Monty's Master – Part 2

Perry didn't even get to lock the car when the trotting of small feet disturbed the perfect peace and quiet that usually reigned over their little neighborhood.

"Wait, Pepper, come back!"

Little Suzy Johnson came running down the road, trying to catch up with a small black poodle.

Perry spun on his heel and, in one smooth move, seized the black dog and hoisted it over his shoulder. The poodle snarled, baring its tiny fangs, but quieted down when Perry began scratching it under the chin.

Little Suzy stopped in front of him, still panting.

"You got her!" she piped up and immediately wrapped her arms around his legs.

"Hi, Suzy," Perry said, leaning over to pat her head. "Aren't you a bit far from home?"

"Oh, tell me about it!" Suzy let go of him and glared at Pepper who was trying to lick Perry's ear. "I really don't know what got into her! Jeremy usually takes her for walks in the morning, but today he left early. And when I opened the door, whoosh she goes!"

Perry chuckled and crouched down to her level. Pepper began to struggle and squirm in Suzy's arms, giving him a long, pleading look.

"She really likes you," Suzy noticed. "She usually can't stand strangers."

"Oh, Perry's always been good with animals, dear."

Perry stood up and waved to the house across the street, "Good morning Mrs. Garcia-Shapiro!"

Mrs. Garcia-Shapiro was reading her correspondence by the mailbox as she recalled with great amusement, "Oh, once I found a snake in my begonia bed. Next thing you know, Perry here lures it with a fried egg sandwich and scoops it up in his schoolbag!"

"Really?" Suzy asked in astonishment.

"That was a very long time ago," said Perry slowly, glancing somewhere in the distance. He placed a hand on her shoulder and asked, "And you sure you know your way back? I can take you home if you want."

Suzy shook her head and buried her face once more into his trousers. "No, but thanks anyway, Perry! You're the best!"

Perry watched her cross the street, still clutching her tiny dog.

"Okay, just make sure you stay on the sidewalk this time!" he called before Suzy turned the corner.

He really had no idea what Candace was talking about. Suzy was just a sweet little girl, but Candace seemed firmly convinced that she was some sort of bloodthirsty gremlin ready to bite your leg off when you aren't looking.

Then again, perhaps this wasn't his place to judge. After all, people had all kinds of sides to them that no one ever suspected.

Mrs. Garcia-Shapiro's hearty laugh reminded him that he was still standing in the middle of the road. "I almost forgot you are even better with kids!"

"What can I say, " Perry shrugged as he approached the awning in front of her house. "I've had lots of practice."

"My my, but when did you get so big? I think you're taller than our Pinky now! Oh, you just missed him. He got a call from work a little earlier. Phew, who knew being a programmer was so demanding?

"Oh, I'm sure it is," Perry said.

"But how about you, dear? Haven't you started classes yet?"

"Not until October."

"Does that mean you can make it to the party tonight?"

"Sure, wouldn't miss it for the world," Perry said. "Actually, is there anything I can do to help you with?"

"Oh, that's very nice of you, dear. But I mostly finished what needed to be done. My little Isabella was so much help! It should have been her surprise too, but nothing escapes that girl! Sometimes I get the feeling she gets too involved for someone so young. She actually reminds me a bit of you when you were her age!"

Perry grinned, slightly lifting up his chin.

"Oh, you should see her in the morning! She always insists she helps with breakfast. You know, her cousin's got lots and lots of allergies and Isabella knows everything there is to know about them. I guess that's the perk of having a Fireside Girl in the family!"

Her eyes fell on the end-of-season sales brochure for hiking equipment she was holding. With a soft sigh, she added, "Soon she'll be too old for this... Oy vey, they all grow so fast!"

"Yeah..." Perry sighed as well, glancing at a random spot on the mailbox where the paint had peeled off.

He let the door close behind him with a soft thud, and followed the clatter of utensils into the kitchen where Linda Flynn-Fletcher was rummaging in the bottom drawer.

"Mom?"

"Oh Perry dear, right on time," she said, rising to her feet with a bowl and a measuring cup in her arms.

"I know Vivian said she's taking care of the snacks for the kids' party tonight, but I can't just show up empty-handed." She spread the cookware on the counter then opened the top cabinet and pulled down a bag of flour. "So how about we make some pie?"

Perry nodded, reaching for a kitchen apron he promptly tied around his waist.

"Now, what says back to school better, apple or blueberry?"

"Oh, definitely apple," Perry said.

"Ah, you're right," Linda chuckled, turning to him. "I have to see if there are any more apples in the pantry. Can you start beating the eggs?"

"On it!" said Perry who had already opened the fridge and located the egg carton.

But he didn't even manage to properly separate the white from the yolk when the watch on his wrist started vibrating. Perry pressed a small button and grunted without even having to read the full message.

His mother returned with a small crate of apples which she placed on a chair.

"Hey, Mom? Got to go, I've just got a message from school."

"Oh? But I thought college didn't start until next month."

"Yeah, but I have to assist with the first-graders' first reading class. It's part of this new pedagogical training program we're on. You don't mind, do you?"

"Of course not! Actually, I think it's a great idea! Oh, they're going to love you, you've always been such a great storyteller!" She reached out and wiped the egg yolk that had somehow found its way to his cheek.

Perry managed a faint smile. "I'll try to make it by tonight."

But as soon as he stepped into the hallway his face fell and he had to fight the urge to kick himself.

Lying about children, seriously? When did he ever sink so low?

With another sigh he hung up his apron and grabbed a brown bomber jacket he pulled over his T-shirt. Perhaps it was a little inappropriate given the weather outside, but it would have to do.

He glanced at the doormat and clenched his fist at his side. All it took was one little handprint and he wouldn't have had to go all this way, but he knew better than to ignore a direct order.

So he stepped over the mat to retrieve his keys.