Snippet #2418688

That was his girl! A fuzzy smile blossomed on Howie's face when he heard Bree's assent to his plan. Not that he expected any less from his partner in crime. He could always count on her to be ready and willing for another risky adventure or out of bounds foray, whether it was founded on good judgement or not - hey, he didn't always have good ideas; he wasn't gonna lie. At least he never had to suffer through the consequences alone! The gal had spunk, no doubt about it.

As they approached the door of Mrs. Stanton's house, Howie responded to Bree's gagging motions with his own exaggerated miming of whoozy, wobbling, choking sudden death - which was totally appropriate because the house reeked within a few meters of it's actual foundations. He barely recovered in time before the Mom was turning towards them to give her daughter one last urging for manners. Even so, Howie got a stern look from her anyway, which he returned with a silent 'what did I do?' shrug and innocent look. Honestly, he got no respect from the woman at all!

Pushing the button next to the door, a ringing that sounded like a dying scream could be heard echoing past the threshold. A muffled, reedy voice called from within and the Mom took the initiative to press the latch of the door and push it gently open while calling inside. "Mrs. Stanton? It's Rachel Craft and Breanna... and Howie." Why'd she have to say it like that? Why did she hafta say his name like a warning? As the space of the doorway grew wider a sudden river of cats came flooding from the gap.

"Be careful not to let the cats out!" an elderly voice called from inside as a dozen or so frantic felines sped past the Mom's and the Girl's legs, blossoming like a whiskered flower past Howie and into the town. While the Mom gave out an exclamation and turned this way and that, unsure of whether to focus on closing the door or gathering the cats before they got away, Howie grabbed ahold of the Girl's hand and tugged her as they ran back the way they came, blending with the chaotic meowing hoard and leaving the wagon and the smelly house behind.

Finally they came to a jogged stop when they reached the old park, Howie giving a graveled laugh and turning to his BFF with his mitten-like paw held out for a high five. "Yeah-ha! That was perfect! Operation STNST was a success!" After slapping their hands together and then proceeding with the small ritualistic secret handshake they had, ending with a bump of their hips - which he called the "booty hug" - he led them both over the graying, dead grass to the decaying jungle gym. "Did that swarm look larger to you this time? I tell ya, if anybody was confused about that woman's health issues, there's yer clue right there. Am'iright?" Only when he was halfway up climbing the iron skeleton jungle gym did he stop to turn and ask, "Hey, ya still got those cookies, right?"