Let's Go--Now!

“Come on, Spots. We’re moving! We don’t have all day. Let’s go.”                          

“Why?” Spots whined. “I don’t want to move. I want to stay here, with Bundles that bundles of joy and fun. Moving won’t make me happy. Bundles won’t be hiding behind the cave and the volcano and the rocks. She laughs at my jokes, shares our lunches and rides on the swing set with me. Moving’s killing all that fun!”                                        

Spots blinked back tears. All he’s ever done is play outside with Bundles and fend off the bullies. His little sister, Adelaine, dug in the sandbox with her friends while Bundles and he rode the slide down to the grassy ground. But Spots was completely happy. Adelaine seemed to be born with joy and love and life pouring from her minute dinosaur pores. Spots wondered how such innocence and peace.     

He was never satisfied. Something was always missing. So he tried being happy with what he had. He didn’t get very far, for something always came and something went. And Spots always whined about it. His parents tried telling him to look on the bright side, but Spots could never see the bright side or the greener grass. He would look over at Bundles and Adelaine and his parents and think, What do they have that I don’t? Is it something more? Why am I always frustrated?  

He would always go to his room, pouting the day away. Bundles was there, and Spots only smiled whenever she came around. But…something bugged him, worse than a mosquito hovering above his nose. He was alone among other dinosaurs, inquiring, almost to the point of interrogative. Pushy, bossy and irritating. His parents would scold him, sending him to his room. Adelaine would tattle-tale. Spots just wanted to know where he belonged.      

His mother’s voice came to his attention again. “You know! Remember last night, when Papa was talking about the new rock caverns? We’re moving there. Your sister’s so excited! She’s just galloping around, exclaiming how fun it’ll be to stick her tongue out this season and taste the cold snowflakes falling softly on her tongue.” Well, that was all good for six-year-old Adelaine, but Spots didn’t understand the excitement of leaving your friends, family and, most importantly, the comfort of your own home. 

“All you need is some comfort, Spots. Don’t think too hard about it.” His mother had paused from carrying some carved stones from Adelaine’s room to the already groaning mountain of belongings awaiting its new destination upon the big Brontosauri impatient to get going.   

“Okay.” His head hanging after his parents turned away and told Adelaine to calm down after flying off the stair railing. As she gabbed about their new home, Mom and Dad checked for lost belongings and began their new journey towards their new home. Spots kept quiet. Adelaine chattered about her new room, her parents nodding and interjecting when they could.

I won’t splash around in the park’s puddles with Bundles anymore. I won’t crack jokes with Bundles. I won’t eat Bundles’ snack, and she won’t eat mine. We won’t share our desserts. We won’t watch fun dinosaurs romp around on that wooden stage anymore, making us laugh till we cry. Bundles won’t show up. She won’t be living near a volcano, fire bursting forth, lava trailing down like tears from my eyes when we get there. 

Even his thoughts sounded whiny. Adelaine had a bright future filled with new friends, it sounded from the gleeful squeals emitting from the little dinosaur. Wagging her tail, she looked from one parent to another. Why not him?                      

His parents looked back. “Come on, Spots! It’ll be a whole new place to start fresh and new. Meet new dinosaurs!” Smiles brightened their faces. Talking amongst themselves, their parents turned away, shaking their heads. Spots let them do so. When will it be my turn?

The huge Brontosauri told Adelaine to pipe down. She giggled.

Spots rolled his eyes. Thank you!

He looked around—the sparse trees barely populated the volcanic, smoky area around them. Rocky caverns and some bushes here and there. He shrugged, his eyes half-closed. Patches of grass showed off their greenness, but they were lucky to flourish amidst this eerily quiet, cloudy place obsessed with caverns. Spots asked whether they were getting close. One of the Brontosauri replied that they had over three hundred miles to go, and then chuckled along with the rest of the family.     

“Getting hungry?” His mother called back.

“No.” He mumbled. “I’m not.”

“Well, say when you are. These Brontosauri know a good green tree when they see one!”

Everyone laughed while Spots wondered whether they’d stop for the night. He asked about this. His mother told him to come up where they were. He preferred to be back here. Alone. Far away from his new home as possible.

“Whatever it is, it should make you happy!”      

Happiness would be if we weren’t moving. I feel like those donated clothes. Bundles would take them, though she’s my age. But Bundles didn’t even show up at the slab of rock I put my box on with all the other stuff. I mean, did she forget? I told her I might be moving, and she acted like I was going into a coma! Why didn’t she come?

“Because she didn’t want to make it worse.”

Spots jumped. Some Brontosaurus looked back, quizzical. “Hey, what’s going on back there? You’re alone, right?”

Spots stared at the Brontosaurus towering above him, and squeaked, “Yes!”

“Okay…” He slowly turned back to Spots’ family, and shook his head when they asked whether Spots was okay. Spots returned to the voice. A pure white Pterodactyl flew right by his side, smiling hopefully. Spots felt a warmth he never received from even his parents. 

“So…I’m moving. And Bundles won’t be there.”

“You wish you could stay back home. But Bundles moved on, and so can you.”

Spots looked to his right. Another Pterodactyl’s thorny, skin-stretched wings glided smoothly as it looked up at him, a cold smile sending shivers of fear down Spots’ spine. He looked left. The white Pterodactyl’s crystal blue eyes shone with love. “Remember—home is where the heart is! Home sweet home.”

“So, make it yours. Move into a new life.” The waspishness of this dinosaur’s voice was eerily patient. Spots listened. Then he said, “If I turn back now, my family will be sad. If I stay, I’ll be—” 

“Forgotten. Besides, you want everyone to love you, right?” The charred Pterodactyl invited.

“Yes, but I want my family there, too. I love them.” Spots shook his head. “No one sees me like they do my sister. I mean, it’s not bad being important. I just don’t belong anywhere—”

“You want to know how you can show others that you matter? All you need to do is show them. Show them you do matter.”

“How?” Spots wondered, widening his eyes.          

The Pterodactyl nodded. “Once they see you up on that performance stage, they’ll wish they were just like you. Don’t you want that? Everyone will love you!”

 “Well,” the white Pterodactyl helped, “I’m not so sure why you wouldn’t want all the exciting adventures you can share with your family and new friends. Won’t that be fun? I mean, sharing is caring. You won’t be doing that on stage.”

But Spots continued talking to the charred Pterodactyl. Hurt, the white Pterodactyl stayed silent. After Spots announced his desire for stardom, he said he could already hear the praise coming from his family and new friends.      

“Plus, everyone will feel for you when you’re sad or upset, okay, buddy?” He gave a tragic look. “You like to be comforted when you’re not heading in the right direction, right?”  

“Yeah…” Spot thought. “Also, I’d like a little alone time. That’s what I do when no one listens.” Then he smiled. “But they will when they see me up on stage. Even apologize.”

Spots, you need to open up to the possibilities a new home can bring. I mean, what’s better than starting over—”  

“And finding where you belong? Everyone will love you for it.”

Spots bobbed his head. “Yeah—and how’ll I do that? Tell me!” 

The charred Pterodactyl stretched its wings, and Spots suddenly found himself in front of a volcano! He gasped up at the smoke billowing from the volcano’s middle. Its lava somehow never came out of it—  

“Wait! Isn’t that lava? Won’t it burn everyone down to the ground? Even me?” Spots shook, stepping backwards. He looked around for the white Pterodactyl, but it told him it wouldn’t hurt him. “Then, what it’s doing—”

“Just there inside the volcano. You won’t get hurt.” The white Pterodactyl sent a cheerful smile up at Spots.

“It’d be under your stage. Its glow will brighten your stage, so you’ll go from a drab slab to awesome possum in no time!” The charred Pterodactyl flew over to a black stone bed just outside the volcano, where he lay on his spiny back, circling the air with his clawed hand.

“See, Spots? A new future. A new home. And a new way to solve all your problems.”

A golden cup of wine appeared in the Pterodactyl’s talons. “Come on, Spots. You sure look hungry for something to do!”

“Remember, Spots," the white Pterodactyl encouraged, "you’re not the only dinosaur that’s important. Remember your family. You love them, too. They love you. Never forget that.”

Spots watched the charred Pterodactyl lounge on his throne of a hard metal bed. He then looked back at the white Pterodactyl sitting with his elbows propping him up. He smiled hopefully.

Spots looked down, thinking. Then he walked over to the former. He asked when he could start.

“Oh, and could I get some of that delicious red wine?”

“Sure, buddy!”

As Spots put his hoof to a golden cup the Pterodactyl made appear in thin air, and let the liquid flow down his throat. After finishing the succulent wine, Spots smiled brightly. “Wow! That really hit the spot.”

The charred Pterodactyl laughed. “Yeah—you want to impress everyone? How about you run your own comedy show. No one will be laughing at you then!” As Spots and the charred Pterodactyl discussed clothes and entertainment, the white Pterodactyl sighed quietly. He looked down at the soot-strewn ground, and then up at the smoke billowing through the gaping hole. He thought. Spots is a dinosaur ready to spring headlong into trouble. He won’t take ‘no’ for an answer, and he won’t listen to me. Look at him, in his new shiny garb that brightens this already yellowy volcano. I don’t understand it.

The white Pterodactyl strived to interrupt Spots and his new friend again and again. When Spots was doodling something on the drawing, the white Pterodactyl rushed up and grabbed the crude drawings with his talons, flying around above them.

“Hey!” Spots cried, “that’s—”

“A future not worth risking!”

“White Pterodactyl!” Spots glared at him. He yelled at him about how he didn’t have to do this. “You’re stupid!”          

“Grow up, Spots!”  

Spots rolled his eyes and ground his teeth. “Charred Pterodactyl’s my new friend. Now, you are wasting my time.”

Spots and the charred Pterodactyl enjoyed a feast fit for a T-Rex. After the hearty meal, Spots fell in a deep sleep, and then awoke to a sudden earthquake. Frightened, Spots scrambled up, ordering the white Pterodactyl to lead him out of here. He said for Spots to look, and he did. There, before the little dinosaur, was a huge stage, complete with a costume department and lights and a pretty slab on which the audience would stand to cheer for Spots. A bright smile broke out on his face, and he charged right for the scene, looking it all over.

“Wow! I would never have imagined.”

“Yep.”     

“Spots,” the white Pterodactyl interrupted him when he flew over, landing right in front of him. “Please. Listen to me. I’m your real friend. If you want a new life here, you need to make it good. You just need to invite other dinosaurs, not just use them to make you happy.”

But Spots was walking away, already making plans with the charred Pterodactyl. “Please,” the white Pterodactyl cried. “I’m speaking the truth! Spots, don’t do this—”

Halting, Spots jerked back. “What?” He spat.

The white Pterodactyl folded its wings and looked up at him, eyes shining. Hope brimmed from them. Spots started coughing, and blinked, tears forming. He tried wiping them away, but no use.

“I can’t! Please—my eyes. They burn from the smoke.”

“I’m here to help you, but I won’t be here forever!” The white Pterodactyl lead him to a clear spring. He splashed some water on the Brontosaurus’s face, and Spots shook his head, blinking and seeing clearly. Now—the show. It must start. 

Spots charged back to the charred Pterodactyl, but voices called to him. Spots saw his parents rushing towards him, Adelaine cross and teary-eyed.

“We were looking all over for you, son!” Spots’ father checked him over, seeing whether he had any scratches or burns. “Hey—what’s with your eyes? Your face is all wet.”      

Spot said quickly, “Just some water to wash it away.”

“No, Spots! We’re not letting you escape with any answer. Now tell us.”

Spots looked at his sister, who gave a firm nod, face set to tattle-tale. “I was just having some fun. With a new friend.”              

“Okay…” Spots’ parents looked at each other, and then the three turned away, Adelaine narrowing her eyes at him and then calling out that she had to interrupt meeting her new best friend to find him! Spots grinned, narrowed his eyes and took off towards that volcano.

I don’t need anyone telling me to get going with my new life! I already built one with Charred Pterodactyl. When he got to the skeletal dinosaur, he heard a voice. “Hey—over here.”  

Spots looked over. It was White Pterodactyl.

“Oh.” Spots looked down. “Hey.”

Charred Pterodactyl told him to get his suit on, and Spots obeyed immediately. Ignoring White Pterodactyl, Spots looked like a shiny star in the midst of his semi-dull world. The more he talked with the charred Pterodactyl, the more he thought about his words. Something was missing. Just like his old life. Spots shook his head. “I just want love and to be right. Besides, I’m a performer now.”    

“But if you weren’t, what would you do? Besides, you have everything to perform. Just give everyone a show, and they’ll see how important you are. That’s when everyone will see you. Spots the Great!”

“No one comes when it’s about me.” He whined.       

“I just…I want others to see who I truly am.” He closed his eyes. “I’m sorry I’m never enough!”

“They’ll understand. Remember, you can become one if you make the show good enough.”

Spots thought, and then narrowed his eyes and smiled. “Yeah…” 

Over the seasons, Spots became a celebrity. Before one show, someone spotted a splinter in the stage’s wooden planks. He touched it, but then jerked back. “Owie, Mommie! I hurt.” When he showed his parents his charred paw, the mother saw Spots on stage. She called up to the famous dinosaur about her son’s paw, but Spots just shrugged his shoulders.

“Just a minor scrape.” He turned away, and then saw the white Pterodactyl over by the curtains. He shook his head, and flew away. Spots called to him, but he didn’t listen. Tears formed in Spots’ eyes. The charred Pterodactyl said he’d be on in three minutes. Spots sighed, nodding quickly.    

The concert went on into the wee hours of the night. Even Bundles was hooting and hollering. Spots smiled at her and quieted the cheering and whistling crowd. “You know what. I’m going to sing a song to someone I’ve known for a very long time. This special song is for my best friend.”   

As the crowd, especially Bundles, clapped and leapt for joy, Spots turned to White Pterodactyl, and waited for his congratulatory comments. But he didn’t come back. Spots pursed his lips and continued soaking in the applause and glory of the crowd. Afterwards, Spots grumbled about the white Pterodactyl’s absence. Charred Pterodactyl flew to him, laying a hand on his shoulder. Spots threw himself a beautiful pity party.    

“That was stupid!”

Startled, Spots’ cheeks burned red as he looked at Bundles. Tears formed in her eyes. “You’re nothing but a selfish dinosaur. You’ll never become great.” And she ran away, crying. Spots looked away. The volcano’s lava trailed down its rocky exterior.

Likewise, Spots’ own tears trailed down his face. “I’ve lost her. And it’s all because I haven’t been doing much growing up lately. He shook his head. “I’m just a dinosaur—with a family and a best friend.”

That night, Spots snuck from his cave home, meeting Bundles. “You’re still my best friend.” She punched him in the leg, and he winced. “But I don’t want to see you up there anymore.” Spots nodded sincerely, and heard a flutter of wings. He looked over.

His elbows propped him up, and his legs were crossed at the ankles. “So—how’s the show going?”

“Charred Pterodactyl’s...not that kind of friend anymore.”

"Guess not!" Bundles snapped at him. "Whoever this Charred animal is, you never should have listened to him." And before Spots or White Pterodactyl could stop her, she charged away. Spots didn't say anything. He knew he'd be a hypocrite if he called out her crying. The White Pterodactyl looked at Spots.

"What are you going to do, Spots?"

Spots took a deep breath. "I...I just..."

"Want to be noticed. I get it, Spots. All you've wanted is to be important. But blaming others for moving to a new location isn't going to get you there!" The white Pterodactyl leered at him. "It's all about you. Now, you're alone. Like you've always wanted to be."

Spots heard wings flapping. "Goodbye, White Pterodactyl. Thanks for the help."

A few days went by. Spots returned to this spot and looked out, hoping Bundles would be nearby. She wasn't.

"I guess..." He started trekking towards her home. Finally, when he got there, Bundles wanted nothing to do with him.

"Bundles, I've been selfish. I just wanted to be like everyone else--have something going for me. I guess, for me, it's performing. I'm sorry for ruining it for you. We're still friends, right?"

Bundles stayed quiet. She didn't look at Spots, but when he asked whether she heard him, she said yes. Spots waited.

"You know, I've always wanted a friend. Not someone too selfish to be my friend. That's not friendship." She walked up to him. "We're still friends. No matter what."

Spots swelled with relief. "Yeah...I'm really sorry--"

"Spots, no one's perfect. But we can at least do our best."

He nodded. "Let me give one last performance."

"Okay..."

This time, Spots just performed and sang a real song for Bundles. Everyone cheered and clapped--especially the White Pterodactyl. Bundles just gave a small smile.

Afterward, Spots galloped up to the white Pterodactyl. His ankles were crossed, and his elbows propped him up. "So--how's it going?"

"Great!" Spots nodded. "Won't Charred Pterodactyl have something to say about this performance? Besides, Bundles and I are friends. The show must go on!"

The White Pterodactyl nodded, icy blue eyes shining with hope again.