A Short Story by John Daly

Copyright © 2009 by John Daly
This revised version was originally published in The Fiction Writer and Other Short Stories, which is copyright © 2007 by John Daly. No part of this story may be used without permission of the Author.

The end of the school year approached. It had been a wonderful year for Billy Joe. He had been selected not only as the class valedictorian, but also as the student, “Most Likely to Succeed’. His SAT scores had been outstanding. He was having the best year of his life His teachers had noticed the improvements. Mr. Sampson had also noticed. He had been working behind the scenes, advising him on what colleges to apply to for help. He had also been working the telephones, touting Billy Joe to his friends in the admission departments of several universities.

One day Billy Joe was summoned to Mr. Sampson’s office. He hoped the visit would be better than his last visit when he was chastised for poor performance. It was very much better.

“I’ve got good news for you Billy Joe!,” said Mr. Sampson. “In fact, it’s extraordinarily good news. Better news than I could ever have imagined for you. You are one lucky young man. I have not one, but three full scholarship offers from three of the best universities in the country. You will receive a letter from them at your home in a few days. I have never heard of such a thing. Three offers, unbelievable! You can take your pick. Fantastic! I’ve never heard of such a thing,” he kept repeating.

Billy Joe was speechless. He looked out the window and saw Magic looking at him and smiling. Then Billy Joe knew what had happened. He didn’t know how, he just knew why it had happened.

“How does he keep doing this stuff?,” he thought. Where did he come from? Who sent him?”

“—– and talk to your parents and tell me your decision in the next few days.”

Billy Joe was brought back from his mental wondering by the sound of Mr. Sampson’s voice.

“Yes sir, I will. And thank you for all your help. I couldn’t have done all this without your help.”

“It wasn’t all my doing. It was as if there were some kind of divine intervention. You are one lucky young man.”

That night Billy Joe told his parents about the good news. They were thrilled. It took them about 10 minutes to agree on which offer to accept. Billy Joe had dreamed about going to that school all his life. He never thought that his family could afford the tuition, so it had remained only a dream. Now it was a reality.

“Can you believe how our lives have changed since Magic arrived,” said David. First my new job, then Billy Joe’s scholarship offers. What else can—”

“I too have some good news,” said Janet triumphantly, interrupting her husband. “I got a call today from Florence Haley. Her son has grown tired of being a sailboat captain. He has met a young woman. They have fallen in love and are coming back here to be married. David, he wants to talk to you about joining you in the business.

Florence is ecstatic! She has always believed that her son would settle down one day and that the business would then grow. She is so convinced that she wants to teach me the office part of the business so that I can help her with the growth. Help her while I receive a very nice salary, I might add. Our Billy Joe is going away to college, so my work here at home is mostly over. I am thrilled that I can now help you build a new business and a new life.”

When she finished her spontaneous announcement, Janet started crying.

“Are you responsible for all this good news, Magic?,” she cried, looking over at the dog.

Magic just looked back at her.

He did not smile and he did not wag his tail. He just looked at her in his friendly way.

(To be continued…)