Chapter 13

Maggie

A drawing of Harvey, who is standing in a patch of grass. He's focusing on something that isn't shown in the drawing.

When Harvey gets out of the car, Maggie realizes there’s no point trying to hold on to his leash. She drops it and he tears off through the front doors straight to Austin, who is crouched on the floor. Harvey jumps and licks and Austin has to catch himself before he topples over. What’s he doing here? Maggie wonders. On a Sunday?

“He’s sure glad to see you,” Artie says, leaning down to scratch between Harvey’s ears.

A few residents sit on the nearby couches and watch the ruckus. Their faces brighten at the sight of her little Westie. Maggie reaches down to unclip Harvey’s leash and stands to the side. Harvey makes his rounds, greeting each person. It’s like he knows not to leave anyone out and wants to say hello to all of them. Austin stands up and wipes his eyes. Is he crying? She looks away quickly so she doesn’t embarrass him, but she hears the telltale throat clearing and a sniffle.

After Harvey has said hello to everyone sitting, Mrs. O’ Brien pats the space beside her on the couch. “Harvey,” she calls. “Come here.” Harvey runs over and puts his two front paws on the cushion so Mrs. O’Brien can rub his back. She smiles at him like her heart is melting.

“I don’t know who’s happier—Harvey, or all of us,” Mary Rose says with a laugh. From the corner of her eye, Maggie watches Austin. He’s not calling for Harvey, or doing anything to draw him away from the old people, but the look on his face makes Maggie’s stomach twist. She hadn’t considered that seeing Harvey might be hard for Austin.

When she’d first got Harvey back, Maggie had been furious that Austin hadn’t tried looking for her. Maggie’s mom had reminded her that she was lucky a boy like Austin had found Harvey. He’d been well looked after for two weeks and in the end, it had all worked out.

But now, seeing his reaction to Harvey’s return, Maggie feels herself softening. “Harvey’s excited to be back,” she says. Out of the corner of her eye, she watches Austin watching Harvey as he sniffs Mr. Singh’s scooter. She knows the look on his face because she gets it every time she comes home to Harvey. “I’m going to spend my volunteer hours organizing the library,” Maggie tells Austin. It was what Mary Rose and Maggie had decided after her visit last week. Even though Maggie had enjoyed her time playing cribbage with the ladies, she thought she’d rather spend her eighteen remaining hours doing a productive, quiet job. Organizing the library is right up her alley. “Can I leave him with you?”

Austin blinks at her. “You sure?” he asks.

Maggie nods and looks at Harvey. He’s now tugging on Mr. Singh’s shoelace. Maggie holds the leash out. Austin takes it and opens his mouth, probably to say thank you, but Maggie shrugs his gratitude away. She hesitates before adding, “I think he’s missed you.”