Read White Fur Flying for Free Online

were lost,” I said. “She had screamed at you. She wanted you to talk.”
    â€œAnd now I do,” said Phillip.
    No one said anything. We crossed meadows and fields. We crossed two dirt roads I didn’t remember crossing.
    The cows looked like they’d had baths, all clean and shiny. The horses ran by the fences when we passed.
    â€œHello, horses,” said Phillip. “Hello, cows. Remember those horses, Jack? We were in the barn with them. We made a little nest in the hay.”
    â€œI found that nest,” I said. “I found a bit of Jack’s hair.”
    I put my hand in my pocket and gave the clump to Phillip.
    â€œThere it is,” I said.
    Phillip smelled it.
    â€œThat’s Jack’s hair,” he said, and we laughed.
    We walked by the barn at the end of our meadow. The cows looked up and went back to eating.
    We walked up past the fence to our yard. Callie came running and leaping with excitement. Alice smiled at us and waved. Phyllis stood next to her. Daddy was on the porch standing next to a policeman. A police car stood at the curb, its whirling lights still on.
    Mr. Croft’s black car drove into his driveway. He got out and walked down the yard.
    He opened his mouth to speak. We had never heard him speak up to now, but Mama spoke before he could.
    â€œPhyllis, thank you for being so patient. As it turned out, Zoe found Phillip and Jack, but I should tell you—”
    Mr. Croft started to say something.
    â€œWait.”
    It was Phillip interrupting both Mama and Mr. Croft this time.
    â€œLet me tell it,” said Phillip.
    Mr. Croft stopped trying to talk.
    â€œJack is this brave dog who saved me in the storm. He led me into one barn, then into another safe place when it started to hail and was so windy. . . .”
    Everyone stared. Alice smiled.
    And as Phillip went on to tell the story, I didn’t hear him anymore. All I saw was Phyllis kneel down to put her arms around Phillip. It didn’t stop Phillip from talking.
    â€œI was foolish to run after Jack, I suppose, but I love Jack. And then we slept in the hay until Zoe came and her mama and Kodi, and then . . .”
    Phyllis, not crying anymore, sat down in the wet grass and put her arms around Jack, who seemed to like it very much. Then she hugged Kodi, who, of course, wagged his tail. And when Phyllis pulled away, there was wet white fur all over her navy blue sweater and slacks.
    In the end Mr. Croft never did speak, almost as if he’d taken over Phillip’s role as the silent one. And when Mr. Croft and Phyllis and Phillip went across the grass and over the brook and up the steps to their house, Jack followed them.
    â€œJack!” called Mama.
    Phyllis turned around.
    â€œOh, Claire, please let him come. We’ll take care of him. Don’t worry.”
    And she opened the door and they went inside.

chapter 15
    It was quiet. Kodi and Callie slept in a heap on the rug. Even Lena was quiet for the time being, as if she knew that it was quiet we all needed.
    Daddy put his arms around Mama for a long time.
    â€œDo you want something to eat?” he asked her.
    Mama shook her head. “I’m too tired to eat.”
    There was a small silence.
    â€œI was scared,” said Alice finally. “Phyllis was scared too.”
    Mama smiled.
    â€œYes,” she said. “I didn’t know that Zoe was out in the terrible weather. But I was scared for Phillip and Jack.”
    Mama paused.
    â€œBut both Phillip and Jack turned out to be different than I thought they were,” she added. “There are some things you can’t know.”
    Alice looked up.
    â€œZoe?” asked Daddy.
    â€œI’m not sure what happened,” I said. “I fell asleep in the hay, and when I woke up, Phillip was talking.”
    â€œAnd probably still is,” said Daddy with a smile.
    â€œI think Phillip’s silence was for protection,” I