Rebel Ch. 06

Tom and Rebel walked back to the car, a few bags of groceries in tow. Rebel stopped at each and every stall on the way back-

"What do they have over here? Ooh! Can we get one of these? And what's that?" Tom could only smile as Rebel pinballed through the streets, the bright June Sun glittering on her blue sundress.

'I haven't seen her this excited since we came back from the farm.' Tom hurried to catch up to Rebel as she was inspecting wood carved trinkets at a stall. "I'll get you one souvenir while we're here, since we have a few dollars left."

Rebel was looking closely at a small wooden rocking horse, carved with love. "I want this one."

Tom handed the man at the stall five dollars, and the toy horse was wrapped and put in a cute little bag before being given to Rebel. She thanked the man with a smile and skipped ahead, toy horse in tow.

---

As they were about to get back to their car, Rebel stopped outside a store. "Hmm? What's up, Rebel?" Tom stepped up next to her, getting a look at the store. It was a cute little cafe and ice cream parlor, called Monica's. "Want a treat, Rebel?"

A small grumble came from Rebel's tummy, and she looked away in embarrassment. Tom opened up the door with a chuckle. "After you."

"But... But you already got me the toy horsie. We probably don't have much cash left..."

"It's alright. I've got enough for an ice cream or two."

"Are you sure?"

"Sure I'm sure! Head on in, Rebel."

"Okay..." She walked into the parlor and looked around. It was painted a bright white on the inside, with soft pink and pastel blue trim. A few cute girls in spotted chocolate chip brown dresses flitted about, cleaning up the shop and wiping tables. One of them smiled at them as they entered.

"Welcome in. Can we get you anything?"

"Oh, um... This is my first time here... I'll just look for now, I guess..." Rebel blushed.

Tom stepped beside her. "Thanks. What would you recommend?"

The girl walked behind the counter. "Our mint chocolate chip is a favorite. We also have great lattes if you'd prefer coffee."

Rebel was looking through the glass at the different ice cream flavors, when she stopped at one.

"Something catch your eye, Rebel?"

She nodded, pointing at the cookies and creme. "This one."

Tom went back to the lady at the counter. "We'll have a double scoop of cookies and cream, and I'll have a decaf with an apple cinnamon muffin."

"Sure, coming right up," the lady chirped. Rebel stepped next to Tom, rubbing her arm as they waited for their order.

"Hey, uh... Thanks. For today."

"Hmm? Yeah, of course."

"No, really. You didn't have to bring me out here. I'm just a hucow, after all. It kinda feels like I'm reaching, being in the city. I'm used to just giving my milk and staying inside all day."

"Yeah, well. Those days are over." Rebel looked up at him in surprise.

"We'll come back here every now and then. You don't have to be cooped up in my house every day. Oh, and here's our stuff. Thank you, miss!"

"My pleasure. Enjoy!" The two of them sat down at a small table near the window. Tom handed Rebel her ice cream cone, two large scoops generously topped with a chocolate wafer.

"Thanks..." Rebel took a small bite of her ice cream, and her eyes lit up. "Oh damn, this is really good!" She started licking and biting at her ice cream with gusto, licking at her fingers as it dripped. Tom smiled, taking a few sips of his coffee as he munched on his muffin.

---

"Ah, that ice cream hit the spot!" Rebel stretched her arms above her head, letting out a sigh. But before she could get up, someone came out from the back of the shop and caught her eye. "Is that...?"

It was a tall, statuesque woman, with dark, curly hair and a voluptuous figure. She had an easy smile, and the other girls giggled around her. Her voice was smooth and calm as she helped other customers, giving the shop a sense of warmth. But what really caught Rebel's eye-

"She's a hucow..." That's when Tom noticed small horns peeking through her curly locks, and the telltale wisp of a tail behind her.

"Would you look at that." He looked at the ice cream tubs, then back at her.

Then he blushed. "Does that mean...?"

"She's... manning the shop. She's a hucow and she's manning an ice cream shop." Rebel said, a hint of wonder in her voice.

"Hmm? I mean, sure. Is that unusual?"

Rebel looked down at her hands. "Yeah, it is. We... We're supposed to be livestock. We aren't supposed to have a livelihood on our own..."

"Why not? Can a cow not run a business or make her own money?"

"I... I never knew we could."

Tom looked around the shop. "Say, Rebel. Why not apply here?"

Rebel looked shocked. "Apply? Here? But... I mean.. I don't know anything about serving customers, or ice cream, or anything like that... Plus, how would I get here?"

"I'll take you. And after your first check, we could get you that motor scooter we talked about."

Rebel gulped. "R-really? Could I?"

"Of course. Why don't you talk to the cow lady? I'm sure it'll work out."

Rebel looked back at the woman, who just waved goodbye to a customer with a smile. "Okay..." With shaky legs, she stood up out of her chair and headed to the counter.

The taller cow looked at her. "Oh my, what a cute little cowgirl. Can I help you with something, sweety?"

Rebel fidgeted with her hands. "A-actually, I was wondering if I could, um.. Apply for a position here? If that's alright."

"Oh." The lady, whose nametag read Monica, looked over at Tom, who gave a friendly wave, and then back at Rebel, and smiled. "Sure, sweetie. How about you come in tomorrow at 9, and we'll talk about it?"

Rebel's eyes widened. "Really?"

Monica laughed. "Of course. I wouldn't mind having another cow helping out around here. Plus, more milk wouldn't hurt, and I'm sure the customers would love you."

Rebel blushed hard. "O-okay. Thank you! S-see you tomorrow, then."

"See you then, sugar."

Rebel grabbed her toy horse and hurried out the door, with Tom following behind. Tom waved at the employees before heading out after Rebel. "How did it go?"

"It- it went well. I guess I'm going back tomorrow morning, if you'll take me."

"Of course I'll take you. Aww, this is great, Rebel! Hopefully this works out."

Rebel walked back towards the car before spinning back towards Tom, her dress flipping in the breeze.

She gave a big grin. "Yeah, hopefully it does."