November 7 2017
Chapter 34: Eucalyptus and reporters
"We've been through a lot, but that was the worst flight I've been on."
It was late at night. We had just landed after a very long and very bumpy trip. I leaned against the back of Kit's seat and could feel my lunch wanting to come out the way it went in.
"C'mon, Lis, it wasn't that bad"
"Yes it was! You and Kit were seated the whole time, but I was thrown around like a rag doll back there"
"Well, you're the one who insisted on tagging along after we told you the delivery was eucalyptus leaves to a koala at the zoo."
"Yeah, because I like the smell of eucalyptus. And koalas. What I don't like, is being in a plane that gets hit by lightning during a storm that would put a hurricane to shame! And when the pilot is half asleep. And the plane's headlights go out."
Baloo yawned "Oh give me a break, like enjoy these long night flies"
I ignored Baloo and rushed past him out the door and jumped on to the dock, glad to have a solid and not moving platform under my feet and not even caring about the light rain.
"And if it hadn't been for Kit, we'd all be dead".
Kit looked proud. When the lights of the plane had gone out, he had put on his goggles and leaned out the window to show Baloo the way with a flashlight. I had hold his feet and kept my eyes closed tight.
After the cargo had been unloaded and taken away by the zoo workers, Baloo had been so tired he had just laid down to sleep on some boxes that had stayed dry under the shed and pulled a blanket over himself. Since there was noway any of us could drag him inside, we decided to leave him there. The rain had stopped and the night was warm, so he would probably not get sick. And if he did, he could only blame himself.
Kit was already asleep upstairs as I stepped out in the office after taking a shower. I was on my way to have a good rest on my hammock when I realized Becky was only now makin g her way out of the office. It was well past 1 in the morning. Usually she would have left as soon as the cargo had arrived, so for her to be at Higher for Hire that long was out of the ordinary. Especially since she had Molly to take care of.
"Becky? You still here?"
"Yes, I had to make a few phone calls."
"At this hour? Who on earth were you calling?"
"The news paper"
I blinked a couple of times as her words registered with me. "Why would you call the news paper in the middle of the night? Could it have waited till the morning?"
"Nope. The sooner we get the reporters here the better. We need the exposure and saving that koala's life is just the thing."
"Wait, reporters?"
"Yes, to get the picture of Baloo and you guys. Don't worry, I'll take care of the talking."
I stiffened. "I- I don't want my picture taken!"She looked at me confused. "I mean, I don't like being photographed and I-.. don't want to steal Baloo' and Kit's thunder. I mean I did practically nothing to help."
"Well-" she sighed, "If you're sure." She glanced at her watch. " I really need to get home and pay the babysitter." She waved as she closed the door behind her.
As I laid down on my hammock I remembered this was a part of yet another episode. But no matter how much I tried I could not remember the ending of it. It worried me and I felt a bit uneasy as I drifted to sleep.
The reporters arrived the next morning as Becky has said. I stayed inside and watched through the window as they took pictures of Baloo and Kit. When I had told Becky I didn't like to be photographed, I hadn't lied. But mainly I didn't want my picture to be spread around the city, especially when I knew certain Mr. Khan would be reading the paper and get a very devious idea regarding Baloo. But as always I decided to let thing happen as they would in the episodes, and hope for the best.
Author's note
Wow. I only uploaded ONE chapter last year. And a full year ago. I'm sorry.
But the truth is that nowadays I lack the time to write. I've had to focus on other things like my studies and job and my other interests. Also as I look back at my writing I realize what a Mary-Sue story this is. But I'm not deleting this, since I know there are people who like this story (be it ironically or not).
And I've enjoyed writing this. And hey, if you enjoyed reading this, it has all been worth it, and I'm glad you have.
I'm thinking about making one more "episode"(with this being the first chapter of it) to thank all the people who have stuck with me and this story. I owe it to you guys.
After that, since I don't want to leave the story completely unfinished, I'll upload a summary of how I had planned this story to end. This will include some dialogue parts and explanation of the episodes following this one.
Again, sorry, but as things are now, I know if I don't do this the story will never be finished and it will haunt me for the rest of my life. And I know how it feels when a story you like is never finished. But thanks everyone in advance.