Spring Willows

Chapter 3

 

Sitting at the dispatch desk, Carol ate more popcorn: the breakfast of midnight dispatchers everywhere.

 

At 7:12 a.m., the phone rang.

 

“Spring Willows emergency. Do you need fire, police, or medi-”

 

“She stole my Charizard!”

 

“What’s a Charizard? And can I get your name please?”

 

“It’s my iguana. Old lady Mrs. Gimblestone stole him.”

 

Carol sighed as recognition dawned, “Jaxson Magillicudy.” 

 

Small town life, here we go again.

 

“How did she steal your ... iguana was it?”

 

“Just send the cops. I’m getting my paintball gun.”

 

As she reached for the mic stand, Carol knocked over her bag of microwave popcorn. Kernels went everywhere. She sighed before hitting the button.

 

 

Officer John observed the splatters of neon green paint across Mrs. Gimblestone’s house. On one side of the property line stood the preteen boy. Opposite him, Mrs. Gimblestone gripped her broom. The large, slightly pudgy lizard lounged in the morning sun, a couple of tomatoes nearby.

 

"Well?" Jaxson demanded.

 

"Well, what?" Officer John asked.

 

"Make her give him back."

 

Mrs. Gimblestone snorted. "Harold can go anywhere he wants."

 

"His name is Charizard!"

 

“What I see is property damage to Mrs. Gimblestone’s house.” Officer John gave the boy his ‘cop glare.’

 

Jaxson considered for a moment. “I’ll clean it off if she gives me my iguana back.”

 

“Little heathens are not allowed on my property!”

 

“Give me my Charizard.”

 

“There’s no one here by that name.”