WE'RE HAVING A HEAT WAVE

It was what was sometimes called the dog days of summer. The term came from the fact that dogs do not adjust well to extreme heat. Tails, as a fox, a type of dog, knew exactly what that meant. As the temperature soared past one hundred one day in early August, Tails found that his air conditioning unit had broken down. Attempts to fix it only resulted in his getting a blast of hot air right in his face.

Tails stepped outside of his house and sat down on the front porch. Even in the shade, he was roasting. For a moment, he considered cutting his fur, but he had no doubt that he'd look not only ridiculous, but also even punier than he already did.

"Hi, Tails!" Cosmo cried, coming up his driveway. "It's such a nice day, why don't we go to the park?"

"Great idea!" Tails said to her. Maybe he could cool off there.

At the park, Tails noticed that Cosmo just sat down on a bench out in the open. As a plant, she loved the sun, and never got burned. She shut her eyes. Tails sat beside her, not wanting to disturb her, but he knew he couldn't take this heat for very long. Then she put her arm around him.

"You're so warm and fuzzy!" she said. "Mm. I may just fall asleep right here."

Tails sighed. Man, it was hot! "Um…Cosmo?" he said softly.

"Mm..I don't want to get up yet, oneesama," Cosmo said sleepily. She started talking in Seedrian, a language Tails knew very little of.

That might have gone on for quite awhile, but Tails' perspiration dripped onto Cosmo's face. "Mm…it's raining again," she said. She rolled over, and fell onto the ground. "Wha…? What happened?!?"

"Are you okay?" Tails asked, helping her to her feet.

"Just a little embarrassed," Cosmo said. "Tails? Why are you wet?" She felt his forehead. "Oh! You're all sweaty! I'm sorry! I forgot you have a fur coat on. You should get out of the sun."

Tails was relieved to get into the shade. He was still hot, though.

"Maybe you should cool off in the lake," Cosmo suggested. "You know, I always wanted a rope swing, but I don't think I could make one myself."

"Great idea," Tails said. Inventing helped take his mind off of his troubles. They went to the lake. It must have really been hot, since even Big wasn't there today. He was usually fishing with Froggy.

Tails didn't have a rope, but he found a vine that looked like it would make a great swing. He struggled to pull it loose, then finally chewed through it.

"Forgive us, dear vine," Cosmo prayed, "but your sacrifice shall not be in vain."

Tails wasn't really sure he liked Cosmo talking to every vine, tree, or other plant they had to cut down or dig up. When Cream had given Cosmo one of her daisy chains, the Seedrian had cried and begged the flowers' forgiveness for being pulled up.

"Okay," he said, looking around. The weeping willow looked like a good tree to tie the vine onto.

"Forgive us, elder, for tying this little one to you for our sport," Cosmo begged.

"Uh…I'm sure the tree doesn't mind, Cosmo," Tails said. He wasn't exactly sure that he wanted to find out if he was right or not.

"It never hurts to be polite," Cosmo said. "That looks nice. Maybe someday you could add a seat to it."

"Sure," Tails said. "I'll see what I can come up with."

"You're so smart, Tails!" Cosmo said, clapping her hands.

"Just let me check to make sure the rope's safe and the knots will hold," Tails said. By now, he was really perspiring. How did Earth foxes stand not being able to sweat?

Everything seemed fine. He held the rope out to her. "Ladies first."

Cosmo curtsied. "Thank you, kind sir." She turned to the tree. "Thank you, elder." She grabbed the rope and he gave her a little push. She swung over the lake, then came back. He gave her a second push. This time, she leaped from the rope, somersaulted, and made a perfect swan dive.

"The water's great!" she cried. "Come on in!"

"Okay," he said. "Here I come!"

Tails took the rope and swung, using his tails to get momentum. He wanted to do a cannonball, but ended up with a belly flop. As he went under, he noticed that despite the heat in the air, the water was freezing!

"Cold cold cold!" he said, shaking.

"Isn't this lovely?" Cosmo asked, swimming gracefully past him. "I think I'll go again! Don't disturb yourself, I can swing by myself. You don't need to get out of the water."

Get out of the water? That was exactly what Tails wanted to do. But he couldn't hurt her feelings, so he toughed it out. Luckily, by the time she landed near him, he was used to it.

Until he decided to use the swing again. Once he was out of the water, he was shivering. It was a relief to get back into the water. Now he had another problem. He hadn't brought a towel or blanket. He'd just assumed he'd dry out in the sun. Unfortunately, somebody up there seemed to think it was time to annoy him. The hot sun suddenly disappeared behind the only cloud in the sky. A cloud he could have sworn wasn't there before. He was fine as long as he stayed in the water, but when he came out…

"Duh, hi, guys!" It was Big. "I fell down the hill on my way here, rolled all the way down, and had to climb up it all over again!" He sounded like he was bragging.

"Ribbit!" Froggy sounded like he was ready to make another dash for freedom.

Tails sighed. He had wanted to be alone with Cosmo. And Big liked it quiet when he fished. He probably would keep hushing them if they made any noise, and who knew how he'd respond to their rope swing?

He shouldn't have asked. Big took one look at it and said, "Duh, that looks like fun!"

Tails tried to motion to Cosmo not to invite Big to use their swing, but she just gave him a strange look when he waved his hands and shook his head, then said, "Won't you join us, Big?"

"Sure!" Big said. He grabbed the rope and swung. The branch it was tied to swayed like it was about to break off. Tails made a mental note to take Cosmo to the beach next time. Big didn't fish there because Froggy preferred fresh water.

"Duh, wee!" Big yelled, flying over the lake. "Cannonball!" Bloosh! Tails and Cosmo were hit with a big wave. Cosmo, of course, loved it. Tails struggled to get water out of his nose.

"Duh, can I go again? Huh? Can I? Can I?" Big asked, jumping up and down.

"Oh Tails," Cosmo said as Big went again, "It's like we have a child of our own!"

"I'd like to think my kids wouldn't be bigger than I am!" Tails said.

"Well, you never can tell," Cosmo said. "Yellow Zelkova was a distant relative."

"That's…great, Cosmo," Tails said. One problem at a time. Right now, how could he get rid of Big so that he and Cosmo could be alone?

"Duh, hey, Froggy!" Big cried. "Come back!" He started into the water.

"I'll get him!" Cosmo offered. She dived in, swimming like a porpoise, and soon had Froggy reunited with Big.

"Duh, thanks, Cosmo!" Big said. "You're the best!"

"Yes," Tails said. "Yes, she is!"

Of course, Big had to ruin the moment by falling in the lake.

"Hey, Big," Tails said once Big came out of the lake again. "Can you go down to the mini market and pick us up some sodas?" He gave him some money. "And get yourself a comic book at the same time."

"Wow, thanks, Tails!" Big said. "I'll be right back!"

Tails sighed with relief, then went over to Cosmo. "Let's go," he said.

"But…Big will be expecting us here when he gets back," Cosmo said. "That wouldn't be nice, Tails."

Tails bit his lower lip. "I'm sorry!" he said, bowing his head. "I'm just selfish, I guess! I want you all to myself! There are times when I can't see you, and I…I guess I just think Big's stealing the time I do have!"

Cosmo stroked his hair. "Didn't I promise to be with you always?" she asked gently. "Didn't I keep my promise in the end? The bad times are behind us now. We have all the time in the world."

"I love you, Cosmo!" Tails said.

"I love you too, Tails-san," Cosmo said.

"So we'll wait for our friend," Tails said.

"Yes," Cosmo agreed. "But while we're waiting…" She grabbed the swing and swung herself back into the lake. Tails shrugged, then joined her.

"C-c-cold!" he shuddered. But he had Cosmo's love to keep him warm.

When Big returned, they spent the rest of the day holding hands and looking into each other's eyes while Big fished. It was quiet, except when they raced about for perhaps ten minutes after Froggy got away again, and hardly what either one of them had been expecting the day to be like, but their time together was never boring.

As the day grew late, Tails and Cosmo said their good-byes to Big. Tails walked Cosmo to Cream's house. They said their good-byes on the front doorstep. Tails wished Cosmo could live with him, but he could imagine his parents' reactions.

"It was an unusual date," Tails said, "but I love every minute I'm with you."

"Me too!" Cosmo said. "I mean…I love every minute I'm with you!"

Tails laughed. "I know."

They embraced, and Cosmo kissed Tails on the cheek. "Sayonara, Tails-san. Until the morrow."

"Sayonara, Cosmo," Tails said. As Tails walked home, he realized the heat no longer bothered him.

Many people assume "sayonara" means "good-bye," but it actually means "if it be so," or "whatever will be will be."

Next time, Tails drags Cosmo to a museum. Can they both enjoy their time there?