Puppy Love
As usual, six year old Howard climbed the stairs alone; while his Mum prepared to host her "adult party." Quickly and quietly he changed into his brown pyjamas and then headed immediately for the bathroom. His eyes were filled with worry.
I'm so sorry, Pup. You can't come here. I wish you could. I miss you. But it's...
Pup was Howard's pet name for the small and odd Vince Noir who ate pencils and chased an imaginary tail. He adored Howard, not minding at all that his best friend bossed him and told him off a lot. He would daydream in class, doodle on his books and contentedly chew on every object he picked up. Howard would give him a look and Vince would behave briefly; then forget again.
Their teacher, Miss Wick, was not tolerant. She often made Vince sit on the naughty chair or stay in at playtime doing simple chores. Unfortunately the only chore he managed well was taking care of the pets. There was Cynthia the mouse, who always ran up his sleeve or sat on his shoulder; Blossom the rabbit, who liked her ears stroked and Samuel the hamster, who enjoyed a tummy tickle. As Vince changed their bedding, gave them fresh food and water, groomed and petted them; he always spoke to them in squeaks. This made him a freak in the eyes of everyone except Howard.
Vince did not really mean to cause trouble, but he knocked over paint pots, he dropped trays of felt tips, he tangled wool, he was hopeless at putting anything back neatly. On return to class, Howard would head straight over to Vince and with complete patience, sort everything out. Miss Wick would only sigh and ruefully write another note for Vince's weird care-rents.
Vince was constantly speaking fondly of the two men who raised him, but they made Howard and the rest of the school very uncomfortable. Boo was small and unsmiling; Bollo was big and... beastly? Howard shuddered as he thought of how Bollo spoke only in grunts and had his face concealed by a huge hood.
"Bollo hugs me lots," Vince beamed. "He's the best hugger in the world."
He could squeeze you to death or break Miss Wick's arm.
"What about Boo?" Howard asked carefully.
"He doesn't like hugs. He's like you."
Howard felt a twinge of guilt. The very first day they had met, Vince had given his friend a hug. It had felt so strange and Howard had not known what to do. Disappointed, Vince stuck to simple hand holds from then on.
"Boo touches my cheek. It's nice. I love them so much."
"And they love you. You're lucky, Vince."
The small boy did not ask about Howard's family. Instead he took his friend's hand.
"I love you too."
"I know, Vince. You're my very best friend."
I'm glad he doesn't ask. I can't take him home.
"Forever," said Vince firmly.
He has to be my secret.
Howard smiled at the pup. "Forever. That's right."
When I'm with him... there's sunshine.
Vince smiled back, eyes bright and innocent.
And when I'm not...
The bell rang and they headed back into class, both still holding tight.