Sneaking the dog in the house wasn't even an option. Jo had been pacing just inside the door, watching out the window. She'd gotten the call that Maxine was late to school and she was now very seriously reconsidering the school bus service provided by the City. Five-or even six-seemed a little young to be going to school alone and it didn't seem like the bus drivers in the City gave much thought to looking after the kids that they were transporting. Which of course made Jo want to track the drive down and give him a piece of her mind. Possibly also a taste of her right hook.
She opened the door as soon as she saw Maxine walking up the sidewalk with a dog in tow. She pursed her lips together.
"Maxine. I'm so glad you're home. Where did he come from?" she asked, gesturing to the dog. The dog looked at her and for just a moment, Jo had a powerful moment of de ja vous, though she couldn't figure out exactly why the dog's eyes stirred up something familiar in her.