With Hu walking beside him, Tiny went over to his mother. He kept his head down to avoid the glares that the rest of his family was giving him. His dog was thinking the same thing. Hu had his head hanging and his tail tucked between his hind legs. Patting her son on the head with a kind and gentle paw, Gidget led both of them out of the kitchen.
"Everything alright here ma'am?" the police officer asked. His question startled both Tiny and his mother. Neither of them knew that he was still there. Shaking his open paw, Gidget commented, "I'm sorry, is there something you need officer?" Shaking his head, the Sphynx cat cop replied in a friendly manner, "Nah ma'am, I'm just checking on everybody. I heard there are a lot of families on this street that were going on Christmas vacation."
"Oh yeah, we're going on Christmas vacation too," Gidget remarked, smiling. The police officer's eyes lit up as he meowed, "Really? Where are you guys going?" Tiny hugged his mother's leg, staring up at the cop while his mom continued talking to him, "We're going to London."
"Wow, that's amazing! Ya know, I'm actually from there. A little word of advice, they drive on the left side of the road over there," the cop pointed out. Flicking his long hairless tail, he bit his lip as he added, "I'd also be careful. It's around this time of year where us cops get calls of house robberies." Nodding her head, Gidget replied, "Oh thank you. Happy holidays sir." Smiling, the cop purred, "Have a merry Christmas ma'am, you and your family."
Staring at the feline cop, Tiny saw his golden tooth again. Next to him, Hu growled. He seemed uneasy around the police officer. The little boy felt the same way. Luckily, they didn't have to deal with him much longer as the cop tipped his hat to them and left. In the meantime, Gidget started leading Tiny and Hu up the stairs. Gulping nervously, Tiny whined, "Am I in trouble?"
"No but Hu is. I want you to keep him up here where Pops won't get him," Gidget answered, stroking the fur on Tiny's head. The puppy sighed softly before asking his next question, "Is he gonna be punished?" There was a bit of silence following that one. After a little bit, his mother finally replied, "Not really. I think being left here with a pet sitter is bad enough. We don't need to punish him more during Christmas vacation-"
"We're leaving Hu behind?!" Tiny cried, whirling around. By now, he and his mother were on the second floor of their large house. Hu whimpered, sensing trouble. Kneeling down on the floor, Gidget grasped her son by the shoulders. Looking him in the eye, she explained, "Airlines usually don't allow pets on the planes. They especially don't like having a dog Hu's size on them. I'm sorry hun but he can't come. Your father and I have already hired a pet sitter to watch him."
"You said that Christmas is a time where family and friends spend time with each other! Hu is a part of this family! He has to come!" Tiny protested. He was not happy, not one little bit. Freeing himself from his mother's grip, he ran to his bedroom. Hu was hot on his heels. Letting his dog into the room first, Tiny shouted one last time, "If Hu isn't going to London, neither am I! I'm not gonna be a part of this family if we're doing this!" He slammed his door shut, actually making pictures on the wall shake from impact. Sighing softly, Gidget headed back downstairs.
Waiting about a minute or so after she left, Tiny led Hu out and headed up for the attic to spend the rest of the night.
