A one-eyed dog and a crippled boy form an unlikely bond that transcends their circumstances. Joey, a ten-year-old polio victim confined to a wheelchair, waits for his beloved dog, Charlie, who has been missing since being hit by a car. The boy's mother, Ethel, struggles with her own demons, including alcohol, and is unable to provide the emotional support Joey needs. Instead, she tells him a comforting lie: Charlie has been taken away by a family from Michigan. As Joey continues to wait for Charlie, he begins to exhibit an extraordinary ability to move stars in the night sky, a phenomenon that captivates his neighbor, Roy, and his friend, Doc Shull. The two men are initially skeptical but become increasingly intrigued as they witness the stars shifting positions. This strange occurrence coincides with Joey's emotional state, suggesting a deep connection between the boy's longing for his dog and the cosmic events unfolding above. Doc, an educated man, grapples with the implications of Joey's abilities, fearing the disruption of the universe's balance. He attempts to redirect Joey's focus from the stars to learning how to walk again, believing that if the boy can move stars, he can also regain his mobility. Joey, inspired by Doc's encouragement, shifts his attention and begins to work on moving his own feet. As Joey's physical condition improves, he gradually forgets about Charlie and the stars. He learns to walk again, attends school, and adopts a new dog, Dugan. The bond with Charlie fades, replaced by the normalcy of childhood. The stars that once moved in response to Joey's emotions remain in the sky, forming a pattern that serves as a monument to his past. Ultimately, the story explores themes of loss, hope, and the resilience of the human spirit. Joey's journey from waiting for a lost dog to reclaiming his independence symbolizes the struggle to overcome adversity. The stars, now a reminder of his childhood, represent both the magic of imagination and the bittersweet nature of growing up. The narrative concludes with a sense of nostalgia, as Roy and Doc reflect on their time with Joey and the impact he had on their lives, leaving them to wonder about the fate of the boy and his beloved Charlie.
By Roger Dee Aycock · First published 2005 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Magical Realism