Six Sentence Story: Novel

Caption: A clip-art blue ribbon that reads, "Most Unusual"

My dad was a junior high school science teacher, and I knew he was famous. Anywhere we went around town, current and former students would greet him. They were happy to see him, but they always asked how Richard was doing. My dad's name is not Richard. 

When I learned that "novel" was the prompt word for this week's Six Sentence Story, it didn't take long for me to select a topic:

I might only be 9-1/2 years old, but as soon as I saw the flier advertising the public library's upcoming pet show, I knew I had a fighting chance to earn a prize. Sure, I could take my goofy black lab, Prince, but those obedience school lessons had taught me that he and I were in about the same weight class, and if he wanted to go visit another dog, I would end up with sore arms (at the minimum) trying to keep him under control. No, better to go with a different pet, one that could be carried and that wasn't prone to visit other animals. 

While technically Richard was my dad's responsibility, my dad always was willing to share when I wanted to take Richard for show-and-tell, so I imagined this would be no different, and I was right. When the day of the pet show arrived, my dad transported Richard and me to the library, helped drape Richard's cool, dry body over my shoulders, and then children and parents alike said "ooh" as they noticed Richard. It happened just like I imagined, and I left the pet show that day with a certificate; apparently, a boa constrictor is a "Most Unusual Pet."