Ed picks up a package of beef jerky. He doesn’t really want it, and will have to hide the evidence from Alice, but he thinks he really should buy something at Potter’s, given that he’s using the message board. Not that Tim looks like he’s concerned, but it’s the right thing to do and it’s right there, close at hand, and, face it, it’s a guilty pleasure.

As Ed gets back in the Cutlass, the dog is instantly alert and curious about the dried meat. “Oh, you want some, eh?” Ed shoves a piece in his mouth, relishing the salty taste. “It can’t be good for you. It’s not good for me.”

The dog sits in the passenger seat, ears forward, eyes fixed on Ed’s hand as it holds the greasy plastic sleeve, his little pink tongue licking at his lips in anticipation.

“How bad you want this?”

The dog is eloquent in his request. He gracefully sits up, dainty forepaws dangling in the air, his back neat against the seat, as if to say, How much more do I have to do to get you to give me a piece of that?

“Okay. Guess you earned this.” Ed breaks a piece off and holds it out to the dog. The dog takes the offering with a delicate gesture, no snapping up a treat for him.

“Now say thank you.”

And to Ed’s complete surprise, the dog does. A quick sharp bark and one paw held out to be shaken.

“You’re not making this any easier. But if you’ve got so many tricks, there must be somebody out there who really misses you. It wouldn’t be right not to try.” Driving away from Potter’s, Ed tries to remember where else he wants to hang a poster. There are two left in the backseat. But it’s getting late, and he still wants to get the grass cut, hopefully the last mow of the season. Plus, there’s all that hedge trimming he’s been putting off. How bad would it be to put off hanging another poster until tomorrow?

The dog is back to sitting like Miss Daisy, eyes fixed on their direction, except that every few minutes, he tilts his head to look at Ed, eyes full of hope that another piece of jerky will appear. When none is forthcoming, he settles down.

“You want to head home?” When Ed says the word home, the dog cocks his head. “Guess that means yes.”

Ed drives past the cemetery gates where they had first seen the dog. As he does every time they go by, the dog begins to whine. And every time he drives past it, Ed does not stop. He won’t.

*   *   *