Chapter 4- Angel
It was so dark outside on the porch. I could barely see my cream-coloured paws. It had been almost two years since I had met Scamp and moved in with his family to their two story sky blue house. Two damn years and I still couldn't get over this feeling. It was starting to annoy me. Why couldn't I just be happy? Had I done something wrong to feel this soft and scared?
Suddenly the doggie door opened and out came Scamp's sisters. They all had grown up to be exactly the same as their mother. So boring, I thought. Who would want to be the same as their mother and sisters? Sure, Lady was very kind and sweet, but I could never figure out why Tramp had fallen in love with her. Maybe it was her innocence? Or what used to be innocence.
Annette, Danielle, and Colette sauntered over to me and cornered me. What was it going to be this time? What were they going to say to lower my self esteem?
"Why don't you just go home? You've been imposing on us for too long. We are so sick of you," said Annette, saying it low enough so no one would hear but the circle and me.
I sighed and answered. "I don't have a home. Remember?" This was the only answer I was allowed to answer with. It was quite annoying but after a while, I guess I got used to it.
Danielle gasped. "You don't have a home? Why? Were you kicked out?"
Colette sighed. She always seemed the most reasonable out of the three sisters. I hated her least out of all the girls. "She was probably a bad puppy and the family didn't want her anymore. It's common with dogs who don't know their place." She emphasized the word place.
That was a new one. I lowered my bright blue eyes and felt a tear trickle down my cheek. I hated crying, especially in front of the sisters. Where was Scamp when I needed him?
"Angel? Are you out there?" Scamp! I whipped my head around and flipped back my bangs. Maybe he wouldn't notice the tears. I smiled brightly, hoping he would get rid of these girls.
I heard Danielle, Annette, and Colette sigh. "I guess our fun's over for now. Don't say a word to Scamp. You know what happens if you do," all three said. I gulped but nodded. Maybe Scamp would figure it out himself and I wouldn't have to tell him.
Scamp came threw the doggie door after his sisters left. They greeted him in their usual high pitched joyful voices. I shuddered. Those voices sounded so different only a minute ago. Soon enough, Scamp was through the door and I guess I ran to him. But could you blame me? I was upset. I looked at Scamp.
Scamp's fur was ruffled and a light grey, exactly like Tramp's. I always admired how even though he was the spitting image of his father, Scamp never let go of his unique personality. I almost smiled. Almost. I knew the triplets were watching through the crack in the doggie door. I made sure to keep my face neutral at all times. Nothing was going to give me away, at least physically.
I sighed and licked Scamp's cheek. How I wished we had more time alone, but with those girls always around the corner I could never get a moment's peace.
He smiled at me but then it vanished, almost in a flash. "What's wrong Angel? You haven't been yourself lately." Crap. He'd noticed? Well, at least Scamp paid more attention than I thought he did. That was something.
Before answering I glanced at the door. I heard giggles and even a few words. Damn. I knew they were there. I averted Scamp's trusting blue eyes and answered in a quiet "No, why would there be?"
Scamp didn't believe me. I knew from the way he kept looking at me, then the doggie door, and then back at me Scamp had an idea. His eyes became cloudy, their shine faded. I knew something was up. He was going to want to talk. But where could we possibly go to get rid of Annette, Danielle, and Collette?
Suddenly, Scamp grabbed my red collar and started to run. I shook off his teeth and ran after him. Who knew he was so fast? I panted hard then tried to ask where we were going.
"Somewhere safe. We're almost there, come on!" We took off again at an even faster pace. My breathing labored and I was out of breath in minutes. Too much of the good life, I've lost my edge, my conscience hackled me.
Finally we made it. I didn't see what was so special about a hill overlooking the town. Okay, maybe the tree provided tons of shade but at night that really didn't help much. At least Scamp's sisters were far away. Scamp sat in front of the tree, staring up at he stars with a dreamy look in his bright eyes. I sat beside him.
"My parents met here. Dad brought Mom here after their night at the Italian restaurant. They always told me about it. Especially Dad. Maybe he thought I'd bring my lucky girl out here someday. I guess I have." He nuzzled me and I nuzzled back, grateful that this place was quiet.
"Why did you bring me here Scamp?" As if I didn't already know. But I wanted to hear it from Scamp himself.
Scamp turned to me and stared for a moment.
"Because I don't' want you to have to lie to me in our house. I want to know what's wrong with my Angel."
My Angel. That had a nice ring to it. It was almost like it was my new name. I loved it.
I was about to tell him, about to explain why I hid all the time. But my throat closed up and I couldn't' get eh words out. They were stuck. Why?? Why now of all times! Scamp wanted to know, he wanted to help! And my fear had to get a hold of me. Damn.
I let out a frustrated sigh, lay down, buried my head in my paws, and felt a tear trickle down my cheek. This was so screwed up. What had happened to the tough Angel? The one that hung with junkyard dogs and could scrap with the best of them? I was going soft. I didn't like it one bit. If only Scamp could read minds, then he would have known years ago.
"Angel? If you can't say it, it's okay. But do you think you could give me at least one word? Just to know you're okay?" I raised my self to full height and stared at Scamp. He looked….hurt. Why did this have to be so hard when it should've been so easy?
My breath was shaking but I managed to get out the most important word in that moment. "Sisters." It came out hardly a whisper but the word rang in my ears. Scamp would figure it out. I wouldn't have to be afraid anymore.
Scamp's eyes widened. At least he had some idea as to what was going on. He looked furious. His eyes narrowed and he started to pace. I liked this Scamp. There was a sadness mixed with hate in his expression. It was a new Scamp and it was intoxicating.
Suddenly he stopped pacing and came to me. Odd. What was even stranger was how his voice caught in his throat as he spoke to me.
"I'm so sorry, my Angel. This is my entire fault. If I had just…" I licked his cheek; that shut him up.
"So what if you didn't notice for two years? I wasn't exactly willing to let everyone know I was going all soft and weak. But I'm glad you know. At least I won't have to keep hiding everything from you."
Scamp's face brightened. We snuggled for a few minutes before I wanted to go home. I knew the girls were waiting. Scamp knew as well. I think that's why he stuck so close to me while we walked the seven blocks home. I kind of liked knowing Scamp was beside me. It gave me a sense of safety. I let out a relaxed sigh.
The time flew by fast on the walk home and before I knew it we were walking up the sidewalk. I felt my anxiety level rise as Scamp and I walked up the porch steps. My ears perked as I listened for their quiet conversation.
Colette was the first to run through the doggie door. Her sisters followed in suit but skidded to a stop once spotting Scamp. Danielle flashed a sparkling smile to her older brother. The others were slow to follow, only smiling a little. They were unsure of what was coming next. If I had been them I would have felt the same. No one wanted Scamp's temper, especially when it had something to do with me.
Annette looked extremely worried while Colette looked to be calculating something. Before anyone said a word, I raised my head high, flipped back my long bangs, and walked up the stairs past the triplets. Scamp was at my heels, sticking closer to me than ever. He was giving his sisters a warning look. I found myself smiling almost a cocky smile. I was free of the girls and they knew it. If the sisters bothered me again, they knew they'd have do deal with Scamp.
Once through the doggie door I raced Scamp up the staircase to our bed in Junior's room. The human was fast asleep by the time we were inside. We sneaked in and lay down in the fuzzy red blanket. I was exhausted. But before I could fall asleep Scamp nudged me awake.
"You know I'll always be there for you right?" He asked a little worried.
I giggled. How weird. I never giggled. "Of course. I don't think they'll be anymore problems anymore. Now can I get some shut eye? I'm tired." Scamp chuckled and kissed me goodnight.
As I drifted off to sleep I realized that finally, I had a place to call home. It was all I had ever wanted. Well, and Scamp, of course.
With that I drifted off to sleep, waiting for tomorrow to come.