Feeling neglected, Charlie ambled over. He ducked his head, rooting vigorously through the thick fur on his chest. "Charlie, what are you doing?" Lily asked, puzzled. Ignoring her, he persisted until—triumphantly—he lifted his head, revealing a small object clamped in his teeth! Shiny, circular, golden, it dangled from a red ribbon engraved "Best Surprise Actor." We gaped in astonishment.
The Final Secret
"Ch-Charlie?" Lily stammered, eyes wide on the medal. "Where... where'd you get that?" Charlie proudly shook it, securing it with his tongue before depositing it in Lily's palm. She examined it, torn between laughter and tears. "I had this engraved last week at the pet store... for after his performance..." She pointed to the ribbon's rough seam. "He found it himself!" Watching Charlie's expectant gaze, she chuckled tearfully. "Silly Charlie! Awards before the show?"
Birthday Preparations
Exhausted from the night's drama, we slumped onto the sofa, Charlie wedged between us, his head on my lap. Lily traced his medal. "Tuesday... your birthday..." she ventured timidly. "Should Charlie still perform?" Hope and lingering nerves colored her tone. I ruffled the ears of my medal-draped "actor." "Of course," I declared. "Our star's ready; the show must go on." Lily's smile bloomed—pure, unburdened relief I hadn't seen in weeks.
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