Winn Dixie

"Uh," said Otis. He looked down at the counter some more. "Gertrude!" the parrot screamed again. "I'm real trustworthy," I said. "I'm new in town, but my daddy is a preacher. He's the preacher at the Open Arms Baptist Church of Naomi, so I'm real honest. But the only thing is, Winn-Dixie, my dog, he would have to come inside with me; because if we get separated for too long, he starts to howl something terrible." "Gertrude doesn't like dogs," said Otis. "Is she the owner?" I asked. "Yes, I mean, no, I mean . . ." He finally looked up. He pointed at the fish tank. "That Gertrude. The parrot. I named her after the owner." "Gertrude's a pretty bird!" screamed Gertrude. "She might like Winn-Dixie," I told Otis. "Almost everybody does. Maybe he could come

55