Then with one hand Mama scooped out from the blanket the cutest yellow Labrador Retriever you’ve ever seen.

Layla stood transfixed in front of Mama as Mama handed Buddy to Layla. “Isn’t he beautiful!” Maggie said.

Layla just nodded and held him to her chest.

Time was standing still again.

Mama finally broke the silence and said, “Buddy is your doggie now, but he’s gonna be livin’ here with me at the shop durin’ the day and goin’ home with Mama at nighttime. On the weekends he’ll have Mama’s big backyard at the house to play in and y’all can come over and play with him too! When he’s older and you’re older, Layla, he can live with you!”

“Is that okay, honey?” Maggie asked.

Layla nodded. She still hadn’t said a word.

Buddy was sleeping in Layla’s arms as she held him tightly to her chest.

“Looks like we need to be looking for a larger place,” I said.

“Yes!” Maggie said. “But it has to have a clawfoot tub!”

The rest of the morning at Mama’s went smoothly. Maggie and I spent the entire morning with Layla and Buddy.