The homies were lightly snoring as the sun began to set. "Well I guess I'd better join them," thought Pound. "But I'm also really thirsty. I really want some apple juice." Suddenly a huge jug fell in front of him. He wriggled his hand from his hole and grabbed the jug.
"Hello Papa Pound," said a deep voice.
Pound froze before uncorking the jug. He looked down and saw a scarfed man in a t-shirt and jeans. The shirt had the kanji of dog written on it. "Oh Katikuri, has your mother ordered you to kill me?"
"No sir, not yet," he answered. "Please call me Dogtooth. Katikuri sounds so formal. He sat down and looked up at the big headed man.
Pound laughed, "How did you know I wanted apple juice?"
"You always want apple juice when I walk by," laughed Dogtooth.
Pound laughed back, "True." He uncorked the jug. "So what brings you to the forest?" he asked between swallows.
"I was tired of hearing Mama talk about wedding plans. Oh before you ask, Chiffon is doing well, in fact she just had a baby.
Pound stopped mid drink and started to cry. He put the jug down and said with a heavy sigh, "I'm a grandfather?"
"Yes sir congratulations," smiled Dogtooth under his scarf, "I would have been out sooner, but I was busy with family business."
"I'm a grandfather," Pound repeated amidst fresh tears, "And?"
Dogtooth frowned, "No sir we don't know where Lola is." He hated answering that question. Though he would never admit it in front of Mama he missed his younger sister.
He could almost hear the last words she had said to him. "Come on Tooth we could leave this place and make our own destiny."
He was lost in thought when Pound said, "Take off that scarf, Kati-Dogtooth, it muffles your voice. He grabbed the jug and took another swig
Dogtooth was happy to do so. He smiled as the cool night air hit his face. His long canine teeth shone in the moonlight. He placed the scarf beside him and lay on his back to look at the starry sky. "You wish to meet your grandchild?" he asked as he got into a more comfortable position.
Pound put the jug down a bit perplexed and answered, "Of course any grandparent would want to see their grandchildren. Heck, I would like to see my daughter, but you know your mother. Chiffon probably wouldn't even know who I was. Did you…"
"No sir I never met my father," answered Dogtooth with a sigh, "I think he gave me Poochie, but I'm not sure."
Though he knew of Dogtooth's gift, he was still amazed by it. He took a deep breath, "Why does your mother do this? I would love to know my daughters, but I only saw them for a few minutes after they were born. Then I was banished to this god forsaken place." He took a swig of apple juice.
"I don't know why," Dogtooth answered honestly. He had never really thought about it if he was honest with himself. "I love her, but I'm sick of jumping through all these hoops for her. I know I could've left with Lola but I'm still hoping for that moment."
Pound was confused, "What moment would that be?"
Dogtooth's eyes darted back and forth also tears were starting to form. The only thing he told this desire to was his stuffed toy dog, Poochie but he liked and trusted Pound. He took a deep breath, "I want her to look at me. I mean genuinely look at me and say, "Thank you for your help Dogtooth, I love you." Then the tears started to flow.
Pound didn't know what to say. That was such a sad and simple dream. He was about to say something when Dogtooth answered, "I know it's a crazy dream, but I just want to hear those words. In some strange way they give me hope. He got up and grabbed his scarf. He turned away from Pound because he didn't want to be seen crying. He wrapped his scarf around his face and said, "It's late. I should go before she notices. I'll be back for the jug later." He gave a final wave and left for the castle.
Then Pound was left alone with his thoughts, "Those poor children."
