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I don't own Bones.
I do own Boots Booth.
Oooooooooooooooooooo
Max had heard of a street carnival that was going to open for the weekend and decided to take Christine and Parker. Max had told Booth and his daughter that they could sleep late Saturday morning and he'd handle the kids for the day. Booth and Brennan were more than happy for the little mini vacation.
Max and the kids had spent the entire morning and most of the afternoon at the carnival. They ate junk food until they thought they were going to be sick, they rode all of the rides, Christine had her face painted and they played all of the games. Max, doing a little showing off, had shot some balloons and had won Parker and Christine each a goldfish is a bowl. He then shot some more balloons and won a goldfish for himself and Brennan. He didn't think Booth would appreciate a goldfish in a bowl so he didn't get him one. Thinking the way to Booth's heart was through Booth's stomach, Max bought Booth a caramel apple and an elephant's ear.
Oooooooooooooooooo
Arriving at home, Christine carried in her goldfish and Parker carried his and Brennan's goldfish in to the house. Max carried in the junk food everyone wanted to bring back with them and his goldfish bowl.
Walking in through the kitchen doorway, Christine saw her parents sitting at the kitchen table eating ice cream.
"Mom, Dad, look what Grandpa Max won for me." Christine said, carrying her fishbowl over to the table. Putting the bowl on the table, she looked at her parents.
Sighing, Booth said, "Didn't we agree that you weren't going to own any more fish after we buried Murray last year? You forgot to feed him and he died."
Smiling, Christine said, "Gosh, Dad, I was just a little kid then. I'm seven now and Grandpa Max said it was time for me to move on."
Squinting his eyes at Max, Booth said, "Oh really?"
Walking over to the table, Max put the caramel apple and the elephant's ear on the table in front of Booth and said, "Moving on, I know you like this crap so here."
Looking down at the junk food, Booth smiled and said, "Is this a bribe?"
Smiling, Max said, "Of course."
Brennan looked over at Parker and said, "I see you have two fish."
Walking over to where Brennan was sitting, Parker placed one of the fishbowls in front of Brennan and said, "Grandpa Max won this one for you." Holding up the other bowl, Parker said, "We each get one except for Dad."
Frowning, Booth said, "Why don't I get one?"
Frowning, Max said, "Because the only fish you like comes in a stick and baked."
Looking at Booth's expression, Brennan laughed.
Crossing his arms, Booth glared at Brennan and said, "Oh, so you think that's funny?"
Nodding her head, Brennan got up from the table and walked around to where Booth was sitting. Leaning over she kissed him on the cheek. Smiling, Booth stood up and put his hands on her hips, kissing her on the lips.
Rolling his eyes, Max said, "Come on kids. It's getting too warm in here."
Ooooooooooo
Parker and Christine put their fish bowls in their bedrooms. Since Max was sleeping in Parker's bedroom, he just put his fish bowl next to Parker's fish bowl on the dresser. Max thought he would take his fish to Russ's house in a few weeks and give it the girls. Brennan put her fish bowl in her bedroom and thought that a trip to a pet store to get a bigger tank for her and Christine's fish was in order.
Boots, noticing the new additions to the bedrooms, watched and pondered cat thoughts.
Ooooooooooooo
The next Monday, Christine and Parker went to the park with Max to play. Well the kids played and Max read a book. Max thought it was great that Parker was willing to play with his sister. Most seventeen year old boys don't have that kind of patience.
Boots stayed home and did cat things.
At lunch time, Max and the kids came home and had sandwiches. After lunch, Max wanted to go to the movies so the kids went to their rooms to change clothes. Max had told them that he wasn't taking kids in dirty clothes anywhere. Some busy body would probably call Child Protective Services and tell them that some old man had dirty kids at the movie. Parker, who was almost 18 years old, rolled his eyes; but, went to his bedroom to change clothes.
Entering his bedroom, Parker walked over to his dresser for a clean t-shirt. Glancing at his fish bowl, he found it empty. Flicking his eyes to Max's fish bowl, he found that bowl to be empty also. Walking out of his room, Parker went to Christine's room and knocked on her closed door.
Hearing crying, Parker opened the door and stuck his head through the doorway. Looking around the room, Parker saw Christine sitting on her bed, crying. Walking into the room, Parker walked over to the bed and sat down next to his sister.
Putting his arm around her shoulders, Parker said, "What's the matter, Sis?"
Looking up with tear stained cheeks, Christine said, "My fish is gone."
Looking over towards the fish bowl, Parker nodded his head and said, "You know what happened don't you?"
Shaking her head, Christine said, "No, what?"
Rubbing his right ear, Parker said, "I don't have any proof; but, I'm pretty sure Boots ate your fish and mine and Grandpa Max's."
Frowning, Christine said, "Gosh, what about Mom's fish?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Parker said, "Mom and Dad's door is closed. That fish should be ok."
Nodding her head, Christine said, "Ok. I don't want Mom to cry because Boots ate her fish."
Patting her knee, Parker said, "It's ok. Let's go tell Grandpa Max."
Oooooooooooooo
That evening, after Brennan and Booth had finished eating dinner, Max decided to tell the tale of the fish.
"Uh, I need to tell you something." Max began, looking at Booth and then Brennan.
Putting his cup of coffee down onto the table, Booth said, "Ok, what happened now?"
Irritated, Max said, "Did something have to happen?"
Smiling grimly, Booth said, "Since the kids haven't said one word during dinner and have refused to look at me or their Mom, then yes, I'd say something had to have happened."
Frowning, Max said, "There was a little accident with some of the fish."
Puzzled, Brennan said, "What kind of accident?"
Looking towards Boots, who was sitting next to Booth under the table, Max said, "I'm pretty sure Boots ate the fish belonging to Christine, Parker and me."
Looking down at Boots, Booth then looked up at Max, shrugged his shoulders and said, "Oh well."
A little stunned, Max said, "Oh Well? That's all you have to say? We thought for sure you'd be mad."
Shrugging his shoulders again, Booth said, "Boots did what he always does. He took what he wants. If you're not smart enough to keep your bedroom door closed then you have to expect stuff like this to happen. Why do you think we keep our bedroom door closed?"
Parker asked, "You're not mad at Boots?"
Shaking his head, Booth said, "Nah. What good would it do? He's a cat. Besides, Bones said Boots would probably eat them sooner or later."
Shaking his head, Parker asked, "If you thought he might eat the fish, why didn't you tell us to close our bedroom doors, Dad?"
Smiling, Booth said, "Bones wanted me to let you all be responsible for your own stuff for once. She said it would do you all good."
Nodding her head, Brennan said, "Everyone relies on Booth to remind them to do everything around here. I think you should learn to think things through and not rely upon Booth to remind you to do everything."
Nodding his head, Booth said, "At least there's a good side to this. We don't have to have fish funerals."
Ooooooooooooooooooo
Cats and small fish bowls are not a good combination. Up next: The Shower Incident.
