“Well, hello there darlin’,” said a voice which sounds much older, softer, than I thought a human voice should sound. The pounding in my ears almost made it impossible for me to hear the sound of footsteps approaching me. What?

I opened my eyes to see an elderly gentleman approaching me. It wasn’t his kindly eyes that fascinated me or the proper manner in which he was dressed, vest and all. It was the fact he was just like me – a pet. He had just stepped off of Simon’s hand and walked onto the desk toward the box.

“I understand you are having a difficult time, but allow me to reassure you that you are in good hands, metaphorically speaking of course,” smiled the older gentleman.

“You’re a…” the words left my mouth before I had a chance to stop them.

“Pet?” finished the elderly gentleman with a smile. He placed his hands behind his back and sauntered forward into the box until he was only an inch from me. “Yes, that I am; that is, if I were anywhere else but here. May I sit?”

I nodded numbly and watched as the older man struggle to sit on the ground beside me.

“I’m getting too old for this,” he muttered as he sat down and leaned into the box for support. “So, as I was saying, I understand you are having a difficult time at the moment.”

“I… what…” I stopped short as I heard the elderly gentleman chuckle.

“Believe me, I couldn’t believe it either. Allow me to shed some light on the situation,” said the older gentleman. “Firstly, my name is Skip. You may call me Skip or Boomer or Boomer Skip. What’s your name?”

I hesitated. The look on my face must’ve told him everything he needed because he continued without hesitation.

“We can get to that in a moment,” he smiled. “Simon, the human out there, is a doctor. I know. We’ve all had our experiences with them, but Simon is a different kind of doctor – a psychologist. Specifically, he is a behavioral psychologist. Psychologists study a lot of different things, but what is really important about what he’s doing is drawing parallels between the behaviors of humans and pets.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“You… wait… you’re saying…”

“In short,” said Boomer Skip. “Simon is trying to prove how similar we are for long term legal adjustments; that we’re the same.” I wanted to leap for joy, and I might have if I didn’t see Simon’s hand come by the front of the box.

“Everything okay, Boomer?” asked Simon. The older pet grinned sassily at me before shaking his head.

“Of course. I can handle things here sprout,” Boomer called.

“So… he’s… trying to prove we’re the same as humans?” I asked, suddenly feeling uneasy. “But…”

“I know you must have a lot of questions, but perhaps the others can help answer them,” grinned Boomer. “Care to come with me? I can get Simon to leave if that will make you more comfortable.”

“You can do that?” I ask, voice barely above a breath. My head throbs and swirls dangerously. “And what others? I don’t feel well.”

“Take a moment and breathe. I know it is a lot all at once. Believe me. You aren’t the only one. Let me ask Simon to leave. Do you need a water? Or would you rather have some tea back at the house?”

“Ho… house?” I exhaled slowly and let my head rest between my knees. “You’re talking like pets here are…”

“Free?” finished Boomer. “Because we are. We are free here. Simon makes sure of that. One moment, please.” He forced himself up and stepped beyond the edge of the box. “Sprout, would you mind stepping out of the room while I get our new arrival settled?” asked Boomer.

“Of course. Please offer my sincerest apologies again to our new guest. Dinner at seven thirty. Also, please let Forrest know it’s his turn to select the movie for the night,” said Simon. “Will you be needing tea?”

“Yes, if at all possible. I’d invite you in for tea, but you won’t fit in the house,” smiled Boomer. I watched the way he smiled up, undoubtedly looking at Simon. I admired the way he stood and spoke so freely to Simon. I heard a deep, thoughtful chuckle from the just outside the box.

I stood cautiously and approached the edge of the box, peering out just in time to see Simon stand at his dizzying height and start to walk away.

In that moment, that same fiery passion reignited just long enough to make me step out into the open and call out, making Boomer jump slightly and Simon stop dead in his tracks and turn his multi-colored eyes toward me.

“Simon!” I shouted. “Valentine.”

He turned around and looked me in the eye. Instinct, which was imbedded deep inside me, surged but I held firm for as long as I could as he spoke to me.

“Pardon?” he asked. I took a breath, giving Boomer a quick, unsure glance, before looking back to the doctor.

“Y… y-you asked my name. It… it’s not Sheila… it’s Valentine,” I said quickly, cursing for stuttering. He smiled at me, turning and nodding his head thoughtfully toward me.

“Well, pleasure to meet you, Valentine. I hope you and I will continue to converse; whenever you’re ready, of course. Until then.” Simon dipped his head again, like in some kind of reverent respect, before turning away and leaving the room, the image of his smile sketching itself into my memory.

“Valentine? Beautiful name. Shall we?” asked Boomer. I took a few seconds to process what was going on, but finally shook myself out of it. I didn’t know what was going to happen, but I followed my fellow pet to the edge of the desk and along the trim to an opening in the wall. Wherever this was going, it didn’t matter. What mattered was that the fire, even if it was just for a moment, was reignited.