Becoming Ellen by Shari Shattuck Read Free Book Online

shot out toward Ellen’s face. “I know. I set you up. Don’t even go there.”
    Ellen asked, “Dr. Amanda?”
    â€œThe one, the only, Dr. Amanda!” Temerity said, though it seemed to Ellen that there was a shiver of dislike or . . . no, that wasn’t it . . . more like annoyance in the flippant comment. Temerity unfolded her white, red-tipped stick, took it in one hand and the leash firmly in the other. “Please don’t kill me,” she said to Runt as they started down the stairs.
    On the second-floor landing, a young man was going into the apartment. He was holding a stack of mail and wearing only pajama bottoms and slide-on slippers. He was tall, and his face had an intelligent look about it, the kind that really took in the world around him. So few people lived in this building that Ellen had seldom encountered anyone on these stairs, and to judge from the way this person half hid himself behind the door, he hadn’t expected to meet anyone, either. Ellen slipped in behind Temerity but peered curiously at the man’s face as he turned to regard the trio. Runt, sensing a stranger, broke into a frenzy of barking. “Hush, Runt!” Temerity called above the din as the man said at the same time, “Settle down, boy.”
    Temerity tilted her head to listen, and shushed Runt again, who looked up at her, then settled into an enthusiastic panting. Temerity called out, “Sorry! He’s a very gregarious puppy. Just likes to hear himself.”
    â€œI’ve got a brother like that. See you, Runt.” The man smiled at her. “Sorry for my state of undress. Didn’t know anyone would be coming down.”
    Temerity waved a hand. “Oh please, wander around naked, it makes no difference to me.”
    â€œWell . . . that’s sort of disappointing.” The deep voice was riddled with humor. “Thanks for the invitation, though.” He closed the door, his eyes tracking Temerity as she turned away with a grin of approval.
    Temerity patted Runt’s head and sniffed. “I like his scent,” she said. “Like fresh pine and . . . something spicy . . . black pepper, that’s it.” Ellen smiled. Temerity had told her that everyone had a unique smell, which, to her, was as distinct as a face was to someone who could see.
    They got to the street and walked along together for a few minutes, with frequent stops as Runt paused to pee on each and every lamppost he encountered, while Ellen thought about what could be tainting Temerity’s mood. Ellen was still confused by her friend’s earlier sarcasm about Amanda; it gave her the constant sensation of a missed step. Finally, she said softly, “I thought you liked her.”
    â€œWho?” Temerity turned her pretty face halfway to Ellen, indicating that she was listening.
    â€œDr. Amanda.”
    Temerity looked surprised. “I do. She’s great, smart, funny, devoted to helping people, and she’s crazy about Justice. I couldn’t really ask for more.” She sighed quietly and added under her breath, “For him.” Then, as the sound of a bus approached from behind them, she took a firmer grip on the leash. Runt was well known for his fanatical pursuit of buses. Somewhere in his shallow canine brain those big, noisy, rolling boxes needed to be captured and brought down a notch or two. Conversely, he was afraid of squirrels. He growled and bristled as the bus passed, but Temerity kept a firm pressure on the leash and intoned to him hypnotically, “Don’t do it. Don’t look at it. Don’t chase it. Don’t try to bite it.”
    Runt turned a hopeful face up to his human and made a noise like squeaky brakes as the bus went past. Ellen translated this noise as
Then can I just lick it?
    They resumed their stroll. “So . . .” Ellen faltered. She was lost again, unable to