"Ah," Ravi sighed, pushing the carriage of mini Mrs. Kipling's as we walked into the lobby of the apartment building, "what a glorious day at the park. Did you not think the baby lizards behaved beautifully?"
"If by 'beautifully' you mean chasing a soccer mom up the climbing wall.." Emma said.
"And peeing in the water fountain.." Luke added in.
"And tearing my book apart.." I said, holding up a chewed up Harry Potter.
"And turning that kindergarten class into an afternoon snack, then yes." Jessie concluded. Ravi looked away sheepishly as the elevator dinged, revealing an older woman dressed head to toe in pink. Judging by everyone's faces, I had a feeling this woman was the notorious Mrs. Chesterfield. I had to hide my laughter when the baby lizards hissed as she walked by. Mrs. Chesterfield, being the respectable woman that she is, hissed back at them. I looked at Luke and raised an eyebrow and pointing to her. Luke shook his head and shrugged, as if to say 'Just accept it'.
"What disgusting little creatures." Mrs. Chesterfield said as she walked over to the reception desk.
"I'm sorry. Mrs. Chesterfield." Jessie said. "The lizards have been bit of a handful." Mrs. Chesterfield turned around and gave Jessie a look. "And you meant the kids."
"Precisely." Mrs. Chesterfield said, resting a hand on her hip. "Although if you're having trouble with those other animals, I'd be more than happy to take them off your hands." Mrs. Chesterfield said, wiggling her hands like an old witch.
"You are all kinds of creepy." Zuri said, crossing her arms.
"I could never part with my babies." Ravi said, holding one of them in his hands. "Just look at this face." Mrs. Chesterfield screeched as the baby lizard sprayed her with green vomit.
"He got goop all over my jacket." Mrs. Chesterfield hissed.
"Why do you think we named him Gupta?"
"You know, when a lizard throws up on you, it means he likes you." Jessie said, trying to calm Mrs. Chesterfield.
"No it does not." Ravi said, furrowing his eyebrows.
"Just go with it." Jessie whispered harshly, smiling at Mrs. Chesterfield. Mrs. Chesterfield began to growl but stopped when she noticed me hiding at the back of the group.
"Ugh, don't tell me Morgan and Christina adopted another one." She said, lazily pointing to me.
"Oh, no, this is Clarke," Jessie said, pulling me up to the front, "my cousin."
I smiled slightly and lifted my hand for her to shake. "Nice to meet you Mrs. Chesterfield."
Mrs. Chesterfield stared at me and narrowed her eyes. "I hate you already Mark."
"Um, my name is Clarke-" Mrs. Chesterfield turned and walked out the building, "-and you don't care."
"Wow," Luke said, "she didn't yell at you. That's a first." He said with a smile.
"Well then, consider me flattered."
The next morning, I walked into the kitchen just in time to see Bertram screaming like a little girl as one of Mrs. Kipling's babies fly out of the cupboard. Luke laughed but had the same reaction when he poured his cereal and saw a baby lizard buried in it. The lizard jumped off the table and onto the floor. He scampered toward me and began crawling up my leg. I laughed and picked the little guy up.
"Yeah, watch out for the cereal boxes." Bertram warned. "Ravi Jr.'s been nesting in them again."
"Ew." Luke whined. "Thought those were chocolate chips." Jessie and Zuri started to gag, spitting out the food that they also thought had chocolate chips in them. I decided to get breakfast at Tori's.
"Jessie?" Ravi called out, walking into the kitchen. "I am afraid Mohandas got into your closet." He said, holding up a shredded pink sash.
Jessie gasped. "My Miss Teen Assault Vehicle sash? I retreaded a tank in 30 minutes to win this!" Jessie said, rolling up the sash. "In a bikini!"
"I miss all the good stuff." Luke said and I rolled my eyes, continuing to stroke Ravi Jr.
"What's that?" I asked sarcastically, holding Ravi Jr. up to my ear. "I know, Luke really should get a life."
"Says the girl who's talking to a lizard."
I stuck my tongue out at Luke and he did the same. Luke and I have a love/hate friendship. One minute, we'll be hanging out, having fun and the next, we're teasing and annoying each other until someone breaks it up. It's really quite entertaining.
"Ravi, sweetie," Jessie said, walking over to Ravi and rubbing her hands nervously, "I know you love your lizards, but I think it might be time for them to leave the nest."
"You mean find them a new forever home?" Ravi asked sadly. "No! They must stay with me."
"But cooping up young lizards in a penthouse will only make them miserable." Jessie pointed out. "If you love them, don't you want what's best for them?"
"Of course, but…" Ravi sighed, knowing Jessie was right. "Okay, I will consent to interviews, but I refuse to let my babies go unless we find the perfect new family." Jessie clapped her hands excitedly and for a moment, I thought Bertram would cry tears of joy.
"Oh, hallelujah!" He cried out. "I'll post the pet adoption ad myself!" Bertram threw his gloves down and ran out of the kitchen.
"Wow, I haven't seen him run that fast since those Backstreet Boys reunion tickets went on sale." Jessie said, impressed. Ravi nodded his head in agreement.
"So," Ravi said, clapping his hands together, "who wants to help me find my precious babies a new home?" Silence fell over us and no one bothered to look at Ravi.
"Clarke?" He asked hopefully.
"Oh, um, I..have plans," I said slowly.
"With who?" Luke asked.
"Oh um, you know, people-"
"OH MY GOSH!" Emma screamed as she ran into the kitchen. "Why didn't you tell me you were hanging out with Danny today? I could've helped you pick out your outfit."
"Wait, wait, wait," I said, silencing Emma. "How did you know I was hanging out with him today?"
"Oh, easy," Emma said, holding up my phone.
"You went through my phone?"
"No, of course not. Danny texted you asking what time you'd be at 'the loft'. Is that like a new hangout spot? If it is, can you take me with you? Secret hangout places are so in right now," Emma said.
"No you can't," I said quickly. "I mean, it's our thing."
"Oh, so it's you and Danny's thing, huh?" Jessie said in a suggestive tone, joining the conversation.
"No, that's not what I meant." I knew I couldn't get out of this so I set Ravi Jr. down and grabbed my phone out of Emma's hands. "You know what, I'm going to go before you two ended up telling all of New York City that me and Danny are dating, which ISN'T TRUE!" I shouted, running out of the kitchen. Thankfully, I brought down my guitar and my journal before I walked into the kitchen earlier, so I grabbed my stuff and made a quick getaway into the elevator.
"Have fun on your date!" Emma shouted.
"But not too much fun!" Jessie added in.
"I hate you all!" I replied as the elevator doors closed.
"Hey," I said, walking up the metal stairs into Tori's loft, "I am so sorry I'm late. Things were getting bad over at the Ross's." I said, plopping myself on a bean bag.
"What happened?" Tori asked, chuckling.
"Remember when I told you guys about Ravi's Godzilla lizard and her babies?" I asked and they nodded. "Well her babies are going insane. Puking and nesting and tearing through clothes. It's a mess."
"I thought you liked those lizards?" Jack asked.
"I do, but most of the time they're annoying…kinda like you." I said with a smile. Jack took one of the couch pillows and threw it at my head but missed by a few inches.
"And you call yourself a baseball player." Danny joked and Jack shoved him off the couch.
"Okay guys focus!" Tori said, clapping her hands together. "We came here to write, not to mess around." The boys huffed and Jack sat back in the couch while Danny laid down on his new spot on the floor. "So Clarke, you got anything?" Tori asked.
"Um yeah, I do, but, uh, it's about my dad." I said hesitantly.
"Oh, um," Tori said, a bit taken back, "you don't have to show us if you don't want to. Danny!" Tori said quickly, trying to change the subject. "Do you have anything? Anything at all?"
"Tor, it's fine." I said. "I can play the song. It's not that big of a deal, honestly." I pulled out my guitar. "It's just I only have the chorus and part of the first verse done." The other nodded and I began strumming my guitar, humming the tune.
"And my heart's beating like a steam boat tugging/ all your burdens/ on my shoulders." I sang. "In the mourning I'll rise/ In the mourning I'll let you die/ In the mourning all my worries." I held my breath as I wait for their reaction. "Well?" I asked.
"That was really good." Danny praised.
"Yeah, play the chorus again, I have an idea." Tori said pulling out a maraca thing of sorts. I began strumming the chorus and Tori added in her instrument. Then Danny picked up his guitar and started playing. Jack began drumming his hands on the table. "Alright!" I said, laughing as we ended. "Let's write it down before we forget." I said, passing a pen and my sheet music to Danny.
Emma texted me later, asking me to meet her at the mall because she was dealing with a fashion emergency. I was proud of our progress with our songs. We ended up finishing In The Mourning and even started on another song. So we decided to call our songwriting session to an end and I caught a cab to the store where Emma was at.
"Emma?" I asked in the dressing room.
"Over here!" Emma replied, waving her hand above the curtain. I pulled back the curtain and stepped into the surprisingly spacious fitting room.
"So, what's the emergency?"
"I really want this outfit." Emma said, pulling at the striped shirt.
"So what's the problem?" I asked.
"This outfit is in right now, but I need an outfit that's in next season." Emma whined. I chuckled and rolled my eyes.
"Okay, um, I don't really know how to help you then."
"I need another opinion on this." Emma said, taking a jean jacket off the hangers. "So, what do you think?"
I nodded my head and smiled. "I like it, but it could use something else. I'll be right back." I said, walking out of the dressing room. I came back with a pair of black ripped jean and stylish wedges. I handed them to Emma and she changed into them.
"Oh my gosh, Clarke, this is so cute!" Emma squealed. "It's official, you are my new shopping partner!" She said, hugging me.
"Can't….breathe!" I gasped out and Emma let me go with an apologetic look. She changed back into her normal clothes while I browsed the store. I ended up buying a new necklace and waited patiently as Emma brought her clothes. As soon as we got in the cab back to the penthouse, Emma began bombarding me with questions about my hangout with Danny. I tried to tell her that there was more people were there but she wouldn't have it. I gave up trying to prove her wrong as we walked through the door to the lobby.
"Hi Mrs. C!" Emma called out as Mrs. Chesterfield stepped out of the elevator.
"Ugh!" Mrs. Chesterfield spat out. "Can't one exit an elevator anymore without being bombarded by youth?" Emma and I shared a look but continued smiling anyway.
"Although I must say, you are not the most unbearable child in your brood." Mrs. Chesterfield confessed.
"Um, thank you?" Emma said.
"And you." Mrs. Chesterfield said, pointing to me. "You have yet to say one bad word to me even though you've lived with the Ross's for a while now."
"Thanks…I guess."
"At least you two are the only ones who don't dress like you looted a 50-cent store." Mrs. Chesterfield said and Emma and I nodded our heads in agreement.
"Where did you get those flats?" Mrs. Chesterfield asked excitedly to Emma.
"These? Oh my gosh, there's this little boutique I love on Fifth Avenue," She answered, "I'll give you the add…"
"Enough," Mrs. Chesterfield interrupted, "I'm already bored. I only meant to say that I don't hate them. And I always appreciate a subtle feather detail." Emma and I shared a questioning look and we looked down at her shoes. A small white feather was stuck to the tip of her shoe.
"Oh, that's not supposed to be there." Emma said, wiping the feather off on the lobby rug. "I just walked too close to some pigeons fighting over a donut."
"Bored again." Mrs. Chesterfield said, putting a hand in front of Emma's face. "I must be off, I have a very important meeting to attend to."
"Oh okay, it was nice talking to you." Emma said sweetly.
"Nice seeing you Mrs. C." I called out as we stepped into the elevator. Mrs. Chesterfield mumbled a goodbye under her breath and left in a very flamboyant manner. The elevator doors closed and Emma and I shared a look before we started laughing.
"That was so weird." I said.
"I know, right? She actually doesn't hate us."
"I didn't know she had any other emotions besides hate."
Before we knew it, the elevator dinged and we walked into the living room, placing our shopping bags down on the couch. I walked into the kitchen, with Emma following close behind me, and opened up the refrigerator, pulling out guava juice for both me and Emma.
"So, where are all the baby lizards?" asked Emma after we said our hellos. "I have to go to the bathroom and I don't want to be surprised again."
"They have left." Ravi said sadly. "But the good news is that they are going to a beautiful place upstate, where they will have lots of room to play."
"Upstate." Bertram said, chuckling.
"What was that, Bertram?" Ravi asked nervously. I sighed, knowing what Bertram was going to say. Jessie seemed to know to because she stood up and started flinging her arms around, trying to tell Bertram to shut up.
"Mmm? Oh, nothing. It's just, when I was young, my parents sent my old, sick pet turtle to a 'farm upstate'." He said, putting air quotes around 'farm upstate'. Jessie continued to try to tell him to be quiet, be he just ignored her.
"Why are your finger quotes making me nervous?"
"Well, later, I found out that farm upstate was actually the old flusheroo down the toilet." Bertram said, laughing. "Burial at sea." He did a mock salute and laughed even harder.
"Are you saying 'farm upstate' is just a metaphor for certain death?" Ravi asked, horrified.
"Yup." Bertram said bluntly. Ravi fainted as soon as those words left Bertram's mouth. Zuri caught him before he landed on the floor.
"What is not clear to you about this?" Jessie asked angrily, waving her arms like she did before.
"Quick! Hand me that water!" Zuri commanded. Jessie passed her the cup of water, and Zuri raised it to her lips, take a long sip. Then she slapped Ravi awake. Ravi yelled out in pain and cradled his cheek with his palm.
"Oh, I had a terrible nightmare." Ravi said, slightly dazed. "My babies were being sent to their doom."
"Really? What a coincidence!" Luke said, obviously not thinking about what he was saying.
"Because that's what's happening in real life, too!" Ravi ran out of the kitchen screaming.
"Clearly I need a new signal!" Jessie said before running after Ravi. Luke stared laughing with Bertram so I walked over to Luke and slapped his arm.
"Ow!" He cried out. "What was that for?"
"For being an idiot."
Ravi screamed at Jessie in Hindi, and I've never seen him so angry before. He looked like he was about to rip Jessie's head off.
"I know, I know, but she seemed so nice." Jessie said, defending her actions.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. You understand what he's saying?" Bertram asked in disbelief.
"Yeah, I've become pretty familiar with the phrase, "Jessie, this is all your fault" in Hindi." Jessie explained and Bertram nodded his head.
"Ravi, I am so sorry," Jessie apologized, "but what's important now is rescuing the lizards. And not mentioning this to your parents."
"We must hurry." Ravi said urgently. "I fear that red-headed she-devil will slaughter my babies faster than she sprays on her tan."
"Okay, um, we know that Mrs. C has taken a liking to Emma and Clarke." Jessie pointed out. I knew what she was thinking, we are family after all.
"I wouldn't say "liking". More like "least hating"." Emma said, but Jessie nodded her head anyway and said, "That'll do."
"Emma, Clarke, infiltrate her home base, do some recon, get the lizards' location, and radio back to HQ, stat!" Jessie barked orders out. I did a mock salute and said, "Sir, yes sir." before walking with Emma toward the elevator.
"I love it when she talks all military." I heard Luke say. I turned to Emma and told her I forgot something, and walked back to the couch. I gabbed a pillow and smacked Luke as hard as I could, knocking him off the couch.
"Are you ever going to learn how not to be an idiot?" I asked, dropping the pillow back on the couch. I ran back over to the elevator where Emma was waiting for me. Jessie looked so proud of me.
"Taught her everything she knows." She told Bertram proudly.
"I hope that doesn't include how to get a boyfriend." He said.
"I must say, Jemma…" Mrs. Chesterfield said as she led us to her terrace.
"It's Emma."
"Who cares? I was pleasantly surprised that you and Mark-"
"It's Clarke." I interrupted but she ignored me.
"-have come to me for clothing advice." While Mrs. Chesterfield continued to rambled, Emma and I searched her terrace, hoping to find something suspicious that we could report back to Jessie.
"You know, In my not-too-distant past, I was a model." She said proudly. Me and Emma shared a look, almost bursting with laughter.
"Really?" Emma chuckled in disbelief. Mrs. Chesterfield looked at her with a raised eyebrow and Emma corrected her mistake.
"I mean, really?" Emma said, sounding more interested.
"Yes. Look familiar?" Mrs. Chesterfield asked before putting her hands on her hip and lifting up her left leg with a big smile plastered on her face.
"Are you okay?" Emma asked, running up to her.
"Do you have a cramp? Do we need to call 911?" I asked, already pulling my phone out of my pocket.
"No, this is my signature pose."
"In Vogue? Elle?" Emma asked.
"Poultry Enthusiasts Weekly." Mrs. Chesterfield answered.
"Oh! Of course." I said sarcastically. "Totally going to be our next guess."
Mrs. Chesterfield gave me a rare smile and I suddenly felt very creeped out. she must've thought I was serious.
"I was PEW's catalogue queen. But I gave up all the glamor for Mr. Chesterfield." I was taken back by surprise. Who knew the hag had a heart for someone other than her dog?
"Aw, was it love at first sight?" Emma asked.
"No." Mrs. Chesterfield answered bluntly. "He had halitosis and nose hair you could braid. But after I saw his bank account, I had twenty million reasons to love him." And I spoke too soon. I turned around when I heard Zeus growling and a young women warning him to get back.
"Cassandra! What are you doing here?" Mrs. Chesterfield asked in a 'you're not supposed to be here tone'.
"I got the scissors you wanted for the lizards tonight." Cassandra said, motioning to the giant scissors she had in her arms. I widened my eyes and looked at Emma. She had shock written across her face. "The rest of the supplies are in the truck downstairs."
"But I told you everything goes upstate to the place." Mrs. Chesterfield told Cassandra in a secretive tone.
"No, you didn't."
"Well, I'm telling you now! For heaven's sake, earn your paycheck!"
"You don't pay me." Cassandra cried out.
"Well that explains that hideous sweater." Mrs. Chesterfield lashed out at her. She then turned to us and regained her composer. "I won't be a moment." She said following Cassandra off of the terrace. As soon as she was gone, Emma whipped out her phone and texted Jessie, updating her on what we found out.
Never in my life have I ever been in more agony than in this moment right now. Covered in pink and yellow feathers, I felt like a bird whose owner discovered spray paint for the first time.
"Look at us!" Mrs. Chesterfield cried out, looking at herself in her mirror. Zeus whimpered and I began to feel sorry for him. I would be crying too if my life was like this.
"Aren't we just adorable?" Mrs. Chesterfield picked up Zeus and handed him to me, then pushed Emma and I to the mirror. "Oh Jemma, Mark, couldn't you just die?"
"Yup."
"I'm already dead."
Mrs. Chesterfield laughed, thinking we were joking around and continued to fawn over us. Suddenly, she jumped and let out a small squeal.
"Oh, I just had the most wonderful idea! I'll be right back." Mrs. Chesterfield said, walking into the apartment. As soon as she left, I turned to Emma.
"We never speak of this to anyone."
"Agreed." Emma looked back at her reflection in the mirror and shuddered. "I might never be able to look at myself again."
Mrs. Chesterfield came back with two garment bags and an excited smile. She pushed the bags into our hands and ushered us into her outdoor changing rooms. I put on the dress she gave me, not really bothering to look at it. All I knew was that it was baby blue. I stepped out first and Mrs. Chesterfield dolled me up, placing a pearl necklace on my collarbone. She did the same to Emma when she stepped out, but Mrs. Chesterfield made us turn our backs towards each other, saying she wanted it to be a surprise.
"There." Mrs. Chesterfield said after putting the final touches on Emma. "Oh! I do believe I've out done myself. Are you ready to see?" She asked us.
"I'm not sure." Emma said nervously.
"Maybe give us something to bite down on." I suggested. Mrs. Chesterfield laughed and turned us around. I gasped when I saw my reflection. My dress was gorgeous. A vintage baby blue gown that ended just a little above my knees with a small bow just under my bust.
"Wow." I gasped out.
"I love it." Emma said. "It's so us…and so not you."
"Don't be so sure. I wore those dresses when I was a Spring Chicken." Mrs. Chesterfield said proudly.
"You mean before you were old?" Emma blurted out.
"Watch it." Mrs. Chesterfield warned. " 'Spring Chicken' is what they called us poultry models. My nickname was Rhoda Island Red." Mrs. Chesterfield did her signature pose again.
"Well, it's beautiful." I said, picking the hem of my dress up and admiring it in the mirror.
"It's yours."
"What? Are you serious?" I asked.
"You're giving it to us?" Emma asked. Mrs. Chesterfield nodded her head and Emma asked why.
"Oh! Don't read anything into it. Let's just say you two remind me of someone."
"Is her name Rhoda Chesterfield?" I asked and Mrs. Chesterfield shook her head.
"No, Evelyn Norman. We met at Summer Camp. Now she works at a gas station in Jersey."
"Oh. Well, thank you." Emma said. Mrs. Chesterfield handed us each a glass of lemonade.
"You know, Mrs. Chesterfield, I think you're actually a nice person." I said.
"Well, duh! In fact, just recently, I endowed a lizard sanctuary." Mrs. Chesterfield said. My eyes widened and Emma began choking.
"That's where I had my assistant take Ravi's lizards after I adopted them."
"A lizard sanctuary? As in a place that saves lizards?"
"Yes. I… I apologize for the secrecy, but I knew he would never give them to me directly. Probably would have thought I'd turn them into boots or something." Mrs. Chesterfield laughed. Emma and I began laughing nervously, both of us giving each other a look.
"What's the matter?" Mrs. Chesterfield asked Emma. "You're sweating. There's no sweating in vintage."
"Welcome, everyone, to the dedication of the Chesterfield Lizard Sanctuary." Mrs. Chesterfield said, smiling to the press and the invited guests, which included Emma and I. Everyone clapped at her achievement and Mrs. Chesterfield basked in the applause.
"Oh! Well, it was either this or give my money to cankle research, and I do believe I've made the right choice." She said, laughing.
"Debatable." Emma said quietly and I hid my giggle behind my hand.
"I can't wait for you all to see these majestic creatures in their new home. So without further ado," A man handed Mrs. Chesterfield a pair of large scissors and she posed for the camera, "I give you lizard paradise!" And with that, she cut the ribbon, signaling for the green curtain to be dropped. Once it dropped, the widow to the sanctuary revealed Luke, Bertram, Jessie, and Zuri all attempting to climb a tree. Standing next to them was a very helpless Cassandra, her mouth duct taped and her hands & feet bounded by rope. The crowd gasped.
"Hey, look, we're on TV!" Luke said waving and posing for the camera.
"Rhoda Chesterfield is murdering lizards!" Jessie blurted out and the crowd gasped. Emma and I tried signaling her, telling her that she was wrong.
"They should throw the book at her!" Ravi shouted. "A big, heavy book that would really hurt! I recommend Moby Dick."
Emma and I began pointing to the sanctuary sign dramatically.
"Emma, Clarke, what are you pointing at?" Jessie asked. I groan as I walked to the poster and turned it around so they could get a better view. Emma underlined the words with her pointer finger.
"Uh.." Jessie ran over to Cassandra and ripped off the duct tape.
"This is a lizard sanctuary," She said in a monotone voice, "And OUCH!"
"Sorry," Jessie said sheepishly, "On the bright side, you can cancel that mustache waxing.
"I've spoken to the media and managed to set the record straight—are you eating the hors d'oeuvres?"
"No," Jessie said, her voice muffled.
"Why would you think I would do something so horrible as to hurt baby lizards?" Mrs. Chesterfield asked.
"Gee, I don't know," Zuri said sarcastically, "Have you met you?"
"Look, we're sorry. But in our defense, things did look pretty suspicious," Jessie said.
"Like the fact that you are wearing lizard-skin shoes, and all of that lizard-skin swag!" Ravi said, giving an example.
"Fake. As fake as my feelings for my first husband."
"But you said those lizards were going to make you look good," Ravi pointed out another example.
"Yes, well… I was hoping this lizard sanctuary would help change my image. It might surprise you to know that in some circles, people seem to think I'm a…"
"Nightmare?"
"Horror?"
"Evil shrew?"
"Look, everyone, Mrs. Chesterfield isn't that bad," Emma said, walking next to her.
"Yeah, when we were forced to spend an afternoon with her, it actually wasn't that bad," I said, defending her. Mrs. Chesterfield began to tear up.
"That is the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me," She sobbed. Emma and I gave her an affectionate squeeze.
"Mrs. Chesterfield, I am sorry I misjudged you," Ravi apologized, "You have earned a lot of good karma today, so just know something equally nice will soon happen to you."
"Oh, it already has."
"You mean putting an end to our feud and forging six new friendships?" Jessie asked hopefully, wrapping an arm around her. Mrs. Chesterfield laughed.
"No, of course not. I mean finally getting 12 annoying lizards out of my building. Point Rhoda!" Mrs. Chesterfield said before happily walking over to the press.
"She's awful! How can you stand her?" Jessie asked Cassandra.
"She's my mom," We all gasped and I suddenly felt so sorry for her.
"Oh, you poor thing. Well, at least someday you'll inherit a lot of money," Jessie pointed out.
"Not if Zeus has anything to say about it. Why does a dog need a house in the Hamptons?" Cassandra asked, "You know, being your prisoner was the highlight of my year."
"Aww. Could you be sure to mention that to the authorities?"
"You know, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I kind of miss the baby lizards," Jessie said, the day after all the events at the sanctuary.
"Spoken like someone who's never been their chew toy," Bertram grumbled as he placed a bowl of fruit on the kitchen table.
"Well. I'm not going to miss the teeth marks on my shoes," Emma said.
"Or the lizard surprises in my shoes," Luke added.
"Or the times I caught Scooter wearing my shoes," Zuri said.
"What was it with lizards with shoes?" I asked.
"I don't know, but they did have some weird hobbies," Zuri answered.
"Well, anyways, thank goodness we're back to being just a normal, one-lizard family," Jessie said, walking out of the kitchen.
"Watch, the living room is gonna be filled with lizards," I said, noticing how Jessie stopped her tracks in the doorway before it closed behind her.
"Wanna bet?" Luke asked.
"10 bucks," I said, getting out of my chair. Luke followed my lead and together, we walked out of the kitchen which was sure enough filled with lizards.
"Pay up," I said, sticking my palm out. Luke sighed and took his wallet out, pulling out a 10.
"Pleasure doing business with you," I said, plucking the money out of his hands.