Punky
Jerrica drove me back to Henry's apartment so I could get Brandon and my things. I guess Starlight Foundation won't be that bad and it is better then Fenster Hall. I guess I just need time to get used to it. Jerrica pulled up to the apartment building and she went in with me.
"Here it is." I said getting out my key.
"Afterwards, can I go say I hi to my best friend Cherrie?" I asked.
"I don't see why not." Jerrica said.
I opened the door and Brandon came running over to me. He was so happy to see me, he almost knocked me down.
"Brandon! Yeah I am happy to see you too." I said.
"Oh Punky it's you. I thought I heard voices out her." Mrs. Johnson said popping open the top of the kitchen door.
"We came to get Brandon and my things. Is Cherrie here?" I asked her.
"Yeah she is in your room. I am sorry I didn't catch your name." Mrs. Johnson asked Jerrica.
"It's Jerrica Benton, I run a home for foster girls and Punky will be staying with me until Henry gets back on his feet." Jerrica said.
I walked into my room and looked around; boy was I going to miss it here. I remember the day Cherrie and I did it. We had so much fun. My room at the mansion is not bad and just as big, but not nearly as colorful and no flower cart bed.
"Punky! What are you doing here?" Cherrie asked giving me a hug.
"I just came for a few things and Brandon." I said.
"There letting you take him to Fenster Hall?" Margot ask confused.
"No, I'm not at Fenster Hall. I went to the Starlight Foundation instead, so I guess I am temporarily a Starlight Girl. There are 12 girls there and there are even 2 girls who are our age. They were so funny. Hey, I even got to meet Jem and the Holograms." I said.
"Jem and the Holograms! No way!" Cherrie said excitedly.
"I love them." Margot said.
"Well then you really love this. The Holograms live at the mansion where I am staying. Their manager Jerrica Benton is my new foster mother temporarily. In fact Jerrica is out in the living room talking to your Grandmother as we speak." I said.
Jerrica knocked on the open door and looked around the room.
"Wow! The room is bright and colorful." Jerrica said.
Cherrie and Margot started squealing when they saw Jerrica.
"Jerrica, you got to come over here and check my bed out. I made it from a flower cart." I said and then I showed her how the bed works.
"That is really neat, are you ready to go? We should get back before dinner." Jerrica said.
"Yeah, I guess." I said.
I gave my friends a hug and picked up my suitcase and Brandon's leash.
"I'm ready. By Cherrie, by Margot, by Mrs. Johnson." I said sadly.
"Why such the long face, you will see them Monday, at school. Mike is picking you up for school and then he will take you home as well afterward." Jerrica said.
"You mean, I don't have to change schools." I asked.
Jerrica shook her head.
We climbed back into the van. Brandon got in the back seat.
"Tonight Brandon we can play cards." I told him.
I was glad he will be there. My first night there might be a little rough.
"Brandon plays cards?" Jerrica asked.
"Yeah, he is really good at it. He even beats Henry and me sometimes." I said.
"A dog that play cards, this I got to see." Jerrica said smiling.
We arrived back at the mansion.
"Punky before we go in. I want to lay down some ground rules." Jerrica said getting serious.
"Okay, I'm listening." I said.
"First, since Brandon is your dog. You are sorely responsible for him. Second there will be chores you have to do, like keeping your room clean, helping out in the kitchen, laundry that type of thing. There is 19 people living under one roof, everyone needs to pull their own weight." Jerrica said.
I nodded, it was all fair and Henry had the same type of rules.
"One more thing, I want to know where you are at all times. If you want to see your friends, that is fine, just ask first. You can also visit Henry as much as you like, again ask first. However, if I say No then it is No." Jerrica said.
"I can live with that." I said.
We went inside and the surrounded Brandon and I. He loved all the attention and was even showing off for them.
"Alright Brandon, let's play cards." I said walking to the table.
"A dog that play cards." Aja said.
"So, I heard." Jerrica replied.
I dealt the cards and the game began. I thought I had won this time, since the last time we played. He won. The last time we played was when Henry got the call the studio was on fire.
I was reaching for the chips, when Brandon's paw came on top of my hand. I took the cards out of his mouth.
"I don't believe it. A Royal Flush, man Brandon. How did you get so lucky?" I asked.
Brandon just barked and everyone started laughing.