Summary: Harm learns why Mattie is so attached to her pet fish.
Note: This is dedicated to Lazarus—he was a good fish. I got such great reviews to the last chapter! Thanks katydid13, Sarah, and AngelaB. Skates, I love my dad as much as you love yours. SMKLegacy, isn't it nice that the guys closest to us are the most oblivious?
Disclaimer: Harm, Mac, etc. are not mine, so don't sue me because I have an imagination and too much free time.
Written 10 June 2004
"Talk to me, kiddo," Harm said gently as he sat down next to Mattie. He was concerned about his ward—she was staring at her Betta fish, which was floating belly-up.
She sighed dejectedly, "As a kid, I was always asking for a puppy, but Mom said not till I was older. When I started high school, I thought I had finally convinced her I was old enough… until she handed me a fish bowl with a dog collar around the top and told me the fish's name was 'Puppy'."
The teen smiled at the memory before continuing, "I was so mad at first, but then it became our joke… and then she died… and now Puppy is dead, too."
"What can I do?" Harm offered.
LATER…
Harm and Mattie hovered over the white porcelain bowl, sharing a respectful silence.
"Poor Puppy—he was a good fish," Mattie said solemnly before flushing her beloved pet.