Zib's Kid

Chapter 12

Rocky hesitated when Zib led him upstairs, but he just made a casual head gesture, saying "I dunno about you, but I should probably eat something," and he followed.

Hernán was pleasantly surprised to see the two of them together again. "I'll see you later," he mentioned, and Zib merely responded with a humming noise. Galileo, too, seemed happy to see them together.

"I think we're both starving."
"Uh, if that's the case you probably shouldn't eat anything too heavy too fast. It could upset your stomach. I'll get you a couple sandwiches and you can take small bites?"

Zib shrugged his shoulders, nodded and motioned for the kid to sit at the booth with him, as usual.

"So," he was kinda past the awkward point, "it's been a while. How have you been?"

Rocky didn't respond, but he sensed it was a sarcastic question and just smiled at him.

"Would you like some rhymes?"
"Oh yeah!"
"Heh. Too bad we don't have the book at hand... Remember anything?"
"Mhm!" Rocky nodded, emitting a little hum and taking a deep breath, remembering to breathe properly.

"How doth the little crocodile
Improve his shining tail,
And pour the waters of the Nile
On every golden scale!

How cheerfully he seems to grin,
How neatly spreads his claws,
And welcomes little fishes in,
With gently smiling jaws!"

Zib chuckled, feeling a tiny pang of pride at Rocky's improved form and not even caring anymore.

"That was very good!... You know I'm not specialized in poetry, you think a song will do?"
"Yeah! Yeah, sing!"
"Okay okay, let me think... Hm..."

He took a deep breath and cleared his throat.

"Blue skies
Smiling at me
Nothing but blue skies
Do I see

Bluebirds
Singing a song
Nothing but bluebirds
All day long

Never saw the sun shining so bright
Never saw things going so right
Noticing the days hurrying by
When you're in love, my how they fly

Blue days
All of them gone
Nothing but blue skies
From now on..."

Zib had to remind Rocky to eat slowly. He was feeling a lot better himself, but he still made sure to eat and to do so carefully. Despite his advice, Rocky was tearing into his sandwich like a savage when he suddenly went stiff and jumped off his seat, abandoning the plate, Zib and everything else, and disappeared through the secret door.

Zib looked over his shoulder just in time to see Rocky's angry-looking aunt come through the door.

He took a deep breath and pretended not to notice her, but she soon stood next to him.

"Well? Where is he?"
"Where's who?"
"Don't play games with me. Where is my nephew?"
"Oh, yeah. He was just here, but..." he shrugged his shoulders.
"Where did he go?"
"I dunno. He kinda comes and goes."

She fumed in silence and frustration for a moment. "And what were you doing here with him?"
"...Lunch?"
"Why?"
"'Cause we're hungry."
"Shame on you!"
"Look, ma'am, I just got the kid some lunch, why are you so upset?"
"You... You know why I am upset, you... Ruffian, you...!"

Zib just kinda slouched there pretending to be utterly confused while she fumed for a little while, and then she just walked away. Zib watched her go and then looked at Galileo.

"Well, that was something."
"Oh man!" the other tom said. "She's scary. You did very well with her."
"She's been bothering you?"
"Oh yes, she's come here often since the other day, looking for Rocky. She's threatened me a couple times with calling the cops on us. I tried to convince her that I have no idea what's going on and that the kid just kinda comes here asking for food, and you just happen to get along with him and stuff..."
"You lied to her?"
"No! I just... You know... Omitted some facts..."