Pip

Pip

An old pillow, accidently streaked with candle wax, was placed in the bottom of his box many years ago. A lucky accident for Pip. Before that, he’d always had crumpled papers. It was enough when he was younger, but this old body appreciated the soft bed.

He had lived in this apartment for all of his long life. Well, as long as he could remember anyway. As he laid in his bed tonight he was remembering that life. Jimmy was just a toddler in the beginning, they were babies together. By the time Jimmy got into school, Pip was an adult. He watched over Jimmy as carefully as Jimmy’s own mother, maybe more. Mom didn’t know about half the times Pip had saved Jimmy from disaster, falls, broken glass, all the dangerous things a small boy can find.

Lately, though, it seems like Jimmy was usually saving Pip. Pip’s eyesight was not as good as it had been, his hearing not so sharp. He was slowing down; he had already slowed down years ago. He knew Jimmy didn’t mind, Jimmy loved him, but Jimmy was busy with school and friends, Mom worked all the time. Pip spent a lot of time alone, but he didn’t mind. He’d sleep in his box in the sunny kitchen all day, then at night he had Mom and Jimmy to look forward to. Though he thought Jimmy was going away for a while. Somewhere called college.

Pip was sleepy now, maybe a nice nap before Mom got home would be nice. As he closed his eyes he could almost see Jimmy toddling after him on those stocky little legs, as he, a puppy himself, jumped up to lick Jimmy’s laughing face. Happy times, a happy life. Pip went to sleep one more time, happy.