Somehow I became distracted and did not realize that the boys had set up fish tank on our bookshelf. I turned around and became very confused when I saw a very unique fish swimming mindlessly in a little tank. The boys couldn't hide the joy in their face as they explained that they bought me this particular fish with the intent of finding the ugliest one possible. Everyone agreed that they had done just that. It would have been a regular looking chubby goldfish except for the massive bubbly cheeks on either side of his mouth. And when I say bubbly, I mean that his cheeks were bubbles of skin projecting off of his face.
Even though this was the ugliest fish I had seen up till then, I embraced this special little guy and named him...well I can't remember his name, but I am pretty sure it was along the lines of Melville or Herman.
We had a good time together, Melville or Herman and me. But one day he was not acting himself. He was usually very excited in the morning when I would turn on his light and feed him before I got ready for school. He wasn't very excited and he didn't eat anything. I said good-bye to him as I left our apartment hoping that he would be fine. But, as I came home from school that fateful day, Melville or Herman was floating in his little home. I didn't want to believe it. He was a good fish. But I guess you can't expect much from a WalMart fish that probably cost a dollar. Ryan helped me "bury" him because I just couldn't do it. And I am not going to lie, I did cry. I for some reason get really attached to my pets, and ever since I was little and my first pet died, I cry.
After Melville or Herman passed on to animal heaven, and yes animals go to heaven, I couldn't bear to think of getting another fish, for fear that the same thing would happen. But, the next semester I took Physical Science. I hated that class. It was so hard. I am not a logical person at all. I struggled so much and when it came to the first exam it truly showed. I had gotten the worst grade I had ever received on a test. Now some may laugh, but I got a 42%. I know, you learn physical science principles starting in elementary school. I probably cried as I walked down the long stretch of hill towards our apartment. I knew Ryan would ask what I got and I would break down and tell him. He felt really sorry for me and asked if I wanted to get another fish. He promised that we could get one that had a long lifespan. In my vulnerable state I agreed. We drove down Center Street to the pet store and looked at all the fish in the tanks. One of the workers suggested getting a Beta Fish which he said was indestructable. I picked out a pretty pink and blue one and named her Jodie. She too was a good fish. She lasted way longer than Melville or Herman ever did. I thought we would have her forever.
Ryan decided to go down to Mesa to work for his dad that summer, so we packed we packed what we needed and took Jodie as well. She withstood the drive from Provo, Utah to Mesa, Arizona. She survived our time in Mesa, but didn't quite make it back home. On our way back, driving through southern Utah, we discovered that Jodie was floating. That inevitable sign of fish death. It must have become too hot for her in her little travel cup and she just couldn't take it anymore. I cried. Ryan pulled the car over to the side of a nice southern Utah 2-lane road and buried her. He said a few nice words and then we left. She too, is in animal heaven.
After my experiences with Melville or Herman and Jodie, I have sworn off fish. They die to quickly and randomly.
As I had led to in the beginning, I had found that old fish tank in a box in a closet.
And I was able to pull a B in Physical Science that semester.
