RAMBLINGS OF THE MIND
“That’s exactly why I don’t agree with monogamy. It can create conflict among friends, disharmony in the troops. Why should we change what has been handed down to us by our great-great ancestors?” Haig, the oldest of the group lectured, ready to go into his usual lengthy soliloquys.
Tubby was unnervingly quiet, staring blankly at nobody in particular. When he finally spoke, everybody stopped talking.
“I want a full investigation done immediately. Haig, I want you to lead the team, and report to me every 3 hours, until a trial is ready. I want to make sure that all suspects are given their full rights to defend themselves. You have 5 days,” Tubby said with such conviction and authority that nobody dared ask questions.
One by one the leaders left the tree-house of Tubby.
Haig was the last to leave. Was he smiling? Tubby thought he was, but dismissed the idea immediately and focused his attention on the matter at hand - Spikes.
Back at the park, Spikes looked down at the man who rushed to the body of Tubby’s son. Spikes held back his tears as the man
looked up to him, then back to the dead body, then back to him, as if making his conclusions that Spikes somehow has something to do with the death of the monkey. If they only knew.
Spikes’ prehensile tail was wrapped around the branch of the tree, holding tight, squeezing it. He can feel his body contracting, convulsing, erupting, and exploding into spasms which became stronger and stronger until the tree was swaying back and forth.
"How can something so good have a consequence so bad that it negates the whole thing?” Spikes asked himself. The idea of finding and mating with a single partner, raising offspring together, made a lot of sense to Spikes, as it did to Tubby’s eldest son, Dave.
Dave and his wife were a model couple in the troops. The vow that they gave to each other did not contain an “if.” Dave loved her, played with her, and through it all he stayed with her.
During gatherings, they were always asked to speak about loyalty and faithfulness to a partner. Many followed their example. But what made all the other troops envious of Spikes was the unity among the members in the troop.
During gatherings, they were always asked to speak about loyalty and faithfulness to a partner. Many followed their example. But what made all the other troops envious of Spikes was the unity among the members in the troop.
Many despised Spikes. Even more hated him. But the one who hated him most was Haig. He lost some of his female members of the troops because they followed Spikes. He blamed Spikes for the decline of his troop.
Even some of those who stayed started to mate with just one partner, including his son, Gino, who openly disagreed with Haig arguing they were only opposing Spikes because of their promiscuity.
The sound of siren brought Spikes back to reality. Down below, the man called for help, and they were all carrying the dead body away. Spikes looked down and finally burst into tears.