Dave

Ashley had driven you in her car so you load everything in and she drives to your apartment. You lead the way across the parking lot with Tibby beside you on the right and Ashley at the back. She's holding up the garbage bag so that it won't drag on the ground. By following in your footsteps she can avoid obstacles.

The group hasn't travelled too far before you hear footsteps thumping in your direction. "Hey, John! I thought that was you!" You look to your left to see your friend, Dave, running towards you. "Good to see you. What are you doing here?"

"I just moved in, getting ready to start college soon."

"Oh yeah? Ready to meet some fresh girls? You just had to move here to get away from that controlling, bossy bitch, Ashley, didn't you?"

At that Ashley lowered the bag. "Hey! I am not..."

"Oops. Guess not. Too bad for you, bro. She'll prevent any girl from getting near you." Dave grinned. "She's like one of those signal guys at the airport with her lit sticks in a big X. Who needs a bouncer when you've got her around?"

Ashley is fuming. "Dave, you creep. I don't know how John can stand you."

It's time to step in. "That's enough of that. I know you guys don't like each other and I can't understand why. Dave, Ashley is not controlling. Ashley, Dave is just..." That's as far as you get before Dave interrupts you.

"Oh, and who do we have here? Ashley let another girl get near you? Oh, and she's a pet! When did you get a pet, John? She's yours, right?" Dave circles around to greet Tibby. One hand, his right hand, cups a breast while the hand you can't see reaches down and runs up her leg and under her skirt.

"Dave, you greet a pet by shaking her hand, not her boobs." You do not have a happy face. "Dave, this is my new pet, Tibby. Tibby, this is Dave. He's a friend of mine."

"But not of mine," Ashley pipes in.

"Nice to meet you," Tibby says as she sticks out her hand for a handshake.

"Dave. Hands." You say. "Now."

"Oh. Yeah." Dave moves his right hand to shake her hand. He's had to step back to do it and withdraws his left hand from her skirt. "Nice to meet you too."

Ashley rustles the garbage bag a little bit. "Well, Dave, it's been a slice, as always, but I'm sure you have places to go. We don't want to keep you. Really. I will never keep you. And this bag is getting heavy."

You add, "Yeah, I'll see you 'round sometime."

"See you 'round, dude. Maybe I'll see you later too, cutie. Hopefully I won't see you later, bag-lady."

"You won't if I see you first."

As Dave walks away, Tibby turns to Ashley. "I'm sorry. I thought I'd give you the bag because it's really light."

Ashley just winks at her. "It is. Balloons, remember? I just wanted to get rid of that creepy octopus. Are you OK?"

You want this answer too. "Yeah, are you?" She seems too precious to be manhandled by strangers.

Tibby nods and shrugs. "Yup. I'm a pet who likes being petted. You guys were here and he's your friend so it wasn't scary."

Ashley's brows are furrowed. "If ever you and your owner are hanging out with him, stay away from him. If he tries to get you to do something, let your owner know. And if ever he makes you feel uncomfortable, talk to me, OK?"

"OK. Did he touch you?" your pet asks. You want to hear the answer to this question too.

"Not as much as he touched you. But when we were in high school I saw him bug other girls to get what he wants and he doesn't like to take no as an answer. He's relentlessly persistent. And that's girls. I don't know what he'll think he can get away with with a pet."

You start walking to the apartment building again, knowing that they'll follow. You can't believe Dave touched your pet first.