Johnny's P.O.V

I walk down a different hallway than Karla to visit my dad.

"Name of inmate?" The officer asks.

"Big Daddy." I say with a gulp.

"Follow me." He leads me to the visiting room where there was only one cubicle left open. As I waited, I could hear the other inmates talking to their visitors.

"No, Mom I have not made any friends, whaddya think this is kindergarten?"

"If you hadn't squealed to the cops, I wouldn't be here right now..." My dad breaks my concentration when he sits in front of me. His expression shows he is not even the tiniest bit happy to see me.

"Where were ya?" He asks as calmly as he could muster.

"Um, well, thing is I went to get gas and um..."

"DON'T LIE TO ME!" He screams out, scaring both visitors and inmates.

"Um. I was at a rehearsal." I say truthfully.

"Rehearsal? For what?"

"I was at a singing contest." He looks at me in disgust. "Look Dad, I'm sorry, I just don't wanna be in your gang. I wanna be a singer-"

"Singer?"

"Look, Dad, no, it's okay, I can get the bail money, there's a prize, it's $100,000–" He thumps the desk and the whole room is silenced, which makes what he says next even more horrible.

"How did I end up with a son like you, eh? You're nuffin' like me. Ya never were.....and ya never will be." 'Ouch' He slams down the phone and rises from his chair.

"I'll get you out! Dad, wait! I'll get the money, I promise!" But my dad shows no sign that he heard me or cared that I am trying to get him out. I thank the guards and head back to the truck where Karla and I agreed to meet up. 'I can't believe that he said that. I mean I know things have been bad since Mum left, but I never thought he would practically disown me.'

"......meet.....your dad?" I vaguely hear, but I don't answer in my state of shock. "That bad, huh?"

I place my head in my hands, "He's wondering why he ended up with a son like me. All he seems to care about is-" I'm cut off by arms wrapping around my torso. I look down to see Karla's head resting on my chest. "What are you doing?" I ask, even though I am fine with the hug.

"What do you think, dummy? I'm hugging you. You seem like you need it." Her voice, slightly muffled by my fur. I wrap my arms around her and take in the hug. 'Huh, she smells like freshly fallen rain.'

"How'd that talk with Barry go?" I ask.

"He told me the same thing you did with a few more details. I told him that the sight of...my mom...bleeding and already being in jail was enough of a punishment for me. I don't think I will ever forgive them though." My eyes widened at that last sentence. She seems to feel me tense up, because she pulls back and looks at me. "Obviously, I don't include you in that. You proved you're not like them by checking on me in the hospital and stopping by the funeral. Which reminds me, how is it that you didn't even get a growl out of my dad?"

"Oh, I was about to leave your hospital room when your dad saw me. Of course he was skeptical about a random gorilla standing by his daughter's bed. After vaguely explaining things to him, he apologized then immediately almost passed out. Nothing really bad happened, don't worry. I called out for a nurse and helped her get your dad in the wheelchair. As I was leaving, I heard him say thank you, but I don't know for what." Karla steps back and laughs a bit. I look at her in confusion. "What's so funny?" She just laughs more and pulls down the tailgate so she can sit down. I sit next to her and when she finally calms down, I ask her again.

"My dad was thanking you for visiting me. He had too much on his mind with my mom being in a literal coma that he didn't have much time to check on me. When he slumped down the door frame, it was in relief that there was someone there for me." I blush a bit, good thing my fur is dark. "I will say that when my dad saw you again, he was angry that you never came back. I honestly think he was shipping us in his mind." As she says this, her fur turns pink as well. " I really think he may have hit his head too." I chuckle awkwardly at the thought of the girl I've ended up having a crush on's father, seeing a connection before we really became friends. I then remember what happened on the first day of rehearsal.

"Speaking of your dad, is he ok? You rushed out after the phone call so quickly." I ask.

Her ears lay close to her head, "He's fine, just exhausted. For the past year.....well he has.....um been tracking the sightings of your truck, trying to find out who was driving it." I look down in realization. "I know what you are thinking, and no I am not blaming you or Barry. My dad put himself in the hospital. I tried to get him to take care of himself. I guess the emergency visit really scared him because he has just about let the search go. He still isn't getting enough sleep, the hospital bill is weighing down on us both. I told my dad that I could take some extra deliveries to help, but he wants me to use that time to practice for the competition. I guess I could use the prize money to pay off the bill and send my dad on a vacation, if there is any left." Hearing this my heart almost stops. 'I was going to use the money to get my dad out of jail.'

"You want me to drop you off at home?" I ask, getting off the subject of the prize money.

Before she can answer, her phone goes off. She pulls it out and looks at the notification. "No, it's fine, I have to pick up an order at a restaurant down the street." She shows me the app.

"Chowpack? Isn't that one of the new food delivery apps?" (Chowpack is a name I made up. There is no app at the time of me publishing this with the name.)

"Yes, yes it is." She answers. "I added it as a side job when I was bored or off work for more than I'd like, then out of the blue they fired me, so now this is my only job." She jumps off the tailgate and grabs her things from the cab. She clicks her heels and skates away.

"Maybe someday I can say what you mean to me." I mutter. "I am really sorry about this." I add as I drive away.

It is long past dark when I arrive at my destination. I have been driving in circles debating whether this is a good idea or not. I climb into the second floor window to Mr. Moon's office. Right next to me, I see a chest that has a chain and lock on it, that I assume has the prize money. 'This is a little too light for $100,000.' Out of the corner of my eye, I see the audition papers and Mr. Moon's feedback. As if by fate, mine is on top. Raw talent. 'He really thinks that highly of me?' I wonder. I place the chest back in its spot and slowly move the papers till Karla's is shown. Amazing voice, full of emotion. 'He hit the nail on the head for her.' The light turns on and Miss. Crawly is almost scared out of her skin at me being in the room. "AAARGH!! (With 1 'R'.) Johnny- Oh, you, you gave me a fright there." She says trying to catch her breath.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to , I just- well, I know it's late but, well I could really use some extra piano lessons." I play it off.

As I practice the song, Miss. Crawly compliments me. "Uh huh! That's it! That's good! You're getting it!"

Karla's P.O.V

"Here you go sir." I hand off the food to my seventh customer that evening.

"Thanks kid. here you go, help you save up for a car." He hands me a $8 tip.

"Thank you sir, but I'm fine with my skates, besides I'm saving up for something more important." I take the money and walk down the sidewalk. "Ok any other deliveries I can make her phone and check the app. "Ooooo a large grocery order, and it's close by. I will take that." I tap the button to accept the order.