The Madrona Heroes Register: Underneath It All

Chapter 5 - The First Walk

It’s not clear when the knock became more of a formality, but at some point over the past year Penny’s presence at the Jordan house became so ubiquitous that her knock turned into something that came after she was already halfway through the front door. 

“Is it time to walk the dog?” Penny announced as she strode into the family room.

§

Julie led the chattering girls, Binny, Cassie, and Penny down the Madrona hillside towards Dr. Huitre’s house. Apparently Binny had informed Penny about tonight’s dog walking plans mere milliseconds after they’d been formed the previous evening. 

Julie looked down at the book she was holding in her hands. A Distant Mirror – just your average historical account of the black plague in the 14th century. As she read, Julie had imagined herself in the book, trying to calm people and teach them how to protect themselves using tested techniques instead of depending on superstition and fear. 

Cassie had run ahead and had reached the door of Huitre’s modern house at the end of the road just before the woods took over the side of the hill. Julie made it to the door just as a smiling Dr. Huitre pulled it open.

“You sure you’re okay with this?” Julie smiled motioning towards the kids with her eyes.

“Rembrandt!” Cassie shot through the empty space between Huitre and the door to pet the big dog excitedly. 

“Cassie! You don’t just walk into people’s houses.” Binny reproached her sister.

Huitre laughed. “I think it’s already been decided.” And then to the kids he added, “Come in. Come in. I think Rembrandt is even more excited than Cassie.”

“Thanks for doing this. It’s very kind of you. The kids really want a dog, and Jay’s not, well – we’re not sure they’re ready for that kind of responsibility.”

“Are you kidding? They are doing me a favor.” Huitre laughed.

“Let’s go! Let’s go!” Cassie urged. 

Binny rolled her eyes at Cassie’s eagerness. 

“Okay, let’s go then.” Julie said.

“Wait! You’re coming?” Cassie pointed an accusatory finger at her mother. “No you’re not.”

“Of course I’m coming.”

“I thought we were going to show you how we can do this on our own.” Cassie emphasized the last words to make it clear she wanted zero assistance from the adults in the room. 

“That’s true Mom.” Binny added.

“If your mom is ok with it, I think you three will do a great job walking Rembrandt.” Huitre said.

Everyone looked at Julie.

“Are you sure?” Julie’s raised her eyebrows at Huitre.

Huitre smiled, “I think these young ladies will be incredibly responsible. Rembrandt on the other hand, I am not so sure about.”

§

Binny kept looking over her shoulder as Dr. Huitre’s house started to disappear around the corner. When she wasn’t looking back she was barking at Cassie to “Slow down.”

“I can’t slow down. Rembrandt is in a hurry.” Cassie had found her partner in crime.

“Why do you keep doing that?” Penny asked her friend.