulder as I move through the kitchen, checking supplies, pulling out ingredients. Bonnie would love to come for dinner, but