reflection

“Loki, please,” I begged, hoping he would consider and ponder on his rebellious nature and, for the first time, have some mercy on me and give in to my request, but to no avail.

“Loki, how about I give you some treat after we are done,” I tried bribing him, but the little evil of mischief doesn’t intend to move an inch, fully determined to defeat me anyhow today.

If you are wondering what is happening, then let me enlighten you. These are all the tantrums the 6 month tundra wolf Loki threw tantrums to avoid grooming as always.

I have been trying to drag him to the bathtub for the past five minutes, but he is very precipitant not to move an inch and stay on his ground.

I straightened up and heaved a tired sign as my back had started hurting from all the bending I was doing. For six month he sure is a little too heavy. Actually, bigger than the most tundra wolves you find out there in the wild.

As much as I wanted to throw a fit myself and give up, I couldn’t. First, Loki desperately needs grooming. Next, I need money. Finally, fed up with his tantrums, I rested both my hands on my hips and narrowed my eyes into thin slits in an attempt to intimidate the stubborn fur of puff.

Loki produced a small noise almost sounding like a snort, as if he finds my actions stupid rather than threatening. It was almost like he was mocking me. That was all it took for my ego to get hurt. I attached the loop of the groomer’s helper around his neck and began dragging him towards the bathtub.

It didn’t take him long, as he was instantly wailing and thrashing, trying to avoid his upcoming fate for which he had been fighting so hard with me for the past six, seven minutes. Loki has always been exceedingly vocal with all his backchat, crying and resistance to how much he hates grooming, but today his hissy fit was on another level.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the neighbors called the animal crime officers to have me arrested for animal abuse. If I didn’t know better, I myself would have assumed this bratty wolf was being tortured. I rolled my eyes at how dramatic he was being.

Next moment a sly smile decorated my lips. This small brat must have thought he was actually going to win against me. It took everything in me not to let out a terrifying loud laugh. The usual villain laughs. Evil and scary. But sure, I did mentally pat my shoulder proud of myself.

Finally, I also managed to attach the end of the chain to the metal pole so that he couldn’t move, escape or attack me while I was dealing with him. Though I doubt he will ever attack me.

For someone who has such a problem with bathing, he sure hasn’t even tried to bite me or harm me in any way. But just to be on the safer side, I will always tie him up.

He might not be physical with me, but yes, he doesn’t hesitate to let out a series of curses, of course, in his own language, but he is forgiven for that. As there is a saying, what you don’t know doesn’t hurt.

Defeated, he let out a howl before deciding to capitulate to his fate. Loki stands on a ledge and keeps hugging it as if his life depends upon it. I let out a giggle at the action. He is adorably evil.

I wet his beautiful white and grey fur with warm water spray. Once the fur was wet enough. I took a shampoo and began to massage his fur. I gave him a deep conditioning treatment and then proceeded to rinse him.

I towel dyed him and then blow dyed him. He had some matting, so after blowing him. I brush him with a metal toothcomb, as regular brushes don’t work well with mats. After that, I de-shed him and then finally clipped his nails, shaved out his pad and he was done.

My shoulders slumped in relief.

Finally....

************

“Loki, my boy looks handsome. What do you think, Ocean?” Miss. Weed complimented as she slid her head in my direction, averting her attention from a very pissed-looking Loki who was sprawled right next to Mrs. Weeds leg.

“He does,” I agreed, and he actually did.

“She-wolfs are gonna swoon all over our Loki now. Should we start expecting some grandchildren now?” Miss. Weed said with a teasing grin on her face.

Loki shot up on his four looks back and forth between me and Miss. Weed before snarling at both of us and walking out of the hall. We both burst out in fits of laughter. The way Loki acts as if he understands everything. It wouldn’t be wrong to say a human soul who is trapped in a wolf’s body. The only difference is that this human soul must hate sanitation.

“Thank you, Ocean. I would appreciate it if it wasn’t for you. I don’t know what I would do,” Miss. Weed said. Her words dripped in sincere appreciation.

“No problem, Mrs. Weed. I’m glad I could help,”

Despite Loki’s arrogance, I loved him with all my heart, but the main reason for me to be here is my own monetary needs. It is not easy for nineteen years old to survive in this harsh world. I had no one to rely or lean on. My life wasn’t as easy as most of the teenagers out there. Or if I had to put

I can’t demand to ask my parents for some cash like most teenagers do when they are short of a few dollars. I knew what puberty could do. I knew what not having a roof under one’s head was. I knew the pain of starvation. I knew how difficult it is to stay up all night.

Life has always messed me up in the worst way possible, but I wasn’t going to let it win, no matter how powerful its cards were.

“How many times do I have to tell you to call me Ashley? Mrs. Weed makes me sound old and I must be three or four years older than you.”

Did she mean thirty-nine years?

“Okay Mrs. W- I mean Ashley,”

“That’s more like it,” She winked at me.

For someone with the body of fifty-eight, she sure has the soul of a twenties. I have seen male strippers coming out of the mansion, but who am I to judge? A part of me understands her; being cheated by the person with whom she vowed to live happily ever after and let’s not go to her children; they are the blood-sucking leeches.

They are only here when they are in need of money or any ulterior motives. Even though a mother got weak because of her love for the child, I am glad she didn’t take back the pathetic excuse of her husband. She is a tough nut to crack with a soft heart and I admire her for that.

My chain of thoughts got broken by Ashley’s “Why don’t you stay here tonight? It’s getting late.”

“I wish I could, but I have to work tomorrow early in the morning and if I stay here, I’ll not be able to make it on time,” I politely declined.

She lets out an exaggerated sign, almost too dramatic, as Loki is “I want to stop you but knowing you all this while I’m sure you are going to get back anyways,”

She opened her Louis Vuitton purse and produced a few dollars before stretching it out in my direction. I carefully took it from her and realized it was way too much. I craned my neck up.

“I can’t take this, it’s too much,” I exclaimed, holding all the extra dollars back.

I might need money, but I am not greedy. I believe in hard work, not easy money. I don’t mind working. Have never.

“Ocean, you are going to take it and that’s final.”

Despite wanting to defy it, the look on her face had me zip and slightly nod my head in agreement. Ashley can be scary when she wants to be. Her rigid face quickly dilutes into a cheerful one, pleased with the response. She is for sure bipolar. I can bet 100 dollars on that.

“Okay, I’ll tell Peter to get the car ready to take you-” I opened my mouth to protest but Ashley being Ashley, didn’t let me “- and I don’t want to hear anything from you. You are going to be a good girl and walk straight out and climb into the car because I have no energy to argue with you back and forth for minutes only to have you inside the car. And I would have asked you for dinner but sure you are not going to have it,” she said in one go.

It was a miracle that she was able to speak without choking her breath.

“But I have some groceries to shop on the way home,” I tried reasoning with her.

" It’s even better that way you don’t have to carry all the groceries till you get home,”

I stared at her for a few seconds before producing a small smile which Ashley reciprocated without wasting any time.