Author's Note: Well, this one is really short but it is a KEY chapter. You'll see why when you read it, of course. Enjoy!
Chapter Eight
Kate and Humphrey spent a great deal of time together. The problem was that Kate was never truly "alone" with Humphrey. Salty, Shakey, and Mooch were always right around the corner and seemed to just pop up at the most inconvenient time. However, Kate was always kind to Salty Shakey and Mooch whenever this happened. After all, she knew that Humphrey had met his other friends before her and that they were just as important for Humphrey to be around as she was. In addition to this, Kate found that she got distracted from Humphrey whenever his friends were around, which really was a good thing.
On one particular occasion, way into their relationship as "friends," Kate and Humphrey found themselves alone. They were just sitting together in a field, side by side, enjoying the beauty of nature around them as the breeze brushed over their fur. It was then when things started to get REALLY serious!
"Um, Humphrey, can I ask you a personal, kind of awkward question?" Kate began.
"Sure Kate," Humphrey said. "I think we're close enough as friends."
Kate thought for a second. "Okay, hang on a second." She paused and turned away so that she was not looking at Humphrey. When she was ready, she looked at him again, "What do you want in your perfect match? Like, how will you know that she's the one' whenever you find her?" I wonder if I'll meet any of his 'standards.' I hope so! Kate thought.
Humphrey was taken by surprise with this question. To make the situation seem less awkward, however, he started speaking. "Oh, well, I don't… I'm not sure. I mean… This sounds really stupid!" Humphrey stopped his answer.
"No!" Kate replied suddenly. "I mean, it's okay."
"Well, in that case, I guess she needs to be pretty, you know, with good eyes and nice fur. And then, she needs to be strong, and able to take care of herself when I can't do it for her. She'll need to be responsible, so that she might someday make a good mother."
Kate's eyes grew wide when Humphrey said the word "responsible." If there was anything that Kate was NOT, it was responsible. Kate was not responsible! What kind of a wolf or mother who wants the best for her family would sneak out and go to sleepovers or think her parents are idiots? Is that how Kate wanted to be when she was grown? Some crazed parent who never even thought about the consequences her actions could have on her family? Right then and there, Kate realized that she needed to change her ways. She would no longer be a kid who just did not care. Kate would care, and her future life would be better because of her change in character!
"Uh, Kate?" Humphrey asked. "You there? You look kind of zoned out."
Kate snapped back into reality and what was in front of her. "Whoa! What happened?"
"I lost you for a minute there. You went blank!" Humphrey exclaimed.
Kate shook her head trying to clear her thoughts.
"Anyway, how about I turn the question on you?" Humphrey suggested. "What do you want in your perfect guy?"
Kate could not think about anything now. There was only one thing that was on her mind: she had to start becoming more responsible! If she didn't change her ways, she and Humphrey might never be together. So why shouldn't she start now? She'd get back to her parents and apologize for all the mischief she'd ever done and try her absolute hardest to not get into it ever again! But before that, she had to tell Humphrey what she wanted in her perfect guy. She knew what it was a minute ago, but now, her mind was a black blur, allowing no thoughts to clearly form! "Well," Kate began quickly trying to think of something. "I don't know, I'd like it if he was funny, I guess. Hey, I gotta go! My parents will need me!"
"Funny eh?" Humphrey said. "Well, I'll see you later, I guess."
"Oh yeah, sure thing," Kate said as she ran off and headed back to her den. There was a lot that needed to be explained to her parents as soon as possible.
Author's Note: Don't forget to leave one of the best gifts a writer can receive from his or her readers… A REVIEW!
Also, something that's really bothering me happened a few days ago. I wrote a whole story on Kate and Humphrey called A Tribute To Love because it was bothering me so much. It's in the A&O archive. You should check it out. It's just a one-shot. Thanks if you do.
:')
