Someday, My Dearie

by catamount3

The other night, my owner came home with a small package under her arm. Before greeting me, she shook the raindrops off of her patched cloak and hung it beside the rickety door. With a smile she gathered me up into a hug and said, "Lookie what I got you, Iridiuma." With that, she thrust the thing into my paws. I could hardly believe my eyes.

A book! I love to read! Catamount grinned and scratched me behind the ears. "You shouldn't have..." I flustered. Though I love to read, most of the books I've read have been borrowed from friends; it's hard enough to even afford food in this creaky old house.

"Don't worry," said my mommy, "no body was bidding on it at the auctions so I got it for cheap. I even have enough money left over to buy us some food tomorrow instead of having our usual fare at the soup kitchen." I carried the book over to the bed and placed it carefully on the single shelf. Curling up against my wonderful caretaker, I glanced up at her and asked, "Tell me 'Someday, my dearie' again. Please?"

She chuckled and brushed some fur back from my eyes. "I must have told you a thousand timed already, Irid. I'm sure you know it all by heart now..."

I licked my paw and cuddled closer. "But it's not the same as hearing you say it."

She smiled, staring off into space. "Okay. Here goes..."

"Someday, my dearie, we'll have a house, not quite as drafty,
and someday, my dear, we won't need to patronize the soup kitchen.
You'll have your own lab someday, love,
and you can find your own element,
though it may be difficult to name it after yourself..."

I giggled, as I always do, at that part. A sudden idea struck me, "I'll call it 'Lupeidium.'" Catamount glanced down at me and grinned. "That's the spirit!"

And someday, my dear, we'll have plenty of money in the bank.
Perhaps we'll open a shop someday, and I can sell pieces of art
and you can sell some chemical solution.
Instead of taking from it, lovely,
we'll donate books and toys and money for those less fortunate
at the Money Tree. Someday, my child, you can be a champion
at the Battledome and own tons of trophies. And maybe someday,
you and I will go down to the pound and find some unfortunate creature
to become a part of our family. Someday, dearest, we won't be poor
and you can accomplish your dreams. You can become the best
chemistry teacher at Snowy Valley High,
and even the greatest chemist all of Neopia has ever seen,
if you so wish it, my pet.

Getting lucky at Dice-A-Roo or solving the Space Faerie puzzle
will no longer be a factor, someday, lovely. And so we must remember
that we have each other, dear, and never lose hope, so that
Someday will come. Now off to bed with you. We'll get a head start
on tomorrow because you never know, it could always be Someday."

As I curled up and closed my eyes I thought, "What a mantra for the down and out. If the poor pets and owners remember that they at least have each other, then there is always hope that Someday, it will all be better."

The End