OC Stories

Beaumont

I had seen her staring. Whenever we walked around London, usually Piccadilly circus, she would seem to find puppies without even trying. Whether it was a cart carrying pets of all kinds, or the pet shop she loved very much with the pretty windows, she would have to stop- even for a moment- to see them. They'd all very much appreciate her attention, always jumping up and pawing or licking the glass. Her eyes would light up and she'd place a soft, dainty hand on the window happily. 

Of course, I knew if I were to get her a pet, I would be the one caring for its needs and eventually keeping it once her stay at my house ended. This was no problem to me, as I had been considering getting some sort of pet for myself; I missed the company of dogs I had always had and a small one would fit rather nicely in my little townhouse. 

So, one day, I decided to walk down to the little pet store. There, I purchased a decorative collar made from leather, painted very beautifully with little yellow daisies, along with a leash, and a small pug with fur blacker than ink. His little eyes seemed bigger than himself and his similarities to Shelly didn't end there, his enthusiasm towards me made it impossible for me not to choose him. It was perfect, he wasn't too big but he was exciting company.

Carefully, before I got home, I put him in a box that would hold him well for the short walk home. 

As I reached my door I knocked and called, "Shelly, dear, open the door for me, please!" There was silence for a moment, but soon I heard thumping and a muffled jingle of her little bell from behind the door. The door creeked open and her eyes went big. She looked up at me and I knew what she was asking.

"Yes, it is for you!" I chuckled, "Close the door and sit down please." She did just that in a quick manner, her little feet kicking away excitedly as she sat expectantly. I placed the box on her lap and a whining and scratching came from inside. Although it startled her, she quickly removed the top and the puppy jumped up to see her. Her bell shook excitedly, making a sound like an excited little bird, and she squealed happily. 

She scooped the puppy in her arms and starting bouncing a bit, not jostling the puppy. The little black pug licked her cheek and she smiled wider than I had seen in a while; it was relieving. I kneeled down to her level to see the puppy myself. 

"That's not all," I said. Reaching into my large coat pocket, I retrieved the leash and collar, presenting them to her. "Shall we put them on now?" The utter joy in her eyes made me smile uncharacteristically, it was good for my health to see her this happy again, even for a moment. It almost felt like things were normal again, it gave me hope, as some days it felt hopeless.

She took the collar and locked it around his neck, making sure it wasn't tight. It seemed to not phase him at all, as his little curly tail wagged away while he stood up, paws on her chest. She reached her arm over, gripping in the air towards the table. It was how she asked me to grab something, and in this case it was her pen and paper. 

When I retrieved it for her, the puppy hopped off her lap and began to run around the room, sniffing out all of the new smells.  She scribbled quickly onto the paper and held it up to me. "We are naming him Beaumont. Beaumont Cornelius Stone-Goth." 

That was fine with me, so I agreed, it was always interesting to see what she'd name the next poor animal that came into our possession in some way. Although, none was stranger than Barbra, the cow that wandered into her backyard. 

She stood up and gave me an expectant look. Knowing what this meant, I picked her up and hugged her close, kissing her on the forehead. She patted me on the cheek as if to say, "I'm very pleased with you, thank you."