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.

Janet and Billy Joe were still talking about their disappointment in losing the dog, when they heard David talking on the front porch.

“Remember not a word to your father about the dog,” cautioned Janet.

“I know mom, I know. Dad has probably bought someone home for dinner. Wonder why they just don’t come inside and talk?”

They both walked to the front door and looked out through the screen door.

“He’s back!,” screamed Billy Joe.

“Who’s back?,” asked David, startled by the scream.

“He means that dog that is standing next to you!,” exclaimed Janet.

“Do you two know this dog?,” David asked, with disbelief in his voice. “I just met him at the bus stop a few minutes ago. How could you know him?”

“He also followed Billy Joe home from school this afternoon,” said Janet.

“I can’t believe it!,” said David in astonishment.

“Believe it,” said Janet. “Come on in and bring the dog with you. I’ll fix dinner and I’ll tell you all about this yellow dog and his visit to our house.”

During dinner, the three of them discussed what had happened to each of them that day that had involved the dog. They talked about what they were going to do with the dog. The dog sat in the corner of the room and watched them intently. When any of them glanced his way he would just smile and wag his tail. He never barked or growled, he just smiled. He never approached the table while they were eating, he just watched them quietly. It was as if he were waiting for them to make a decision about him.

Janet strongly suspected that this dog was something more than just an ordinary dog. She told David and Billy Joe how she felt. To her surprise, they both said they felt the same way.

“If he is a special or ‘magic’ dog, why do you suppose he is here?,” she asked, almost whispering. She glanced over at the dog to see if he had heard her. He just smiled and wagged his tail.

“If he is a ‘magic’ dog, and I think he is, who do you think sent him?,” whispered David.

“Why are you both whispering?,” asked Billy Joe loudly. “If he is a ‘magic’ dog, he probably can hear you, or he can read your mind no matter what you say or do.”

“You really believe he knows what we are thinking?,” asked Janet in a startled voice.

“If he can read our thoughts he will know that all of them are friendly and loving as far as he is concerned,” said David. “I think that we should invite him to stay with us for as long as he wants to stay.”

“I agree,” said Janet happily.

“I agree too,” said Billy Joe, laughing.

“Then it’s unanimous,” said David laughing. Turning to face the dog he said formally,

“Sir you are invited to stay here as a member of our family for as long as you like. We hope you will accept our offer of hospitality.”

The dog jumped to his feet, smiled broadly, wagged his tail, and did an excited dog dance!

“I’ll take that as an acceptance,” said David, laughing.

“We can’t keep referring to a member of our family as ‘the dog’,” said David.” “He needs to have a name. I suggest we call him ‘Magic’. Anyone disagree? None did. All right, once again it is unanimous.” Turning to face the dog he asked,

“Sir, is the name ‘Magic’ acceptable to you?”

The dog immediately smiled and wagged his tail in response to David’s question.

“I’ll take that as your agreeing that the name is acceptable. Thank you for participating in this discussion sir.

From now on we will address you as ‘Magic’.”

(To be continued…)