Chapter 25

         Michael walked over and stood by Isabella’s side, trying to figure out what she was looking at, but I knew already and needed no confirmation. I slowly made my way beside, then past them. I walked back to that fateful tree, and to the overturned dirt. The two followed soon after, and stood by my side as I turned towards the sky. It’s strange, I felt okay right then, as if suddenly all my pain left me. I couldn’t explain it, but for a moment I felt Pumpkin’s tongue on my face again before a sudden lightness filled me. Tears trickled down my face, and I felt Isabella clutch one of my hands, while Michael put his hand on my shoulder.

And I knew I would be okay.

          I wiped the tears from my cheeks, then turned to the two of them, and spread my arms out to each side. “Welcome to my house, I’m sorry, but you’re a little late to meet my family.” I smiled in a strange way, as if I knew I had made a horrid joke, but it seemed befitting of this grave yard of mine beneath this torturous tree.

          Michael stepped forward, and I just kept this plastered smile, though I let my arms fall limp to my sides. He stood only inches from me, and his expression made my smile disappear. I looked down ashamed, now feeling I had only made a mockery of my pet’s deaths. But then I felt strong arms around me in a brief hug before Michael stepped back again. Then he got to his knees and I believe prayed for a moment before getting up and smiling. “Well I’m starving, can we go inside?” He asked, again his straight forwardness caught me off guard, but I just swallowed the forming lump in my throat and nodded.

          We climbed up the porch steps, and into the kitchen. Michael made himself at home going into the living room and laying down on the couch. Isabella laughed as she saw him laying there, legs crossed on one arm of the couch, the other arm occupied by his head that rested on his arms. He smiled like a small child pleased with their first block tower. I giggled, and then walked into the room, and forgetting myself plopped down on his stomach. He made a face of mock pain, but I just sat there until he chuckled. “What do you want to eat?” I asked, and he perked up right away and I again laughed slightly.

          “What do you have?” He asked anxiously as I felt a rumble go through his stomach.

          “Umm… I’m not really sure… Bread, fluff, jelly, and peanut butter?” I said lamely, truth was I didn’t have much food since I hadn’t been shopping since the previous week.

          “I’ll just look myself.” He said as he sprang up, knocking me onto his legs. He laughed and pulled his lower body out from under me, leaving me sprawled uncomfortably on the couch trying to situate myself. I awkwardly sat up, and then watched as he wandered into the kitchen. I heard him open cabinets and such, and when he walked back into the living room with me and Isabella he plopped down onto the couch beside me, and I looked to what he was eating. He had bread and square pieces of cheese made into a sand which. He started munching his simple lunch, and Isabella made a face like she found it disgusting, I giggled and Michael looked to us both.

          “How can you eat that? That’s nasty.” Isabella said, I just laughed. Then he slowly exaggerated a bite which he then chewed loudly. Then he held out the sandwich to Isabella, and offered her a bite. She declined, and went into the kitchen to look for something to eat, and Michael just shrugged and held the sandwich out to me. I also declined and again he shrugged as he took another bite, this time chewing normally. “You shouldn’t knock it ‘till you try it ya know.” He said mouth full of food.

          I couldn’t deny that, and I had tried eating lollipops with insects in them before, so I figured this couldn’t be too bad. As he was chewing I gently grabbed his wrist holding the sand which, and held it still while I leaned in and took a small bite of the sand which, I let him go then chewed it. I heard him chuckle as he took another bite. “Ugh, that was gross.” I mumbled as I swallowed, I almost wish I hadn’t tried it. Again he laughed quietly, and I socked him in the arm.

          “Hey don’t blame me for your lack of good taste.” I scowled at him as he continued eating. And the day continued like that, joking and laughing. We watched some comedian on T.V. and told jokes to each other.