10/31: The Grave

Walcome,

It isn't every day that other animals seek me out. But today, while lounging in the dirty dirt among the grassy green ferns, Ah heard someone call out my name.

Beeaannss

Ah'd never heard this voice before. It was slow and soft, like maybe it was hard to breath. And maybe just a little spooky.

Beeeeaaaaansss

Ah searched and searched, calling back, "Friend, where are you, friend?" Just when Ah was about to give up, assuming it was my imagination, Ah heard the voice again. This time MUCH closer.

BEANS

Startled, Ah turned to see a worm right at mah paws! "Hello friend, so nice to meet you! Or, have we met before? How do you know my name?" Ah asked.

Miss Worm was clearly tired from trying to find me and having a hard time talking, so Ah leaned in to hear her better.

"Beans, Mr. Squirrel told me your name. He has a message for you."

Mr. Squirrel?! Ah didn't understand, Mr. Squirrel had died last year in August! Ah remember attending his funeral and when Lé Toots rolled around on his fresh grave.

Miss Worm then told me her name was Vilma Vorm and that the message came from the grave.

"Yes. I've been slowly turning his remains back into dirt, so I've gotten to know him quite well. The last thing he told me, right before I ate his face was about you and how you promised to look after his acorn stash. Mr. Squirrel wanted to thank you and to tell Toots, he forgives her."

Ah was speechless. Mostly at the idea of Vilma Vorm eating faces. And probably butts, too. Ah thanked Vilma for the nice message and for coming so far to tell me. Ah asked Vilma if there was anything else Ah could do for her or Mr. Squirrel.

"Next time, put flowers in the grave." And with that Vilma Vorm slowly crawled back into the dirt.

That night, under the light of the full moon, Ah told Toots all about Vilma eating Mr. Squirrel's face and butt and that Mr. Squirrel had a message for her from his grave. Upon hearing this, Toots' eyes widen and her ears flattened. She looked very scared and right as she was about to respond, there was an eruption of sharp squirrel shrieks from outside the window.

CHEEEPPKKEEEEE-EEEEOOO

"Whoa, that was spooky, wasn't it Toots? Toots?" But Toots had scurried under the bed in fright.

Ah poked mah head under the bed to see a frightened Sissy. Ah told her not to be scared, even though it was Halloween on a full moon and worms were eating squirrel flesh, Mr. Squirrel forgives her. Lé Toots softly whispered, "Merci, Silly One" but remained under the couch for the rest of the night.

Hae a ghoul night,

Beans