Thanks To Pina

Meeting Pina

Keith

"Come on, come on, come on. Pick up." I groaned. This was the sixth time I called my best friend in the last twenty minutes.

I'm already headed to her apartment, but I wanted to call make sure she was home.

In the distance, I could see the apartment building, so I called one last time as I walked into the building unlocking the door with key I was given to by Julie herself. She said I practically lived here so I should have one, but yet she gave me the front door's key rather than her apartment key. Which made absolutely no sense.

Over the past ten years we've been best friends, I've learned not to question the things she does. When I do, I immediately regret it due to the fact that her excuses are indeed legit... they're just impossible.

When I reached her door, I knocked on it, as i usually do. But the strangest thing happened. I heard a dog barking.

A dog???? I thought. I looked above the door at the apartment number to make sure I was at the right door. Apartment 17.

This was indeed the right door but Julie doesn't own a dog. If she did, I would know about it. Would'nt I?? I knocked again. More barking.

The door knob rattled and eventually opened. Next thing I know, I'm being tackled to the ground by a big ball of golden fur that owned a long pink tongue.

I heard Julie laugh above me as I struggle to get up. "Ok ok. Go inside. Come on. Come on." Julie lured the dog into her apartment.

I stood and brushed off my clothing. "Really Jewels. A dog??"

She shrugged and turned back into her apartment. I followed her and closed the door behind me.

"You mean to tell me that I called your phone numerous times and you didn't pick up because of a dog???"

"My phone got wet today. It's sitting in a bag of rice." She pointed to the bag on the kitchen counter.

"Since when do you like dogs??" I asked plopping down on the recliner. I glared at this dog sitting on the love seat. That's the couch Julie and I shared, ALWAYS. And this mangy mut was sitting there.

"What can I say?" Julie sat next to the dog. "She found me. It was love at first bark. Wasn't it, Pina?" She scratched behind the dog's ear.

"Pina? Of all the names in the world and you come up with Pina??"

"I have a legit story for this one this time!" She argued.

I folded my arms. "Do I even want to know??"

"You don't have to. I'm going to tell you anyways."

I rolled my eyes and sighed, edging her to go on.

"So... today, my routine started as it normally would. Except I had orange juice with breakfast instead of milk. Which now that I think about it, it might've been expired. I bought it like... I'm getting off topic. Anyways so today I arrived to the parlor at exactly 9:57 on the dot. And for some reason I knew today was going to be special! The day was normal. All my regulars and a few new customers. But nothing out of the ordinary. I packed up all the ice cream at exactly 4:48. So that would been I had 12 minutes to put everything back in the freezer and close up by exactly 5 o'clock. But as soon as I was about to lock up, I remember I hadn't taken out the trash. You know I hate the smell of day-old ice cream. So I took the trash out back. And guess who I found out back eating out of an old container of ice cream?"

She waited for a response as she usually did. She was just another Dora the Explorer. Always asking questions when we obviously both knew the answer.

"Pina.." I said dryly. She really worked my nerves but she was my bestie and I was hers.

"Yes!! And guess what flavor the ice cream was?!" She got so excited that her knees were digging in the couch, awaiting my answer.

I shrugged. "I don't know."

"Guess!" She bounced up and down.

"Cookies and cream?"

"Nooooo! Piña Colada! And that's how Pina came to be discovered! Pretty neat huh?"

I stared at her blankly. "I just realized that I have a complete psycho for a best friend." She threw a pillow at my face. I laughed as she stomped off into the kitchen. I followed her and leaned on the island. She stood on the other side of the counter and started chopping onions.

"I mean, come on... did it ever occur to you that maybe you're a little bit crazy??" I put my index finger and thumb together to express "a little".

"Chop those." She pushed the onions across the counter and headed to the fridge.

"Then how about stop coming over and stop telling people I'm your best friend..."

"Oh come on. I couldn't leave and strip you away of the only friend you have."

She gasped at me. I laughed. "How dare you!!" I rushed to her and gave her a hug before she could retaliate.

"I love you too Jewels." I kissed her forehead resulting in her pushing me away.

"One day you're going to appreciate my long stories. And then you'll see if I'm crazy or not."

"Come on Jewels. I know you're not crazy." I resumed cutting up the onions.

"Whatever." She attempted to peel the stickers off the be peppers. She was getting frustrated. I knew because she wore that cute little pout she'd wear whenever she's frustrated or upset.

"Jewels..." I teased.

She looked up at me with her pout. "I'm actually happy that you have a dog now."

She lit up. "Really??"

"Yeah so now I don't have to even come over everyday. I can just stay home with my girlfriend in peace." She throw the large pepper she was holding at me.