"Mom is it ready?! Can I see the report? Can Apollo come out and play with me now? He's gotten so chunky because of his two week vacation." Louisa happily ranted as she bounced around her mother. "Louisa, honestly... You should just take Apollo out of the enclosure already! He's fine, we don't have to worry about a thing!" Xiomara announced as she shoved the results of Apollo's report into Louisa's tiny face.
"Ahhh! Apollo did you hear that you're officially my little brother!" Louisa shouted happily as she grabbed the report out of her mother's hands. "Hey, hey, hey! Be careful with that! We still have to show this thing to the snobs down at City Hall." Xiomara said as she grabbed the report back. "Apollo, Apollo, Apollo! I'm never going to let you go!" Louisa sang as she hopped over to the enclosure.
"I guess I have a new name now." Charlie sighed as he secretly said goodbye to his old self and welcomed his new name. Louisa opened the enclosure and gently picked up Apollo. "Yes Apollo Marroquin-Broduer! Just like mine! Well I guess not like mine.... I'm Luisa Marisol Marroquin-Broduer so, so it's only our last name that is the same! We're officially family! I'm so happy!" Louisa announced as she spun around with Apollo in her arms.
"I swear child if you were not so cute.... But we seriously got to go. I want to shove-um-present these results to those 'gentleman' sitting on the board." Xiomara said as she held up a fist, trying her best to not grin like a fool. "Apollo is going too right?" Louisa asked as she looked at her mother with sparkling eyes. "Well you did swear that you would take Apollo everywhere you go... so... YES!" Xiomara said excitedly.
"I mean, I never knew a cat who soaked up information like this little guy can. The things I want to teach him too! So why not keep teaching him about the rest of the world.... Especially our world." Xiomara said with a bittersweet smile. "Right! So Apollo no matter what happens today you must stay with me. People may look at you funny but it doesn't matter we have each other." Louisa said with a bright smile.
Apollo blinked a few times at Louisa then sighed. "It's not like I have much muscle to walk away from you even if I wanted too." He meowed. "Well that's good. That means I get to carry you around like a baby. Oh I know! I will get my zipper hoodie and you can ride up in the front." Louisa said as she quickly raced upstairs with Apollo in hand.
"Louisa, Apollo is not a play thing!" Xiomara called out. "Ya I know!" Louisa shouted back. Xiomara rolled her eyes. "That girl..." She muttered as she went to retrieve her shoes. "Mommy look! Apollo loves it!" Louisa said happily as she showed off Apollo. His little head was peaking out of the hoodie opening as Louisa cradled his body.
"Aye Louisa! You're going to choke the poor thing before we even get there!" Xiomara shouted as she tried to reach for Louisa. "No I won't! Apollo will tell me if he's uncomfortable." Louisa said as she stepped back. "It's not awful." Apollo meowed. "See he's fine." Louisa pouted. "Por la amor de... seriously Louisa. Fine. But if he gets hurt because of you remember it's your own fault." Xiomara said as she sighed.
"Okay." Louisa said cheerfully. "Your mom always says that but never finishes her sentence. What is she saying?" Apollo asked. Louisa started to laugh and Xiomara looked at the two curiously. "We need to add Spanish to Apollo's lessons but I don't think I can teach him what mom wanted to say." Louisa giggled.
"Why?" Apollo meowed. "Por la amor Is nothing bad Louisa. It's just me saying for the love of." Xiomara said flatly as she gave Louisa a deadpan expression. "Yes mommy but if you finished it, it would have been bad." Louisa sang with a smile. "Honestly child! Vamanos! If we don't move it will be night fall." Xiomara growled.
"I'm coming, I'm coming. Let me put on my shoes." Louisa said hurriedly as she shoved her feet into her shoes. "Okay ready!" Louisa said happily. "Louisa remember the rules. When this door opens what do you have to do?" Xiomara asked. "Keep my head down and don't make eyes contact until we get to our destination." Louisa recited robotically.
"Louisa it's not game." Xiomara said firmly. "I know." Louisa said bitterly. "Louisa?" Apollo meowed. "Oh and new rule don't talk to Apollo outside of this house." Xiomara said as she turned and reached for the door knob. "But mom I can be super careful!" Louisa complained. "Louisa ya! It's a no and that's it. Don't risk his or your life." Xiomara said as she opened the door. "Si mommy." Louisa grumbled as she lowered her gaze to Apollo, her long, golden brown hair created a veil around him and her face.
Apollo silently watched as Louisa's lips trembled. He sensed something wrong and narroweed his eyes. Her eyes started to water and he recognized the smell coming from Louisa. "Sadness." He thought then turned his gaze to the outside world. From the gaps of Louisa's hair he could see many houses and people staring.
"Xiomara! Buenas!" A lady called out. "Falicia! Buenas!" Xiomara said cheerfully but they didn't talk further. Rather Xiomara put her hand on Louisa's back and started to push her along faster. "Xiomara! Buenas! A dónde vas?" Another lady called out. "Doña Valentina! Buenas!" Xiomara caled out awkwardly. "Louisa don't say a word." Xiomara hissed under her breath. Louisa clenched her jaw. She hated Mrs. Valentina Cruz more than anyone else.
"Louisa, mi inda niña! Hola!" Mrs. Valentina shouted as she grabbed Louisa's chin and raised it so they could see each other eye to eye. "Doña! Esperé!" Xiomara shouted but it was too late, Mrs. Valentina saw Apollo. "Gato!" Mrs. Valentina screamed. Louisa broke free from Mrs. Valentina hold and ran for dear life. "Sorry Apollo just bare with it for a little while!" Louisa shouted as she ran.