Mama, I want to be a dragon

Chapie 1: Mama, I want to be a dog

Six-year-old Cornelian Price tugged at his mother's t-shirt sleeves, as she picked him up from pre-school.

"Mama, I want to be a dog."

Mrs Price looked curiously at her young son, his freckled face and his bright blue eyes gazing into her own.

"Whatever for Corey?" She stroked his messy dirt blonde hair.

Cornelian reached out his arms and Mrs Price lifted her son into her arms.

"I saw a big doggy in the school today."

"What was a doggy doing in school then?"

Mrs Price joyfully bounced her son in her arms. She enjoyed his stories from school, especially when they made him smile.

"The doggy was a Dalmatian. The red guy told me."

"What red guy?"

Opening the car doors, Mrs Price strapped her son into the front seat of the car, whilst setting his blue school bag into the boot.

"He's the fireman Mama. The one that saved Daddy."

Mrs Price froze at the mention of her son's father. Her husband.

"What about him Cor?"

"He brought the Dalmatian to school. They told us these doggies help sniff people out during a fire and save them."

Little Cornelian oblivious to his mother's expression as his light blue translucent water bottle filled with orange juice caught his eye.

"So what did the doggy do in school?"

Mrs Price strapped herself into the driver's seat, starting the engine. Pulling the joystick into drive, she pulled out of the car park.

As the quiet neighbourhood unfolded in front of her, Mrs Price couldn't help but look at her son who sat quietly sipping his orange juice.

He looks so much like his father, she thought. His soft cheeks, large ears and his lively eyes.

"Mama...you're staring."

She snapped out of it, stepping on the brakes just in time as the traffic light blinked red.

The old lady walking the pedestrian crossing shook her cane angrily at her.

"Watch where you're going young lady!"

The rest of the ride home was uneventful.

"Mama, I want to be a dog."

"Why?"

Mrs Price watched her son carefully.

"Why a dog?"

"Because they are brave and smart."

Cornelian held out a name card.

"Mama, the red guy that saved Daddy gave me this. He told me to give it to you."

Mrs Price took the name card from her son's hands.

Written on the card, was her husband's name.

Garrison Price.

"...and dog's are very playful."

Mrs Price turned her attention back to her son.

"And they love to play. Like me!"

Cornelian waved his Gandalf staff that the boys next door helped him make.

"Mrs Price! We're here to take care of Corey!"

Right on time, the boys had arrived, with all the toys to entertain Cornelian with.

"Thank you so much Hanson and Rowley. Gotta go!"

Mrs Price snatched up her keys and raced off, returning to kiss Corey on the head before rushing off again.