The Fall of Family

Chapter Ten

I woke up to the thin blanket wrapped around my shivering body, the beautiful, crisp spring air relaxing me, the sun just about to rise above the horizon ... and a giant frog on my chest staring into my eyes.

Yeah, a frog.

I screamed as I realized what it was and stood up as fast as I could to get him off of me. He ribbit-ed as he fell off my chest and slid into the grass, hopping off to the nearest pond. I wiped the frog cooties off my chest and stood there, shriveling in horror.

After that horrible experience, I grabbed my blanket and slowly trudged through the thick grass to my car. I opened it with my keys from my back pocket and sat in the front seat. I made sure everything was there and nothing was robbed, but there was nothing to rob in my poor car anyway.

I started it up and went to get gas, at 5 in the morning. There were some other crazy people at the gas station, buying drugs and 7-11 burritos. I filled up my car and waited patiently in my car, tapping my foot on the floorboard, shivering.

The pump finished filling up my car and I drove home. I quietly pulled into the driveway and entered the house as quietly as I could. I heard heavy snoring from my family.

But I heard another noise I have never heard before. It was a scratching sort of sound, but for some reason really freaked me out. I forced myself to stay clam and walk to my room, where the sound got quieter.

I was relived the sound wasn't coming from my room and laid down on my bed, listening to anything but the strange sound, trying to fall asleep. I eventually fell asleep, at least I'm guessing that's what happened when I woke up to the clock reading 8.

I rubbed my eyes and stretched, feeling the most relaxed than I had felt for a few days. I got up and walked into the living room, to find Drew in his "spot" on the couch and my dad in the kitchen, swallowing at least 3 granola bars, judging by the wrappers on the counter.

I smiled at Drew and said "Good morning" in a nice voice and then glancing at my dad, where I looked into his bloodshot, tired eyes and I could sense he was sober for once.

My eyes teared up and I hugged him as hard as I could. He didn't expect the movement, but after a few seconds, rested his arm on my shoulder.

"How are you sweetie?" He asked. I smiled as tears rested on my cheeks and whispered "Good,"

"I am sorry I have been such a sucky father recently. I will do better this time," I smiled wider and walked back from the hug. I looked into his eyes and saw my real dads eyes, with laughter and humor in every inch of his bright blue eyes, not a tired, hungover dad who hasn't talked to either of his kids in over 4 days.

"I heard you were suspended for giving a girl a bloody nose." He winked at my and continued with a question, "Did she deserve it?"

I laughed and nodded, wiping a tear from under my eye. I turned around to see Drew with a huge smile on his face, and I sensed from the mysterious look on his face that something beside my sober dad was up.

I gave Drew an awkward look and asked, "What is that stupid look on your face for?"

The smile got bigger, if that was possible and he replied, "Follow me,"

Hesitatly, I watched him get up out of his seat and walk in the direction of our rooms, my dad following. He turned the corner to his room and opened it. Which sitting in the middle of the floor I saw... a cage. A cage? I

I looked at him confused and asked, "What the heck is that?"

He chuckled and opened up the wire door on the front and pulled out the CUTEST PIECE OF BLONDE FUR I HAVE EVER SEEN!!

A HAMSTER!!

I felt my eyes get huge as I was sure I looked stupid, but I didn't give a crap. I screeched as Drew handed me the large hamster. It's paws tickled and his wet nose was examining my hands. I was laughing hysterically as I curled up in my hand and closed its eyes.

"I figured you have had a hard time recently, and I wanted you to have some... good things happen. It's a boy, by the way," Drew said as I continued to stare at the piece of fur in my hand and thanked Drew quietly, I am sure he heard me. I felt my dads strong hand on my shoulder and he spoke, "Well, what are you going to name him?"

I pondered this, my mind immediately thinking of Rex or Bubbles, something cute like that. But I wanted something to fit him. I studied the new addition to our family, watching his light brown/blond hair raise and fall as he slept in my hand, like a bear.

That's it, I found it.

"Bear," I said, "Bear,"

Drew and my dad smiled in approval as we named the hamster Bear. I looked up at Drew, talking quietly to make sure I didn't disturb Bear, and asked, "Can we put the cage in my room?"

Drew replied, "Yeah," and picked up the wire cage to transport it to my room.

I followed him to my room, watching the sleeping piece of fur in my hand, making sure I didn't drop him. Drew set the cage on my dresser across from my bed and I put Bear into his new home.

He woke up, after waddling to the water bottle on the side of the cage, he ran into his small hut in the corner and escaped into it. I turned around and hugged Drew. "Do I need to say thank you again?" I asked jokingly. Drew, with his hilarious sense of humor replied, "Yeah" and so I said thank you. He smiled and said your welcome.