Lady and the Tramp

chapter 1

Cherry's parents were looking through the mail while Cherry was on the floor, sketching in her sketch pad. Cherry had a short-sleeved black hooded shirt in place of her black jacket with blue capris and her sneakers. Since it was spring now, Cherry had to do without her heavy black jacket.

"Cherry, you've been lying around most of your spring break," Michelle observed. "Don't you wanna do anything before you go back to school?"

"Not really, I'm good." Cherry replied.

Michelle frowned a bit. "I know, you can visit my cousin Elizabeth."

"Cousin Elizabeth?" Cherry turned to her, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, why don't you dog and babysit for your spring break?" Michelle smiled. "It would be good for you."

"Mom, I don't like going out during spring and summer." Cherry moaned.

"Elizabeth and her husband Jim live in London, you can be cold and dreary, just be responsible."

"Oh, I guess..."

"Then it's settled." Michelle smiled.

Cherry then went through with it and got back into her black jacket and blue sweat pants once she was taking a train to see her distant cousin Elizabeth and her husband, Jim. Since Cherry was a little younger than Elizabeth and Jim expected, they decided to give her a little extra help before they would leave the next day.

Cherry met and greeted Elizabeth, Jim and the new baby, they named Junior. Elizabeth and Jim also had a well-trained cocker spaniel dog named Lady who got along with Cherry just fine. Elizabeth and Jim went over things to get to know everything better.

"Now, you'll stay in the guest room, Junior has his own room, and Aunt Sarah will stay in our room, you got that, Cherry?" Jim asked, before he left.

"Yes, sir." Cherry responded, staying in the foyer with Lady and the couple before they were about to leave.

"It's so nice that you had gotten along with Lady very quickly, Cherry." Elizabeth smiled, warmly.

"Of course, miss." Cherry said, anxious to become a babysitter and dogsitter during her vacation.

"Now, why don't we get you a nice hot meal and we'll all get to know each other better?" Elizabeth offered, going straight to the kitchen.

"You need any help, ma'am?" Cherry asked.

"Sure, I'd like the company," Elizabeth replied. "Jim dear, Cherry's going to help me cook, okay?"

"Okay, darling, that sounds lovely." Jim replied, feeding Junior in his little high chair.

Cherry smiled as she put on her own apron. She had trouble tying a knot in the back. Elizabeth saw her struggling and tied it for her.

"Thank you, Elizabeth." Cherry smiled.

"Anytime, now, what would you like for dinner?"

"What do you have?"

"Let's see, we have chicken and rice, spaghetti, salads... Anything strike your fancy?"

"Chicken and rice sounds good, any mixed vegetables?" Cherry asked with a smile.

"Of course, I always make my chicken and rice with mixed vegetables," Elizabeth said, taking a rice box to read the cooking instructions. "Now, let's see, preheat oven to-"

"Darling, he needs you!" Jim called from the dining room with a baby wailing.

Elizabeth sighed with exhaustion. "I'll be right back, Cherry. Could you be a dear and start the oven, pour the rice and put water in?" she asked.