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Our rusty green wooden door, tarnished with stains and
age, slowly began to creep open. It let out a high-pitched screech, the same
screech it let out every time it was opened slowly. My mouth let out a wince
as the sound met my ears. I heard mom do the same.
“Now, who could that be at this time of the
morning?” Mom asked with confusion.
Shrugging, I glanced at the clock which read
6:30, A.M. that is. Mom and I were getting ready for a long day at the store
we ran together. No one ever came in at 6:30. Everyone was asleep at 6:30, except
for us that is. Mom and I, Mhel the white Zafara, had never been that well off.
The only reason I was white was because I had been painted white before mom
adopted me from the pound. Besides that, there wasn’t anything too special about
me. Best thing I had was mom, and she had me. But sometimes, in the dark depths
of my heart, I wished for something more. Something to make me unique. Quickly
I pushed the greedy thought from my mind.
“Come on, Mhel, what are you waiting for? Go
greet the customer,” Mom snapped me out of my temporary trance and I jumped
out of my second-hand beach chair, that sunk in when you sat in it, just as
the door swung all the way open. A dark yet familiar figure swept swiftly in,
shutting out the still dark atmosphere behind her. I couldn’t help but enjoy
the fresh breeze that snuck in despite the figure’s attempt to halt it. As the
figure stepped into the dim light of the store, I noticed there was another
smaller form behind them.
Sure enough, the larger figure was my best friend
Jacey, a pink Zafara. Jacey came from a wealthy family, though they didn’t spoil
her either, at least not too much. Despite our differences, we were the best
of friends. Grinning brightly at her, I said, “Hey stranger, what brings you
in so early?”
Jacey returned the gesture, “Just wanted to show
you my early Birthday present.”
My grin turned into a suspicious frown, “'Early
Birthday'? Your Birthday isn’t for four months. I’d say early all right. Okay,
come on, what is it then?”
From behind her legs popped out a small Flowper.
Kneeling down beside it, Jacey whispered in its ear. The Flowper giggled, blushed,
and then ran over to my mom. From behind its back it pulled small yellow flower.
Twirling it for a moment, it then handed the flower to my mom, then turned and
ran back to Jacey. Jacey picked it up lightly and hugged it. Her eyes shone
brightly, “Isn’t she great? I love her so much! I taught her that all by myself.”
Jacey looked as if she was glowing.
I smiled once again, but not as happily. “She
really is,” I said without much enthusiasm that Jacey did not detect, though
mom looked at me funnily.
“Oh I knew you’d love her,” Jacey squealed. “Okay,
I have to go now, but I’ll come around later if I get a chance.” Jacey waved
vigorously and then skipped happily out of the green door. It didn’t get a chance
to screech though because Jacey had flung the door open and shut it back so
fast. My eyes watched her for a moment, running off with her new Petpet.
Once she had disappeared, I turned to get back
to work. Mom stood in front of me, however, with a look with suspicion. “You
didn’t seem very happy for her, hun.”
A long sigh escaped, “I really am mom. It’s just…
I don’t know. She gets so much. All I ever wanted was a Petpet, but we could
never afford one. Just a little jealous,” I admitted in defeat.
Mom looked at me with sorrowful eyes. I knew
it hurt her that she couldn’t give me what I wanted. She hugged me tightly and
whispered, “You know if I could, I’d give you the world. But I can’t and for
that I am sincerely sorry. You shouldn’t worry, though. If it was meant for
you to get a Petpet, then it will happen. Just be patient. Will you do that
for me?”
Nodding, I whispered, “Yeah, I will do it for
you.”
Mom broke our embrace and told me, “How about
you take the day off. It’ll be slow today since the main stores are having half
price today. Go have fun. Who knows what’ll happen?”
Usually I would have protested, but for once
I took mom’s offer. “Thanks, mom. I’ll be home later tonight.” With that, I
took off through that screeching green door, plans forming in my mind the whole
time.
*******
The sign above the table I sat at read, “Petpet Walking Service by Mhel-100
Neopoints per Hour,” scrawled in my handwriting. It just had to work. Soon tons
of people would ask me to walk their Petpets. That would lead to lots of money,
which I could buy my own Petpet with. Maybe someone would even give me a bonus
for doing such a great job! A smile formed on my face as I thought of my own
Pet. Crossing my legs, I began to wait for my first customer.
However, two hours later, people had only walked
by frowning at my sign. Some rolled their eyes and some even laughed. That did
not daunt me, though. I wanted a pet, and by golly, I was going to get it! It
took only one more hour to get a customer. An old, wrinkled lady with a very
old Gelert had passed by my table. Their walk was slow and hard. Instead of
laughing, they smiled as they read my sign. I soon saw why.
Behind the Gelert bounded a young, vibrant Doglefox.
Silently, I giggled. What an odd sight. This wild young Petpet with two older
folks. I was overjoyed when they approached my table with the young Doglefox.
“What can I do for you, ma’am?”
“See that little guy over there?” the old lady
asked me, pointing to the pet. I nodded, knowing what was coming, “I’d like
you to walk him for two good hours so my Gelert and myself can get some chores
done.”
“I’d be happy to!” The words came out loud and
joyously. She laughed at me and motioned to the Gelert. Slowly, the Gelert picked
up the Doglefox by the fur on his neck and walked over to me. He dropped the
fur ball in front of me on the table.
“Good luck,” he snickered. The old woman then
laid down 200 Neopoints in front of me. Then the two waved at me and made off
toward the grocery store, glad to be rid of their playful pest.
For a moment the Doglefox watched them walk off,
almost wondering why they were leaving him to this stranger. He tried to follow
them, but I swiftly stopped him by placing a makeshift leash on his neck. It
was brown string, actually, but it worked its purpose. He clawed at it, trying
to figure it out, but soon thought it was only a game. Forgetting about his
owners, he focused on me instead.
A game? he wondered. Must be. Surprising
even me, the Doglefox suddenly leaped head on into my ears. Momentarily, I halted
him from doing this, setting the boundary, and set him on the ground in front
of my table. Quickly, I scribbled, “Out With A Customer,” to my sign, pocketed
my 200 Neopoints, and then started to walk with my new friend.
Soon I learned that Doglefoxes don’t like
to walk, they love to run. The Doglefox pulled tautly on the string leash for
about 10 minutes, wishing to go faster. Giggling, I gave in and we began to
run through the alleys and streets of the Neopian Stores. Dodging through all
the strolling customers was the biggest challenge, and that’s mostly why I decided
to walk again. The Doglefox thought differently. Suddenly the string snapped
in two, leaving me with a dangling piece with nothing on the end.
Panic overtook my body, and I scanned
the streets for an orange shape. Finding none, I began to bite my fingernails,
a habit I had recently quit. Then a soft, but firm, paw punched me in the back
of my leg. Whirling around, I saw the Doglefox running away, the brown string
still trailing behind him. Realization hit me-- he thought we were playing tag.
Two could play at this. My legs began to pump as I took off after the Doglefox.
Thirty minutes later, I walked with the
little Doglefox in the grasp of my arms. Finally, when he had worn the game
out, he let me recapture him. We both panted as if we’d just escaped the Snowager.
I had to admit, though, it was fun.
A little bell rang as we pushed open the
door to the Food Store. After browsing for a while, I bought my new friend and
I each an ice cream. Outside, we found an unoccupied bench and we took the seats.
Eating away, I realized I’d be sad to have to let him go. And I’d almost spent
all my money I’d earned on ice cream. Oh well…
Our walk back to my table was a slow,
dragging one. The Doglefox had fallen asleep in my arms and I didn’t want to
wake him. I also didn’t want to give him back. But he wasn’t mine, and this
was an expensive Petpet, or so I’d heard. Mom’s words came back to me: Be patient.
Okay, I could do that.
Funnily, as I reached the table I had
sat at only hours earlier, I decided not to take the second part of my sign
down. Instead I sat stroking the sleeping pet, enjoying life. Dread filled my
heart as I saw the woman and her Gelert approaching me, now with bags of groceries.
Despite my inner emotions, I smiled at
the woman, “Here’s your Doglefox, alive and sleeping.”
“Thank you, young ma’am. He looks rather
happy there. You two have become good friends?” She raised an eyebrow at me.
“Yes, I guess we have. You have yourself
a great pet here. Here you go,” I held the Doglefox out for the old woman. She
sort of hesitated.
“You know, I realized something today.
Those two hours were some of the most peaceful we’ve had in a while,” she turned
to the Gelert and he only nodded. “Would you mind keeping him? I mean, we are
getting older, and he’s only a bundle of energy. He’d be much happier with you.”
I almost fell out of my seat. I’d imagined
a bonus, but this was like a promotion. “Really?” I asked in disbelief. Looking
down at my new pet, I smiled, and then looked up to thank the lady and her Gelert,
but they were gone. Springing from my chair, I looked for them, but could not
see a trace of them.
Thanking them silently, I left my table
with my new pet in my arms and began to walk home to mom, glad for playing tag
with a Doglefox.
The End
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