Disclaimer : This licence isn't mine. The opinions express by the characters are not mine. I do not support nor encourage the illegal or dangerous acts or words present here. I can make a distinction between fiction and reality and I trust in my readership's ability in doing the same.

Chapter twenty-nine: Lem and Ada's story

Peanut Butter had to admit he liked Lem and Ada. They were in his hostel since only a night, but they seemed to be desperately searching the love and attention they have been deprived of for months. And they have certainly elected Peanut Butter as their new big brother. Of course, it was flattering, but Peanut wondered how Lemon Meringue would react if she learnt this. Apparently, they have ran away because they couldn't stand anymore to be neglected, and Lemon may be only delighted to get rid of them. But she may too be extremely jealous. What if she accused him of having kidnap the twins? "Aunt Edna" seemed to be rich and influent. What if she managed to put him in jail?

But the twins weren't thinking of this risk, or they simply tried to not. For the moment, they were telling him every last detail of their life in London. And Peanut Butter was moved. Lem and Ada were quite like Hansel and Gretel, two poor children, ill-treated but their naughty big sister who considered them as two pains-especially Ada, according to that he had understood. They had found shelter in a house that seemed welcoming. Luckily for them, the owner didn't plan to eat them.

-Well, and we both enjoyed playing in Hide-And-Seek Park…

-With Sugar Woofer.

-It looks like Sentimental Park, you see…

-You really should go to England, it's a beautiful country.

-Surely, Peanut Butter answered (he hadn't many things to see about this topic). "Where is Sugar Woofer? You seem to like him a lot. Did he stay in London?"

The twins' happiness immediately vanished.

-No, he's dead, Lem said with a sorrowful tone.

Peanut Butter felt extremely ill at ease. He wanted to comfort the children, but he only managed to remind them painful memories!

-I'm sorry. I didn't want to hurt you…

-Of course, Ada said.

-Sugar Woofer was a really good fellow, Lem continued, nodding respectfully.

Peanut Butter didn't know what to do. It was a difficult situation. He didn't want to be tactless, but he knew what the twins couldn't stand anymore to be ignored. Did they sister know about their period of mourning?

-Would you like to talk about it with me? He softly asked.

And Lem and Ada told him that Sugar Woofer was still a puppy full of energy when they met him. Their mother had chosen him, charged him of looking after them, the tiny babies lost in the heart of London. Sugar Woofer was the only real link they had with their family, and so they quickly considered him as a fully-fledged member of their family. When he prevented them from crossing the street at the wrong time or barked at threatening stranger, they thought their mother would be delighted to see her children in a such safe company. And, indeed, Sugar Woofer was like a mother for them: he carried their schoolbags when they went to school, leaded them to home when they got lost or warm them at night by laying on their beds. He acted like a zealous nanny, in spite of his four paws and his thick fur.

But, unfortunately, dogs' lifespan is shorter than humans' one. In they thirteenth year, Lem and Ada noticed that Sugar Woofer wasn't as sturdy than before. They had to go to high school by themselves because Sugar Woofer used to sleep the biggest part of the day. They could beat him in a race. He couldn't climb the stairs without being breathless. And, instead of carrying Lem and Ada on his back like a pony, it was Lem and Ada who had to carry him when he was tired. The vet has said it was only due to his great age and that there was anything to do for him.

Sugar Woofer had passed away the previous year. Lem and Ada tried to convinced themselves with all their strength that it was a good thing for their beloved dog to not be suffering anymore, but they couldn't bear to do alone the journeys they uses to do with him, to see the park where they has played together so many times, to find the home silent and empty when they came back from school, or to look at the fireplace and thinking Sugar Woofer will never take a nap here anyway. So, when Lemon Meringue had purposed them to join her in Big Apple City, they jumped at the chance, believing it would be a good idea to flee this place where they had spent their happiest years but who was now only synonyms of grief and abandon. But Lemon Meringue has never been for them what Sugar Woofer was for them.

A long silence followed this story, until Peanut Butter thought he had to say something relevant and fortifying.

-Your sadness is normal, kids, he said, "And no one asks you to forget Sugar Woofer. No one will replace him in your hearts. But one day you'll accept his death. For the moment, think he would dislike to see you so dejected."

The ringtone of Lem's phone interrupted him. It was Lemon Meringue. Peanut Butter was about to say something like "You see? Your sister cares about you!" but he had perfectly noticed that she was attempting to join Lem. Not Ada.

Lem winced and turn his phone off.

-You don't pick up the phone? Peanut Butter kindly asked.

-We don't want to see her anymore! The twins cried in unison.

-So, maybe you could tell her you're with me…

-We don't want neither see her nor talk with her, Lem firmly declared.

-She has been too naughty with us, Ada added.

-Do you think she deserves to be worrying to death about you?

-Yes!

-I don't think it's a good idea to have your revenge this way.

-But we don't want to go back to the "Raspberry Meringue!" Lem shouted.

-I didn't say you have to go back home with her, Peanut Butter explained. "I don't think she could force you to follow her if you explicitly tell her you're not feeling like collaborate with her anymore. Or, maybe your running away made her an electroshock and she's ready to be a better sister now.

The twins stayed surly for a few minutes.

-We agree to meet her…

-But only if you stay with us.

Lemon Meringue arrived ten minutes later. She first accused the twins of being heartless monsters, but she calmed down when Lem stood up to her and showed her how unacceptable her behavior had been toward Ada.

-We want to stay with Peanut Butter, and he's alright to host us, he ended.

Lemon Meringue protested, saying she couldn't stand the idea of knowing them living with a stranger, but the twins stayed on their position. Peanut Butter added how beneficial this experience would be for the twins, who were given the opportunities of meeting to opposite worlds of business.

-If it's what you really want… Lemon Meringue sighed. "I think all that I can to is to tell you goodbye. I'll visit you lately, or you can visit us if you want to."

-No, carry on, it's fascinating, Ada muttered.

Peanut Butter was now in charge of two fifteen-years-old teenagers, and his friend from country, Strawberry Shortcake, had already her own sister. If he decided to marry her, they won't have to wait for a long time before starting a family.

To be continued…