Ollie did his usual moan and groan because he had to go to school, but his grandmother reminded him that he has to learn in order to be what he wants to be when he gets older.
“I know Grammy but this school seems harder,” Ollie said.
“My dear boy, some things will be harder, but you just need to keep working at it,” his grandmother gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“I know and I will. See you both later,” Ollie said to his Grandmother and mom.
“Have a good day dear,” Ollie’s mom said.
Ollie walked up to Granger and pet him on the head, “I’ll see you later too, my good boy.”
Granger happily accepted the petting and then watched as his new buddy walked out the front door. Granger ran over to the chair that sat near the window and jumped up onto it. He looked out the window and meowed a loud meow. Ollie’s mom walked into the room and saw Granger looking out the window.
“It’s alright Granger, Ollie will be home later,” she said as she walked over to him.
Granger happily accepted the few strokes that she did to him and then he hopped down and followed her into the kitchen.
The day at school was going rather fast for Ollie. He always enjoyed the last forty-five minutes of the day because it was his art class. His teacher, Mrs. Mitchum instructed the students to create a picture that showed what they are thankful for. Ollie had no problem coming up with an idea for his picture. Even while he created it, he got noticed by a young girl who was recently transferred to his school.
“Is that your cat?” Nanci asked Ollie as she stopped by his desk.
Ollie looked at Nanci, “yes, his name is Granger.”
“He sure is a pretty cat. How old is he?” Nanci asked.
Ollie thought for a minute, “I don’t know, my grandma just gave him to me yesterday.”
“Oh, well, that was nice of her,” Nanci said and then proceeded to her desk.
Ollie looked toward the back of the room and watched Nanci as she sat down at her desk. She was the first child to show any kind of interest in him since he got to that school. When Nanci looked up and saw Ollie watching her, she smiled at him. Ollie quickly turned around and continued with his picture. By the end of the class, Ollie had his version of his mom, grandmother, and Granger in the picture. The title written was, I am thankful for my family.
When the school bell rang, everyone rushed out of the room. Ollie always waited until the rush was over before even getting up. Nanci also waited and then walked over to Ollie.
“Do you take the bus or do you live close enough to walk?” Nanci asked Ollie.
“I walk. I only live about a block away,” Ollie said.
“Me too. Which direction do you go?”
“Do you know where the animal shelter is?”
“Yes, I walk past there sometimes,” Nanci said.
“Oh, well, that way goes to my house,” Ollie explained.
“Do you mind if we walk together?” Nanci asked.
“Um, I guess not.”
Mrs. Mitchum was happy to see her two newer students becoming friends. As they walked towards her desk, they both held out their artwork.
“Oh, very nice Nanci. Family and food are wonderful things to be thankful for.
Ollie then handed his picture to her, “I’m thankful for my family too.”
Mrs. Mitchum smiled, “That’s real good Ollie. And your cat sure is pretty too.”
“Thank you Mrs. Mitchum. My grandma gave him to me yesterday.”
“That was a nice present wasn’t it?” She said and smiled.
“Yes it was. I hope that you have a nice Thanksgiving Mrs. Mitchum,” Ollie said.
“Thank you Ollie. I hope that you both enjoy yours as well,” Mrs. Mitchum smiled at Ollie and Nanci.
Ollie and Nanci walked down the hallway and out of the school building together. At first the two of them didn’t say anything until Nanci asked Ollie how long he lived there.
“We moved here about two months ago,” Ollie said.
“Oh, so you’re new also, huh?”
“Yeah, and you’re the first kid to actually talk to me.”
“It’s hard being the new kid, I know. Because of my dad’s job, we have moved three times already,” Nanci explained.
“Wow, I thought just moving once was hard. Hey look, there’s a new dog in the shelter yard,” Ollie pointed.
“Oh, he’s cute,” Nanci said.
Nanci and Ollie stopped and watched the new dog play with another dog for about five minutes. Then Nanci realized that she was probably expected to be home five minutes ago.
“Well, I turn down here Ollie so I’ll see you next week,” Nanci said.
“Oh, okay. Yeah, I should get home too.”
“Bye Ollie.”
“See ya Nanci.”
Ollie watched Nanci as she walked down the alley. It looked as though she went in through the back door of a small house. Since Ollie was still new to the area, he didn’t know that there was houses tucked in back there.
As Ollie arrived at his house, he seemed happier.
“Hi Mom, hi Grammy,” Ollie called out
The minute Granger heard Ollie’s voice, he ran down the stairs to greet him.
“Hi Granger, how’s my good boy?”
Granger rubbed all over Ollie’s hands while he tried to pet him.
Hi, Ollie, how was school today?” His mom asked.
“Not to bad today. I met a girl named Nanci. She lives not too far from us,” Ollie said while he sat down on the floor and petted Granger’s belly.
“Oh, that’s good dear,” his mom smiled and looked at Grammy.
“Good to hear that you are finally making new friends,” Ollie’s grandmother said.
“Yeah, she’s real nice,” Ollie said.
Ollie picked up Granger and hugged him tightly. His mom and grandmother were happy to see joy beaming from his face again. Hopefully after the unexpected move and hard breakup with his dad, Ollie might finally be feeling hopeful and happy again.
Please join me again for more of this story. If you would like to read more of this story please subscribe and let me know. Thank you and have a blessed Thanksgiving.
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