THE BABYSITTER

~4~

I made it to my room and showed Spike all around the house...and as soon as he sprung up into my bed...he began to wag his tail furiously and barking in delight...he approved of his new home...and followed me everywhere...for now he was the main attention...instead of having to wait in line for his turn...I quickly went into my jewelry box and grabbed the spike collar that I used to wear as a choker...and put it on him to see how it looked...it was a perfect fit...and looked tuffer then the tiny cord collar he came with.

I grabbed his leash and decided to take him down to the park...to see if he knew how to play...for I left Criss in such a hurry I totally forgot to ask about him...but I'd find out...plus I was meeting Sandy and Rachel there a little later on today...and I wanted to show them Spike, and add that Criss gave him to me. Once I got to the park Spike was very excited for he knew exactly where we were, and wanted to play...he looked up at me and jumped up and down at me...it was like his feet were made of springs...I unhooked him and begged him not to run off...but he stayed right by my feet, waiting. I gave him a rub and told him how good he was...then I reached down for a throwing stick...as soon as I picked it up he was barking frantically and bouncing around like a rubber ball...wanting me to throw it...I gave it a slight fling...and he raced off after like a bat out of hell...he was very quick...I should name him Zipper instead of Spike.

He ran right up to me holding the stick but he didn't stop...he ran and took a leap...and landed in my arms...and dropped the stick as I caught him...I playfully fell over and played with him on the ground for a while and ruffed him up a little bit...but it was all affection to him...then he rolled over on his back and snorted and kicked his legs straight out...showing off...I didn't know it, but Criss was standing across the road watching me...just to see how I was getting along with my new friend he gave me...just then a strange man came up to me and started talking to me...he made me insecure when he tried grabbing for me...Criss started out to race across the road to run him off...but he stopped when Spike did it for him...he began to growl and snap at him wildly...and leaped up in his face and snapped at him...then chased him off while biting at his heels...Criss snickered and silently told Spike that he was a good boy...then he went back over and hopped in his car and drove off to The Luxor to go back to work...knowing that I was in good hands.

Spike came back to me with some of that guys torn pants in his mouth...and jumped in my lap and flooded me with kisses...I hugged and kissed him and thanked him for being such a good dog...and for protecting me...moments later after I got my tears dried up...Rachel and Sandy came up to me and asked me if I was alright because I was still on the ground...they helped my up as I told them I was fine...that I was just playing with my dog that Criss gave me...they all looked down at him and began petting him telling me how adorable he was...then asked for his name...I told them his name was Spike.

Then they offered to take me out for lunch...so I put Spike's leash back on him and he escorted all of us girls to the pizza parlor that was right next to the ice cream soda shop...so they bought the pizza, and I bought the dessert...beens it was an outside eating place...I patted my lap...and Spike hopped in my lap as I handed him a slice of pizza...then I grabbed a plate and put some of the ice cream in it and let him have a little dessert too...for being such a good boy...after lunch the girls wanted me to go shopping with them but I told them if Spike wasn't allowed in the malls...then I couldn't go in...because I wasn't going to tie him up and leave him...but they both assured me that as long as he was on a leash he was allowed to go in the malls lobby...he just wasn't allowed in the clothing shops...so I followed them to the malls and we all window shopped and of all things they wanted to talk about boys...something I knew nothing about...for my mind was only on one particular guy at the moment...and he was far from being a boy...he was a man...and already taken...I hated it, but I had to keep reminded myself.

After four hours of shopping with my new best friends...I managed to buy a little thank you gift for my neighbor, and a lot of doggie toys, snacks, and food for my new baby Spike...I told my friends bye, then carried my two bags back toward the house...but as fortune would have it...Criss was driving around and stopped and offered me a ride to the house...beens my hands looked mighty full...I thanked him as he opened the door for me...and I tossed the bags behind the seat...then told Spike to get in...he sat on my lap and poked his head out the window...he remembered Criss's car very well. It didn't take long for him to get me home, I opened the door and let Spike out, then I reached for the bags, but Criss already had them and was waiting for me to hop out...I did and as he sat my bags on the porch for me...I thanked him again, and handed him that small package I had in my hand...and said it was a gift...then I grabbed the stuff and took it all in the house...with Spike quickly following me...Criss opened the package and looked in the small box...and saw a very wicked and high dollar Skull watch...that was from the mall where he bought all of his blingage...it was all laid with white and black diamonds. He looked up toward my room and smiled to himself and carried the watch in his hand and went to his house...and disappeared into his house...I smiled at his reactions to his gift...and Spike and I crawled into the new hammock I bought for my balcony and that's where we slept that night under the stars.