Chapter 14
From the texts of Ben & Melody
Ben: If you could transform yourself into any one animal at will, which one would you choose?
Melody: Well, that’s certainly an interesting question. What made you think of it?
Ben: I was chatting with a young fan about a book series she loved in which a girl was able to speak to animals and then eventually shape-shift into them. It made me curious which animal you would choose to shift into if you could only pick one.
Melody: Awww. It was really sweet of you to talk books with a fan.
Ben: Nah. It was sweet of her to care enough to want to talk to me about her favorite books. Now, back to my original question. Which animal do you think you would choose?
Melody: Hmmm . . . That’s a tough question. Let me think.
Ben: I’m happy to observe you’re giving this decision the gravitas it deserves. I think Millie, the little girl I was talking to, would approve.
Melody: I love that you know her name.
Ben: It seems only right since she knew mine.
Melody: <3
Melody: It’s a tough choice, but I keep picturing a Pegasus. There’s something about their magic and mythical beauty that appeals to me. They possess a purity, but also a great strength.
Ben: I can see that about you. It’s fitting.
Melody: Thank you. *blushing emoji How about you? Which animal would you choose?
Ben: While I think it would be really cool to explore the skies as a bird or survey the ocean as a dolphin or something, given that the Challengers’ team logo features two white-tailed deer battling for dominance with antlers locked, I think I would choose to be a buck.
Ben: I’ve wanted to play for the team since I was a little boy. So, I don’t know. Being a buck just feels right. Like it’s what I’m supposed to be.
Melody: Considering you were also born and raised in Illinois, it does seem kind of appropriate that you would choose to be the state animal.
Ben: You took the thoughts right out of my head, Pegasus. Clearly, you really are magical. :-)
Melody: *blushing emoji <3