Squirrel Branch Meeting Gossip

*The Branch Meeting* Every afternoon at 4 o'clock, the old oak in the park held a branch meeting. On the left side of the limb sat Marbles named for his big, shiny black button eyes. He was soft, plushy, a little slow to climb, and very good at listening. On the right side sat Nutmeg quick, fluffy, white chested, with real claws that went click click on the bark. He was very good at talking. The park was in full autumn show off mode. Gold, orange, and red leaves drifting everywhere like confetti. "Okay, important question," said Nutmeg, swinging his tail. "If you could have unlimited anything, what would it be?" Marbles thought hard. His little stitched paws gripped the moss. "More of this," he said. "More sitting. More sun. More you being loud next to me." These squirrels are besties forever. Nutmeg snorted. "You'd waste unlimited wishes on sitting? I would wish for unlimited acorns the size of pumpkins!" "You'd never be able to carry them," Marbles said. "Details," said Nutmeg. Just then, a little girl on the path below stopped and pointed. "Mommy, look! Two squirrels talking!" The squirrels froze, perfectly eye level, paws on the bark, doing their best impression of very cute, very innocent tree decorations. The girl walked away, and Nutmeg whispered, "We are so good at being sneaky." "We are so good at being best friends," Marbles corrected. And they went back to sitting, chatting happily, while the autumn light turned everything honey gold around them.