I got me a Gatso. Finally. I thought it’d never arrive. It’s been a long time coming but now that its here I know everything is going to be all right. I know Mom and Dad will be happy that I did it and forgive me for pinching the credit card out of Mom’s purse after she went to sleep one night. What else could I do? I didn’t have the money to buy it myself. It would have taken two years’ allowance and I didn’t have that long. I suppose I could have asked them to buy it for me, but not really. First off, they’d have thought it was just another one of the silly toys like the Furby or my pet rocks. The Furby was really nice actually, a lot more fun than the pet rocks, that’s for sure. But after I’d snuck onto the computer that night a few weeks ago and just found Gatso by accident, I knew he would make the difference.

Not that you could really tell by the advert. It was actually very mysterious, but I knew how to read in between the lines. “All your dreams come true.” I knew what that meant. They wanted to do it anyway – I knew that – and all I had to do was get a Gatso and train him and he’d get them to love each other again. Rex used to do that before Dad threw that slipper.

I think that was what did it, back then. All three of us, Mom, Dad and I, loved Rex more than anything. I used to love to run in the backyard, chasing that silly boxer around, and having him jump up on my chest with his paws and lick me in the face. Mom and Dad of course said I shouldn’t let him do that, but I did when they weren’t looking. Sad thing was that it had nothing to do with Rex, really. He was just cuddled in the corner by the heat vent where he always did, and Mom and Dad had their worst fight ever that night. Dad didn’t throw the slipper at Mom. He just threw it. And it hit Rex in the eye. None of us could ever forget the sound he made from the pain. As much as I loved him I understood why we had to get rid of him. Every time Dad looked at the sunken eye pit, it all came back. I was sure if Rex left we could be happy again. Mom and Dad said he was going to a farm. I was happy because I knew they’d love each other again when Dad didn’t have to look at Rex. But things didn’t get better.

But now I’ve found Gatso. It’s been a few weeks since he arrived. I was real worried that Mom would be around when he came but luck was with me. The brown truck drove up and the guy let me sign for it without a problem. I ripped open the box before the truck had left the curb. And just like I thought, Gatso was adorable. I know some people would believe he’s just a ball of fabric and fur, especially older adults. They don't have their imagination anymore. But Mom and Dad will get it. They’re still young, although they are always saying they’re not.

I began his training that instant. I wasn’t sure exactly what to do, to be honest. I just knew that Gatso would help me figure it out. I kept him under my pillow and after everyone else was asleep I’d just talk to him for hours. I’d tell him what it was like when I was young and the folks and I did things together like go to the zoo, or the park. I told him all about the vacations to the lake. I even told him about Rex but I left out the last part. For the longest time Gatso didn’t do anything. I’ll admit for a while I was worried. Even the Furby learned faster. But that’s because the Furby was just repeating words. That would never work. It would take more than that. But last night Gatso let me know that he could fix everything.

So, starting tomorrow after they go to sleep I’m sneaking in their room and leaving Gatso there until morning. It’ll work, I know it will