Chapter 8
Very carefully Alvin picked his way through the narrow tunnel. It was slippery and wet and cold, and he had to watch his step. He was tired of this tunnel and hoped it wasn't a dead end. Walking out of here backwards wasn't something he really wanted to do....not with all the twists and turns this thing took.
Alvin stopped for a minute to rest his legs. This was hard work and he was getting tired. "Why did I ever want to come down here?" he asked himself. "This is no fun at all." And he started forward again. Suddenly he stopped. He'd heard something....and it seemed very close.
Alvin listened carefully, trying to figure out what the noise was. "I hope it isn't those eyes things..." he thought with a little shiver. And then, suddenly, he knew what it was. It wasn't those eyes things....it was people!!! Those were voices!!! The boy had come for him!!!
Going as fast as his legs and the slippery floor would let him, Alvin hurried towards the sounds. At last he would be going home.
Rounding a bend, he suddenly found himself standing in what felt like a huge room. He couldn't see very much because of the bright daylight that dazzled his eyes. After a few moments his vision adjusted and he saw that it wasn't the boy he'd heard, but two men who were standing in the middle of the pool of light just at the bottom af a metal ladder that led up to an opening to the outside.
Alvin stood perfectly still, listening, trying to determine if they were the kind who would turn him into a belt or not. Finally he decided that he had to take a chance. He'd almost rather be a belt than go back into that tiny dark place again.
Slowly he walked towards the men, finally stopping a few feet away. He stared at them for a moment, then gave a tentative little squeak. They didn't hear him, so he did it again, louder, moving a bit closer this time, slapping his tail in one of the pools of water that lay here and there.
"Well....what have we here?" one of the men said leaning down to get a better look.
Alvin shook a little, then gave another little squeak, raising his head to stare back at the man.
The man studied him for a minute, then called his friend over for a look. The two of them stared at Alvin for a long moment, then one of the men smiled.
"Hey....it's Alvin!!" he said. "You know....that little alligator on all the posters!!"
His friend slowly nodded. "Well what do you know.....there really IS an Alvin. I thought it was some kind of joke. I mean alligators around here? But that's him alright. No doubt about it...."
Alvin couldn't believe his ears. Not only weren't they going to turn him into a belt, but they knew who he was!! What luck!! Now if they could just get him home....
"Say little fella, bet you'd like to be going home," the first man said. "And I'll bet you're hungry too." He reached into his lunchbox and pulled out a piece of a sandwich.
"Here, you eat this and I'll be right back. I know someone who will be mighty glad to see you again." And leaving Alvin to his food, the man climbed up the ladder and disappeared.
The boy got up and ran for the phone. He listened for a few minutes then, saying "Thank you...thank you!!!" he hung up and ran looking for his mother.
"Mom...MOM!!!!" he called, "It's Alvin!!! They found Alvin!!" he was so excited he could hardly get the story out, but he finally calmed down enough to tell his mother where Alvin was.
"Can we go get him now? Please Mom?? Please????"
"Of course we can." he mother told him. "Go get your brothers and and I'll get your sister and we'll all go." And that's what they did.
It was a short ride downtown and they quickly found the right place, but there was no sign of anyone around. They were just about to go searching when a man carrying a lunchbox popped out of the manhole followed by his friend.
"Are you folks here about Alvin?" he called, walking over to join them.
"Yes!!" the boy cried. "Alvin's my pet. Where is he? Is he alright?" The boy could barely contain his excitement at the idea of his pet being returned.
"He's right here," the man said opening the lunchbox. And there, curled comfortably inside was Alvin, looking rather well-fed and content.
"Alvin...oh Alvin!!" the boy cried picking up the little 'gator and giving him an affectionate squeeze. "I'm so glad to see you....."
Alvin gave a grumble of surprise at being so rudely awakened, but then he recognized the boy and began to squeak happily, wiggling all over. He was home!! He had never been so happy in his little life, and he couldn't wait to see his basement again. But he'd never NEVER go near that grate again. He was through with adventures and exploring. From now on he'd listen. He never wanted to be lost again.
The boy and his mother thanked the men again for finding Alvin and for taking care of him so well. Then they all got back in the car for the drive home.
As soon as he got in the house, the boy called his father at work and told him about Alvin being home again. His father was very happy to hear the news and promised to bring home a surprise for Alvin to celebrate his homecoming.
"Did you hear that Alvin?" the boy said to his pet, "Dad's bringing you a present!! Isn't that great?" At this, Alvin's chest swelled with self-importance. See? They HAD missed him....they WERE sorry for banishing him....he WAS great....
Alvin swaggered into the livingroom and curled up on the hearthrug. No more basement for him!! This was the life.....He sighed happily and dozed off.
He was awakened by the boy calling to him. "Alvin!!! Dad's home!!! Here's your surprise!!!" Alvin jumped up instantly. His surprise!! Oh BOY!! He scurried into the hall and stood expectantly.
"Here you are," the boy's father said, handing the boy a brown paper bag. "This is something Alvin really needs."
The boy opened the bag and looked inside. Suddenly he laughed and, reaching in, pulled out a little collar.
"Look Alvin!!" he said, bending down to pick up the 'gator. "It even has your name on it!!" And sure enough, there was a shiny tag that said "ALVIN" attached to the collar. In less than a moment the collar was fastened around Alvin's neck. It felt kinda funny.....
"Look Alvin...see how nice you look?" The boy held Alvin up to the mirror so he could see. And what he saw pleased him very much. The collar gave him a certain distinction....a certain air. He stood admiring himself, turning this way and that, squeaking in appreciation at his own reflection. He really was quite magnificent....
Later that night they were all sitting together in the livingroom, glad to have everyone back safe and sound. It was nice seeing Alvin patrolling the room again.
"Well Alvin," the boy said as Alvin sauntered past,"I guess your wandering days are over. Right Alvin....Alvin?"
But Alvin didn't hear. He had spied an interesting opening in the baseboard and was busy studying it.
"Hmmmm...." he thought, "I wonder where THAT goes? Maybe in the morning I can get this thing opened and go find out....."
"Oh no," the boy said, picking him up, "I'm not going through THAT again....From now on you're a homebound 'gator" and he put Alvin in his carrier and closed the door. But Alvin, being Alvin, was determined to go exploring again. And THIS time he'd do it right......
Text © 1995 by Eva Frizzi. Used with permission.
