All Quotes

"[Katie reads the note with an emotional grin. She crosses her fingers over her sealed lips and sticks the wadded-up note in her mouth]"

"[That is well enough for Eva. She nods toward the back. The girls slip off their seat belts and slide over the backseat]"

"Eva: Are you ready? Don't shriek."

"[Katie nods solemnly. Eva unzips the knapsack. A bright-eyed Dodger peers up at them. Katie spits the wad of paper clear to the front seat, but covers her mouth to stifle a shriek. The two girls burst into squeaking chortles]"

"[Katie's mum doesn't take her eyes off the road]"

"Tessa: That's more like it. Now go back to your seats and put on your seat belts."

"[Eva stares out the window at the familiar sights and street signs as they get closer. She knows it won't take long to reach her father's condo. Will everything really go as planned? Her heart thumps a little faster as the station wagon pulls up in front of the modern two-story house surrounded by trees and plants]"

"[Eva cranes her neck and is relieved to see her dad's Jeep parked in the open garage. Now Katie's mother will think her father is home]"

"[Eva swiftly jumps out with her knapsack and duffel bag and points to the Jeep]"

"Eva: He's here, you see? Must be waiting for me in the backyard."

"Tessa: Just do me a favor, Eva. Make sure he's there and then come out and give us a wave."

"Eva: Okey-dokey! [She disappears behind the house. She reappears seconds later, giving them a thumbs-up sign and a cheery wave]"

"Katie: Thanks for the ride!"

"[Now please go, she begs privately. She gets her wish until the station wagon pulls off, Katie waving to her from the backseat]"

"Eva: Perfect."

"[She hurries to the front door and is surprised, only to find it is locked. Her grin fades]"

"Eva: Except I don't have a key. Dodger, we're in danger."

"[She unzips the knapsack, and Dodger jumps out]"

"Eva: Two entire days alone, free to play and do anything we want––and I blew it!"

"[Dodger jumps into action]"

"[He grabs a crumpled bag from Eva's knapsack and begins climbing a tree. He reaches the top faster and jumps onto the second-story ledge of the house. Eva watches in amazement as he wrestles with a locked window]"

"Eva: He's totally trying to get us in!"

"[Dodger moves to a small, round attic window. Eva can't quite see what he does, but she cheers as Dodger nimbly jumps inside. She hurries onto the porch and presses an ear to the front door. Will the little guy know he has to come and open the door for her?]"

"Eva: Dodger! Open up!"

"[The sound of footsteps on the sidewalk make her spin around. A neighbor is staring at her]"

"Eva: Dad? [She smirks in embarrassment at the neighbor] My dad locked me out by mistake."

"[The man gives an understanding nod and turns away]"

"[Seconds go side-by-side, then moments. What is Dodger doing in there? Eva presses her face against the window and peers inside. No sign of her pet]"

"Eva: Open the door!"

"[Incredibly, the lock clicks. The door opens. There stands Dodger in his diapers, looking amazingly proud of himself. Eva raises her hand. So does Dodger. Just as she has taught him, they slap a high five]"

"Eva: You're unreal!"

"[Eva switches the lock on the door handle where that it opens from the outside. Can't afford any more goof-ups, she thinks. But just as she walks into the living room, an ear-splitting, heart-stopping shriek shatters the silence. Eva shrieks back and drops her bags]"

"Eva: I forgot the alarm!"

"[With terror, Dodger jumps onto her shoulders and begins whooping along with the alarm. He wraps his trembling arms around her face]"

"[Eva can't see, can't hear, can't think. She feels like a spin drier gone out of control. She races back out, to a panel on the wall. The little red lights are blinking furiously. Dodger is twisting on her shoulders, fully covering her eyes]"

"Eva: Let go, I can't see!"

"[She stares at the panel in horror]"

"Eva: He punches numbers, but which ones? Why don't I ever pay attention to the reluctant nonsense in life?"

"[She starts hitting buttons, any buttons. Nothing happens at first. Feeling desperate, Eva mutters and slaps the whole control panel. Silence. The shrieking stops]"

"Eva: Here goes. Whew. [She sighs and collapses against the wall. Speak about nerve-shattering experiences]"

"[But the ordeal isn't over. As soon as the alarm has stopped, the phone starts ringing. Eva grabs Dodger and freezes like a statue. They both turn to stare at the phone and responding machine in the living room]"

"[The machine clicks on]"

"Machine: This is Ned at West Tec Security. If you're there, Mr. Boylan, please pick up."

"[Eva dives for the phone]"

"Eva: Hello? Yes, we're here. Uh-huh, everything's fine. [She makes a face at Dodger] You see, my dad had to go to the bathroom until we came in, and he forgot to shut off the alarm. [She pauses, listening, but laughs heartily] If you must go, you must go. Yes, I'll warn him. Thanks for checking, it's alright!"

"[She hangs up the phone and slides to the floor in a heap of exhaustion]"

"Eva: This is not as easy as I thought."

"Man: What's going on?"

"Tom: I need the phone, and your mum wants you back at the table."

"[Sitting once more at the dining-room table, Eva glances with hesitation all around her. Where has Dodger gone? For sure, he'll burst up right in front of her family, and then it is a farewell, Dodger]"