Chapter 60

Harvey

When the door to the suite opens, Harvey is assaulted by the familiar musky smell. It’s a Saturday and Maggie has brought him for a visit.

But they’re not alone.

“Margaret! Austin! Bertie! And Harvey!” At his name, Harvey takes a step closer and is rewarded with a pat on the head. Bertie scampers into the room with excited puppy hops. Austin follows, trying to keep up.

“I have a surprise for you, Mrs. Fradette,” Maggie says. Harvey heard all about the surprise on the way to Brayside. Maggie has talked of nothing else since her teacher gave her the good news yesterday. Harvey looks on as she hands the old lady a sheet of paper. “My history essay won second place!”

Mrs. Fradette opens her arms and hugs Maggie. “You clever girl! I knew you could do it!”

“Do you want to read it?” Maggie asks.

“You read it to me,” Mrs. Fradette says, sitting down in her chair.

Maggie sits on the couch and Harvey jumps up to join her. Austin is not far away, holding Bertie on his lap. Harvey lies down and rests his head on his front paws, a lesson in good behavior for Bertie.

Maggie clears her throat. “‘Oil and Water: The Story of Josephine Fradette’ by Margaret O’Neil.” Maggie sneaks a peek at Mrs. Fradette and grins. “‘Mrs. Fradette was a pioneer for women in the field of auto mechanics. And it all started because of the Red River flood of 1950.’”

As Maggie reads her essay, Harvey sighs. This couch fits just right. He’s surrounded by his people: his Maggie and his Austin, and little Bertie, who has a lot to learn. Harvey closes his eyes, content, and drifts off to the sound of Maggie’s voice telling a story of perseverance and courage. Two things that Harvey knows a lot about.