Back to Hollywood

chapter 5

"I'm still surprised that they allow animals inside a diner." Patch smiled.

"I'm just surprised to share a room with animals like those..." Jessica said, referring to Danny's friends besides Sawyer since she was also a cat.

"So Atticus, how much money did that dog tag cost you?" Sawyer asked once she noticed how bright Patch's dog tag was.

"Huh?" Atticus looked down. "Oh, funny story about that..."

"Ooh!" Patch got excited. "Can I tell it, Atticus? Please, please, please!?"

Atticus laughed. "Okay, okay... Go ahead."

"Wahoo!" Patch cheered.

Atticus laughed.

"I guess this is quite the story, huh?" Tillie smiled.

Patch nodded as he began to tell them all the story about how he got the dog tag and how he became a member of the Pound Puppies. The other animals listened, curiously and wondrously as the puppy told them about his first real adventure, yes, he had another one with his biological family and another one that started his friendship with Atticus, but he considered this one his first real adventure because it was all about him and other dogs. Atticus smiled, then took a look at the menu, hoping to find something great.

"And that's what happened." Patch smiled.

"So, how did you get strong enough to do that?" Frances asked.

"Atticus gave me strength," Patch explained. "I would never hurt someone innocent with it though, Vendella just tricked me... In a way, I'm kinda glad she did, because I wouldn't have met the Pound Puppies, especially Lucky if I didn't run away from home."

"Well, we're happy for you." Tillie smiled.

Patch smiled proudly. Darla and Danny came back inside. Sawyer looked a little anxious right now, not because of Darla, but she had something else on her mind.

"So Sawyer, how's everything been with you and Danny?" Atticus asked with a smile.

"Oh, we're just fine, thank you," Sawyer smiled. "We got married."

"Really?" Atticus smiled. "That's nice... Um, are you okay? You look worried."

"I'm just worried about Sally..." Sawyer said, then realized she should explain. "Sally's our daughter... She was lost in the alley one night and she had no one to take care of her, so we took her in."

"Wow, a lot has happened since me and Cherry have been here." Atticus smiled.

"Yeah..." Sawyer smiled. "I guess we should thank you..."

"Why are ya thankin' him for!?" Cranston grew grumpy again. "He adopted that little brat who got what she deserved!"

"Cranston, stop it." Sawyer narrowed her eyes, she felt a little bit of the same way, but since Danny believe in Darla, she almost did too.

"Darla's changed since that day." Atticus said.

"I still think she's fakin' it..." Cranston mumbled.

"She is not faking it." Atticus said.

"If you say so..." Cranston mumbled.

Darla came back over to Atticus and Jessica.

"You okay, honey?" Jessica asked.

"Not as bad as earlier," Darla actually smiled. "I guess talking about it helped."

"Talking about what?" Tillie asked.

Darla glanced to the hippo.

"What, too good to talk to me?" Tillie folded her arms.