Fenway and Hattie by Victoria J. Coe Read Free Book Online

Food Lady nods at her reassuringly.
    I’m about to ask why she’s the one they’re reassuring when our heads turn toward a commotion on the other side of the room. Lance is jumping and pawing his human. “Yo, buddy! Where are the treats?” he barks.
    The One Human heads over to them. Lance’s human steps aside, as if he expects the One Human to rescue him. He’s grimacing like he’s in pain. Or perhaps he’s afraid of what’s next. Lance turns to the rest of us. “What’re you lookin’ at?”
    The One Human stands over Lance, stares straight into his eyes, and something changes. His face becomes completely focused. He gapes at the One Human like she’s a ham bone. “Sit,” she says.
    He plunks onto his bum. And voilà! A treat falls into his open mouth. It’s beyond impressive.
    But it’s not over. “Stay,” the One Human says, holding out her arm. She steps back. Lance waits, completely still, eyes glued on her as if in a trance. Another treat sails over and—nice grab! This happens a few more times.
    We’re all thinking the same thing—it can’t be that easy. But nobody has the guts to do anything about it. Or do they? I turn to Sadie, then to Rocky. “Just watch, you guys,” I say. “I totally have this.”
    I swivel back to Hattie. “Yo, buddy! Where’s my treat?” I bark. I jump up and paw her legs.
    She jerks away. “FEN-way!”
    I can feel rather than see the attention. “Come on. Where is it?” I bark again, charging at her.
    Right on cue, the One Human comes over. One sniff reveals that she has treats, too. She hovers over me, her body tall and dominant.
    â€œSit,” she commands.
    Talk about intimidating! My hind legs crumple. I sink onto my bum.
    She looks into my eyes. “Stay,” she says, extending her arm.
    I freeze in place. I want to hop up and grab those treats. But her strong gaze and powerful energy are warning me not to.
    The One Human takes a step.
    I’m still as a statue—work it, work it, work it—and bingo!
Chomp!
The treat’s in my mouth, and wowee, is it ever yummy.
    Really, this game is too easy. Apparently, the One Human’s not very smart.

    When it’s dark outside, we’re back at home. I’m curled up in Hattie’s cozy bed. She’s smelling minty. And subdued.
    She quickly kisses my front paws, then begins brushing my fur. I sigh happily with each luxurious stroke. I snuggle against My Hattie’s chest, ready to melt into a pool of delight.
    But something’s different. Instead of singing “best buddies, best buddies,” she’s talking. In that same quiet, serious voice she used before. She’s telling me to pay attention to something important. But what?

When it’s morning time, Hattie rubs her eyes. Yippee, she’s awake!
    I crawl up to her face and lick her cheek, my whole backside wagging with excitement. “Get up, Hattie!” I bark. “It’s time to play.”
    She laughs and strokes my back. Then she rolls over, her gaze drifting to the top of the dresser. Where her backpack is.
    She gets out of bed and reaches for it. My tail goes crazy with a wonderful memory. That backpack is full of treats!
    I fly off the bed, running around her bare feet. Hooray! Hooray! Treats are coming.
    Hattie grabs a few treats and bounces on her toes. “Sit, Fenway!” she says.
    Oh boy! I can’t wait for those treats. I jump and jump, sniffing wildly at her fist.
Ouch!
I collide with the chair, and a stack of clean clothes tumbles to the floor.
    As Hattie bends down to scoop them up, I’m ready.
    Chomp!
Mmmmm.
That was awfully easy. And tasty.
    â€œFEN-way!” Hattie scolds, her voice annoyed.
    What’s up with that? Didn’t she want me to have the treat?
    Hattie sighs and starts refolding the clothes. Apparently, playtime is over. Or maybe