The Dog-Eared Diary

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Autumn Clarke; her Shih tzu, Chrissy; and best friend, Stephanie Douglas, walked through the late-August heat shimmering over the annual Peabody Festival grounds. Packed with locals and visitors alike, the festival was an important part of Knollwood's economy. The town benefitted from the influx of tourists who patronized the bed and breakfasts, restaurants, and Main Street retailers. The number of vendors and booths at the festival seemed to double over last year, with rows of tents added to the center of the fair grounds and an expanded stage area.

Autumn and Stephanie scanned the schedule of speeches and bands. The map of vendor tables handed to them at the gate helped them strategize to visit as many booths as possible before twilight fell. Once it got dark, the blasts from the fireworks would upset Chrissy and make her whole body tremble. Autumn wanted to be home before that happened.

Autumn watched Chrissy's tail bounce up and down as her hips swayed side-to-side. Chrissy sniffed the freshly mowed grass and sneezed.

"Bless you, sweetheart," said Autumn.

Chrissy looked up at Autumn with a glistening nose, wagged her tail, and continued her joyful trot. Autumn watched her, proud that Chrissy had come such a long way in the four months since she'd lost her daddy and Autumn became her pet parent. Chrissy's resilience inspired Autumn to move past her own grief at the loss of her parents eight months before.

The soaring heat did not seem to bother Chrissy, despite her long, silky hair. The warm breeze cut into the humidity and blew through Chrissy's bangs. Autumn had the water bottle and portable cup at the ready in case her precious Shih tzu got thirsty

They strolled past lines of eager patrons waiting to cool down at the water ice, lemonade, and ice cream stands. They had started at the row to the right of the entry gate, and were about a quarter of the way through, stomachs growling as lunchtime approached. As if in response to their hunger pains, a bright yellow tent with bold flowing red font advertised Coleman's Kitchen. Autumn and Stephanie smiled at each other and sped-up the pace. Lisa Coleman greeted them with a big smile and open arms.

"Ladies! Thanks for stopping by!"

"We wouldn't miss it!" said Autumn and Stephanie in unison as if they planned it. The two women had been best friends since they roomed together at Villanova and often finished each other's sentences.

Stephanie's enthusiasm about Lisa's cooking skills began after tasting her crab quiche at Autumn's house. It was nice to have a neighbor so accomplished in the culinary arts.

Autumn was proud of Lisa's decision to pursue a career she loved, especially after the awful experience she had at the law firm she worked for this past spring. She had a couple of years left in her culinary program at The Restaurant School in Philadelphia, but that did not stop her from opening her own restaurant in the meantime. She'd learned to cook from her mother, who passed away from cancer, and found that she was a natural chef. Lisa's father, Steve Coleman, supported his daughter's dream. He and Lisa lived a few doors down from Autumn, and Steve was pet parent to Chrissy's best friend, Mickey the white standard poodle.

"How's business at the restaurant?" Autumn asked.

"Good. My biggest competition is Patsy's Deli, but my rotating menu keeps patrons tired of the same old lunch coming in. Patsy's makes breakfast, too, but I don't think I'll move into that. Maybe I'll start serving dinner or catering at some point, but with school, I just don't have the time to do anything but lunch."

They bit into the samples of Lisa's signature Mediterranean sandwich with lemon hummus, assorted veggies, and feta cheese on naan.

"Mmm," Autumn groaned, "this is so good."

Stephanie nodded, her mouth full.

Lisa beamed.

"Do you have a full-size version available?" Stephanie asked, looking around for a table. She spotted one at the corner of Lisa's tent.

"Yep. What do you want to drink?"

"Water's fine," said Autumn. "I'll take a Mediterranean sandwich, too, please."

Despite Lisa's insistence to the contrary, Autumn and Stephanie purchased their lunch. They were all for supporting their friend's enterprise. Lisa threw a couple of jumbo chocolate chip cookies on the tray as a bonus.

Enjoying the shade under the tent, Chrissy got her bowl of water and a grain-free snack and settled in the cool grass beneath the table. It was the perfect respite before continuing their exploration of the festival offerings. They perused the list of vendors and activities as they ate. A child ran by with his face painted like a tiger.

"I think we can skip the face-painting booth," said Stephanie with a chuckle.

"Agreed," said Autumn.

"Hi, Miss Douglas!" a little girl called from a nearby table.

Stephanie taught fifth grade at Knollwood Elementary school and often saw her students out and about.

"Hey, Cindy! Are you having fun?" Stephanie waved to Cindy's mother sitting next to the child. "Hi, Mrs. Tandy."

The woman waved, her mouth around a sandwich.

"You have Miss Jenkins for sixth grade, right?"

"Yeah," Cindy sounded disappointed.

"You're going to love her. She likes to have fun in her classroom. Plus, you're a terrific student, so you'll do great."

Cindy brightened and then spotted Chrissy. "Can I pet your dog?" Cindy asked with a sparkle in her eyes as she looked at Autumn.

"Sure, she loves the attention. Her name is Chrissy," Autumn said.

Cindy bent down and reached under the table. Chrissy came out, wagging her tail, to make it easy for the girl to reach her.

"Hi, Chrissy. You're so soft! Your bow is so pretty."

Chrissy's topknot set-off by a pink satin flower clip was a kid pleaser every time. Cindy's touch was very gentle.

"Hey! She just smiled at me!"

Autumn did not doubt it. Chrissy had an expressive face.

Stephanie saw Mrs. Tandy signaling for Cindy to return to the table.

"I think your mom wants you. I'll see you in a couple of weeks, OK?" said Stephanie.

Cindy nodded reluctantly, said goodbye to Chrissy, and went back to her lunch.

Brad Hall, another of Autumn's neighbors, walked by in his park ranger uniform, at the festival in an official capacity. He waved. Autumn knew his wife, Julie, was at the festival, too, operating the bake-sale booth to raise money for school activities.

"Let's go find Julie," suggested Autumn. She moved her finger along the festival map. "Her booth is a few down from this one."

They did not have to look hard, since Chrissy spotted her friend, Teddy the Yorkshire terrier before Autumn and Stephanie realized they had arrived at the booth. Julie and Brad were Teddy's pet parents. Chrissy pulled Autumn to where her friend stood, wagging his tail.

"Can I interest you in something to enjoy at home?" Julie smiled at them as she reached down to pet Chrissy. "How are you, little one?"

"I'm running low on snickerdoodles, so how about a small pack of those?" Stephanie dug in her purse for the money.

"I'll take a pack of chocolate chip cookies and that chocolate coconut Bundt cake."

Julie raised her eyebrows. "Buying for two, I take it?"

Autumn smiled. "As a matter of fact, yes. Ray has a sweet tooth."

"That's why he picked you, isn't it?" Julie laughed at her own joke. "You've gotten quite close over the last few months. You're the talk of the town."

"Well, investigating a murder is an intimate affair."

Autumn and Ray had solved the murder of Chrissy's original pet parent. Ray and his German Shepherd Dog, Ace, saved Autumn and Chrissy from getting killed themselves. "It's not every day you find a guy who is protective and understanding of my post-traumatic stress disorder."

Autumn had lived with PTSD for the eight months since the fatal car accident that killed her parents. She still missed them, but Ray brought his healing love to her rescue, as did Chrissy.

"One day I hope to find someone who loves me as much as Ray loves Autumn," Stephanie sighed.

"You will," Autumn said and squeezed Stephanie's arm.

Packages in hand, they said their goodbyes, after Autumn and Julie set plans to walk the fur babies together the following day. They stopped to play a few games, but did not win anything, laughing at each other's lack of accuracy at the ring toss and the shooting gallery. Halfway around the fairgrounds, they ran into Steve Coleman and Mickey. Chrissy's tail went into overdrive as she sniffed Mickey and hopped in greeting.

They walked past the hot dog stand, and Chrissy and Mickey's noses lifted to take in the aroma of the fragrant meat. Autumn's friend,...