Spot crawled over on his belly and cowered next to her. He whimpered and rolled onto his back showing his splotchy pink belly with its fine little hairs. Forgetting her plan to blow Spot to pooch purgatory, Janey sat down on the grass. She felt behind her for the gun and tucked it under her dress. She watched as flames attacked the house on the other side of the tanker from Mrs. Diefendorfer's house.
People up and down the block came out of their front doors with their hands clasped on their heads or over their mouths. Janey saw that the Swegner family, who lived in the now burning house, had come outside and were standing on their lawn. Janey hoped Mrs. Diefendorfer was in her back yard. Otherwise she was charred toast and that was the end of Janey's Sunday afternoon brownies.
The door swung open and her mother came out. "I heard an awful noise, Janey. Are you all right?"
"I'm okay, Mom. So is Spot." She hugged Spot closer to her and tilted her head to his.
"My darling little doggie is safe. Nobody better mess with this little white dog while Janey girl is around. Cwazy wabbit." Spot whined and pawed at her.
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