A New Precious

Chapter 20

After breakfast, Aaliyah decided she would go clean the mess surrounding Máiréad's house by herself, as she wanted me to stay with Máiréad. I helpsed her pack her cleaning supplies into her car, and promised I would take good care of Máiréad. As she drove off, Máiréad and I sat together on the couch in the living room.

"You've really never had biscuits and gravy?" Máiréad asked.

"Never," I replied, "not until now."

"What did you think?"

"Very delicious. Sméagol has not had many foods here in America. Not pizza, not spaghettises, burgerses, none of it."

"Oh, well, if you don't mind me asking... where are you from?"

"Middle Earth, Precious."

"Middle Earth? Where's that?"

"Not sure exactly. Very hard it is to explain."

"Yeah, geography's never been my best subject. I could never read maps. To my Autistic brain, they look like scribble scrabble."

I giggled. "Scribble scrabble?"

"You know, chicken scratch. Hard to decipher."

"Oh. I sees now." I smiled awkwardly. American words were quite different from what I knows, but not in a bad way. I rather likes the way Americans speak.

"So, what did you eat in Middle Earth?"

"Fish," I said eagerly, "lots and lots of fish, so juicy sweet."

"Oh, yum, I like fish."

"Oh, Máiréad likes fishes, too?"

"Yeah. Well, it depends on what kind."

"What kind does it like, Precious?"

"I love salmon, especially stuffed salmon. My mom used to make it for me, and it was one of my favorites. I also like pretty much any kind of fried fish."

"Oh, Sméagol loves fried fish! Used to eats it all the time as a child. Haven't eaten it in ages, not until I comes here."

"Hmmm, well, there's something 'fishy' about that," Máiréad said with a silly grin.

"What, Precious?"

"Oh, that was a pun," she said awkwardly.

"Oh," I said, still not understanding. Then, I thought about it, and finally understood. "Oh! Puns! Sméagol remembers puns!"

"Oh," she chuckled awkwardly. "Yeah, I love puns. I'm full of them. I always throw in a random one in whatever situation or conversation."

I smiled.

"I love making jokes and being silly."

I laughed softly. "Me, too, Precious. Have not laughed much in such a long time."

"I guess you've been through some shit, too."

I nodded. "I have, yes. Lots of shit, Precious."

Máiréad snickered.

"What's so funny?" I inquired.

"The way you said 'shit' was funny!"

I giggled. "It's a swear word, is it not?"

"Yeah, or a cuss word."

I giggled more.