“Of course you’re my best friend,” he practically exploded as he finally turned around to face me. “You do so much nice stuff for me. You got me my tree houses and my TV and Carla and everything. We always have so much fun together, even though sometimes I spoil things by being a bad raccoon.”
I shook my head sadly. I’m the one who brought him to this point—me and only me. “You’re not a bad raccoon, but I’ve been a bad friend. I’m sorry. Somehow I got it into my head that Alpha was using you to get to me. When he helped you join AA so soon after threatening to ruin the wedding, I was certain that you were a big part of his evil plan.”
Pringle crept out of his corner on all fours and tilted his head in question.“Who’s Alpha? I don’t know any Alpha.”
“You specifically told me, by name, that Alpha had suggested you join AA. Don’t you remember?”
“Oh, I must have misspoken then. It wasn’t Alpha, but it was a guy with a military-type name. You know the one who always comes around with his daughter, Abigull? Remember how I rescued her and saved the day? That was one of my great moments.” He stared into the distance, as if remembering fondly.
“You’ve had a lot of great moments,” I told him, unable to believe what he was revealing to me now. “But back up a sec. Are you saying it was Bravo who helped you? Not Alpha?”
“Yeah, I don’t know an Alpha. Or, oh wait! Was he the guy who killed all of Abigull’s flock? If so, that dude is bad news! He’s definitely not allowed in our yard. If I saw him, I would chase him off or—or I’d shoot at him with Carla!” Carla was his Nerf gun that he used for causing trouble more than anything else. It probably wouldn’t hold up as an actual weapon, but I did like that he was trying to look out for me. Still, I couldn’t believe that all my paranoia and cold-shouldering had been because of a simple confusion over names. I should have known better, and I should have trusted both Pringle and Nan when they told me he wasn’t to blame.
“Can you ever forgive me, Pringle?” I asked, unsure whether I actually deserved a fresh chance with him.
“Of course I forgive you!” the raccoon shouted happily, rising to his hind legs. “I was never mad. Just my feelings were hurt is all. I really thought we weren’t best friends anymore.”
I reached out my fist, and the raccoon bumped it with his much smaller hand.“We’re still besties. Maybe one of these days you can tell me more about your twelve-step program and how you’re making amends. Seems I could take a page or two from your book, Mr. Pringle.”
He jumped up and then scampered to the other corner of his fort.“Which book? I found this one in the trash a couple weeks ago!” He waved a copy of a book with a blue cover calledMerlin the Magical Fluff.“Seriously, I don’t know who would throw this beauty away. Look at this awesome cover! You can borrow it if you want.”
“Haha, thanks,” I said, accepting the paperback. I wasn’t sure how much time I’d have to read on my honeymoon, but I could always read it after. Then I got an even better idea. “What if I read it to you so we can enjoy the story together?”
Pringle steepled his fingers and looked up at me with what could only be described as puppy-dog eyes.“Really? You would read it to me?”
“Of course. It doesn’t look like the chapters are very long, so we can start right now with the first one if you’re ready.”
His pointed smile widened, but he shook his head.“No, not right now. It’s your big day. Besides, you still have to open my present!”
“Your pres—” I stopped short. “I think I saw it on the gift table. It was the one wrapped in tra—um, in newspaper, right?”
He pointed at me and nodded.“Right-O. So what do you think? Can you open it right now?”
“There are a lot of people around who shouldn’t know that you and I can talk. It could put us in danger, but if you want, you can tell me what it is,” I suggested. The last gift Pringle had given me was a diamond ring, so really this could be anything.
He jumped up and down with excitement.“Good, because I can’t wait any longer. It’s been so hard keeping this a secret from you, bestie!”
I laughed at his enthusiasm. It felt good to be here with him and put all my doubts and worries behind me. I’d been so mean to him, and yet he harbored no ill will. All he’d wanted was my approval. Animals were better than us in that regard.
“Tell me,” I prompted, knowing I’d love whatever he’d gotten for me since it had truly come from his furry little heart.
“It’s my namesake,” he exclaimed.
I kept my expression neutral as I tried to puzzle it out.“A can of Pringles?” I guessed.
“Not justa can of Pringles,the can of Pringles. I was pretty much born in that can. My mother had just fished it out of the trash when she felt me and my two sisters getting ready to be born. She took the can and ran into the woods, but she didn’t make it to the den in time. She had us right then and there, and then she packed us into this baby and carried us back to our home, safe and sound.”
“Pringle,” I gasped. “That’s a beautiful story. But are you sure you want to give me something so important?”
“Surer than sure,” he agreed. “My mom might not be here anymore, but the day after she and my sisters were hit by that speeding car, I found the hole under your porch and moved in. I was so sad missing them, but then I met you, and my life got happy again.”
“I’m glad you found that hole under my porch,” I said tearfully, both from the kindness of this gesture and the tragedy of his backstory. I’d never heard it before, but now that I knew about his past, I thought I understood him a little better than before. And I definitely knew I could try harder to live up to the lofty title he’d entrusted to me.
Best friend.
EPILOGUE
I woke up the next morning floating on a cloud. A lady doesn’t tell, but let’s just say the wedding night more than lived up to expectations.
I was more in love with my husband than ever and couldn’t wait to spend the next ten days with him, free of work and family obligations as we kicked off our new life together.
We’d spent last night in his house so we could have some privacy, but I wanted to swing back and say goodbye to everyone at my place before we officially took off.
Everyone was up and waiting, eager to show me all the wonderful photos they’d snapped the day before. I looked forward to seeing them, but it would have to be later. At least ten days later.
“I love you,” I told the group that comprised Nan, Grant, Grandma Lyn, Mom, Dad, Mags, Sharon, and Christine, plus five mostly happy cats and one very excited little dog. “But we’ll have to catch up once I’m back. Bye!”
Charles picked me up in his arms and carried me over the threshold—albeit moving in the wrong direction of what tradition dictated, the goof. He delivered me to the passenger side of his car and opened the door with a sweeping, knightly gesture. “My lady.”
I giggled as I clicked my seatbelt into place.
My husband started up the car, and everyone gathered on the porch to wave. Nan even waved Paisley’s little paw for her. Best of all, I could see Pringle hiding just around the side of the house, jumping up and down and waving with both arms.
“Shall we, Mrs. Longfellow?” my husband asked from beside me, a huge grin gleaming on his handsome face.
“We shall, Mr. Longf—Aaaaah!” I shouted in surprise as a giant blob of white hit the windshield right in front of me.
I unbuckled myself, opened the door, and bolted out just in time to see a flash of white flying over the house.“Hahaha,” Alpha cawed in victory as he moved out of sight. “Nailed it!”
Well, poop.
It looked like he’d gotten his revenge, after all.
17. HONEYMOON HEARSAY
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My name is Angie Longfellow. Yup, it’s official as of the day before yesterday. I’m a married woman, who is currently headed toward a luxury honeymoon destination with new hubby at her side.