Chapter 1

In the middle of the night, Buster, the dog who always kept me company while I collected plastic bottles, was hit by a car running a red light.

Looking at Buster lying in a pool of blood, my whole body went numb. Shaking, I dialed Helen’s number.

"Helen, Buster got hit by a car..."

Before I could even finish, her screaming voice blasted through the receiver, cutting me off.

"Where the hell are you, you useless brat? It’s the middle of the night! Why aren't you sleeping instead of ruining my rest? How old are you? Can't you just let me have one peaceful night?!"

I clutched the two dimes in my hand, wiped my tears, and choked out, "I’m sorry, Helen. I just wanted to get enough money for my school field trip. You said as long as I didn’t make you spend money, you'd let me keep going to school..."

Helen’s anger flared even hotter. "Are you blaming me now?! If it weren't for you, I would have divorced John years ago and married a rich man!"

"You're nothing but a drag! No wonder John and Martha hate you!"

"Calling me in the middle of the night over a stray dog? Are you trying to kill me?"

Buster lay in the pool of blood in the middle of the road, listening to Helen’s screeching along with me.

The only light on the empty night street was the dim, yellow glow of the streetlamp above us.

I watched his bright eyes slowly grow dim. At his very last moment, he gently tapped my leg with his paw.

It was as if he was saying, "Don’t be scared, Lily. Let’s go collect more bottles."

But he never stood up again.

In the distance, a battered minivan silently pulled over to the curb. I heard a voice call out.

"Hey kiddo, I have a ton of empty bottles at my house. Do you want them?"

A crisp green hundred-dollar bill waved in front of my eyes.

I hesitated for a second, then nodded. I carried Buster gently to the side of the road, then walked toward the man in the minivan.

If he had that many bottles, I could save Buster. And I could go to school.