Short Stories - Flaritza

danger noodle: part 2

"I'm gonna die"
Juliana wails

"Why didn't you listen to me? I get it not listening to your mother but ignoring clear warnings about someone's personal reptile?? Come on now"
Flaca says her forehead creased, concentrated on bandaging Juliana's arm up

"Is it venomous?"

Maritza asks unconsciously grabbing onto Flaca's arm

"She will be okay love, she just needs to rest for a few days, maybe you can use this time to reflect on your actions"
Flaca says leaving from behind the counter and going to check on Maisie, the snake, aware that it had done wrong curled up in the corner as far away as possible biting at her own body

"No no bubba, come here it's okay you did nothing wrong"

Flaca says reaching for the snake, she cautiously lifts her up and cradles her, gently removing her fangs from her skin.

"Don't do that baby"
She says in a soft voice, Maisie as if understanding uncurls herself and snakes herself around Flaca's neck, relaxing around it

"Maisie was rescued a few months ago from a reptile zoo, she is only 1 year old, she was heavily abused. She doesn't trust easily and when she detects unloving, careless arms reaching for her she gets scared. She defends herself, then realizes that she didn't have to necessarily do all that and feels bad, leading to her biting herself as if to punish herself"
Flaca explains going back behind the counter, Juliana takes a step back glaring at the snake. Maritza stands there her lips slightly parted fascinated.

"how long does it take for her to not see someone new as a threat"

"not long, you just have to show her you're catious, for example not making any quick movements around her like Juliana did, rather approach her slowly and don't be scared. She doesn't bite unless threatened"
Flaca says caressing Maisie's head gently. Maritza nods slowly, smiling seeing the snake relax under Flaca's soft touch.

"should i take her to the clinic?"

Maritza says looking at Juliana who looked pale and as if she was about to pass out

"No god no. They don't know anything about reptiles, she will be okay Maisie bit me endless times when i rescued her, there is no need for medication or anything. Here, take my number, call me if you need anything I'll come and check it out okay?"

Flaca says scribbling her personal phone number on a piece of paper

"Thank you, thank you so much"

Maritza says tears welling up in her eyes she puts an arm around her daughter's shoulder and guides her out the door, Juliana rolls her eyes
"I'm fine" she groans getting out of her mother's touch. Maritza watches as Juliana walks in front of her, she walks 2 steps behind her, her head lowered holding back tears. Where did she go wrong.

____________

Flaca drove home at around 8 in the evening, soft music playing in the background, she got home, took a long bath. Cooked something light and sat down to watch the new season of Ginny and Georgia. Then her phone rang.

She let out a long sigh, rolling her eyes, Maisie, who was curled on her lap looked up at her, sticking her tongue out as if to mock her. Flaca smiled at this and answered the phone

"Hola"
She greeted

"Hi, uhm i don't know if you remember me, well you do. My stupid daughter reached for Maisie and she bit her. Uhm I'm sorry to bother you so late but I'm worried Juliana says she can't move her arm, and she can't feel it and I am freaking out. I feel stupid asking you but are you 100% sure that she will be okay? Is the snake venomous or not?"