Mello took a shortcut behind the big Wal-Mart building on his way to meet Matt at the Starbucks around the corner. It was completely silent except for his own footfalls, loud by comparison. Then, Mello heard a faint bark. He stopped walking and held his breath, listening. He heard it again, and this time followed the sound.
Then, he saw it. A little, dirt-covered Cavalier King Charles . Before he knew what he was doing, Mello had stooped down, and picked up the tiny puppy. It stared at him with big, brown eyes that seemed so familiar. He'd recognize them anywhere, those eyes that he looked into every day when he woke up. Matt's eyes. Mello smiled to himself. Matt told me he had always wanted a dog. He pet the wet-nosed creature's head as he hurried down the alley, grinning all the way. Outside the restaurant, Matt saw Mello approaching, carrying the little fur ball in his arms. Mello ran up to him, breathless.
"I brought you something." Mello held out the puppy. Matt's eyes lit up as he lifted the dog from Mello's hands.
"So, what will you name her?" Mello asked later, at home. Matt thought only for a moment
"Emma. Her name is Emma. Emma wagged her tail, as if in approval. Mello smiled. One of the many secrets Matt had whispered in his ear at night over the years was that when he was little, he imagined having a daughter named Emma one day, when he was all grown up. Mello wrapped his arms around Matt's neck from behind.
"I guess she's our little girl, Matty." Matt smiled. He liked the sound of that.
Mello looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I suppose we will have to go out and buy the proper supplies, now." Matt forced himself to put down his little girl and stand up. Emma jumped excitedly and began running around in circles on the bed.
"Nutcase," Mello muttered endearingly to her.
The boys left their room and walked back in the direction of the alley where Mello had found Emma earlier. In the grocery store, they paced up and down the dog supplies isle. Mello heaved a huge bag of dog food into the cart. Matt tossed in a bronze collar and a handful of toys. The cashier smiled knowingly at the two boys as Matt swiped his credit card.
"New dog owners, huh? I love dogs," she commented idly while scanning their purchases. Mello collected the bags and they walked back out into the bright sunlight. The air smelled fresher, somehow, than it had when the two had woken up that morning. Even though they were laden down with grocery bags, they felt lighter.
"You know, they say having a pet makes you live longer," Matt said for no real reason.
"Hmm," Mello replied. The rest of the way back to Wammy house, they walked in silence. I may only be eighteen, but now that I have the perfect family I've always dreamed of, I could get shot tomorrow, or something, and die a happy man, Matt thought to himself
The irony in that. Sorry, I had to write it. And it's not like he actually died the next day. It was several years later. Anyway, I'll post the next chapter soon. And it will be longer. Review for cake; don't, and you will live the rest of your life on nothing but jam. Bye!