You hear the door open, then the familiar rhythm of Papi’s strut. His shoe laces dangle invitingly as his steps carry him to the bedroom. You notice as they twitch like a mouse’s tail and dart from underneath the green comfy chair. Run, paws clacketing like castañuelas on the hardwood floor. The air smells of good of surprise. Jump. Bite bite. Scratch scratch.
“Pico!” Papi says joyfully. “Mi zapato!”
For shame, Pico! That wasn’t a mouse! That was Papi’s shoe! You wiggle as he scoops you up to his chest. What a big face Papi has. Tap his nose lightly. He smells safe. He smells of today. But he doesn’t smell of you. Rub your face against his prickly beard; lick his hands and fingers. Another scent jiggles your nose. Look down. Did Lucy just zoom by Papi’s feet? Is that a mouse by Papi’s feet?
Wriggle your body, Pico. Let Papi know that your hunt must begin anew. It works; Papi lets you leap. Breathe deeply; the smell of Lucy reminds you of games. The mouse is nothing but an afterthought. Lucy is by the kitchen table! Run; the linoleum floor always feels different. You can’t decide which you like best under your paws. Lucy isn’t moving. She stiffens. Surely a game will loosen her up! Her brown fur ripples excitedly at your approach. She is much bigger than you up close. The time for games is here! Then you catch a tiny gleam in her eyes as she hisses loudly, swatting you away. Right in the kisser, Pico!
Too scary and your nose stings. Trot to a safe distance. You hear Lucy's mouth clicking ever so slightly. Her usual steady gaze seems to flicker. Lucy doesn’t want to play, Pico, better to leave her alone for now. The beige sofa looks comfortable. Go past the white stove, walk by the bookshelf. Then you detect the scent of memory. You’ve stalked from this position before. Explore a little; it smells like Lucy around here. Is Lucy next to you? She isn’t. It smells more like Papi in this corner of the room. It doesn’t smell like you that much. Fix it, Pico. Rub your fur on the Fender amp. Don’t forget that Epiphone acoustic guitar leaning carelessly against the wall. Oh no, the guitar is falling on top of you! Take cover as it crashes into cacophony like a dissonant hammer.
“Pico! Mi guitarra!” Yells Papi charging towards you.
Scary-scary, run Pico. Papi is right behind you with cross noises. Under the green comfy chair, Papi can’t see in the dark. But the green comfy chair suddenly moves to the side, exposing your coordinates. Quick, escape through the space behind the wall and the TV. Run behind the wicker chair! He will never find you behind there. But he rapidly catches and lifts you by the fold of your neck, like momma-cat used to do. Though he doesn’t do it with his mouth. Sternly, Papi takes you past the kitchen, where your empty bowl of food reminds your tummy it hasn’t eaten. Ahead of you the blue bathroom waits always with its door closed, always with its boredom. You know what happens when you misbehave, Pico. You spend time in the boring blue bathroom.
The front door opens behind, Papi. Mami is home! Go say hello. Wiggle from Papi’s grasp; let him know Mami’s home. He lets you fall lightly to the linoleum floor. The outside smell Mami brought in is exciting; it’s new. Rub your fur against her black trousers; sprawl on the floor with your tummy ready for greetings. Mami bends down and pets your belly, moving to that sweet spot underneath your chin. But her usual comfort isn’t as warm and her scent is devoid of sunniness. In her voice you can hear the stinging of a nose. Tread to Papi with no more mice by his feet, only his funny long toes. But that same sound in his voice alerts you. Then Lucy is next to you calling to Mami, her voice quivering in the air. Mami only looks at Papi. The noise gets louder and scarier. Go by the wicker chair, Pico, away from the kitchen.
Inhale and be still. It’s unusual today. Home is louder and colder. What happened to games and pets?
Your belly rumbles again, but you catch yourself before rushing to your bowl. Now, Papi’s and Mami’s voices bellow like the fallen guitar. Lucy has hidden somewhere as well. This is not the same.
Wait, is that a paper bag by Mami’s feet!? A tall, big, brown paper bag full of secrets and wonders! Investigate, Pico. Run, your whiskers sparkling with the electricity of the mystery, your eyes wide and expectant. Jump; swell your lungs with surprise; feel the air in your paws. Dive nose-first into the tall, big, brown paper bag.
“Pico! Las compras!” Mami exclaims warmly.
For shame, Pico! That bag is full of groceries. And why are you still inside the paper bag, Pico? Now, Papi and Mami are both crouched next to you giving you special pets. Suddenly, Lucy is next to you, also in need of special pets. Groom Mami’s hand with your tongue, Pico. She tastes happy again! Do it to Papi and the result is the same. Paper bags are just full of joy.
When Papi gets up, it’s to fill yours and Lucy’s plates with yummy food. It sounds like pebbles falling on a tin. Run to your plate Pico; it’s full. Mami and Papi walk by you towards their bedroom. Next to you, Lucy is eating from her plate. Her food smells like yours. She smells happy! Food is as much fun as playing! Is it time to play with Lucy? Recoil, touch the floor with your belly. Spring forward; sally forth into games. This time Lucy leaps too, and nibbles on your neck lightly. Nibble back; run after her, behind the wicker chair, underneath the beige sofa. She’s on top of the green comfy chair; jump up and rub your face against her fur. For someone so big, she is fast and bouncy. Lucy taps you in the nose with her paw; this time it doesn’t hurt. This time is friendly. She jumps down to the floor, and sits by Mami’s and Papi’s bedroom door, peering inside, seemingly unaware that you’re still on top of the green comfy chair. Mami’s voice sounds happy and excited, so does Papi’s. You yawn; lay down and close your eyes, Pico; naps are almost as fun as games.
When you open your eyes, Lucy isn’t by the door any longer. Everything is a little darker than before. Perfect hunting conditions. Where is a mouse when you need one? Land gently on the hardwood floor. Lucy is on the big bed with Mami and Papi. You can feel their warmth from where you’re standing. Sniff the air: contentment. Spring onto the bed, see if Lucy is asleep. She hisses at you in the dark. Too scary, Pico! Better to let her sleep. Papi’s eyes are open; he pets your head. Tread carefully onto Papi’s chest. He smells safe and happy. But, he doesn’t smell of you at all. This cannot be. Rub your face against his neck, lick his giant face. Close your eyes and rest, Pico. Tomorrow will be another day full of adventure.
Ciao,
Erik Barragan
I peeked into the mind of Pico. Peek peek Pico!
ReplyDelete