A Pet To Keep

Making Friends

Jack packs a small, yellow, backpack with some things off a list. A couple clean sippy cups, a set of clean clothes, a few diapers, a container of GoldFish crackers, Jay's tablet, and tucks his purple, hippo on top. Jack zips it up and sets it on the floor by his own.

"Jay, we gotta go." Jack picks up the harness and leash. "Jaaaay." Jack moves slowly into the living room, listening. The house was silent. "Jay. Come." He commands

"No!" Jay's voice blurts from somewhere behind Jack. The man turns around to face it, scanning the area of his living room.

"Jay. I said come. Don't tell me no, that's bad."

"Nooooooo," it was higher pitched this time.

Jack zeros in now and moves in quickly, finding the boy huddling in a large cabinet that Jack kept extra blankets in. Jay was sunk into the thick folds of so many different throw blankets. When Jack pulled the cabinet doors open, Jay blinks blearily, then whines sharply and tries to sink further into the blankets.

"Jay, come here. Why are you hiding?" Jack tries to pull Jay out of the blankets.

Jay only manages to sink farther back into the cabinet, till he was pressed against the back wall, and nearly completely covered in old, family, quilts. "Noooo!"

Jack groans and then plunges in, yanking Jay out of the cabinet. The boy wails and squirms fruitlessly, kicking his bare feet. Till one connected with the side of the cabinet and a picture frame fell over. Jay stilled then, and sniffles, "Oops." He says softly.

Jack sighs and sits down with Jay in his lap. "What is wrong, baby Jay?"

Jay makes a frustrated sound, unable to put his feelings into words.

"Why were you hiding?"

"Don't wanna."

"You don't want to what? You don't want to leave?"

"No," He shakes his head.

"You don't even know what it'll be like. You might like it!"

Jay shakes his head and clings to Jack. "Stay."

"You cant stay here, or with me. It's just a few hours. You'll get to play with lots of other boys and girls, and I packed your goldfish." Jack nods and stands, carrying Jay to the table and fastening the boy into his blue harness and getting his sandals on his feet. "Let's try, kay?"

Jay sniffles and nods very reluctantly.

"That's my good boy," He rubs the boys back with a grin. Jack puts on his backpack and picks up Jay's smaller Yellow one. Jay reaches for his bag and carries it out to the car, holding it in the back as they drove.

It was a short drive, and they stop close to Jack's work. Jay watches out the window at a colorfully painted brick building, with tall, sturdy fences. Behind the fences were countless toys, and play sets, in every shade of every color. There was a deep sand box. A swing set, and dozens of pets running all around or gathered in groups playing games.

"Come on," Jack opens the door, getting Jay unbuckled. Jay clings nervously to the man's hip as they walk inside.

They are greeted by a woman in a large apron, "Hello!" She smiles. "It's so great to meet you both!"

Jay slides behind Jack and holds onto the back of the man's shirt.

Jack smiles at her, and tries to tug Jay around to the front. "Hey, it's great to meet you too. Thanks for working him in so fast."

"Oh, after we heard his story we knew he'd make a great addition," She leans down and waves at Jay. "Hello there, my name is Angie, what's yours?"

Jay shakes his head and whines loudly as he starts pull on Jack. "Up! UP!"