9.11

"So I was at the mall today and I got this dress."

He keeps his head down. Growls quietly.

"I thought I could wear it to Kathy's daughter's wedding."

He lifts his head. His tongue hangs out of his mouth. His eyes light up.

"I tried it on. I think it looks ok. Would you like to see it on?"

He sniffs around the room, barks, and then puts his head back down.

"Well I hope it doesn't make my hips look big. You don't think my hips are too big right?"

He whimpers.

"So you don't think it'll make me look fat right?"

He puts his head back on the floor. He closes his eyes.

"I've been following all these weight loss tips I read in one of those women's health magazines but I don't think it's working. Do you think they're working?"

He rolls over. Wiggles his back around on the floor.

"Do I look slimmer to you?"

He rolls back over. Gets up. Sniffs around the floor.

"Are you listening to me?"

He looks up, tilts his head, then barks. Tongue hanging out of his mouth again.

"Anyway I have to go pick up Sarah from soccer ok bud? I'll feed you when I get home. Be a good boy while I'm gone."

He runs to the window and watches the car leave the driveway. He barks. Then into the kitchen to sniff around on the floor.

Chapter 9 Warm Up

"So here's the cave I was telling you about."
"Dr Stein, are you sure this is the cave where the crystal is?"
"Dr Calloway, are you doubting my intelligence again?"
Dr Stein creeps into the cave. Dr Calloway follows behind her.
"If you're right about this crystal, we'll be rich!"
"Isn't it so like you to only think of the money. It's a healing crystal, doctor. If we find it we can help so many people in need."
"I could finally buy that yacht I've been looking at!"
"We could cure cancer, doctor."
"I could buy a vacation home in Hawaii! Heck! I could but two vacation homes in Hawaii!"
The doctors inched further into the cave. Running their hands along the cave walls in search of the magic crystal.
"Remember doctor, if you find the crystal, be VERY careful. You can not simply yank it from the wall."
"Dr Stein?"
"Yes?"
"Do you think I'll have enough money to live on Park Avenue?"
Dr. Stein rolls her eyes.
"Hey I found it!"
Dr Calloway jumps in excitement. He rips the crystal from the cave wall.
"NOOO!"
Dr Stein lunges towards the wall but it's too late. A large rock wall closes on the entrance and the two are stuck.
"Look what you've done!"
"Doctor I am very sorry."
"I told you to be careful!"
Dr Calloway is silent.
"Now we're stuck in here for who knows how long!"
"Oh no! Oh no! no no no! This is very very bad!"
"Yes I'm well aware, Calloway."
"No, this is very very bad for me!"
"How so?"
"Dr Stein, if we don't get out of here, how am I supposed to buy that new Ferrari I saw online?"

6.2 Danger

"I need you to hand me the bullets so I can put them in the gun so we both don't DIE!"
"No way! Why don't you give me the gun?"
"Because there's no way I'm trusting a little kid to fight off a group of zombies. Now give me the bullets Joey!"
Joey looks down at the bullets lying in the palm of his hands.
"Nah."
"JOEY!"
There's a loud bang. The zombies are getting closer. They'll catch up to them soon and they'll both be dead if they don't sort out their problems.
"Joey if you give me the bullets, I'll let you stay up past your bedtime tonight. I won't tell mom and dad I promise."
"Liar! You're lying to me Carly and I'm not falling for it!"
Joey looks towards the window of the old shack they've been hiding in.
"Woah look a zombie! That's the coolest thing I've ever seen!"
While Joey's still distracted, Carly quickly snatches the bullets out of his hand.
"Hey, give those back!"
BOOM! The zombies are dead.
"Hey what'd you do that for?"
"Joey let's just go home now."
Carly stands and puts out her hand to help Joey up.
"Nah."

Warm Up

The smoke hovers above the volcano,
like a large cloud sucking it in.
Lost in the white blanket,
it stands high above the world

The trees cover its foundation.
The sunset reflecting its glow onto the scene.
Surrounded by leaves and branches,
but alone risen above the surface.

4.4

"So I was at the mall today and I got this dress"

He keeps his head down. His eyes on the newspaper.

"I thought I could wear it to Kathy's daughter's wedding."

He lifts his head. The corners of his mouth go up into a slight smile. Then eyes back on the newspaper.

"I tried it on I think it looks ok. Would you like to see it on?"

He shakes his head no.

"Well I hope it doesn't make my hips look big. You don't think my hips are too big right?"

He shakes his head no again.

"So you don't think it'll make me look fat right?"

Head stays down. He rolls his eyes.

"I've been following all these weight loss tips I read in one of those women's health magazines but I don't think it's working. Do you think They're working?"

Head still down.

"Do I look slimmer to you?"

He moves his head down, this time into his hands.

"Are you listening to me?"

He lifts his head. The corners of his mouth go back into a smile. He nods.

"Anyway, I have to go pick up Sarah from soccer. I'll pick up dinner on the way home."

This time, a sigh of relief.