Chapter 20: Nick Gets Spicy

This chapter plays off of a story I wrote last year called Zootopia Wilde Tales: It's That Time of Year!

Judy and Nick's Apartment

Near Walt Disney World, Florida

"It's that special time of year again!" Nick proclaimed after he set several large grocery bags on the kitchen table. "I just love Autumn, it's my favorite season. The days are shorter, it's getting cooler outside, the leaves are changing colors, and pumpkin spice is back!"

Judy looked up from her laptop and just shook her head as she watched the happy fox begin to empty the bags, his tail was swishing back and forth as he called out each and every item he had purchased.

"We've got pumpkin spice candy corn," he gleefully announced.

"Oh, goody," she sighed.

"A bag of pumpkin spice coffee."

"I thought you like getting your pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks?"

"I do, but now I can make it at home too! Here are some pumpkin spice doughnuts and look, I even found these fish-shaped crackers which are pumpkin-spice flavored!"

"Sure, Slick."

"I also found a pumpkin spice scented candle!"

"That's just great."

"And pumpkin spice flavored kale chips!"

"Why would anyone even come up with something like that?" Judy asked as she looked over at the package the fox was holding in his paws.

"They are organic," Nick added with a shake of the package.

"I'm sure that they are," the rabbit sarcastically replied.

"Here is the best item, pumpkin spice scented shampoo!"

"Nick, isn't that dog shampoo?"

"Yeah, but I'm kind of like a dog. It says on the label that it contains aloe and sunflower oil to help condition my fur."

"There is no possible way you are bathing in that stuff."

"But, it smells so good!"

"Nick, I don't want you smelling like a walking, talking, pumpkin pie. Don't you think you are getting a bit obsessive about pumpkin spice?"

"No, I like its taste and scent."

"You want to bathe in it!"

"Okay, maybe the shampoo is a bit excessive; besides, it's a little expensive. I guess I should take it back for a refund."

"How much did it cost?" She asked and her ears shot up when she heard him mumble something in reply. "I missed that, what did you say?"

"Sixty-five dollars."

"That is rather expensive..." She began to say.

"Each," he added.

"Just how many bottles did you buy?"

"Six."

"You spent three hundred and ninety bucks on shampoo!"

"Don't forget the taxes."

"Nick!" she groaned.

"I didn't want to run out," He explained as he stood there trying to look innocent.

Judy let out another long sigh before she asked, "When you were at the grocery store did you get any carrots?"

Silence...

"What about celery and zucchini?"

"Ah…"

"Did you buy some lettuce?"

"Well…"

"Did you get anything on the shopping list?"

"I did buy this bag of pumpkin spice flavored potato chips," he defensively answered as he walked into the kitchen.

"I'm pretty sure that those were not on the list!" Judy called out.

The grocery store chain named Sprouts does actually carry pumpkin spice flavored kale chips and there really is a pumpkin spice scented dog shampoo.