Page 69 of The Broken Heart Playlist
“Spare books? There should be four of them.”
Lisset pulls out four children’s books from the backpack. Gideon explains that these are emergency books he keeps on hand in case the kids want to read something different.
Abruptly, he snaps his fingers, as though remembering something. “Hey, Lis, check page five of this book for me,” he says casually, not looking at her while he points to one of the books she’s holding. “Tell me if you think the monster is too scary for the kids. I don’t want to receive a call from the principal. My days of being in the principal’s bad books are over.”
I hold my breath. Will Lisset see through his ploy? But she’s so caught up in assisting Gideon she doesn’t think twice as she flips through the pages. This is the first time she’s opened a book in weeks. The beauty of it is, she doesn’t even realize she’s crossed a line she’s subconsciously drawn for herself.
Hats off to Gideon for his cleverness.
Small steps, he mouths to me above Lisset’s head.
I nod, a lump forming in my throat at the thought of this man giving up a large portion of his Sunday to help a little girl who’s lost her way. And a woman who’s trying to find her way back.
Small steps.
“Nope, the monster’s not scary,” Lisset concludes after she’s finished her examination of the page.
“All right, the book stays,” Gideon says. “Now we have to dress Uno in his work clothes. You ready?”
“Yes!”
Uno clambers obediently to his feet and stands still while Gideon helps Lisset to slip his bright red vest on. Even I’m forced to admit the greyhound looks outrageously handsome in his working vest.
“Now comes the most important part,” Gideon says to Lisset.
She stares up at him with wide eyes. “What’s the most important part?”
“I need you to check if Uno has these three things. If he doesn’t, he’s not ready. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Number one, does he have his kind eyes?”
A smile pulls at my lips as Lisset peers into Uno’s face. She gives a vigorous nod. “Yup, his eyes are kind right now.”
“Good. Number two, does he have on his listening ears?”
Lisset gazes at Uno.
Gideon says, “Uno,” in a deep voice and Uno’s ears prick up.
She gives an excited little bounce. “Yes!”
“Last item on the checklist. Are you ready?”
“I’m ready,” Lisset responds.
“Does he have his wagging tail to show everyone he’s happy?”
We all stare at Uno, who stares back at us. I’m not sure if a dog can actually look confused, but this one certainly does.
“It’s your turn to call his name,” Gideon prods Lisset.
“Uno!” she singsongs.
Immediately, his tail starts wagging. “He’s ready!” she yells, clapping her hands.
He smiles at her. “Now you’re ready to be a volunteer handler.”
