sixwordstories | (no subject)

Whoa! [Sam grabs her around the waist to steady her on the shelf.] You want me to get it or can you reach from here? I can put you on my shoulders.

Don't think ya should be doin' that sweetie. [Jess looks around for the parents or perhaps a relative of the child before grabbing for her.]

Why? I needed something from the top of the shelf..

[Said child was almost at the top of the shelf when someone grabbed her legs and she looked down at the woman with something of a relatively innocent look.] .. miss.

I have it! [Ara almost lost her footing when he started her but she was laughing when her fingers closed around the box of bird seed and pulled it off the shelf.]

Thank you Sam, but you are funny.

Funny looking maybe! [When she had the seed he helped her back down from the shelf.] Our bird have a name yet?

You're not funny looking, you are just silly is all. [Climbing down, she looked up at him with a smile.] Did someone say that?

Finding a name is really hard. I've never named something besides JoJo. Gavin said Shadow might be a nice name because of his colors.

Nope, no one said that. It was something my dad use to say. I'd say 'Beck you're funny' and he would mess up my hair and say 'Funny lookin'!'

I like Shadow.

[He held out his hands.] Let me get that for you.

Then let me get it for ya. Kid if you fell this place would be gettin' sued. [She isn't letting go anytime soon either.]

[She was already holding onto the bird seed as she tried to climb down with the woman holding her.] I already have it, miss. Thank you.

[Falling? It was not really high up to her..] Sued?

Oh! So you like to be silly like him then. Gavin does too a little. He just calls me runt though.

You do? Well... I think I will use it. If you like it must be pretty good. [He was pretty cool for an adult after all.]

I can get it, Sam. [She holds up her wallet.] I have my allowance. Would you like some ice cream?

Sometimes everyone needs to be silly.

[Sam smirks.] Are you asking me on an ice cream date? Because I would really love that, only I'm paying for the ice cream.

Maybe. People seem very different, especially adults. [Hard to figure out sometimes too.]

What's a date? [You get a puzzled face face now, Sam.] You make a good proposition, I suppose. You have a deal. I have to go pay for my birdseed first!

[Once she's sure the child can climb down without falling, she lets her go and gives a nod.]

Yeah. If you fell from up there and hurt yourself the store could get sued for having faulty shelves or somethin'.

[She was an expert climber, she could climb higher then this. When her little black converse on standing on solid ground again, prize clutched in one hand she frowns.]

I am a very good climber, I would not want to sue someone, miss. That sounds bad.

Don't try to figure adults out. You'll fry your brain.

It's a plan for us to do something together.

[An expert climber she might be but, Jess didn't want to see anybody child nor store get in trouble. With a small she gave a slight nod.]

Well, next time just ask somebody to reach it for you. Leaving the climbing for the outdoors.

[She wrinkled her brow up, it did not sound as fun but she did not want to get people in trouble either. Suing sounded like trouble.]

It was faster to climb for it. The store people looked busy. [Not to mention not quite as helpful at her size and she was still new to pet stores.] I will try, miss.

[She didn't want to see the girl get hurt was all. Seeing as she was a paramedic she never liked getting sent out on calls where children got hurt. The last thing wanted was to see this little one riding in the back of her ambulance.]

Sounds good to me. Are your parents around?

I like my brain the way it is. Sometimes they still act weird though.

That sounds like fun then, I thought it was something silly again. [She came back with her birdseed in a bag and took her iPhone out. When she was done, Ara took his arm and started tugging him with her. Again.]

Did you come to get something? [She did not stop and think about that.]

[Too bad she could not tell her new friend she healed really fast. It was hard being different sometimes when she could do neat things like pick someone up.. but it was nice of her.]

Oh! I almost forgot I left Gavin in the section with all of the dog food. [She was a slippery eel like that.]

You should probably get back to him then sweetie, before he worries where you ran off to.

[Jess glanced around the store before glancing back at the girl. With a nod of her head she motioned to the birdseed she was holding.] You got a bird I take it?

He always finds me, even when I give him the slip. Gavin is good at that.

[He would show up soon, how he did it she had no idea but he always found her. Ara actually smiles and nods.] Yes, miss. I have a nuthatch named Shadow. I found him in the grass outside. He was hurt. This has sunflower seeds in it which is one of their favorites.

You must give him the slip a lot then huh?

Is your bird alright now? [Jessica smiled softly, being called miss made her feel extremely old but, she let it slide this time around.]

A little. [A lot.] It is boring having someone follow you around all of the time. I just want to explore sometimes.

His wing is broken, but I think he feels a bit better. I am going to make him something when I get home later.[She meant no harm, it was just the way it was for her in her environment.]

Oh, I know how you fell. [Sure, she was an adult but there were times when friends or family followed her all over the place and she just wanted to be on her own.]

Did you ever think to take him to a vet? They might be able to help a little. [She crouched down to be eye level with the girl.]

You do? [That was a new response from an adult as she looked up at her curiously, tilting her head.]

If his wing does not get better I have a friend I can ask to help. He knows someone who is good with animals. Shadow gets very nervous so I don't want to scare him so much. Gavin helped me splint his wing so I think he will be alright until it gets better. [It was a bit easier to talk to her like that.]

[She just nods. It had been the same way when she was a kid her father favoring her over her brothers, so she had been followed and bothered a lot.]

Well, I wish Shadow all the best and hopes he gets well quickly. Sounds like you and Gavin have things under control. And before you call me 'miss' again please you can call me Jessica or Miss Matthews. Whichever you arr more comfortable with.

[She wished she saw her father more, her parents paid more attention to her brother then her. All she had were her trainers and Gavin most of the time.]

Thank you, I hope so too so he can fly like his friends and walk up and down trees. He helps me sometimes when I need it.

[She chews on her lip with the corner of one tiny fang.] Is it okay if I call you, Miss Jessica?

You may. Do you have a name?

[God she hoped she didn't sound creepy asking for the name of the child.]

Thank you! My name is Aranka but lots of people call me Ara or Runt.

[She holds her digits out, not bothered by the woman in the least. Meeting new people was exciting for her.]

Welcome sweetie. Runt? Well, that's a bit rude don't you think?

[Jessica usually didn't get along with children, but Aranka was different and she had the spunk to prove it. Taking the small digits in her hand she gave her a handshake.]

Nice to meet you Aranka.

That is what Gavin calls me, he is a little bit silly sometimes. I am going to outgrow him so he will not get to call me that for long. [There was a small, slightly mischievous smile punctuated in there somewhere.] Some of he adults are rude but I do not think he means to be mean.

[Spunk the child had in spades and she loved it.. and making new friends too among other things. She liked this woman, she was easy to talk to as they shook hands.]

It is nice to meet you too, miss Jessica.

[A rather tall, lanky man with shaggy blonde hair comes around the corner and makes a beeline for his lost charge. Busted.]

[There was something about being called 'Miss Jessica' that made her smile. Once they shook hands, she dropped her own away to rest on her knee since she was still crouched before her.]

I'm sure once you outgrow Gavin, you can start calling him Runt for payback. [Jess gives a smirk before glancing over her shoulder as the man comes into view.]

Would this be Gavin?