Another Story for Another Time

Chapter Two

      I wake up to the gentle songs of the tropical birds in the distance with a smile. As I outstretch my arms above me, my jaw opens in a yawn, my eyes squinting. Reluctantly, I swing my legs over the side of the bed and rub the sleep out of my eyes. I slip my small feet into my pair of sandals before standing up.

      My feet shuffle towards the curtain dividing my side of the room from my brother's. I grab my small duffel bag that was on the ground there and fish out a quick and easy outfit. I change out of my night gown and into a pair of mom jeans, a navy blue sweatshirt that said ALUMNI across the front, a necklace with a key attached to it, and then finally a pair of tennis shoes. I tie my shoulder length, black hair into a small, messy bun before walking out of the room, saying a good morning to Aatami in a farewell.

     I hear him mumble a response, but I pay no attention to it as I grab the bulky Canon camera off of his dresser before walking out and to the balcony. The door to the balcony was in the living room upstairs. I slowly make my way up, and instantly stop. There, at the top step of the staircase was a lemur with a striped tail, and black raccoon eyes. It stared down at me and I stared back. Confusion, that was a sure emotion I felt at that moment, but it was not the main feeling.

     After what seemed like hours, I took hold of the camera around my neck and held it up to my eye, focusing on the interesting animal. With a push of a button, I shot the lemur with the picture. Something I did not anticipate, however, occurred. The flash was, apparently, activated, and a blinding light shot throughout the living room. I drop the camera, which then hung uselessly against my chest thanks to the strap around my neck. The lemur stood up and stared at me. It's wide, yellow eyes seemed to stare straight into my soul.

    My index finger on my right hand twitched involuntarily and the lemur pounced into action. It climbed the wooden railing and ran towards me, every second leading him closer. I think of my options. I could turn and run back down to my room and lock my door... Or I could go forwards and run to the balcony... I could attempt to catch the lemur and throw it out, maybe put it in the deepest part of the jungle... Maybe I could just stay still like a wimp.

            Guess which choice I chose? The last. I'm not kidding, I seriously chose the final option. I stood as still as a tree, and only watched helplessly as the monkey-like animal stalked closer, on all fours. We were maybe a foot five inches apart when it leaped onto my shoulder. I gasped in surprise and looked at the lemur as it nuzzled against my neck, and wrapping its tail around me. I couldn't help but laugh, and I reached up to pet the creature.

            What was I worried about? This island is full of safe animals after all, why would this lemur be any different? I quiet beeping started and I looked at my watch. The lemur glanced at the face as well before I sprinted into a run towards the balcony door. I slid it open, and walked through the lilac curtains, the lemur pushing them away for me. There was my mother, her face shining in the moon light. I sit beside her on the two lawn chairs she must have set up earlier.

            "Sorry, I'm late, Mom." I take the lemur's hand and guide it onto my lap, before petting it. I scratch behind its ears as I look eastward.

            My mother nodded with a smile and looked at me. I heard her gasp in shock, so I, obviously, looked back at her, "Mom? What's wrong?" I stop when I follow her gaze to the lemur in my lap. Of course that's why she was shocked. "Oh, this guy? He was wondering in the house for one reason or another. He seems super cuddly, so I've been holding him since." She only nodded, the astonishment never leaving her eyes.

     We both looked ahead towards the sky as it changed from a deep purple to a lilac, pink, and orange. I look to my mother as her smile widened as brightly as the newborn sun. I switch my glance to the lemur who was staring at the bright light with its mouth wide open, as if in mid yawn. I laugh and my mother turns to see what about before laughing as well. "Is it a boy or a girl?" she asks, her voice soaked in humor.