It was nighttime. Most people would be at home at this time, or maybe even asleep. However, this wasn't the case for Slappy and Skippy Squirrel. They had just gotten home from grocery shopping (at 7:30 PM, no less).
"Gee, Skippy, who knew that we would have to go shopping at night?" Slappy asked.
"I don't know, Aunt Slappy, but I'm glad we did. Otherwise, we wouldn't have the stuff we needed." Skippy said.
"That's right." Slappy said.
[2 hours later]
"Well, Skippy, I'm wiped. What do ya say we head off to bed, eh." Slappy said.
"I'm with you one that one." Skippy said, yawning.
The two squirrels slipped into their pajamas and hopped in their respective beds.
"Good night, Skippy." Slappy said, turning the lights off.
"Good night, Aunt Slappy." Skippy said.
About three minutes later, Skippy's head started to jerk left and right. It began silent, but then turned to moaning and groaning. Slappy took notice of this.
"He's dreaming." Slappy said quietly to herself.
Suddenly, Skippy's groaning became louder and louder, until he finally shot up, screaming and panting.
"Skippy, Skippy, it's okay! It's okay. Calm down. You're scaring me." Slappy said.
"Phew! Thank goodness it was just a dream." Skippy said.
"What did you dream about?" Slappy said.
"That...you gave me up because you didn't want me around anymore." Skippy said.
At that moment, Slappy felt wracked with guilt. She may be old and grouchy, but one thing she would NEVER do is give up her only nephew.
"Oh, Skippy, it was a just a dream. I would never give you up, you know that." Slappy said softly.
"Really?" Skippy asked.
"Yes. You're my only nephew and I don't wanna lose you." Slappy said.
"Aw, thanks, Aunt Slappy. I wouldn't wanna lose you, either." Skippy said.
"Now, go back to sleep. You scared me pretty bad. Good night." Slappy said.
"Good night." Skippy said.
Skippy slept peacefully the rest of the night. He didn't know if his nightmare would one-time thing or not.
XXXXXXX
The next morning, Slappy was already up watching television, as per usual. Ten minutes later, Skippy came out of his room, yawning and scratching his back.
"Good morning, Skippy." Slappy said.
"Good morning, Aunt Slappy." Skippy said.
"How'd ya sleep?" Slappy asked.
"I slept great, actually." Skippy said.
"Any nightmares?" Slappy asked.
"Nope!" Skippy said.
"That's great to hear! It probably was a one-time thing." Slappy said.
"I hope so. I don't want it to happen again." Skippy said.
"Probably not. Here's your backpack." Slappy said, handing her nephew his backpack.
"Thanks, Aunt Slappy. I love you, buh-bye!" Skippy said, and left.
Now that Skippy was out of the house, it gave time for Slappy to think.
"Just in case this situation happens again, I know just who to call." Slappy said to herself.
Meanwhile, Skippy was frolicking down the sidewalk, humming. Then, he said to himself "I hope I don't have another nightmare. Wait, what if that's just it? What if Aunt Slappy really DOESN'T want me around anymore? Nah, who am I kidding? She'd never do that to me."
After his monologue, Skippy finally made his way to school. He entered, first the school itself, and then his classroom, soon followed by the other classmates, and then the teacher.
"Good morning, class! Today, will be begin from where we left off yesterday. Now, take out your history books and turn to page seven." the teacher said.
The kids took out their books from underneath the desks and opened them.
"Now, who would like to read first? Any volunteers?" the teacher asked.
"I'll go first!" a student said, raising their hand.
"Okay, go ahead." the teacher said.
As the student began reading, Skippy zoned out. He couldn't concentrate because he kept thinking about the nightmare he had last night. His teacher took notice of this.
"Skippy? Skippy, are you alright?" the teacher asked.
Skippy snapped back to reality. "Uh, yeah, I'm fine. Just a little out of it, that's all." he said.
"Aren't we all? Anyway, Macy, you may continue reading." the teacher said.
"I gotta do something about this, and quick! Before it gets out of control." Skippy whispered to himself.
XXXXXXX
It was 3:00 PM. The end of the school day. As soon as the bell rang, Skippy bolted out of his classroom and out of the school. He then walked back home where Slappy was waiting.
"Hi, Skippy." Slappy said.
"Hi." Skippy said.
"How was school?" Slappy asked.
"It was weird. I got all my assignments done but I kept zoning out and losing concentration." Skippy said.
"I was afraid of that. So, that's why I scheduled you an appointment." Slappy said.
"An appointment? With who?" Skippy said.
"Dr. Scratchansniff." Slappy said.
Excited, Skippy muttered "Yes!" under his breath.
"Huh?" Slappy asked.
"Oh, nothing. Anyway, let's go!" Skippy said.
Slappy and Skippy got into their car and drove to the Warner movie lot. They entered the psychiatry building. Surprisingly, the Warner siblings weren't there.
"Hello, Ms. Squirrel. Hi, Skippy." Hello Nurse greeted the two at her front desk.
"Howdy." Slappy said.
"Hey." Skippy said.
"Otto is in his office waiting." Hello Nurse said.
"Thanks. Well, Skippy, go on in. I'll be waitin' for ya." Slappy said.
"Okay, Aunt Slappy." Skippy said. He walked into Dr. Scratchansniff's office.
"Ah, hello, Skippy. Nice to see you." Dr. Scratchansniff said.
"Hi." Skippy said.
"We'll begin whenever your ready." Dr. Scratchansniff said.
Skippy sat down on a chair. "I'm ready." he said.
"Okay. Uh, before we begin, Slappy didn't actually tell me the reason you're here." Dr. Scratchansniff said.
"She didn't?" Skippy asked.
"No, she didn't." Dr. Scratchansniff said.
"Well, Scratchy, I had a nightmare last night that Aunt Slappy didn't want me around anymore. That's why she scheduled this appointment. To prevent any more nightmares happening like that happening." Skippy said.
"I see. Now, tell me, what exactly happened in the dream?" Dr. Scratchansniff asked.
"Aunt Slappy was watching television like she always does. Then, I came into the living room to make conversation with her. She then turns around and tells me,
'Skippy, I'm gonna have to give you up.'
Dr. Scratchansniff jotted down notes in his notepad.
"At that moment, I gasped." Skippy added.
"Oh my! Go on." Dr. Scratchansniff said.
"I asked her why she had to give me up, and she said that she didn't need me or want me around anymore." Skippy said.
"That's awful!" Dr. Scratchansniff said.
"I was heartbroken. I tried to convince Aunt Slappy otherwise, but it was too late. And that's when I woke up." Skippy said.
"Sounds like a scary experience." Dr. Scratchansniff said.
"It was! It truly was." Skippy said.
"Luckily for you, I have some tips that might help you." Dr. Scratchansniff said.
"Shoot." Skippy said.
"Definitely do some breathing exercises, and try to think about happy thoughts. Peaceful thoughts." Dr. Scratchansniff said.
"Gotcha. Thanks, Scratchy." Skippy said.
"Anytime." the doctor said.
Skippy walked out of the office and back to Slappy.
"So, what did Scratchy say?" Slappy asked.
"He said that I need to do breathing exercises and think about happy, peaceful thoughts." Skippy said.
"Okay, sounds good." Slappy said.
The two squirrels left the building and drove back home.
[9:30 PM]
Skippy was already in his pajamas and hopped into his bed. Slappy came in the room.
"Did you do your exercises?" Slappy asked.
"Yes." Skippy said.
"And did you think about happy thoughts?" Slappy asked.
"Yes." Skippy said.
"That's my boy. Well, good night, Skippy." Slappy said, and gave her nephew a small kiss on the forehead.
"Good night, Aunt Slappy." Skippy said, and drifted off into sleep.
Slappy turned to the camera and said "I hope this works." She then turned out the lights and closed the door.
XXXXXXX
The next morning, Skippy woke up gleefully. He was glad that he didn't have any nightmares. He ran into the living room.
"Aunt Slappy, Aunt Slappy!" Skippy said.
"What?" Slappy asked.
"I didn't have any nightmares!" Skippy said.
"Well, I guess Scratchy's tips worked! I had my doubts at first, but it paid off." Slappy said.
"Yep. Well, I see you later." Skippy said, and headed for the door, only for his aunt to stop him.
"Skippy, wait. Before you leave, I have to tell you something." Slappy said.
"Okay." Skippy said.
"Look, I may be old and a curmudgeon, but I want you to know that I love you. I would never, ever want to give you up. You're my only nephew, and I wouldn't want to lose you. I mean it." Slappy said.
Skippy was touched. It surprised him hearing this come out of his aunt. "I love you too, Aunt Slappy." he said.
The two squirrels shared a hug while the camera panned away and into the sun, fading away.
That's the end of my story! What did you think? Let me know by reviewing. Until next time, chao!