Ernie unabashedly waved at the small children. Their mother glared at him. “Pervert.” she whispered under her breath. What’s that? he thought. It sounds mean, like “dummy”. He walked more quickly to catch up with his mother. His favorite part of taking their daily walks was the old man. Everytime he saw Ernie, he handed him a butterscotch. Ernie always remembered to say “thank you”, but still, the old man would shake his head, while clicking his teeth, and wiping a tear from his eye. Maybe, I took his last candy. he wondered thoughtfully.

He also enjoyed the times right after dinner, when his belly was full, and he was through with his bath. he would curl up next to his mother, and slowly left slumber take over his eyes. It was the time that he felt most loved and needed.