Page 24 of Serving my Dragon
“Oh. It’s time.” I flopped on the couch as the opening song came on for Papá en apuros.
“You like telenovelas?”
“I shouldn’t.” My rueful reply.
“They are terrible,” she agreed, sitting at the far end of the couch.
“Not educational at all.”
“Completely unrealistic,” she added.
But that didn’t stop us from watching, which was how Matias found me and Mama Lola, sitting on the couch, eating chips.
He walked in and said, “What’s going on?”
To which my newest servant said, “Shhh, mijo! Martin’s about to find out about Natalia’s baby.”
Chapter Eight
Since I knew better than to interrupt a telenovela in progress, I ended up on the couch with Polly and Mama, sucked into the drama on the screen. Once it ended, Polly hopped off the couch. “I must use the facilities. I shall return shortly.”
Yeah, my not-a-lizard used a toilet. How? I didn’t ask, nor did I want to know.
Once Polly was out of earshot, I glanced at my mother and said, “So I see you’ve decided to give Pollita a chance.”
Mama sniffed. “You should have told me this intelligent creature was not a mere lizard. Wait until the family finds out we have a dragon.”
“I don’t think you should be telling people about Polly. It could be dangerous to her.”
“As if our family would allow harm to come to this noble beast.”
“I’m more worried about the wrong person hearing we have a dragon and trying to kidnap her for nefarious reasons.”
“A valid concern,” Mama agreed. “But you do realize you can’t keep this secret forever?”
“I’m aware.” I had no clue how I’d be able to hide Pollita once she got to be a certain size. Not to mention, my family had a tendency to just drop in, and while I could advise Polly to hide and not talk to anyone, I doubted she’d listen. Look at what happened with Mama.
“I have returned,” Polly stated upon returning. She immediately clambered onto the couch, right into Mama’s lap. Mama didn’t even flinch. On the contrary, she gave Polly pets.
“I was just discussing with Mama how in the future if someone shows up you might want to keep the fact you can speak a secret for your own safety.”
“I’m not stupid,” huffed Polly. “Had she been a stranger, I would have been discreet, but this is your maternal progenitor. If she cannot be trusted, then who can be?”
“You took a risk, or have you forgotten Mama wanted to brain you with a broom?” I retorted.
“A misunderstanding,” Mama scoffed. “Which wouldn’t have occurred if you’d been honest. But no, the child I birthed, whom I sacrificed so much for, showed no confidence in me.” A melodramatic sigh followed.
Since I didn’t need a smack upside the head, I kept my eyes from rolling. “Well, I’m glad you’ve come to an understanding as this is Polly’s home now.”
“Speaking of home, she shouldn’t be here alone when you’re at work,” Mama stated. “You will bring her to me when you must be away.”
“Are you offering to dragonsit?” I intentionally made up a word as ridiculous as the situation.
“I am offering to ensure Pollita is taken care of, whether it be food or companionship. She has expressed an interest in learning more about our culture, as well.”
Honestly, the offer, while surprising, did relieve my mind to a certain extent. “I assume Pollita agrees with this arrangement?” I glanced at my not-a-lizard.
“I am most agreeable to the offer and look forward to it. Especially more of Lola’s cooking. I am hard-pressed to decide who is the better chef, as Kayleigh does quite well too.”
