Disclaimer: I do NOT own Horton Hears a Who! or any of the characters involved in this story.
"I'm home my love!" Ned called out to Sally when he entered the kitchen.
Sally was preparing a special dinner for Ned in honor of his placement on the twenty who-dollar bill. The moment she looked up from her sauce pan, Ned whisked her arm and scooped her into a loving hug. He was about to combust in excitement.
"I'm so proud of you, honey," Sally said, clutching Ned's hands. "How did your portrait turn out on the bill? I really hope you didn't stick your tongue out."
"Oh, I don't know." Ned released his wife and hoisted himself up on the countertop. He thought about the nasty comment Chairman VonFrood made regarding his notable "backseat" weight gain. Ned was feeling far from attractive these days. It was a wonder what his beautiful, pageant-winning wife still saw in him.
"I don't really like any picture I take. Thank Seuss it was just a drawing of me," Ned confessed.
Sally grabbed her spoon and returned to her sauce pan. "Well, I'm looking forward to seeing it."
"Sure," Ned said. "But you'll have to wait until the ceremony. I left the bill in my office—didn't want to lose it or something."
"I understand," Sally said.
Ned leaped off the counter to his feet. He breathed in the warm air. "Smells good," he said.
"I couldn't decide on what to cook for dinner because you've told me countless times that you like everything I make." Sally gave a playful eye roll. "So I ended up flipping a coin and its lasagna tonight."
"I really appreciate it, hun," Ned said.
Sally cupped her hands around Ned's head and kissed him gently. "I don't need to see your portrait on that twenty who-dollar bill to know it's beautiful."
JoJo managed to dodge a lecture from his dad about tardiness and punctuality. He slid into his usual spot at the dining table right before 5:31 P.M. Soon afterwards, Ned flopped into his own chair, triggering the other chairs to rotate.
"Daddy! Daddy!" the girls cried in excitement from seeing Ned pull his chair up to the table.
"Good evening, everyone," Ned replied friendly.
Heddy was first to have her twelve second chatting session with Ned. He lightly tickled her on the belly but her laughter soon turned into hiccups. Ned reached for a glass of water and helped her sip it down. When she was done, she and Ned started laughing again.
Something about Ned's laugh sparked inspiration in JoJo. He quietly hummed a melody to himself and searched his brain for matching words.
…laughing beneath the sun and the rainbows
April days when it rains and the wind blows.
Here's to you, Dad.
JoJo started for his room. He had to find a pen and some notebook paper—fast! His friend, Coby, taught him to keep a pen and notebook handy for moments like these, but JoJo never followed his advice.
"JoJo, where do you think you're going?" Ned snapped. He looked surprised by JoJo's abrupt attempt to retreat.
JoJo had just realized that his chair was aligned with his dad's; it was now his turn for a chatting session with Ned. He grudgingly fell back into his chair and groaned. He had to hurry and get these brilliant lyrics down on paper before he forgot them.
"What's the latest and greatest?" Ned asked. The power of his overly-excited voice pierced through JoJo's thinks. JoJo glared. His dad was always so annoyingly giddy when it was his turn to chat.
"Well," JoJo began weakly. "My principal's daughter is having trouble with her spelling words." He paused briefly before continuing on. "Yeah. So he asked me if I would tutor her and I agreed, but—"
"You volunteered!?" Ned blurted. He shot up from his seat. "That's wonderful! I'm so proud."
JoJo frowned. He didn't exactly volunteer, but that sounded better than admitting he was actually being punished. What his dad didn't know wouldn't hurt him—at least that's what JoJo kept on telling himself.
"Well, I've tutored the girls many times. I'm the one who taught Heddy how to sing the ABC song," JoJo added for effect.
Ned's blue eyes flickered. "My son: growing up to be a brilliant mayor day by day."
"Anyway," JoJo went on ignoring that comment. "We need a quiet place to study, so I suggested your office at City Hall. It will just be for forty-five minutes. We promise not to touch anything."
For a moment, JoJo mentally revised any other options he had, but he could hear Tallulah's voice arguing all of them.
Finally, Ned said at the ringing of the clock, "You are more than welcome to use my office, son. After all, it will be your office someday too."
"Thanks, Dad," JoJo said ignoring that comment as well.
He hopped out of his chair and hurried to his room. His mind was now clear and ready for a weekend of song writing.
JoJo pulled out his spiral and a pencil and got straight to work. He strained his mind to remember how the song went.
…laughing underneath the sky and rainbows—
JoJo let his pencil roll out of his hands pitifully. It was too late. He had forgotten the lyrics.
Up next: JoJo's first tutoring session with Tallulah, and meeting the Mayor of Whoville!