Gossamer Read Online Free Page A

seven.
    In addition I was, well let’s just say, well-developed. I filled out very well for my seventeen years–eighteen next week. I supposed my looks were inherited from my dad. Like me, he was tall with dark hair, although not quite as dark as mine. His eyes were brown, though, and his face was narrow with a prominent nose, whereas my heart-shaped face had subtle features. I guess I was one of those kids with a bunch of random genes shoved together. Thankfully, it seemed to work out okay.
    My mom finally lifted her head. “Do you mind if we order pizza for dinner?”
    I smiled. “No, not at all. Pizza sounds great.” I lied, because it was absolutely one of my least favorite foods, but she was clearly exhausted, and I understood her desire to order in.
    “Will you call it in?” she asked through a yawn.
    “Actually,” I said. “I can go pick it up.”
    “Would you? Oh, that would be great, honey. My keys are on the table.” She motioned toward the kitchen.
    I felt like getting out and seeing as I personally had no car, I liked any excuse to drive someone else’s.
    * * * *
    The pizza place was only a few blocks away so it didn’t take me long to get there and head back. The scent of supreme pizza filled my car. About a block away from my house, the smell smothered me so I rolled my windows down to get some fresh air. I took a deep breath and made a right turn when something darted in front of the vehicle.
    I braked hard and realized it was the same brown dog from my yard. My heart pounded as I checked to see if he had moved in time, hoping I hadn’t turned the poor thing into doggie road kill. The clear path relieved me. Movement caught my attention, and I saw the brown dog safe on the sidewalk. He trotted around, sniffing the area. I finished my turn, intending to head home, then stopped. I pulled off to the side of the road.
    “Damn,” I muttered. “I’m such a sucker.”
    Concerned the dog might run out in the street again, I figured I should check for a collar. The least I could do was call the owner.
    I stepped out of the car, gently shutting my door and slowly approached the dog. He seemed friendly enough. Although I’d never met an animal that didn’t like me, I preferred caution around unfamiliar pets. He turned his head in my direction, wagging his tail. He seemed harmless. I knelt and in slow motion stuck out my hand. He leaned forward sniffing, and with careful touches, I felt around the thick fur at the nape of his neck.
    “No collar?” The dog’s head tilted to the side at the sound of my voice. “I wonder who you belong to. You’re going to get hurt running around out here.” Thoughtfully, I chewed on my bottom lip.
    As I thought about what to do, the dog’s head perked up. He seemed to have heard something. His head lifted, and he sniffed the air around us. I scanned the area as well, but couldn’t see or hear anything. Did he just smell the pizza drifting out of my car? Maybe I should give him a slice. It might have been a while since his last meal, but he seemed on high alert which made me doubt he was actually hungry.
    I stood, looking around again. “What is it boy? Geez, I’m talking to freaking Lassie,” I mumbled.
    The dog looked at me, his head cocked sideways, then paced around finally stopping right next to me. He faced to my right. I peered in that direction but didn’t see anything. His fur stuck up along his front shoulder blades, and he drew close to my leg. I could feel the soft rumbles in his body as he growled almost inaudibly. Fear gripped me. I glanced over at my car, then back at the dog. Time to get in and see if I could persuade the dog to join me. I would take him home and figure things out there.
    From around the corner, something caught my eye. The movement came from the same direction the dog stared. My heart raced. I took another step closer to the car, and the dog moved with me. I could just make out a figure when a gust of wind blew by, lifting my