I am completely blown away. I was almost sure everyone had given up on this story, but the last chapter received a ton of feedback. You are all amazing. I'm going to try my hardest to update regularly for you, so if it's been a while without a new chapter, feel free to yell at me over PM.
Brennan led Parker through the aisles of the pet store. They specialized in reptiles, so that every was crowded with cages and various scaly creatures. Parker's face was lit up, a huge grin plastered to it. He darted from cage to cage, wondering at every animal. Bones couldn't forget the image of a snake slithering from the competitive eater's body.
An old woman sauntered over to Bones. "You here fer a reptile?" she asked, quirking her head towards a cage. Her hefty frame took up half the aisle, her elastic gray hair frayed out of its bun. She wore a dingy tan apron, with the occasional cricket leg stuck to its fabric. Eyeing Brennan quizzically, she turned on her heel. "We got loads of reptiles. We got snakes, we got lizards, we got turtles!" She leaned in closer to Bones conspiratorially, "We even got the occasional amphibian."
Bones smiled halfheartedly. "We're here for a snake. Right Parker?"
From across the store came the reply: "Bones! Look at this lizard!"
Sighing, Bones joined Parker by the lizard display. A huge green lizard sat on a fake tree limb. Parker pressed his hands to the glass, staring at it. The store lady piped up. "That be 'Arry the iguana. He's an old bugger, likes to give me trouble. Don't ya, 'Arry?"
"What kind of trouble?" Parker asked, curious.
"He likes to escape his cage and go runnin' round this place like he owns it. But he don't! I do! An' I don't like him gettin' in the cricket stores while I'm out!"
Parker giggled listening to the woman. Bones watched him, glad to see him happy. She peered into the cage at the iguana as Parker skipped off, already looking at something else.
"Little boy, you wanna see feedin' time?" The old woman held up a squirming mouse by its tail. I gotta feed the boa." She popped the lid of a cage, revealing a mammoth snake coiling around itself. Unceremoniously, the woman dropped the mouse into the cage. It huddled against the wall, trying to escape its immenent death.
Bones felt herself getting a little teary-eyed, watching the snake slowly advance towards the petrified mouse. Parker looked up at her worriedly. "Why are you crying?"
"It's just – I'm pregnant and my hormones are out of whack…" Parker giggled again, turning back to the snake.
The snake wrapped itself around the mouse, squeezing until its eyes seemed to pop from its skull. The mouse went limp. The snake's jaw opened to begin swallowing its meal. Parker was fascinated. Brennan felt sick.
The old woman smiled gleefully, almost creepily. She went around the shop feeding the animals crickets, mealworms, and mice. Parker trailed after her, asking about each animal while Bones watched him. She tapped him on the shoulder when he finally came to rest in front of a turtle cage. "Which one do you want?" she asked.
Parker glanced around the store. "Can I get the iguana?"
Bones considered a moment. "No. Too big, and your dad might not want to wake up with it on his face. The lady said it was an escape artist." Seeing Parker's crestfallen face, she added, "You said you wanted a snake. Is there one you like?"
Parker perked up again, running to the snake section. He stood on his toes, trying to look in. After a minute, he pointed. "That one." The corn snake was a milky pink colour, still young. Its thin body wound around its fake log.
"Good choice, Parks."
The old woman trundled over, popping the lid off the corn snake's cage. "Ya feed it this," she told them, stuffing a food container into Bones' hands. "And ya can hold it if yer careful. Don't drop it. An' ya need a cage. Der ya go! Let's go ring ya up!"
…
Booth opened the door to his apartment, tired after a day of work, regretting not taking more time off. He smelled dinner in the air and saw Parker on the couch. "Hey buddy. What'd you get?"
Parker's small face was alight, the corn snake nestled in his hands. He proudly showed his dad the cage setup and explained the care and feeding of "Beanie". Bones could hear his excited voice. "I'm gonna take real good care of him and keep him safe and he'll be my friend forever! Thanks, Dad."
"Don't thank me, thank Bones," Booth replied.
A second later, Bones felt Parker crash into her legs, giving her a quick hug. "Thank you Bones."
This one's a little longer, as a treat for you guys. You really deserve it.
