After walking for a short while, both toon boys made it to Shadow’s house. Shadow hesitantly walked up to the front door, and knocked. A worried-looking Wendy answered, and upon seeing her son, immediately scooped him up in her arms, and hugged him tightly.
“Oh Shadow, we were so worried when we found your room empty! We thought you had run off or something had happened, or – “
“I know…..and I’m sorry Mom.” Shadow said in a tender voice. “I was going to run away, but then…I had some time to think. I know people pick on me, but I’m special in my own way.” He smiled big wide while looking into his mother’s eyes. “I think I understand that better now...”
Wendy smiled back. “I’m glad you do…my little scribble.” She tousled her son’s hair, as he giggled a bit.
“Oh! Mom, guess what!” Shadow suddenly said, in an excited tone.
“Hm?”
At that moment, Smokey peeked his head inside from the front door.
“Mom, this is my new friend Smokey. He’s a toon, like me! And, he kind of got abandoned…..”
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Wendy knelt down to Smokey’s level, and gave him a warm smile. “Well, he’s very welcome to stay here if he wants.”
Smokey blushed a bit from embarrassment. “W-well, thank you very much, Shadow’s mom….”
Wendy laughed at his nervous thanks. “Please, you can call me just Mom if you want.”
After all that drama, everyone went off to bed. Shadow changed into his pajamas and got into bed, while Smokey curled up underneath his bed.
“Hey Smokey?’
“Yeah Shadow?”
“….Will you stay my friend forever?”
The room was silent for a moment.
"....that's a weird thing to ask someone you just met." Smokey replied.
"I-I know," Shadow said nervously. "But, you're first real kid I've talked to that doesn't make fun of me.....and I feel like we have a lot in common..."
Smokey bit his lip as heard Shadow's response, then replied. "I don't think I've ever had a friend.....not for a long time. The closest thing would have to be the cats I run into in the alleyways...and I HATE them."
He scooted out from underneath the bed, and looked Shadow in the eye. "But y'know.....you're the first person who's taken the time to talk with me for a long time. And given me a house to stay in, and stuff.....so I guess being friends wouldn't be so bad."
Shadow smiled big and wide, and immediately gave Smokey a big, loving bear hug. "AWWWWWWW, Smokey!!!"
"Crushing lungs.....need to breathe..." Smokey coughed out.
Shadow let the toon dog go, and looked at him with his innocent eyes. "Sorry, sorry...but do you really mean it?"
Smokey smiled a little bit. "You practically treat me like your friend already...so why not?"
Having heard that, Shadow snuggled back under the covers, while Smokey went back under the bed.
"Goodnight Smokey....my best pal."
"Same to you, Shadow...my silly bro."