Billy Booster and Boo Boo

Like all good ghosts, Boo Boo was transparent. You could see right through him. Billy Booster loved his dog very much, but today something was different. The tip of Boo Boo's nose was turning black.

Boo Boo's been digging in the yard again, Billy thought. I bet he has dirt on his nose.

At dinner, Mr. Booster cleared his throat. "Billy," he said, "we need to have a little talk. You know, ghost to ghost."

"Am I in trouble, Dad?"

"Not at all, son. I just want to talk to you about Boo Boo."

Mrs. Booster excused herself to wash the dishes. "I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."

"Boo Boo's been digging in the yard again," said Billy. "But I promise he won't dig up Mom's flowers. He got a little dirt on his nose, I think."

"I noticed the black spot," said Mr. Booster. "And yesterday I saw a brown patch on his ear."

"Do you think he's sick, Dad? I'll try to take better care of him."

"No, son, you've done a great job. But I think something's happening to Boo Boo. Let's keep an eye on him and see."

The next day, while Billy was giving Boo Boo water, he noticed a patch of pink on Boo Boo's tongue. A white spot was appearing on the tip of his tail too.

"Dad, come quick!" called Billy.

In no time, Mr. Booster was right by his side.

"I think something's wrong with Boo Boo. He looks different."

"Well, son," said his father, "this is what I suspected. I think something wonderful is happening to Boo Boo."

"But his tongue is pink. And look, there's gold on the tips of his ears."

"Billy, I think Boo Boo may be getting ready to be born into the world."

"Boo Boo's going away?" asked Billy.

"We've had him a long time, Billy. We've loved him for years. Now it's time for him to be born into the world for another family to love."

"But I don't want Boo Boo to go. Can't we do something to make him stay?"

"That's what we need to talk about," said Mr. Booster. "Dr. Scaremeyer may be able to slow down the change. Boo Boo could stay with us a little longer."

"Then let's do it!" cried Billy.

"But we have to ask ourselves whether that would be best for Boo Boo—or only easier for us."

"Don't you want him to stay, Dad?"

"Your mother and I love him very much," said Mr. Booster. "But we think Boo Boo would be happy to be born. Just look at him."

Boo Boo was wagging his tail, which now had bands of white and gold.

"But if he goes, Dad, I'll miss him."

"Of course you will. That's part of growing up. One day we'll all be born into the world."

"But I'm scared," said Billy. "I'm scared I'll never see Boo Boo again, Dad."

"There's nothing wrong with being scared. Even big ghosts get scared sometimes," said his father.

Now Boo Boo had a big tuft of white hair growing from his chest, and he was grinning his famous dog grin.

"He looks so happy, Dad. Do you think he knows he's about to be born?"

Boo Boo ran up and licked Billy on the cheek.

"I think he knows something is about to change."

"I'm gonna miss him so much," said Billy. "But I want him to be happy."

"And I have a feeling," said his father, "that we'll meet him again someday."

The sun caught Boo Boo's eyes, now chocolate brown flecked with gold.

"I think it's getting close, Billy."

Billy ran to Boo Boo and threw his arms around him. "You be a good boy," Billy said.

Billy turned and hugged his father. "I love you, Dad."

Now fully visible, Boo Boo walked toward the sunset. He turned and gave the Boosters one final look.

Billy wiped a tear away as Boo Boo disappeared into the final gold rays of the sun.

"Have a good life," Billy whispered.

His father held him close. "I'll miss him too, Billy."

They watched the sun sink into the darkness, and in the distance, they heard the yelp of a new pup.