Last week I made my usual late afternoon call to the Big B and received some bad news.
"I think Ghost Face Killah might be dead."
"What?!?"
"I saw a white squirrel in the road on my way home today, just south of our house."
"Oh no! What about Blondie? What will she do?"
"I hope it's not him but I haven't seen either of them yet today."
As crazy as it seems, we've become attached to Blondie and Ghost Face Killah. We don't feed them (unless tossing old hamburger buns in the backyard is considered feeding them), and generally our interactions are limited to us trying futilely to get a decent picture of Blondie. Nontheless, we are prideful of our mutant squirrel couple and want them to do well.
We anxiously kept an eye out for both of them over the next few days. We saw an albino squirrel but were unable to determine if it was Ghost Face or not. Typically we identify him by his proximity to Blondie but she was no where in sight.
Sunday, Father's Day, I'm snoozing away in bed when B's alarm goes off, waking him up early so he can go discgolf with his father. He gives the customary kiss goodbye and I was already on my way back to visit the Sandman when I hear him clomping up the steps in that heavy-footed way he has.
"I just saw Ghost Face in the front yard! He's alive!"
I think I mumbled something appropriately excited and happy, but I have never claimed to be a morning person and I remember thinking, "He came all the way back up here & woke me up just to tell me a squirrel's still alive?"
Later, however, I was able to appreciate just how much these squirrels mean to us, if the Big B made a special trip just to tell me he was alive.
Earlier this week he spotted them both, doing their usual squirrel-y things and the Big B's grin was wide and bursting with happiness.
Chitter away, mutant Blondie and Ghost Face Killah. We know you don't listen to us (as evidenced by Blondie's refusal to stay away from the street no matter how much B implored and begged you) but we hope you know that at least two humans care for you.
5 comments:
That was a beautiful story. I too find myself caring for these gasta rappin' squirrels.
It's a human thing is it not? to like and take an interest in other animals large and small. I guess that's how humankind came so far in such a short time?
I think it's especially compelling for us because they chose our birch tree to live in, and I have a soft spot for things that are a bit strange like me.
I just need to ensure my dad has no weapons on him when he visits because he is a squirrel hunter to the bitter end!
Loved it :)
Not only because my father-in-law LOVES squirrels (which, for a stoic Vietnam vet is something cute), but because when I moved into this house 4 years ago, we saw our own little albino squirrel. He must've found a more comfortable home down the road a bit thought, because he was only around for about a week. I'm going to have to dig up a pic of him.
Ricky--You should I'd love to see how your albino compares with our Ghost Face.
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