Girls Just Wanna Have Pugs

by J. J. Howard

  Maybe I could even get my friends on board, so we could walk more dogs at different times.

  As I entered my apartment, I felt a new bounce in my step. I finally had an idea to share with my parents. I could only hope they—and my friends—would agree to it.

  I hung up my backpack in its usual spot and sent a text to Lucy, asking her to stop by when she was done with Drama Club. Since she lived on the seventh floor of the Burgundy, my apartment was technically on her way home. She texted back right away:

  Leaving school now. See you soon!

  I paced around the apartment, waiting for her. As soon as Lucy knocked on the door, I practically dragged her inside.

  “What’s going on?” she asked.

  “You know how I was trying to think of an activity to get involved in?” I began, and Lucy nodded. “Well, I had an idea!”

  “Great. Which club are you going to join?” Lucy asked as we headed for the kitchen. “I’m getting some juice—you want some?”

  Lucy and I were the kind of friends who no longer asked permission to get stuff at each other’s places. And we both knew where everything was.

  “No, thanks, I’m okay. But listen, it’s not a club I want to join. I want to start a business.”

  “A business?” Lucy said, setting down her backpack on the kitchen floor. “Hmm. What kind of business? Don’t you need money to start one?”

  I hopped up to sit on a stool. “Not if it’s a service we’d be providing. And we wouldn’t have any expenses,” I explained. “I’m going to start a dog-walking business—here in the Burgundy! And … I’m hoping you’ll be a part of it.”

  Lucy opened the refrigerator and took out a carton of orange juice. “So you’re going to walk dogs for people who live in the building and charge them for it?” She still sounded skeptical—Lucy always had a lot of questions. But luckily, I had answers.

  “Yep,” I said. “I mean, we would walk the dogs. I’m going to ask Taz, too. I figure we’ll have set rates, depending on how far we take the dogs. Some people probably just want their dogs taken to the closest patch of grass to make their business. But we could also take the dogs all the way to the dog run in Riverside Park. And that could cost more. I would organize everything—you know how much I love organizing things.”

  “Oh, I definitely know that,” Lucy said, smiling. She poured herself a tall glass of orange juice, then added, “So, it would be like Uber, for dog walking?”

  “Exactly!” I said, beaming. “I’m actually thinking that Taz could help design an app so clients could get in touch with us that way.” I paused. “What do you think?”

  Lucy took a sip of juice, then grinned. “I like it. I don’t know how much time I’ll have until after the play is over. But I’m trying to save up for this acting seminar over winter break. So … I’m in!”

  I felt a burst of relief. “Yay! I was hoping you’d say that!” I jumped off the stool and gave Lucy a big hug.

  “But, Kat, I’ve never walked a dog before. You’ll have to show me the ropes.”

  I giggled. “That’s almost a pun. The ropes. Like leashes?”

  Lucy made a wry face. “A bit of a stretch, but okay. So you’ll show me, then?”

  “Sure! I’ve walked Meatball loads of times. It’s super easy. But listen—you also have to help me come up with the perfect name for the business. You’re good at that creative stuff.”

  Lucy nodded. “I’ll start brainstorming.”

  “Great, thank you. I’m telling my parents about the idea tonight, since we’re having our Skype ‘family meeting.’”

  Lucy’s face fell a bit. “Kat, I hate to break it to you when you’re so excited, but I think your parents want you to sign up for a school activity.”

  It was my face’s turn to fall. “Ugh. You’re probably right. But there’s definitely no dog-walking club—or business—at school.”

  “No … but there is some kind of a business club. I remember from when Ms. Kennedy was reading us the activities list in homeroom the other day …” Lucy bent down, unzipped her backpack, and pulled out her phone. “I’m pretty sure the list is posted on the school website.”

  She scrolled for a few seconds and then said, “Aha! Here’s the list. Archery, art, chess, cooking, drama, fashion, gaming, ooh—here it is! Junior FBLA.”

  “What’s an FBLA?” I asked, leaning over to look at the screen.

  “Future Business Leaders of America,” Lucy explained. “And it’s a new club this year—see, it’s marked with an asterisk? Which means they haven’t even had club meetings yet.”

  “Lucy, you’re a genius!” I said, hugging her again and squishing her phone between us.

  “Thanks,” Lucy said, laughing.

  “Who’s the advisor?” I asked.

  “I think it’s Ms. Weinstein. She seems nice. Taz had her last year for math.”

  “Well, as long as it isn’t Mrs. Jackson,” I said, thinking of my strict homeroom teacher. “Anyway, this FBLA is the answer to my prayers—a school club to make my parents happy, and I still get to launch my business idea. Thank goodness you came by, Luce!”

  “Here to help. But I have to go—Mom asked me to put something in the oven for dinner.”

  “Okay. But hey—don’t tell Taz yet, okay? I want to tell her myself. I’ll invite you guys over tomorrow to discuss everything.”

  “Sounds good. Later, Kitty-Kat!”

  Lucy grabbed her bag and headed for the door. I sat back down on the stool with a happy sigh. Now I felt ready to face tonight’s family meeting.

  Our apartment door opened and Micki burst in, followed by Mom.

  “I got a tooth pulled. See?” Micki’s mouth came much too close to my eyeballs.

  “Eww, Mom, make her stop!”

  “Micki,” Mom said in a warning tone, but it was halfhearted.

  My parents treated me like I had to be perfect, but Micki always seemed to get a pass.

  “Why did you have to get your tooth pulled?” I asked Micki.

  “She’s being dramatic. It was her last baby tooth and it was loose,” Mom said.

  I rolled my eyes. Typical Micki making something sound much more exciting than it actually was.

  “It still counts,” Micki responded.

  “So, I see you got my note this morning?” Mom asked me, nodding toward the toaster.

  “Yep,” I said, smiling. “And I have an activity all picked out, thank you very much.”

  Mom looked surprised. “You do? What is it?”

  “You’ll find out at our family meeting,” I told her, crossing my arms over my chest.

  Now Mom rolled her eyes. “Okay, Miss Katherine. Listen, help me set the table.”

  “Can’t we just eat in front of the TV since Dad’s not here?” Micki asked in a whine.

  Mom wavered and then gave in. “Okay, fine. But only because we’re just having leftover spaghetti. Next time I actually cook, we’re setting the table.”

  Micki offered me her palm for a low five and I slapped it. Mom shook her head and went to her bedroom to change. Dinner in front of the TV for Mom meant yoga pants and an old T-shirt. I decided that sounded like a good idea, too, and went to my own room to change into comfy clothes.

  * * *

  A couple of hours later, Mom hooked up her laptop to our living room TV, and the Skype call from Dad came through. He was sitting in some hotel room, with his laptop in front of him. He looked the same as the last time we’d seen him in person about a month ago, but extra tired.

  After we all waved and said hello, Mom announced that I’d chosen an extracurricular activity. She turned expectantly to me.

  “I’m joining Junior FBLA,” I announced. “And I’m starting my own dog-walking business here in the Burgundy.”

  Dad seemed to think about it for a few seconds. “I like the sound of FBLA. I was in the same club when I was in high school, and it’s a great organization. The dog-walking thing could be a good way to practice the skills you
learn in the club, just as long as it doesn’t interfere with your studies.”

  I nodded, feeling kind of let down. I didn’t know what I’d been expecting from Dad. Excitement, maybe? But before I knew it, he was moving on to the next topic. And it soon became clear that he was determined to do a month’s worth of parenting in one Skype call. First, he asked me to get my school schedule and read it off to him, and then he asked me—and Mom—why I wasn’t taking Mandarin as my world language class, since it was now being offered at our school. He said he remembered reading that in the parent newsletter.

  “They are offering it,” Mom said. “But Kat’s been taking Spanish since sixth grade. And she did really well on the placement test—she’s going to get high school credit for this year’s class.”

  “Yeah, I love Spanish,” I chimed in. “My teacher says if I keep working at this pace I’ll be ahead by college.” My heart started beating fast. Would Dad really make me switch language classes?

  Dad looked at me over the top of his glasses. “Kat, it’s not really about what class or teacher you like the most. It’s about what will serve you best going forward. And I can tell you right now that learning Mandarin will give you a leg up in business.”

  I didn’t say anything. Yes, maybe I wanted to follow in Dad’s footsteps and go into business—I’d just told him that with my choice of activity. But I didn’t even know how much I’d like FBLA yet. And if I did, I had a long time to get ready for my eventual business career.

  I turned to Mom. She knew how much I was looking forward to Spanish class this year. I watched her mouth set into the determined line that only appeared when she was about to not give in. Whew.

  Before Mom got the chance to say anything, though, Dad asked to hear Micki’s schedule. He stopped Mom when she got to her math class. “You didn’t say honors—Micki needs to be in the highest-level math class.”

  “It didn’t fit with the elective she chose,” Mom said.

  “What elective? That space exploration thing you mentioned? That doesn’t sound useful.”

  “She’s very excited about it,” Mom said.

  Micki had been distracted, playing with the tassels on one of the sofa’s throw pillows, until she heard Dad mention her space elective. “Wait, what? Dad, I have to take that class. Mr. Sarles already asked me to be his assistant and everything, since I had the highest grade in science last year—remember how I won the award?”

  Dad frowned. “You’re in sixth grade, Micki. I don’t think you need to be worrying about helping out a teacher. You can take it next year, if it fits …”

  But he didn’t say anymore, since Micki had burst into tears. Mom glared at Dad and then went over to Micki. My little sister wrapped her arms around Mom and kept sobbing, and Mom led Micki back to her room.

  Then it was just me sitting there awkwardly with Dad. “So, how’s Barcelona?” I asked him.

  “I’m in Madrid.”

  “Oh.” It seemed sort of ironic that he was in Spain after the argument we’d just had about Spanish, but luckily Mom came back in just then.

  “Say good-night to your dad, Kat,” she said in her don’t-even-ask-a-single-question voice. So I did as she said and then went back to my room.

  I heard Mom’s voice rise as she talked to Dad, but she must have turned down the volume on him because I only heard her. When she came to check on me later her neck was pink and splotchy, like it gets when she’s really upset.

  “I’m sorry, Kat,” she said. “Please don’t worry. You’re taking Spanish this year.” Her face had that determined look again.

  “And Micki’s space elective?”

  She nodded. “Yes. She’s taking it.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” I went over and put my arms around her, and she hugged me back.

  “Of course. But don’t be too hard on your dad. It’s difficult for him to be gone so much.”

  I didn’t really see how Dad trying to control everything from so far away was difficult for him. But I didn’t want Mom to turn any pinker, so I just hugged her again and said good-night.

  “Micki!” I said, opening my bedroom door after my sister had knocked for the fifth time. “Can you go back to your room, please?”

  Usually Micki can watch all the Descendants movies on a continuous loop. But even though she’d just started watching the second movie in her room, she’d come out and decided to interrupt the first-ever meeting of my new business.

  “Can’t we make cookies instead?” Micki pleaded, peeking past me into my room, where Lucy and Taz were lounging on my two beanbag chairs. “Come on, Kat! It’s Saturday!”

  I took a deep breath. Normally I would have asked Mom for help, but she’d had to go into her office last minute.

  “Not right now, okay?” I told Micki. “If you go back and watch your movie, we’ll make cookies afterward. Deal?”

  I watched Micki consider my offer. She wasn’t usually into delayed gratification, but after a few seconds she nodded, then left my doorway and went back to her own room.

  As I shut the door and turned back to my friends, I realized that Micki had actually been onto something. I should have prepared snacks for Lucy and Taz, since this was a pitch meeting. Lucy had already said yes, but that was a gimme. It was Taz who I needed to get on board.

  “I wouldn’t say no to cookies,” Taz said, proving my point.

  “We’ll all make cookies,” I promised my friends as I sat down on my bed. “But first … I’m super excited to tell you my idea. Are you ready?”

  “Yes,” Taz said, sitting up straighter. “I’ve been wondering what this mystery meeting is about. You’re not moving away or something?”

  “Gosh, no! Why would I be excited to tell you that?”

  Lucy and I were both making horrified faces. The thought of moving away from New York, the greatest city in the world, was too horrible to even contemplate.

  “Well, good. Then what’s going on?” Taz asked.

  “Okay, so you know how I was looking for an activity?”

  Taz nodded. “You signed up for Junior FBLA. You texted me that yesterday.”

  “Yes, but … I also had an amazing idea for a business of my own. Well, our own. A dog-walking business, right here at the Burgundy!”

  Taz’s face lit up. “Cool! You mean we could earn money walking dogs?”

  “Yep,” I said, thrilled that Taz seemed into the idea. Lucy was grinning, too.

  “This is perfect,” Taz said. “I’ve been trying to save all my birthday money and allowance and everything for the past year, but I’m still way short.”

  “What are you saving for?” Lucy asked her.

  “A Wacom Cintiq.”

  Lucy gave her a look. “Oh, that clears it up. So glad I asked.”

  “It’s a tablet, one that’s great for artists,” Taz explained. “But it costs more than six hundred dollars, and I’m not even halfway there.” She turned back to me. “Plus, we used to have a dog when I was little, before we moved to New York. Animals love me. So count me in.”

  “Awesome!” I said. I opened up the fresh notebook I’d prepared for the meeting and ran a line through the first item on the to-do list: Ask Taz to join. “Next up,” I continued, “we have to choose a name. Luce, do you have an idea?”

  “I do!” Lucy said, also sitting up straighter and beaming.

  “Great,” I said.

  When Lucy didn’t say anything else, I prompted, “Well, what is it?”

  Lucy let out a sigh. “Jeez, I was trying to pause for dramatic effect. But fine. Get this: West Side Dog-Walking Story!”

  Both Taz and I did pause then, but not for dramatic effect.

  “Um …” I began, and felt a wave of relief when Taz took over.

  “I just think it’s kind of long …”

  “But it’s a play on the name of the musical!” Lucy protested. “West Side Story. And we live on the West Side. Get it?”

  “We get it,” Taz said, exchanging a glance with me. �
�And it’s very clever. But what about something a little, you know, simpler?”

  Lucy looked disappointed, but then said, “I had one other idea. It doesn’t really make sense since there are only three of us. But what about Four Paws Dog Walking? Get it, like a play on for and four?”

  She glanced anxiously from Taz to me.

  Taz and I both broke into smiles.

  “I like it!” I cried, and Taz nodded.

  “It has a nice ring to it,” Taz said.

  “But again, there are only three of us …” Lucy pointed out.

  “Three Paws doesn’t sound as good,” I said. “And, besides, maybe we’ll add another dog walker if our business grows!”

  Feeling satisfied, I wrote down:

  Four Paws Dog-Walking Agency

  “Great,” Taz said. “Can we make cookies now?”

  “Hang on,” I said. “I had another agenda item. I think we should each have a specific role in the business—besides dog walker, of course. You know, like president, treasurer …”

  “You should be the president, of course,” Lucy said, and I blushed, feeling grateful since I’d been thinking that anyway.

  “Yes, President Kat!” Taz cheered.

  “Thanks, guys,” I said. “I’ll try to live up to the role.” I glanced at Lucy. “Do you think you could be the treasurer?” I asked. “You’re the best at math.”

  “Sure,” Lucy said. “I can keep track of what we’ll charge for each service and what we earn.”

  “How about me?” Taz asked.

  “Well, I was going to ask if you could be in charge of design and technology,” I began. “I wondered if you could even create an app for the business,” I added, crossing my fingers.

  To my relief, Taz beamed. “That sounds really cool,” she said. “I’d love to do it.”

  “Perfect!” I said. I quickly wrote down our new roles in my notebook.

  Katherine Cabot—President (and Founder)

  Lucy Larrabee—Treasurer

  Mumtaz “Taz” Topolsky—Director of Design and Technology

  Then I jumped off my bed and gave each of my friends a high five. “Four Paws Dog-Walking Agency is up and running!” I declared.