Jasper lifted his front right paw, and Megan carefully held it with one hand, dabbing at the shaved area where the veterinarian had stitched the wound. When it was cleaned to her satisfaction, she let go of Jasper’s paw, but the dog continued to hold it up, as if knowing she wasn’t done yet.

Frank set his newspaper aside and watched his wife carefully apply the antibiotic ointment to the wound.

As she finished, she leaned close and gave the dog a kiss on the top of his nose. “Good boy, Jasper. Now don’t lick that stuff off just yet. Let it do its job.”

The dog glanced at the wound and gave an affirmative bark.

Megan rubbed the side of Jasper’s neck and stood. “After I clean up in here, I’ll go turn on Clifford for you, okay?”

The dog wagged his tail, sauntered off to the living room, and lay down with his head facing the TV as if waiting for Megan to keep her promise.

Frank shook his head. “Megan, did it ever strike you as odd that you’re talking to this dog like it’s a kid, and the damned thing seems to understand everything he’s being told?”

Megan shrugged as she washed her hands. “He’s a good boy, and smart.”

Too smart, Frank thought. But at least the animal was well behaved. As Frank settled back onto his recliner, he put his face back into the newspaper and grumbled to himself, “I wish Kathy had listened as well as that damned dog does.”

Chapter Three

Two weeks after receiving the e-mail from Human Resources, Juan was seated in his manager’s office, bracing himself for the worst.

His manager, a forty-something business type with a Harvard diploma hanging on his wall, flipped through the pages of Juan’s employee file. “Juan, as you know, the economy’s been going through a downturn and the company has little choice but to go through some belt-tightening. Significant tightening—this is the company’s largest-ever round of layoffs. It’s tough on everyone involved.” He paused. “Well, I guess I should just get this over with.”

Juan didn’t like the way that sounded. Had he been laid off? Over the years, he’d overheard the snide criticisms coming from his peers due to his unconventional research approach. But he remained confident that he was on the right track. Pieces of his work were beginning to bear fruit. If only he were allowed more time…

Leaning forward in his chair, Juan held his breath as the man frowned and pushed his wire-rimmed glasses high onto the bridge of his nose.

“Your research has been flagged as important enough to not allow it to be affected by this round of employment actions.”

Juan practically collapsed back into his chair, a wave of relief flooding through him. “Thank you.”