Living Like A Lion-The Year

Chapter 9-The Mad Test

9.The Mad Test

He returned hours later with a letter in his hand and he quickly tossed it on the table before setting to work on cooking lunch. I walked over and opened the letter. It was a circus contact for a new lion. I started fuming and yelling at John. “James, they want you and will pay me lots of money. I will rich,” he gloated. I jumped onto him and started to roar and hiss. “Calm down, James. The test is over now,” he laughed as he pushed me off him.

“ROAR!” I replied as I realized that I had changed.

“Come on. We need to get you into your room and you must stay quiet,” commanded John still laughing. “Oh, I forgot that I bought this.” He pulled a giant stone and carried it to my room.

As soon as he laid down the stone, I wrote, 'How do we tell Anna? And how long do you think till I change again?'

“I'll tell her and I don't know; but the calmer you are, the faster you should change,” he replied before laying more clothes on my bed. “Your clothes are shreds now; so here are more.” He left me alone to rest and I fell asleep.

I woke up later as a human. I slipped the new clothes on and hurried down the stairs. My pants felt funny and didn't seemed to fit correctly. “John, did you buy the wrong size?” I asked as I saw him on the couch.

“No, I bought the right size,” he replied as he glanced back at me and his expression turned to amusement. “James, I love your tail,” he chuckled as he stared at the bottom of my pants leg. I looked down and saw the tip of my tail sticking out the bottom. I laughed too because it was funny. “James, come here,” he commanded as he pulled a pair of scissors from the cabinet. He cut a slit in my pants and I stuck my tail through it.

“Thanks John,” I laughed as I whisked my tail around.

“You are very welcome. I will go get you more clothes, but you must promise me that you will stay away from open windows with your tail,” he commanded as he grabbed his jacket.

“Yes John, I promise,” I agreed as I closed the drapes quickly.

“Good. I'll see you later,” he called as he went through the door. I went upstairs and grabbed a blanket, which I held tightly around me. I went back into the living room and watched cartoons.

John returned two hours later with five pairs of pants and McDonald's. He handed me a pair to put on because my tail was gone before handing me several burgers. “This is delicious, John,” I said between bites.

“I'm glad,” John replied before Anna came in.

“Hello honey, how was your day?” Anna asked from the doorway, where she was hanging up her coat.

“Interesting,” I answered as I gave John a look.

“What happened?” she asked as she joined us at the table.

“Um... John, you tell her,” I giggled as I looked away.

“We did a test,” John chuckled and I was receiving nasty looks from my wife.

“What kind of test?” she snapped between french fries.

“An anger test,” he answered still laughing.

“No! You didn't!” she screamed as she quickly stood, making her chair fly back.

“Listen sweetie, it was my idea. I did change, but look I'm fine now,” I chuckled as I stood and took her hands.

“What is so funny?” she asked still furious as she pushed me.

“Well. After James had turned into a lion, I had set him to sleep. When he came down later, he complained about his pants not fitting,” started John as he stared at Anna.

“I still had my tail and it was sticking out the bottom of my pants,” I finished and we all three started laughing.

“Oh, I have good news,” Anna told, when we had settled down a bit.

“What?” I asked curious.

“Your parents have invited us to dinner tomorrow,” she answered before she kissed my cheek.

“They did?” I asked happily and she nodded.

“Okay then, we need to plan in case James gets mad,” declared John with a tint of nervousness.

“Why?” I asked confused and a little upset.

“Well, if you change in front of them, think what will happen. Police and news people would never leave you alone,” he answered calmly and he had a point.

“So I won't get furious,” I declared as I stared at him.

“James, you start changing when you just get a little angry. You could sprout a tail quickly; that would be horrible if they saw,” he argued as he stood.

“Can't we just tell them?” I asked as I now stood face to face with him.

“We could, but would they believe or worst tell anyone?” John answered with another question.

“We can trust my parents!” I hissed.

“James, calm down or you'll change again,” John warned.

“We do know that we can trust them, but would they have a mishap and let it slip out?” Anna pointed out and I stared at her angrily.

“No. They wouldn't have a mishap. They are trustworthy. We can tell them. If you don't tell them, then I...ROAR!” I screamed as I transformed in front of their eyes.

“James, look what you did again,” John scolded.

“Oh no. He will need more clothes,” cried Anna as she tried to stop laughing. I flicked my tail in frustration because I couldn't make a peep.

“Let's head upstairs and get a good night's sleep,” ordered John, quite amused at what had passed. He came into my room and laid blankets onto top of me as I laid on the floor before going to his room.