Daphne Maple - Roxbury Park Dog Club #5: A New Leash on Life

Hey, Bri, Taylor said to me somewhat breathlessly as she came into our locker alcove. Elbowing through the crowd at the end of the day at Roxbury Park Middle School could leave a girl winded like that.

Hey, I replied, happy to see her. Which was a big change: Not so long ago Taylor had been my number one enemy. Id been jealous of how easy it was for her to be the new girl at the start of the year, becoming best friends with Kim and Sasha, two of the nicest girls in seventh grade, and helping them start their Dog Club. Id been new the year before and still felt like an outsider, so seeing Taylor fit in that smoothly made me mad. Some people keep their angry and jealous feelings to themselves, but not me. I spoke up, especially when I was upset, and sometimes I didnt think before I started talking. That wasnt a good idea because some pretty mean things came out. Taylor saw through all that, though, which is just one example of how awesome she is. And ever since, Ive really been working on thinking before opening my mouth. I dont want to be the mean girl ever again.

You ready? Taylor asked. She was stuffing books into her backpack.

Yeah, I said, brushing back a stray wisp of my long black hair. I liked playing around with creative hairstyles and today I had a sock bun that Id rolled up carefully this morning. It sat like a shiny fat doughnut on top of my head, making me look tall.

Lets go, Taylor said with an easy grin, leading the way out of the alcove. She had to maneuver around kids hanging out talking as they packed up for the day. Before, Id linger too, but now I had a place to go, and I was eager to get there. Taylor was too. Who wouldnt be excited about two and a half hours of play with the cutest dogs in all of Roxbury Park?

We just had one more stop to go before wed be on our way.

I hope Kim did well on that math test, Taylor said. The beads in her braids swung around her face as she spoke. The day before shed gotten new ones, a mix of lavender and turquoise that looked great with her dark brown skin and big brown eyes.

Yeah, me too, I said. Our friend Kim was a genius when it came to dogsthe Dog Club was her idea and everyone called her the dog whisperer because of the way she understood and trained pups of all shapes and sizes. But math and English tripped her up, and wed had a scare when it looked like her parents wanted her to change schools to improve her grades. However, with the help of Taylor and Sasha, Kim had set up tutoring sessions with Taylors sister Anna, and all of us quizzed her before exams. So far it was working great and when we rounded the corner, I could see her grinning as she chatted with Sasha in front of her locker.

Kim aced the test, Sasha told us gleefully as we came up to them.

Awesome, Taylor said, raising her hand to high-five Kim.

Yeah, thats great, I echoed, not sure if I should high-five too. I knew that Kim and Sasha accepted me as part of their group; after all, they asked me to join the Dog Club and that showed how much they trusted me, which was great. But I had to admit there were still moments when I felt a little like a fourth wheel when the four of us were together. Youd think a fourth wheel would even everything out, but the three of them had inside jokes and memories all their own. And there was an easiness between them that sometimes felt like an invisible barrier, with them on the inside and me on the outside. Still, I was thrilled to be part of the gang and excited for our afternoon at the club. And I hoped that at some point that barrier would come down and Id be fully on the inside too.

Thanks, guys, Kim said, her brown eyes bright as she smiled. I couldnt have done it without your help. And of course Annas.

Anna was one of Taylors three older sisters and a math genius. She and Taylor hadnt always gotten along, but lately they were close as could be and Anna had really come through to help Kim.

Annas the best, Taylor said proudly. Are you guys ready to go? The dogs are waiting.

Then lets get moving, Sasha said cheerfully. Her brown curls were pulled back in a braid and she moved gracefully, probably because she was a star dancer at the school where she studied ballet, tap, and jazz. Bri, is it your day to get Mr. S? Because I need to give you the key to our house. I had to use the spare yesterday and I forgot to put it back in the hiding place under the plant box.

Sasha was kind of scatterbrained, but she was so good natured about it that it didnt matter. And her cheeks glowed a healthy pink every time she talked about her dog, Mr. S. Not so long ago hed lived at the Roxbury Park Dog Shelter, where Kim, Sasha, and Taylor had started the Dog Club, both to help owners who worked all day get exercise and attention for their pets, and to raise money for the shelter. But Sasha had fallen in love with him and managed to talk her neat-freak mom into adopting him. Now he had a home with Sasha and came with us to the club to see all his old pals a few times a week.

Yes, Im getting Mr. S, Humphrey, and Popsicle, I confirmed. One of the perks we offered Dog Club customers was pickup service. For owners with full-time jobs, the club was the perfect way for their dogs to get a good workout and lots of love and doggy company while they were at work. And for a small additional fee wed get their dogs on our way to the shelter.

Sasha handed me her key and I put it in my pocket. We wove through the crowd and finally made it out into the brisk fall afternoon. There was a chilly wind, but the sun was warm on my face as we headed into town, our feet crunching on recently fallen leaves. Autumn had definitely come to Roxbury Park.

Im getting Coco and Waffles, Taylor said, since I got Gus and Hattie the last time. Waffles was a shelter dog recently adopted by the Datta family, who had immediately signed him up for the club. Waffles clearly loved his new home but was always happy to see his old friends at the shelter.

Sounds good, Sasha agreed. We tried to rotate pickups with the exception of one dog.

Hows Missy doing with the walk to the shelter? I asked Kim. Missy was a new club dog and she actually belonged to our English teacher, Mrs. Benson, who was the strictest teacher any of us had ever had. We were shocked when she showed up at the shelter in jeans and a T-shirt like a regular person, needing help with her new dog. Missy had been rescued from a puppy mill where she had been badly mistreated. She had been like a shadow, scared of everything and cringing whenever anyone got too close. But Kim the dog whisperer had worked her magic, while Mrs. Benson had patiently showered Missy with love, and the little Yorkie was finally coming out of her shell.

Shes doing great, Kim said with a grin. She loves all the smells on Main Street.

Like Sugar and Spice? Taylor asked. Sugar and Spice was the candy store in town and it smelled like chocolate, cinnamon, and strawberries every time we passed. It made my mouth water just to think about it.

Actually Missy really likes the garbage can on the corner in front of the bank, Kim said, laughing. Shes into two-day-old sandwiches and crusty bits of doughnut.

Gross, Taylor said, making a sour face that cracked all of us up.

You should see Mr. S dig into his Buddys Beef Stew, Sasha said, wrinkling her nose. Just opening the can kills my appetite for hours, but he acts like its the tastiest meal ever.