Full Speed Ahead: My Journey with Kit

Kit drags me by the hand down to the backyard, where Mrs. Howard and Mrs. Kittredge hang laundry, Mr. Kittredge digs potato plants, and Charlie and Stirling weed with help from Buddy and Grace.

Kit twirls to show off the dress I made her, and everyone oohs and claps as Mr. Kittredge sweeps her into a waltz.

Mrs. Kittredge asks if it’s her old dress, Charlie calls me a genius, Mrs. Howard calls the dress dreamy, and Mr. Kittredge says Kit looks like a million bucks. Kit thanks me, thrilled to wear it back to school.

I tell Kit that Roger better watch out. Oddly, I feel grateful to him. Without meaning to, he revealed something Kit was longing for, something I could give her.

We’re laughing so hard we barely notice the big, black car pull up until a little girl jumps out shouting Scooter’s name and drops to her knees to hug Buddy, who licks her face.

The girl’s father apologizes for barging in, thrilled they’ve found his daughter’s puppy after searching all of Cincinnati for Scooter. Mr. Kittredge, surprised, asks if the dog is really theirs, since he’d thought Buddy was mine.

I shake my head miserably. I never knew where he came from, but loved him so much I wanted him to be mine. Everyone can see I’m close to tears, too kind to push further. The father apologizes, pressing a twenty-dollar bill into my hands, the reward for Scooter’s safe return since the girl’s been heartbroken, and thanks me for taking such good care of her dog.

Mrs. Kittredge rests her hands on my shoulders, saying Buddy’s been a lovable dog and it’s good he’s back with his family. I fight back tears. He can’t come to the twenty-first century with me anyway, and he clearly loves the girl as much as she loves him. I hug Buddy one last time and hand him over. The girl shyly says we can visit anytime.

The girl’s father mentions they’re taking a trip next month and might pay us to look in on Scooter while they’re away. Kit eagerly agrees, and we all wave as the girl and her father drive off with Buddy.

Suddenly I can’t hold it in anymore, and I turn and run for the house.

I cry the whole way up the stairs, then throw myself on Kit’s bed. I knew I’d have to say goodbye to Buddy eventually, but never imagined it would hurt this much. At least Kit gets to see him again, and gets paid besides.

Kit sits beside me, apologizing about Buddy. I tell her he was never really mine. She isn’t so sure. I loved him, cared for him, had adventures with him, and made his one day a happy one. One day isn’t much, I say. Kit agrees, but it’s better than nothing, and the Depression taught her to grab happiness wherever she finds it.

I sigh, telling myself Buddy has a nice owner and isn’t far away. Kit nods: he’s home, where he belongs. Home. Maybe it’s time for me to go home, too.

Kit heads downstairs to help Mother, telling me to rest and come down when I’m ready. I grab her hand and thank her. She says she should be thanking me, since I gave everyone a happy day today.

When Kit leaves, I write her note. It says:

I fold the note around the twenty-dollar bill and prop it on Kit’s typewriter, taking one last look around the room. Kit stands forever beside Izza among my best friends, and I already miss Buddy. I put on my old coat, take a deep breath, and click the camera.