A moment later Mona landed with a ploomph on his upturned bottom shell. “OOOOOOOOH!” Mona said. “OOOOOMPH!” said Baxter. A little breathlessly Baxter asked Mona if she was okay. Mona responded with a nod and a coo, then remarked upon the attractiveness of his undersides.
Baxter blushed, his cheeks turning a rich shade of jade green. “Ah Mona. Do you think maybe you could help me turn over,” he asked, his four legs and tail fanning about helplessly.
“Oh, of course, silly me,” she answered. “And thank you Baxter, for coming to my rescue.” Mona expressed her dismay over her condition and also the state of the community birdbath. Baxter thought it would be a good idea to talk it over with Toad. Toad was respected throughout the neighborhood for his accomplishments and his wisdom. He was sort of the godfather of critters in those parts. As Mona felt she couldn’t rely on her wings, as all of the slime and goop had dried into a gooey crust, Baxter offered to carry her to Toad’s house.
You might think that Mona would prefer a more expeditious mode of transport under the circumstances. But a ride from Baxter turned out to be just the ticket.
Mona climbed on top of him with a little titter. Baxter set off in that slow steady way of his.
She found herself enjoying the slow, rhythmic ups and downs. She liked the feel of his hard polished shell beneath her. Mona stretches out her long, beautiful neck and coos languorously. She spreads her wings and says, “Ooooh Baxter. You’re so strong.” He smiles turning an even deeper shade of green as the blood rushes to his head.
7.