Its Saturday. Finally. Sadly, there’s no chance to sleep in this morning as the folks are coming over to pick up their first load of fluffy manure. The morning goes virtually the same as a work day except you’re dressing up in old, well-worn clothes that you can get dirty without a second thought.
Breakfast for you is light, toast hanging out of your mouth while you feed the fluffies. They’re no longer leaving before you come out in the mornings. Rather, they’re sticking around to wait for breakfast and pets.
Sonic is doing his breakfast dance, bouncing back and forth between his front and hind legs. His dinner dance has the fluff going left then right then left then right, swaying as he does it. If he’s happy, then he dances by alternating between his front left and back right legs up, then as they go down the opposites go up. The blue stallion seems to have a dance for most major events.
Coco has figured out how to get up the mango tree’s lowest branch, giving her a good survey of the yard. By climbing up the stump of a cut off branch she gets halfway up, then sort of scrobbles up from there. Its a slow process, but it seems to have turned into a favorite spot of hers. Coming down is a bit easier, but the brown mare takes her time.
Hulk is giving Bubblegum licky-cleanies all over the smaller fluff’s face. The brothers are actual a bit of a joy to watch, although its almost more like father and son at times. Remembering some folks from high school you do recall the oldest sibling would sometimes have to step in for parents, so you suppose it makes sense.
Thinking about it, unless they were from the same breeder on the mainland, chances are they’re not technically brothers. But by their behavior you’d never think differently. Hulk is very protective of Bubblegum, which is good.
“T’ank yu fow nummies!” Sonic exclaims while watching the bowl of oatmeal and kibble descend. The others start gathering around, offering their own voices of appreciation.
“You know, judging by the posts on my SeniorBook,” your mom laughs as you and your dad shovel manure into a barrel. “I thought I was going to have a hundred pounds of the stuff!”
“Its only been two weeks,” your dad replies. “And I don’t know why you go to SeniorBook anyhow. You’re always getting mad at the things on there.”
“Only because I’m friends with so many crazy people!” she huffs. Her face softens a bit, seeing little faces poking out from behind the banana plants. “Will I get to meet the fluffies who have been making all this poop for me?”
“I don’t know,” you reply, wry smile appearing as you turn to the fluffs. “Would you like to meet my ‘mumma’ and ‘daddeh’?”
Sonic comes charging out like a horse at the Kentucky Derby. The others follow; Bubblegum runs out also while Hulk and Coco simply walk slowly, examining the two seniors who are now giving “good upsies” to the blue and pink fluffies.
“Well, aren’t you a little darling!” your mother coos over Bubblegum. Your father just laughs at Sonic who is cuddling up while asking questions rapid-fire.
“You’re lucky I gave them all baths the other night.” You motion to Coco for upsies and she obliges. Hulk simply leans up against you.
“Did they smell bad?”
“Bubblegum no smeww bad… but now smeww pwetteh!” the stallion said proudly.
“Sonic no hab bitey-buggies!” the blue one cheered. “Fwuffies awe fow huggies, no fow num!”
Dad sort of looks at the older two before examining the younger pair.
“You know, it might be good to take them to the vet.”
“Oh?”
“Well, they are strays, right? Be good to see if they’re in good health. Maybe see if their owners are looking for them.”
You pause, wondering why you never really thought of it before. Its a moment before until you feel Coco squirming in your arms. Letting her down, she runs back behind the bananas.
Hulk puts his arms up for upsies, but you never take your eyes off Coco while picking him up.
The day was long. Good, but long. Tomorrow will be a real day off, or so you decided. But first you had to shower, eat, and feed the fluffs dinner. After they settle down for the evening a lawn chair is brought out so you can enjoy the breeze. The night sky is quite clear tonight, stars glimmering in the darkness.
Coco jumps up on your lap.
“Is everything okay?”
She just sits there.
Remembering earlier you ask, “Do you not want to see your old mommy and daddy?”
“Nu.”
The chair reclines back before you lift Coco to rest on your chest. She’s soft and warm as you wrap your arms around her.
“Were they mean to you?”
“Yesh.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Iz otay. No see dem fow fowebah. No see dem aftah powice take dem away.” She coos a little as her head is stroked. “Deah wuz two an’ one powice metaw munstahs for dem. Coco stay awound housie a few bwight times but dey no cum back.”
“Do you know why the police took them?” you ask a little sheepishly.
“Dey make bad t’ings and gib to odda peopwe.” Coco pauses a little. “Meff. Dey caww it meff.”
No wonder she doesn’t want to go back to them. Chances are she couldn’t even if she did.
“Don’t worry, Coco. You can stay here. You don’t have to go back to them.”
Its late, its cool, and while your bed is a short walk away there’s a 10-pound fluffy holding you down in the chair. Keeping you throughout the night.
((Questions and comments welcome))
