Yet
another installment in the Layers series; this story is a sequel to 'Someone
to Watch Over Me' and 'Puppy Tales Vol. I'. There are no spoilers for DS but MAJOR spoilers for the Layers
story 'Someone to Watch Over Me'
TEASER:
The title says it all
by Shirley Russell
Hello
everyone,
Well,
all I have to say is...it's about time!
Nobody ever lets me talk anymore!
Renfield and Kerri keep having all these adventures and there's
never a chance for me to get a word in edge ways. Diefenbaker says that's supposed to be edge wise, but I
don't care, because whichever way it is, nobody ever lets me say anything.
So now's my chance, and I'm going to take it!
I've
grown up since my last letter to you, but you'd know that if they'd let
me say something once in awhile. I
have grown to be very handsome, that's what everyone on the street says
when we go for walks, anyways. I
still have soft brown eyes, Kerri says she loves my soft brown eyes,
but I think they have a lot of character now too. At least that's what I see when I look at my reflection. I like to look at my reflection, because
I think I am a pretty darn good example of my breed. I'm a Labrador retriever, you know. Renfield says I'm blonde, but I like to think of myself
as yellow, because blonde sounds like a color for a girl. My reflection tells me that I am a good looking and someone
thinks that I am the best original character. That means it has to be
true, that I'm a very special canine, cause I'm not the only one who
thinks so.
I
still have overly large feet though, which still tend to get me into
trouble at times, especially when I'm running through the bookshop. I do NOT do that when Renfield is around,
because I know, just by the look on his face that that is not something
he likes for me to do. And I really
try hard to only do things he likes.
I still have trouble controlling my tail. Even though Diefenbaker keeps reminding me its not dignified,
I tend to wag it a whole bunch when I'm excited. But, I haven't broken anything...recently. (Thank goodness!)
Renfield
and Kerri and their friends all went away a while back, and left me in
charge of Willie. Well, actually,
Constable Fraser left Diefenbaker in charge, but I was second in command. Willie's nice enough; he goes with
us on walks and makes sure that I am well fed. Sometimes I think Diefenbaker
thinks I'm dumb because I don't much like donuts, but I sure do like
cookies. But even though I let
Willie see to my needs and give me lots of cookies, I found I was still
really lonesome for my family.
They
weren't gone as long as I thought they would be, and when they came back
they were very sad. Kerri smelled
unhappy and like the time when I met her, when she had been in the hospital,
and Renfield smelled...I think it was kind of like angry. I was afraid of them for a little while. I'm not sure why, but I felt like I
should protect Kerri from him.
Diefenbaker
explained that human mates often get married, and what that means, but
I think he was wrong. Renfield
and Kerri didn't act anything like Diefenbaker told me they would. Diefenbaker is hardly ever wrong though,
which made me really confused. I
decided I'd just better stay close to Kerri and protect her from whatever
was making her unhappy.
Renfield's
father came to visit them (I like him, he almost always gives me treats)
but they all shouted at each other and then Renfield left. Renfield made me very angry, because
after he left Kerri smelled even more unhappy, and she just ignored me. It's very hard to know who to love
when they are both upset with each other. I chose Kerri, because she
was here and Renfield wasn't...and I just knew Kerri needed me to protect
her.
I
know I've said it before, but I can still be rather clumsy at times. I guess that's why Kerri tripped over
me, and fell on the floor. She
cried so hard that I was scared. I
don't leave her side any more. I
may still be clueless at times, but I know when my master... er, mistress
needs me.
We
were alone for a long time and then Kerri started to smell less unhappy. One day she went out for awhile and
when I heard her come back I came running, like I always do when Renfield
can't see me, but it wasn't her. I
growled, because it smelled like her, but it sure didn't look like her. After I checked her out completely
I decided it was her, she'd just cut her fur, she calls it hair. Either way, I don't like it much.
Renfield
finally came home right after that and was angry at Lance for not letting
him in right away. I like Lance
cause he tries to protect Kerri too, but Renfield is my master, and I've
got to be on his side. It's so
confusing when they all don't get along.
It really didn't make much difference though, because Renfield
didn't stay very long, and then Kerri smelled sad again.
I
met Renfield's mother the other day.
I don't like her. She's
mean, and she said some bad words about Renfield. I didn't understand
everything she said, but I sure did understand what she meant. I especially
don't like her because she said angry words to Kerri. Renfield may be
stern - with me sometimes, but I love him and Kerri. They can be upset with each other, but I won't let anyone
say anything bad about either of them.
I growled at the mother when she left, and Kerri gave me a treat. That's when I knew that Kerri loved
Renfield again, just as much as I do.
Anyway,
Renfield's back home now and they both smell happy again. I have to spend a lot of time under
the bookshelves though, because they don't want me around. They haven't said anything, but when
they giggle and moan in the room where they sleep, I know to stay away. Hey, I may still be clumsy, and just
a little silly, but I am NOT clueless, at least about that, not anymore.
I know all about having a mate. But
I'll save that story for another time!
Right
after Renfield came home we did go for a ride in the car. Kerri has this really neat car that's
call a conv...convert...it doesn't have a top, and they let me ride in
the back. They don't even have
to roll down the window for me to stick my head into the wind. The wind stings my eyes sometimes, but I love the way my
ears feel when they fly around, and the way my lips flap. Renfield and Kerri laugh at the way I look when the wind
is blowing in my face, but I really love it. But I especially love the
way we all love each other again. I'm
not confused any more cause it's okay to love both of them at the same
time again.
Renfield
had to rescue me from Kerri today. They're
having something Kerri called a costume party tonight. She said that
everyone has to wear a costume, whatever that is, and she tried to put
this hat thing on my head! Well,
I didn't think that was such a good idea.
I did let Renfield put a big red bow around my neck once, but
I was much younger and didn't know any better. Besides, it was the day he introduced me to Kerri, so I
figured once was okay. But this hat thing did NOT look like something
I wanted any part of. She had
me backed all the way into a corner before Renfield stepped in. He laughed, but said I obviously didn't
like the hat, and not to make me wear it.
I wanted to jump up on him and give him a great big lick, but
like Diefenbaker has told me over and over, that would not be dignified. Kerri was kinda mad, but after she
left Renfield scratched me on the head and said us guys had to stick
together. I love Kerri, but I
do know why Renfield is my best friend!
I'm really glad he's back.
The
lady that writes these things down for me says this is enough for now,
so I have to say goodbye. But
I will be talking to you.
Your
Friend,
Dickens
PS: I'm supposed to say thank you to the
really nice, really smart human who thought I am the 'Best Original Character'. I think so too.