Guardian

Chapter 7

The day began at six in the morning, with Jason getting up first and showering, then getting Jo up to get dressed and have some breakfast.

Randall was awakened when the lights came on in the room. Jason had gotten him up too.

Jason made some eggs and bacon, and pancakes.

Randall was grateful for the big breakfast. And surely he could even earn his own keep around here. He could keep the place clean.

"Now Jo, even though Randall is here, it probably isn't wise to tell other people about him." Jason said.

"Why?"

"It just isn't, Kid. It's for my safety." Randall agreed.

"Okay. We can still do stuff right?"

"Of course." Randall said.

"I'm sure he'll find things to do around here while we're gone." Jason said. "You won't make messes around here, right?"

"I'm not a child. No, I won't."

"Good. I want this place clean when I get back. You look like you need a bath too. We'll worry about it when we get back tonight. Go get ready, Jo." Jason said.

Jo and Jason finished getting ready. Jason had on his uniform when Jo was ready. She gave Randall a hug goodbye, then they went out to the car. Randall watched from the window.

After they were gone, he went back out to the tree to get the supplies he had and brought them into the house. He hung up the coat and hat in Jo's closet. He put the dolls on her bed that he had gotten for her, and he put the pillow and blankets in the laundry room.

For Randall, it had been a good while since he had last had a shower, or a bath. He didn't need help taking a bath. He went into the bathroom and examined the soaps that were in there.

The soaps were a kid's and some for adult men. He chose the men's. A bath did sound good right now.

He got the water running and added the soap. He found where the towels were and got one out. When the water was deep enough, he got in and began to just relax in it while cleaning the goop off his scales that had been on him for so long. The warm water was so relaxing. He almost fell asleep in it.

When he let the water go down the drain, it was amazing how much dirt and grime went down the drain. He dried himself off with the towel and now that he was clean and looked in the mirror, Randall saw that his scales had a new shine to them. He was a bright, shiny purple and blue again instead of the dirty one.

Randall kept himself occupied with a bit of cleaning that day and watching TV when he was done. He made himself a sandwich for lunch. It was nice to be staying in a home again. But how long was he going to be welcome?

When Jo and Jason got home that night, they were surprised at how clean the place was. And they both saw that the lizard looked way different than how he did this morning. His scales were more shinier than before.

"I know how to give myself a bath." Randall said. "It's just been awhile."

"I see. There's a better shine to your scales. I can see the natural designs on you now." Jason said.

Jason some paler marks on the lizard now that he was clean. He smelled like his soap. The marks must have been scars of some kind.

"I talked to my boss today and he said that I was welcome to take Joanna on for the summer."

"It's going to be so fun!" Jo said.

"Some of it will be. But there are still responsibilities to do." Jason said.