Mister Pepper's Secret (3 page)

“Oh, Angelina,” said Mia. “I heard the story
that Mister Pepper was telling Bubbles. I was able to understand
because of the magic red collar.”

“Yes,” said Angelina. “It was quite a story
wasn’t it?” And without waiting for an answer, Angelina took off
Mister Pepper's red collar and wrapped it around her wrist. She
kissed Mister Pepper on the top of his head and gently fastened the
old blue collar around his neck.

“That’s all the secrets we’re telling for
now, right Peps?” She turned to Mia, and remarked at what a big
crowd there was at the barbeque.

She asked Mia to keep Mister Pepper’s secret
and to check every once in a while to make sure that Mister Pepper
was happy. Mia wasn’t sure she would be able to tell. They paused
to listen to the sound of children laughing near them. Angelina
said she had the deepest faith that she would. After all, why would
she bother telling Mia secrets if she didn’t think Mia was
special?

“Now I really must find my aunt, and ask her
to help me with my lines. She used to be an actress, you know.”

Mia hadn’t known. There were so many
surprises this evening—she was beginning to feel dizzy.

“By the way, we moved on from animals. I’m
rehearsing ‘Romeo and Juliet’ now—can’t you tell? Oh, Aunty,
Aunty—wherefore art thou, Aunty?”

Angelina walked with a flourish to where Mrs.
Goldenrod was sitting. She whispered in her ear and they both left
towards the ninetieth street garden door. Angelina turned and blew
kisses to Mia and shouted, “Parting is such sweet sorrow…” and with
laughter dashed out the door, gently pushing her aunt ahead of
her.

“Oh, Bubbles,” sighed Mia, as she looked back
to where the children were still laughing and petting their new
statue friend. “Oh, Mister Pepper! Astor Court is such a magical
place. Come on, Bubbles, let’s get some watermelon.”

In the following winter, Mrs. Goldenrod
passed away peacefully in her sleep. She was ninety-two years old
and talked to her household friends up until the very end. She left
all of her furniture to Angelina who was at a loss as to what to do
with it. Angelina thought carefully about the matter and finally
donated it to an animal rescue group so it could be used to help
save animals.

Not long after Mrs. Goldenrod’s departure, a
graduate student moved into her apartment. Mia saw her some
mornings in the elevator, carrying a tote bag full of books. She
usually looked deep in thought, but would always smile.

Mia and Bubbles stopped to say hello to
Mister Pepper every day, no matter what the weather. They had
become fast friends. Mister Pepper ended up having many other
people who would greet him each day.

As for myself, I have lost a brick or two
somewhere. They’re probably in the process of becoming something
else. I hope that whatever it is, they will be useful—and
happy!

My story is over. Mrs. Goldenrod said it
best—if people would be polite to their friends, as well as their
enemies, the world would be a better place. And I would like to
add, polite to things of the world that don’t breathe or move. One
never knows how a little polite attention can make all the
difference to that brick, or furniture, or statue…

Marian Hailey-Moss is a former actress and a
semi-retired psychotherapist She champions the humane treatment of
animals, veganism and lives in New York City. The story was
inspired by the statue that her actress friend Lenore Harris gave
her and by a foster dog named Pepper.

About the Artist

MARC CHALVIN is a Parisian artist who fills
his drawings and his animations with life, whimsy, and wisdom. Marc
feels they speak for themselves.

Special Thanks

to

Abandoned Angels Cocker Spaniel Rescue, NY

Other children’s books by
Marian
Hailey-Moss

Teatime with Sophie

A Palace for
Peepers

(with
Andrea End)

A Dog Named Randall

(with
Mark Wilk)

Milky Whey’s Dream

An Elephant Called Butterfly

(with
Lois Meredith
)

An Elephant Called Mira

PEACEFOOD

Available at Amazon