What You Wish For Read Online Free PDF Page B

lady friend?”
    Gerald Davis threw back his head and laughed. “I wish. Billie works tirelessly for the shelter. It’s a job she takes very seriously. Names aren’t important. The less you know, the better off you are. We’re good friends. There were times when I thought . . . times when I would have liked to have it be more, but she discouraged it. Billie didn’t have too good a time of it growing up. She is independent and wants to stay that way. It works for us. She’s that rare person one calls friend. You know the kind you can call in the middle of the night the way I did when you arrived. She’s the kind of person you would trust your kids, your animals, and your money with.”
    Helen nodded. “I would give anything to have a friend like that. I never really had a friend. Perhaps one day I will.”
    â€œIf you had such a friend, I wonder if you would have confided in her. I wonder if having such a friend would have kept you in that house even after this last incident. Friendships can be very powerful and an incentive to stay in a bad relationship.”
    â€œI don’t know, Dr. Davis. Lucie got me through it all. Sometimes I would talk to her for hours. I want to believe she understood. For a little dog, she is extremely protective and loving. I couldn’t have made it without her. You saved her life. I’ll never forget that.”
    The vet’s voice turned gruff again. “I really think she liked my singing. She didn’t howl after the first few days. I hear the shelter’s van. Are you sure you have everything?”
    â€œEverything except Lucie. Are you sure it’s okay for me to keep the carrier?”
    â€œAbsolutely. Don’t let her get too active. She’s feeling better, but I don’t want her to overdo it. She needs another week at the most. Well, young lady, these past ten days are going into my memory book. Trust Billie and her friends, and you won’t go wrong.”
    Helen didn’t trust herself to speak. Instead she gave the vet a bone-crushing hug that he returned until Helen squealed. A second later she was out the door, the carrier in one hand and the nylon bag in the other. She didn’t look back.
    Â 
    It was a long, comfortable ride with ordinary day-to-day conversation. The two women discussed the weather, Dr. Davis’s busy practice, and Lucie’s wonderful recovery. Knowing she was in capable hands, Helen relaxed.
    It was the first day of the rest of her life. She offered up a silent prayer of thanks.
    â€œOne more block, and we’re there,” Izzie said an hour later.
    â€œWill you be staying, Billie? You never said; do you work here?”
    â€œNo, I won’t be staying. I suppose you could say I work here in a manner of speaking. That was a question, and you aren’t supposed to ask questions. Until we get your papers finalized, you are guest Number Nine. Lucie is guest Number Nine-A. Our records will indicate that you arrived with someone. Once you are inside, everything will be explained to you. Lucie will love the walled-in garden. I wish we could have met under other circumstances. We will do our very best for you. We will expect nothing less from you. Good-bye and good luck. I’ll wait here in the van until you get inside. Oh, one last thing. I thought this might be of interest to you. Read it at your leisure. It’s the latest copy of Silicon Alley . Good-bye, Lucie.” Lucie yipped and whimpered as Helen lifted the carrier from the van.
    It was a beautiful, sprawling, mission-style house in a quiet, private neighborhood. The scent of newly mown grass tantalized Helen’s nostrils as she made her way up the colorful brick path leading to the front door. Before she had a chance to ring the bell, the door was opened by a tiny, smiling woman wearing a coronet of gray braids. “Welcome. Come, come. It’s cool inside.”
    Helen turned to wave, but the dark