Cadbury and Fitzy Sitting in a Tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G

While setting the table for a delicious homemade meal, Veronica caught her parents smiling at each other, congratulating themselves on being such wonderful parents and buying Cadbury. They were often impressed with their own parenting, and tonight Veronica actually agreed with them. Tonight they were the best parents in the world.

Veronica’s mother placed the last of the serving bowls on the table.

“You really went all out, Marion! What a meal,” her father said. “Yummy. I love your Indian food. Let’s buy dogs every day. Pass the whosies, please.”

“Well, it’s a big celebration. You finished your paper and we have a new member of the family,” his wife said.

“Here, Daddy,” Veronica said, passing her father the naan.

“I’m assuming, by whosies, you are referring to the chutney and the dhal? But here is the raita just in case,” Mrs. Morgan said, sending a fleet of smaller dishes around the table.

Cadbury was in front of Veronica’s chair. She worked her toes up and down, massaging his little spine. He was so warm, and his fur was so nice, and his tail wagged and wagged, gently slapping her ankle.

“Veronica, tell us about this party tonight,” her father said.

“Oh! The party,” Veronica remembered. “I don’t know. It’s like the social event of the year, I guess. This girl’s father is an artist and everyone makes a lantern or something in his studio and then they walk around with them. Maybe even in the park.” Veronica slipped Cadbury a piece of naan under the table.

“Well, that’s exciting!” her mother said. “Don’t get him used to table scraps. What time does it start?”

“I don’t know but I don’t want to leave Cadbury. And I have to walk Fitzy.”

“Honey, we can walk Fitzy for you. Isn’t the party more important?”

“No. I’ve waited my whole life for Cadbury. Plus Fitzy has to poop,” Veronica said.

“I like your priorities!” her father said. “A good bowel movement is no small affair. In fact, Marion, I would rather have a good bowel movement, or any kind of bowel movement actually, than go to the Lycanders’ party next week.”

“Daddy!” Veronica said.

Were other people’s fathers as comfortable as hers was talking about such matters? She doubted it. Cadbury or not, her parents were crazy.

“Marvin, I really don’t know what to say,” his wife said.

“Veronica, you should go to that party. Cadbury will be fine,” her father said.

“I can’t leave him.”

“But you won’t be leaving him alone, we’ll be here,” her mother said.

“Mom, he needs me. Honestly, those girls have everyone.”

“I think you’re being silly, but I can see we won’t get anywhere with you, so let’s talk about Fitzy. If you think there is going to be any trouble,” her mother said, “tell us. Cadbury is your responsibility now and Mrs. Ferguson can always get another dog walker. Why don’t you at least call that girl and tell her you can’t come. Before you walk Fitzy.”

“She is the most popular girl in New York City. I’m sure she doesn’t care if I RSVP to her party, or even if I go to her party. There will be so many kids there, she won’t notice if I am there or not.”

“Well, shouldn’t you just thank her for inviting you?”

“Marion, don’t meddle. Veronica is old enough to know what the right thing to do is.”

“Right, Mommy, stop meddling,” Veronica said. Although she did wish the party was another night. It would probably be fun. But how could she leave Cadbury?

*   *   *

While Veronica and Cadbury stood in the vestibule waiting for the elevator she told him all about Fitzy. “Most dogs and children don’t like her. I guess nobody likes her. I mean, I like her, but she can make a pretty bad impression.”

Cadbury listened. His dark brown eyes were so trusting. Veronica gave him a kiss right on his leathery nose.

Her heart was a big wet mess of love.

Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson were out for the evening, so Veronica let herself in.

Fitzy growled ferociously at Cadbury. She dug her nails so deep into the expensive Persian carpet Veronica thought she might make a hole in it. Fitzy was so dramatic.

“Fitzy, this is my dog, Cadbury.” Fitzy made a noise between a whimper and a scream. It was surprisingly powerful and every time she made it, her tiny body lifted several inches off the ground. She looked hilarious, yelping in midair, but poor Cadbury began to howl. Fitzy’s eyes were gleaming and Veronica picked her up, hoping to calm her. Something warm traveled across Veronica’s arm and soaked through her sleeve.

“Oh God! Fitzy! Did you pee on me?” Veronica put her down and went in the kitchen to wash off. She rummaged around under the kitchen sink looking for plastic bags. The Fergusons didn’t own a pooper-scooper. Esme said rich, childless people owned useless things like pooper-scoopers. But when Veronica had asked how Mrs. Ferguson liked to clean up after Fitzy, Mrs. Ferguson said, “Mr. Ferguson and I pay so very much money in taxes, dear.” Veronica had not quite followed so finally Mrs. Ferguson said, “We don’t clean up after Fitzy. We just leave it.”

So Veronica brought her own bags. Almost always. She was so excited about Cadbury she’d forgotten.

When she returned to the living room, she saw Fitzy looking very guilty. Nearby, on the expensive Persian rug, Fitzy had left three tiny poops as further statement of her dissatisfaction.

Veronica picked up the poop with toilet paper and flushed it down the toilet in the powder room. Fitzy watched as Veronica washed her hands with lilac-scented soap and dried them on the guest towel.

“Fitzy, don’t look at me like that,” Veronica said. “You are not that innocent and I swear if you so much as lay a tooth on Cadbury…”

Cadbury, meanwhile, padded down the hall. Fitzy barked louder the closer he got. Veronica wondered if Fitzy was afraid of Cadbury’s cone. Then, in a flash, both dogs were up on their hind legs wrestling like best friends. Fitzy’s legs were so short she could almost stand underneath Cadbury. It was adorable.

When they’d had enough playing, Veronica took them out. For the first time in Fitzy Ferguson’s life, she didn’t growl or pull or frighten a single child. Fitzy and Cadbury walked side by side like model dogs. When Veronica dropped Fitzy back at the Fergusons’, it was obvious they were sad to say goodbye.

*   *   *

Veronica had the whole weekend with Cadbury before going back to school.

She put his hot spot cream on twice a day and tended to his every need.

He followed her everywhere, looking up at her with his lovely eyes. He was alternately playful or sleepy and cuddly.

The first night, she crawled into bed wondering if he would sleep right next to her as she’d fantasized. She patted a spot on the comforter as her mother often patted the couch when she wanted Veronica to sit next to her and read. But instead of curling up next to her, Cadbury dug his way under the sheet and blanket, disappearing somewhere near her ankles. His cone made a funny shape out of the blanket. He made little yawning sounds and moved up a bit before tucking his head into his knees and pressing his little doughnut body right against her belly.

Veronica stifled a laugh. She didn’t want him to move or be self-conscious. She lay next to him, listening to the sound of his breathing. The warmth of his body next to hers was the nicest thing she’d ever known. No wonder grown-ups slept in twos.