Just two more days thought Bobbi. Two more days and the Coffee Bean Parade will take place, and then I can get some of that delicious iced coffee I have been hearing so much about. I certainly hope it’s nothing like the evil hot coffee I was given last year. My poor throat still aches when I think about that experience. Content with his planning Bobbi curled up in his room and went to sleep.
“Time to get up Bobbi.” Bobbi’s mother called through the door “we wouldn’t want you to be late for school again.” Bobbi slowly unfurled from his bed and stretched as tall as his neck would let him. One final day of school he thought to himself and then its coffee time. Iced coffee definitely sounds better to me, he thought as he put on his Giraffe necked sweater laced up his shoes and headed off to school. I wonder if I could get my mother to let me sleep down by the parade route tonight. Entering the school, Bobbi cringed as he saw two other giraffes that had teased him since last years embarrassing coffee encounter.
“Bobbi the baby, Bobbi the baby.” They started to chant as he walked through the doors. Cringing Bobbi ignored them as best he could and continued down to his locker the voices of his one-time friends following him. “Bobbi the baby!” I wish they would stop being so mean. They are just jealous of me, I know it. Entering his first class of the day Bobbi hoped that he would be able to make it through his day without any further teasing from his one-time friends. Bobbi traveled from class to class struggled through his lunch period and sat through yet another lecture on life in the Savannah, as if he would ever need that. I’m going to open my own coffee place next year when I graduate. With that final thought in mind he headed home for a nice dinner of leaves and twigs.
“Mom, I’m home.” Called Bobbi as he walked in the door, “When is dinner I’m starved!” Ambling contentedly over to his room and happy to be at home he dropped his knapsack in the corner and looked at all his coffee posters. Some day soon I will own a place just like these he thought. “Mom?” Wondering why she hadn’t answered yet Bobbi headed out back to find his Mother busily collecting all the ingredients for tonights dinner.
“Bobbi, come help me clean these bugs off our dinner would you, seems we have a problem again.” She said as her long tongue removed more of the pesky insects.
“Sure Mom, I was wondering though. Would it be alright if I went into town after dinner. I want to get the best spot for the parade tomorrow.” Asked Bobbi as he helped his Mom clean off the branches. “Maybe we should call Ralph the anteater over Mom. He would love all these ants, then we wouldn’t have to do this everyday.”
“We aren’t talking to Ralph Bobbi. He found and ate all the chocolate-covered ants I made to give him for his birthday next week so he will just have to do without. You can head into town after your homework and chores are done tonight. Be careful this time I don’t want you to burn yourself again.” With that she turned and went back into the house leaving Bobbi alone with his thoughts.
As dinner drew to a close Bobbi cleared and washed the dishes making sure not to miss anything that could make his Mom change her mind about his going into town. “Mom I finished cleaning up is it ok if I go now?” He asked with trepidation.
“Yes Bobbi, be careful and have fun.” She answered quietly from the other room.
Off Bobbi went to main street to find the very best spot to watch the parade from. Conveniently located right next to the “Coffee Bean.” I can’t wait until this place opens he thought to himself. Soon the shop will open with their new iced coffee and then everything will be good in the world. A few hours pass uneventfully as Bobbi waits for the shop top open. He plays some games like Giraffe’s cradle and five card giraffe against himself. Finally, up walks a nice young woman wearing a barrister’s outfit and a name tag emblazoned with the name “Jenna”. “Excuse me,” asked Bobbi politely. “Will you be opening soon?”
“Why yes we will Bobbi!” Jenna replied smiling up at Bobbi. “Just as soon as I can get this door unlocked.” Bobbi watched patiently as Jenna fit the key into the lock on the door. He politely held the door open for her as she went inside.
“I’m so looking forward to this new ice coffee drink.” Bobbi said. “Last time I was here I got hot coffee and it hurt my throat terribly.”
“I was here that day, my first day and you made it memorable.” Answered Jenna as she began making Bobbi’s iced coffee. “This new ice coffee drink won’t do that to you since its not hot I’m certain you will like it.” Handing the drink over to Bobbi, Jenna stepped back to watch him enjoy it. Excitedly Bobbi grabbed the drink off the counter, placed the straw in his mouth then sucked it all down in one huge giraffe slurp.
Jenna watched as Bobbi’s eyes watered up and he squinted in pain. Tears began flowing down his long neck as he stumbled away from the counter in obvious pain. Calling out to his mother Jenna watched as Bobbi ran from the shop and down the street toward his home. “Giraffes can get brain freeze too, poor thing should really slow down when trying new things.” She said as she continued prepping her work space for the day whistling all the while.
The End