Skunk Druid
Thin gray smoke danced in the bright sunlight which filtered down between the leaves of the trees. Spring had come and summer was hot on it’s heals. The end of the school year, his finally year of high school was fast approaching. In had two short months to make up his mind, go to college as he was being pushed to do, or accept the offered job and hope he could gain enough experience to advance. The three oldest had gone to college. The eldest dropped out after a year. According to him it was a waste of time with no real clear way of picking a program which would suit him. His sister, the second oldest was still in attendance. She’d gotten a grant thanks to her high grades and was proving to be one of the more devoted to learning the college had seen. If things kept going as they were she’d graduate with a dozen degrees. The last made it through two years before he too bailed. He’d left college gotten a job as a local mechanic and had paid off his debts within the first year. Their mother swore he’d been kicked out, why she didn’t say, but she was positive that he’d been forced to leave, that no one would want leave.
Now it was his turn, and he was being badgered to go to college, to get into the medical field. His mother was sure he’d be happy if he did. She was pushing him, maybe harder than the other three. * suspected that she was pissed that neither of her eldest sons had stuck it out, that not even her oldest daughter had followed her. “Why the hell does she wants us all to be miserable nurses?” He asked the sky he could barely make out between the leaves.
The answer was simple, at least he thought he had the answer. She wanted them all to be miserable like she was. She yearned for them all to come home as tired as she did, so dead on her feet that she couldn’t be bothered to make dinner for her five children. She craved the day when they too would hate themselves and their life choices. That when that day came they’d be able to sit around the table swapping stories and feeling sorry for each other. * didn’t plan to give her that sanctification. And even if he had wanted to as a younger child the first time he’d seen blood and passed out any thought of healing the sick had vanished.
Taking a slow hit off his joint he considered. He had a job offer, not a great job, not even enough to pay for a months rent but it’d be a step. He needed out of the house, needed space and quiet. With four other siblings at home and all of them under twelve the house was never still. Even when they were all suppose to be sleeping there wasn’t peace. Someone always was having a nightmare, someone else was sick, someone was kicked out of bed. Even if the other four were sleeping one of his parents was up. His father writing a speech, preparing for some presentation he had to give. His mother just coming home or getting up so she could start her shift. Often * would stay out in this small clump of trees until the house grew dark then he’d slip in and head to the basement, the one place he might be able to find peace as the other occupants slept or pretended to.
The basement had been converted to a play room ages ago. Nearly every toy they could want had been provided and was now piled in a corner. Some of them saw action but most had been abandoned and left there. One day, when the youngest no longer came down here to play they’d have to pick through the toys, find those that mattered and then sell the rest. If * was honest it should have happened by now. The youngest was about to enter school, a great many of the baby toys could be removed, a lot of the trucks and cars could be as well as the youngest two were girls and the younger boys tended to keep their toys in their room so the girls didn’t break them.
A sound caught his attention, causing one of his round ears to turn slowly until he could pinpoint it. Light steps, one of the girls. The tip of his bushy tail flicked, he didn’t want to be pestered today, didn’t want to deal with any of the problems the other four posed. He was beyond ready to be done, to no longer have to take care of anyone but himself. “What?” He asked before the other reached his spot.
He’d found this hiding spot years ago, when he’d been small enough to crawl under the bush. He’d been trying to get away from his sister, raced outside and then sought a place she wouldn’t find him. Not so far form the house that he couldn’t hear a shout but not so close he could make out every sounf he’d found it. A group of bushes, a tangled mess of twigs, sticks, thorns and leaves. He’d crawled under it, hoping to hide and found an open space within, large enough he could lay out. As he aged and no longer found it convenient to crawl in he’d located a safe enternce easing the bush apart, keeping his path hidden. On either side of his entrance were thorns, thick and dangerous, none of the other four wanted to mess with them, none of them bothered to try and force their way in.
The approaching steps hesitated. “*?” the soft female voice began sounding worried.
“No it’s the bushes talking.”
By the sound of the squeak the second youngest girl had come out to get him. She was ten, would be a stunner with her white spotted hair and thick tail. If she got over her fear of everything she might even manage to get a boyfriend one day. However no male, skunk or other wise wanted to be stunk out just because they startled her. “Ah… I’m looking for my brother mr. bush.”
* sighed. Well at least she hadn’t turned and sprayed him. That’d happened a couple of time. “Well you’re brother doesn’t want to be found.” he snapped back wondering how long before she’d clue in it was his voice. Any of the others would but Szo she tended not to put even one and one together, no matter how many times she’d been told it equaled two.
“But ah…if I don’t get him…”
“Don’t care.” He took another slow hit wondering if she’d see the smoke rising or if she was looking at her feet, toeing the dirt as though there was trouble, which if she was coming to get him there might be.
Her voice changed, becoming a bit harder though she still sounded scared of her own shadow. “But if I don’t get him, then…” she trailed off clearly unsure what would happen if * didn’t come to the house.
* took a slow breath. “You know he��ll be moving out soon.”
“No. He wouldn’t leave us.”
Like hell he wouldn’t. “You know that’s not true.” Another sound, this one heavier, one of the boys. Either she’d taken too long or things were bad in the house.
“Yes it is. He won’t leave.” She said, a hint of defiance in her voice as though she was trying to convince herself.
“Who are you talking to.” the oldest of the four began.
* almost wished he could see what was happeing out there. “The talking bush.”
There was a sound, a sort of thawp, a muffled scream. So Gax had smacked her for being stupid. “Bushes don’t talk. Any baby knows that.”
Gax was nearly twelve, would be in another three months. He thought he was smarter than everyone, even their paretns which often got him in trouble. “They do too. This bush knows where * is but won’t tell me.”
“Did you ever stop to think * might be in there?”
Of course Gax knew, he’d come out and gotten his older brother many times over the years. As the oler skunk had been hiding here since before he was born it made scene he knew.
The same tone as their mother used when she was positive she knew what was true and what wasn’t. “Of course not. No one can get in there, there’s too many thorns, Second,” she pressed on before Gax could speak. “If he was in there he’d have just say so.”
“You’re so stupid, go back to the house.” Gax snapped.
For a moment * suspected there’d be a fight just before he could come up with something witty he heard her storming off as well as she could, making as much noise as her slender build would allow her to could as she departed. “What do you want?” He asked when he was sure his little sister was gone.
“Meler and Drot got into it again.”
“Who skunked who?”
Gax seemed to hesitate. “Meler.”
Typical. She might be slightly older but she tended to cut lose when ever it suited her. As Drot and her were close in age they often fought. “What about?”
“Not sure?”
He knew, but he didn’t want to say. “Deal with it.” he took another hit off his joint.
“She’s not listening.”
* glared at the place his brother was on the other side of the greenery. “Would you listen to you?”
“Well yeah I mean I know –”
“Yeah, you know everything, and so does she. So which of you is right?”
There was a long pause. “Please?”
Looking at his joint he considered. It’d be easy to leave his hidey hole, head to the house, solve the worlds problems and then make dinner. Stomach softly reminded him that he’ hadn’t eaten all that much at lunch and dinner would be nice. Still he hated to leave so soon. The sun hadn’t even begun to decend, he still had hours and if he headed back now he’d be trapped there, having to deal with every little thing until his father got home and could take over. Some might think a house full of shy skunks would be a piece of cake. What they didn’t know was that why skunk gnolls were shy in public they tended to be anything but in private. “No. Look in a few months I’m going to move out and then what?”
“Ah…” his bother stammered. “But you can’t. Mom said.”
“Fuck Mom.” He yelled. “Fuck what she wants.” His mother couldn’t seem to make up her mind, she wanted him to go to college while at the same time she wanted him to stay in the house and look after the younger ones. Maybe she thought he’ could take online classes, or that he could attend from home. It might be possible if she would be happy with him in the local community college but she wanted him, all of them, to attend the school she’d gone to, the same one she’d met their father at. “Fuck you all!” He snapped before sucking smoke into his lungs. “DWI.” he added not hearing his brother leaving.
Gax was quiet, waiting. Why did they all think his angre would blow over like the smoke which curled into the sky. “But she skunked the house.”
* growled. “So fucking what? You know how to deal with it.”
“But?”
“Fuck off. I’m not solving your shit any more. Three months and I’m out then you’ll have to dewal with it on your own get use to it now.”
Gax gave what could be a sniff. For all his bravado he was still just an eleven year old. “Who’d going to make dinner?”
For years * had been taking care of the meals, even when his older brother was home it’d fallen to him as Iheh had home work to do. In truth * should be doing his own but he’d been cutting classes, dipping out of homework for the better part of the year. “About time one of you learned to cook.”
“You…” Gax was still for a long time, then softly he whispered. “You don’t love us any more.”
“Never did.” * snapped, wishing he had something stronger than the current grass he was smoking. Roob tended to give him a cut rate deal but his shit was weak. Come summer he’d be able to afford better, if he had the energy to mow a few dozen lawns after work. In truth he had to make a dozen decisions in less than two months and with each one action was needed. He’d come out here today to think, to see if he could at least answer one or two to the pressing questions, however like so often his family refused to allow him the moments he needed. “Now leave me alone.”
Another sniff. “I’m tellign Mom.” then his brother was racing off, his feet making enough noise to cause the birds to pause in their songs.
Sighing * closed his eyes. He’d be in deep shit when his mother got home. Maybe he’d get lucky and his father would turn up first. The older skunk understood, or at least seemed more willing to listen, more ready to accept that his middle child didn’t want to conform, was tired of being the responsible one, was sick of being pressed into what ever role he needed to fill. His mother might call him lazy, good for nothing, she could swear all he did was smoke and sleep but in truth he had taken care of family and home for as long as he could recall. There wasn't a day that went by that he wasn’t pressed into service. Even when he’d gone to a friend house he was called home sometimes the very same day because his mother was called in and someone needed to baby sit. He’d missed out on parties, sleep overs, and even school functions because his mother had to work, because someone was home and needed him, because his father would be late. He’d lost friends, opportunities. He’d wanted to play sports but he couldn’t guarantee he’d make a game because his mother might be called to the hospital. He’d been offered parts in plays and school musicals having to turn them down so that he could be there for his family. His friends got tired of the broken promises.
He’s started smoking grass to escape, to relax, found the pot heads and bounded. He wouldn’t call any of them close friends, just someone to have lunch with, someone to smoke with, who might have snacks to share or grass to pass. Since entering high school he’d been breaking away, trying to force his mother to be a mother, to stop relaying on him. To show his siblings they had to step up, had to take over for him.
The sun moved slowly and no one else came out. Either the problem had been taken care of, or they were all waiting for their father. The joint he’d been smoking was gone, the roach tucked away. He coud use another but the amount of grass he had left was limited. Really he should have gotten another dime bag before leaving for the day but his funds were limited and while Roob might give him a discount the shit wouldn’t be worth the plastic it was bagged in.
Just as he was making up his mind to light another he heard feet. Heavy, the sort which belonged to a larger male. Great his father was home and comign out to have words with him. He could remain where he was and hope the older male didn’t sniff him out or he could leave face his father head on and hope for the best. Either option were great but he’d rather not lose his hiding place and if his father sniffed him out he might.
Rising in a bit more of a hurry than he’d have liked he exited the bush. As softly as he could he hurried to one of the few fallen logs and took a seat. He paused listening, he could still hear the heavey footfalls. Either his old man was trying to make as much noise as possible or he’d never learned the art of being quiet. Pulling out the last joint he pretended to be in the process of lighting it. When he caught the scent of skunk he looked up meeting the older males eyes. “I take it they didn’t bomb the house?”
“So you knew, and didn’t do shit about it?”
“Why should I? They know where the smell bombs are. Any of the four could have grabbed them, they don’t need me to do it for them. I shouldn’t have to tell them what to do.”
The older male took a seat beside his son. With a deep sigh he stretched his feet out, still in the dress shoes he wore for work. So he’d taken enough time to change out of the suit he wore and into jeans before he came out to deal with the oldest currently living at home. “Gax says you didn’t answer when they called you.”
Snorting he pocketed the joint. He wouldn’t smoke before his father even though the older skunk knew he used. “Lying piece of shit. I answered I just refused to help. Meler might listen better if he didn’t act like a fucking know-it-all.” More than likely Drot deserved a face full of musk. He tended to poke his sister, poke all of them until they either punched him or sprayed him. “And if Drot didn’t get on everyone's last nerve there’d be no problem.”
As much as the elder male hated to admit it * was right. Meler was normally a quiet girl, she’d rather read or draw, color or even work on some needle point their mother forgot she had, than play with her siblings. Drop and Gax as well as Szo, though the youngest girl wasn’t nearly as bad as the two boys, were the real problems. She’d ignore them for as long as she could before she’d finally lose it, screamign at them or like today skunking them. Sometimes their mother was home yelling at her daughter to chill out, to go to her room, other times it fell to *. “What about dinner?”
“I’m not going to be here much longer Dad. I’m moving out, one way or another I’m gone after graduation.”
“You have the money to move out?”
He didn’t, and everyone in the house knew it. “Not yet.” he tried. “But I do have a job if I want it.”
His father studied him. “Thinking you might not take it?”
* rose to his feet turned to face the old man. “I don’t know. I can’t get a quiet hour to think. I’ve got four offers on the table, Mom’s breathing down my neck to go to college and you lot demanding I be the parent. I can’t decide anything because every time I relax enough to think someone needs me, someone comes crying for help and by the moon and stars if I don’t drop everything to save the fucking world right this instant I’m a shit brother, a terrible lazy worthless son who won’t amount to anything.” His voice carried in the quiet of the gathering duck. “I have a dozen things I have to decide but I never have time. Any time I might have a few moments to think someone needs me, they need their ass wiped or food made or…” he dropped back to the log. “I’ve tried staying up, or waking early but I swear someone realized I’m up and finds a reason to need me.” he waved at the forest. “I came home and right out here. Less than an hour after I got home ‘* we need you’.”
Slowly he took in his middle child, his hair was long dyed black and hung over one eye hiding the mix matched color. One was black, the other was a sort of golden color. About his next was a studded collar, his hands were covered in fingerless gloves. Was a sort of vest thing, black a stark contrast to his pale complexion. His pants were once more jean, again in black and again torn. His shoes were combat boots again in black. His fit perfectly into the goth/punk scene without having to paint his face white. While he’d heard the rant before there was something different about it this time. Maybe it was simply because he wasn’t high as he gave his speech, or maybe it was because he’d walked into chaos, each one blaming * for not helping even though they all knew what to do. None of them were so young they didn’t know how to deal with the musk or where to find the scent removing balls. No matter why he took the words in, weighting them, testing them against what his eyes had witnessed, what he knew was true. “I know it’s not fair.”
“Not fair, it’s unreasonable.” An idea occurred to him, a new tack. Maybe if he stopped complaining and asked the old skunk to consider it form another angle he’d get the message acrossed. “Did I play sports?”
“No.” his father blinked. What was his son getting at.
* felt the change. “How often did I get to spend the night at someones house, the whole night.” He added needing to impress it on his old man.
For a long moment they stared at each other. “A few times?”
It was less of a statement and more of a question. “Twice, once because you were home on vacation and the other because Drash was nice enough to baby sit when mom had to rush off. How many times did I have friends over?”
“Never.” His father leaned back, not liking the image he was starting to get.
“What about a birthday party? Did I get to go to those? Did I ever have?”
What could he say. “I don’t know. I work –”
* cut him off. “Yeah you work, and so does Mom, you both go to a job work all day and then come home. You grab a beer, kick your feet up and ignore us for a good hour or two or until dinner is ready and you have to deal with us. Mom comes home drops to the sofa and doesn’t move until it’s bed time if anyone has anything they need who do you direct them to?”
“that’s unfair.” His father began. “I work hard. And so does your mother.”
“Oh my bad, schools not work, I don’t have any sort of stress I might need to unwind from. Of course I can just drop everything and take care of your kids, I don’t need an hour to myself or even a few moments. How silly of me, I keep forgetting I’m suppose to do your job as well as be a teenage. My bad I’ll just live here for the rest of my lifde so you and Mom never have to do anything like be a parent again. And when they move out, and they’re allow a life of their own but I wasn’t I’ll just grin and bare it as you both call me lazy and worthless.” With that he turned and marched away.
“Where are you going?”
“To do your job while you sit there and relax. This way you can worry about all the problems you face, how you’re going to deal with them and what you might be able to do about the little things. Don’t worry dinner will be on the tbale in an hour, then you can have your beer and watch what ever cheap trash you plan to veiw before the nightly news. Maybe they’ll be good and I can get some homework done, you know before one of them screams and yells and threatened to skunk us all. But don’t worry I’ll handle it you just relax.” This time it was his turn to storm off.
The older skunk sat where he was, his feet still stretched out, slowly he pulled his phone out. In an hour his wife would be home, she’d want time to unwind, need someone to take the duties of mother off her shoulders while she just was. Pressing a button he called a co-worker. “Got a question but I’m not sure I’m going to like the answer.” He listened to the laughter, the sounds of many happy children. “It’s about *, do we put too much pressure on him?” He listened as he got his answer. “Well…I honestly can’t say.” Squeezing his eyes shut he willed the words to stop bouncing around in his head. “We both have highly stressful jobs.” More words he didn’t like. “We didn’t force him.” He half snapped. “Well…” when it was put like that. “Is it too late?” Finally something he wanted to hear. “So what do I do?”
His mothers car wasn’t in the driveway, good he had time. Openign the door he was hit with the rank smell of skunk which had lingered too long. “What the fuck!” He helled causing everyone in the hosue to freeze. “Why does it still stink in here?”
“Well…” Meler began. “See Drot tickled me and –”
“I don’t give a shit why you skunked him. I want to know why you didn’t get the balls out, why no one opened a window. What the fuck have you been doing in here for the last two hours?” No one moved. “Well?” he demanded. He hadn’t been kidding, hadn’t exaggerated when he said he didn’t have a moment to himself. He’d only gotten comfortable when his sister arrived, barely had time to light his joint and ponder the problems, trying to figure out which needed his attention the most before Szo arrived. While he’d laid in the grass for another hour he hadn’t been able to think of anything but his empty stomach. He hadn’t gotten his allowance this week, hadn’t been paid for his time takcing care of his four siblings as he’d been promised, hadn’t packed anything because he was too busy dealign with problem in the morning because his paretns left before anyone got up. He was pretty sure his mother did it on purpose not wanting to deal with the kids, and his father he was sure left as quickly as he could so he could have some peace and quiet on his drive into work.
No one moved, all four looking at the ground. “You all know where the hell the scent balls are kept. What too busy fucking around, playign when you should have been doing your homework because no one was here to tell you what to do?” He waited a beat then added. “How old are you?” He spat at Meler.
She shrank in on herself. “Nine.”
“Can you boil water?’ She nodded. “Can you work the microwave?” Another nod. “then why didn’t you start dinner?” Before she could answer he spun on Gax. “How old are you?”
At least his brother was willing to face him. “Twelve.”
Close enough. “Instead of wasting time coming to get me why didn’t you get the bombs out? Why didn’t you spread them about the house?” No answer. Spinning to Szo he pressed on. “And how old are you?”
“Five.” She said proudly.
“Why didn’t you open a window or two?” She could reach a couple. “Meler sprayed Drot and your first thought was to come get me? Why? How did you know I was even home?”
They all looked at each other. “We saw you come home.” Drot began.
“So you waited until I was home to caused trouble? And instead of acting your ages you rushed out to find me? Fuck you, fuck all of you. I’m out, I’m done.” Takign the staris two at a time he reached his room, slamming the door behind him he found his back pack. He’d stopped taking it to school, finding there was no point in bothering. The few school items which remained he took out, packed a weeks worth of clothes, grabbed his fake leather jacket and headed back down the stairs. By the time he was on the main floor his father was back reading them all the roit act.
“How many times have you been told?” He glanced up seeing * with his bag. “Where are you going?”
“Anywhere but here. I can’t, I won’t deal with this any more.” Without another word he opened the front door pushed past his mother and headed down the block. He heard her shouting, demanding he stop, that she’d had a long day, she needed a few moments to relax and that it was his job to babysit. His normal retort came to his lips but he didn’t say it, instead he ignored her dug his phone out and called Trask, a half orc he was close enough to get naked with. It wasn’t often he called Trask for anything but a hook up and that was only when the school slut brushed him off.
It took a few moments for the phone to be answered. “Hey there.” the deep bass voice rang through his ears, sending a jolt to his dick. Something which hadn’t seen much action thanks to the stress of his impending future.
* reached the corner, glancing back. Good no one was following. His mother wouldn’t dream of getting into the car to chase him down and forget running after him, she was just too tired to do anything but plant her ass on the sofa. “I need a place to crash for a while.”
“Oh? Why’s that? Paretns finally learn you like dick as much as pussy?”
“No,” Though that might be easier. “I got home and…” he sighed. “Let’s just say I’m done.”
* had been saying that for a while. No matter how often he swore he was finished with his family he went back, doing just what he had before. “What’s changed?”
He wanted to sit down but opted not to. If he stayed in the area for long enough his mother might decide she ahd energy after all. “Tell you about it when you pick me up.”
“Tell me now or no pick up.”
Maybe he deserved that. “Fine.” So he told the story as he walked, putting more distance between himself and the house.
When he reached the part about his father Trask had heard enough. “Alright, where are you?”
“I’ll meet you at the dinner, right outside.” It was a nice central location. He was only a few blocks from it and that’d save Trask some time as well.
“Have you eaten?” The hlaf orc knew he was a pot head, knew he liked to smoke after school, but if he hadn’t bothered to go in and deal with the trouble there was a good chance he hadn’t bothered to make food either.
* considered hoiw to answer. The truth was he hadn’t a proper meal since the night before, one he’d cooked and the rest of the family ate with relish leaving him with a single serving as they decided to help themselves to thirds before he could finish his first. “I had a few fries at lunch.” he stated.
Trask made a sound, a sort of growl. “Didn’t make a lunch for yourself?”
“No time. I was nearly running late as it was. Szo didn’t want to get in the car, and then by the time she did I’d missed the bus.” Which meant a walk, thankfully walking was slightly faster than the bus as he didn’t have to wait through a dozen stops. “And before you ask, no I didn’t have any money for lunch. Mom forgot to pay my for my time,” again.
“Used what little you had on grass?”
* hated thew way that sounded. “Yeah I know bad choice.” he breathed. “Look if you don’t want to get me that’s fine. I’ll call someone else.” Trask might not say it but he wasn’t always pleased with the decisions the skunk made.
The half orc spoke quickly. “No I’m coming. Just wanted to know if I should gewt dressed so we can eat or if I’m just bringing you back here.”
“Oh… ah… which ever. Frozen anything works.” he added though he doubted he’d be forced to eat a frozen meal. Trask could cook and often did. He’d stopped smoking a while back but he ask * not to. “I just need a place I can crash for a few days. I need time to work some things out, decided a few things, stuff like that.”
“I’ll grab a shirt. Get us a table.” Then he was gone.
* smiled. A table meant a proper meal, something he’d been sadly lacking the last few days. “Thanks man.” He breathed then called Tultahur, the other dealer he knew and the only one he might call a friend. “Hey, any chance you got anything you need to get rid of, or to have someone try?”
The kobold was quiet for a few moments, clearly taking a hit off his own joint. “Why you asking skunk?”
“I’ve got a joint left and I’m broke. Will be until who knows when.”
“No one bothered to pay you again? I don’t know why you bother to help them out when they won’t keep their end of things.”
* turned a corner. He could almost make out the dinner. “Yeah well I’m not any more. I’m crashing with Trask for a while. If he’ll let me until graduation. So?”
“I’ll see what I can do. No promises.” he added then rung off.
“Never thought there would be.” At least * didn’t expect things for free, his siblings, or at least the younger ones did. “I hate them all.” He breathed pushing himself a bit harder to reach the dinner. He wanted to sit down, order a drink and them browse the menu dreaming of a time when he’d be able to buy his own food instead of having to mooch off others as he’d been doing for a number of years.
There were three things which made staying with Trask ideal, the first was he could get a ride to school without having to beg or worse being ignored. The half orc went to one of the local places which took him right past the high school, making it easy to drop off the skunk gnoll. The second thing which made living with the large gray green skinned male a pleassure was he wasn’t pestered about where he’d been if he didn’t come right home, Trask never asked him to do anything about the house, didn’t expect him to make a meal or to get up early to see someone off to school. The last thing which made staying here prefect was Trask didn’t care he smoked, didn’t even mention that he smelled like grass when he came in.
There were draw backs, like the endless calls his mother made trying to find out where he was and when he’d be home or barking demands that he get back right now because she needed to head out and do some shopping or go to work or what ever it was she wanted to do. The next issue was Trask didn’t smoke any more, hadn’t for a while. He was perhaps the only non-stoner * associated with these days. The last problem as far as he could see was no real privacy. Trask’s place might be a two bedroom but the spare room was used for his weights and punching bag.
Rolling to his back he panted as Trask rose over him a warm smile on his lips as he gazed at the smaller skunk. “Not bad?”
“Not at all.” He sighed. While he’d have liked a room to call his own he didn’t mind stayign in the half orcs bed. Trask liked sex and seemed to really enjoy it with the skunk he was now hovering over.
“Want to go again?”
* laughed. “Only if I get to ride that fat cock.”
The orc dropped back to the bed rubbed himself until he was hard then nodded. “If ya think you can take it.” He snickered watching the mix matched eyes grew in excitement and wonder.
Quickly * scrambled to his knees and then swung over getting help as he lowered himslef keeping his tail up and out of the tail.
When his back hit the bed again he was spent, sore and sated. “Damn.”
“Lets see if that keeps you happy for a few days.” The half orc whispered as he rose to find a cloth to clean them up with. He didn’t have to go far as he kept a few towels at the foot of the bed. * wasn’t sure if these were for this very purpose or used more often when he was done with his work out.
“Might.” The skunk chuckled weakly. “Then again it might not.”
Using the towel Trask cleaned up the smaller male noting like always the hair about his balls was white not black as he dyed it. “Got a date with the half fairy?”
* didn’t like the implication. “I might.” He breathed feeling the wash of disappointment. Trask didn’t care for Silvea.
“What do you see in her?” the orc asked handing a glass of cool water over. * tended to be more vocal when he was on top.
“She’s hot.” He shrugged accepting the water. “She’s another smoker.” He added though that wasn’t really what he liked about her.
Trask grinned leaning close, stealing a kiss when the glass moved away enough he could. “What else? There’s got to be more to it than that.”
It was clear Trask was in a playful mood, the sort which could result in another round of very satisfying sex or a fierce battle. “Why do you think that?”
“She’s slender, blonde, has those delicate wings, small waist, bigger chest. Nothing at all like me.”
That was true. Silvea was small, if her wings were alrger she might be able to fly. The elf mixed into her blood prevented it though. She was one of the hottest women in the school, a grass smoker, as a slut. Everyone knew she’d fuck just about anyone with a dick no matter what they were into, who they hung out with, or how popular they were. Even the biggest nerds had a turn with her when she was in the mood. The gnomes who made up most of the chess team, the science club as well as the bulk of the table top gamers couldn’t claim to head off to college with their virginity intact as nearly each one had a turn with her. The only one who hadn’t claimed was the sole female in their little group. * suspected she had an older boyfriend. “So I like my woman small enough to lift.”
The orc chuckled a deep sound which reverberated about the room. “You ever fuck her standing up?”
“No.” He dipped his head. As much as he’d have liked to he wasn’t that strong. He’d tried and nearly dropped her. “Maybe I should hit the weights.”
Trask shrugged. “You could, not sure how much it’d help. Your kinds not known for being all that strong.” He pressed a finger to the others lips. “Not saying you can’t just that on average even those who spend hours in the gym don’t gain much. You’re meant to be slight.”
“Theres got to be one of us who’s bigger. You know muscle bound meat head.”
“Not of the skunk gnoll. You want to see bulky check out a bear or wolf gnoll. I’ve even seen a badger gnoll, those things are scary.”
* chuckled. “I bet. No one wants to mess with an average sized bear gnoll.” And if one spent hours in the gym they’d be even worse.
The half orc smiled. “No other than a larger bear.” He kissed the skunk noting once more how much of the animal his friend had. Not all gnolls had as much of the beast look to them. Some only had the ears while others looked to be the animal on two legs with hands instead of paws. * was a nice balance between the two. He had the ears, tail, the musk as well as the color of the skunk. His face was flat, making it easier to kiss him, while he was covered in fur it wasn’t visible as much as felt. The first time they’d been together, both stoned out of their minds he’d been shocked to feel that fine fur under his hands. When they’d sobered a bit and he was able to think past his raging boner for the skunk gnoll he’d asked about it. He’d been surprised to learn * thought about shaving, to look and feel more like others. “I like it.” He’d told the smaller male, pleased when those odd mix matched eyes lit up.
“How did we get on this topic?” * asked starting to rise.
“Why are you with Silvea?”
Right that’s what had kicked the conversation off. “Why don’t you like her?” Trask was two years older, graduated the year before, gotten his own place. He worked though where the half orc hadn’t really spelled out. All * knew was he made more than enough to cover his bills as well as some extra for a few frills. As he was nearly always busy on the weekends there was a good chance the half orc worked then instead of durnign the week. It made scene as he’d be in classes most of the day during the week.
“She’s a flake, doesn’t care about anyone but herself, like you said she’s a slut, but I think that part that really bothers me is…she’s not happy with who she is. She’s easy to be manipulated, anything to be liked.”
“You think I could do better?”
Trask grinned. “Haven’t you already?” He tipped his head waiting for * to clue in.
The skunk laid back. “When you’re free. She’s available at school, you’re not.”
“Alright I’ll grant you that. But you know she won’t settle.”
“I don’t want to date, I want a fuck.” he shrugged. “Skunks don’t mate for life.” he added though he didn’t need to remind the half orc. When they’d first hooked up, Trask took the time to learn all he could about the animal he looked like and what was similar between the beast and the gnoll.
Leaning on his elbow Trask studied the gnoll beside him. “True but you’re kind does, gnolls in general do. So tell me do you want her, to be your only?”
There was no need to think about his response. “No, and before you ask I’m not sure who I want.” Lifting a shoulder he felt the large hand on his face, pushing his hair back so his off colored eye could be seen. If this was Silvea he’d have turned his head, closed his eyes so she couldn’t stare at that golden orb but Trask he didn’t mind as much. He never made a common about it, or how he should show it off, that he liked the gold better.
The only comment Trask had ever made was when they’d first hooked up. He’d pushed his hair out of the way leaning forward to kiss him then paused. “I’m higher than I thought.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I’d swear…” he’d leaned closer. “They are. You have two different colored eyes.” * had started to move to turn away but the next words made him stop. “Didn’t know that was a real thing.” Then the kiss had come searingly hot and driving his need to move towards instead of away. After they’d sobered Trask had stared into that golden orb smiling. “Neat, not sure which looks better on you.” then he’d let the hair fall and dropped the topic.
Trask’s deep rumbling voice drew him back to the present. “Well I’m glad to hear that.” *’s hair dropped back into his face covering the odd colored eye. “Hungry?”
Nodding he rose, swinging his feet over the side of the bed. “I could eat.”
“Need to make a call or two?”
He’d been out of grass for the last two days. “No.” He sighed then added. “I would if I had any money.” Dawning his pants he following in the others wake noting how tight Trask ass was as he moved.
In the kitchen Trask tossed his phone over. “Glad you put it in silent.” He chuckled as the other scrolled through the long list of missed calls all of them from his parents. The voice mails were pretty much all the same, his mother demanding he get his ass home and take care of the mess, or his siblings or the chores she didn’t have the energy to do. A few were form his father. Those were the more curious as the older male made comments which seemed to hint that he didn’t mind that his son was out of the house, that he only wanted to know that he was safe or maybe that he hoped he was safe and that when he finally came home things would be different.
Setting the phone down after listening to one of the voicemails he watched the half orc move about the kitchen. “I tell you I got another job offer?”
“Nope, when did it come in?”
“Right after school. Gaming store.” He stated. “Not a bad starting wage.”
“Thinking you’ll take it?”
Shrugging he looked about the room. “That’s part of why I needed out.” he’d done plenty of thinking while Trask was out of the apartment, laying on his back staring at the ceiling. So far he’d managed to work out a few things, like that he needed to move out but so far he hadn’t come up with an idea of who to live with. Trask would be a good one if he didn’t live so far away and had a spare bed. Tultahur, could work as well but he lived with his parents, growing the very stuff they all liked to smoke. As for the rest of the stoner he doubted a single one of them would move out of their parents home until they were forced to. Almost none of them cared what they did with their lives as long as they could smoke.
The only sound was the sizzling of the meat on the stove for a long time. “You can stay as long as you need to.”
“thanks. I’m hoping by the end of the week I’ve got things planned out.”
“And if not?”
* lifted a shoulder. “I’ll beg to stay longer or crash somewhere else.”
“Stay here. No need for you to take off. I’ll be gone all weekend should give you plenty of time to do your thinking and planning.”
“Thanks. I’d like that.” Moving closer he rested his head on the others shoulder. “I’ll miss you.”
Trask only smiled, slipping an arm about the wiast of the other keeping him close as he cooked for them both.
* sighed grinning at the ceiling. There was something very different about being with a woman and that of the half orc. Silvea was fantastic. He’d been with a couple of others, one no longer attended the school, the other had graduated the same year as Trask. The last had been at a dance, a smoker who’d wandered into the bathroom looking for a safe place to smoke her grass. She’d discovered the small group joining them as they passed a bottle around as well as a joint. By the end of the end they’d found a secluded location, fucked a few times and then went their separate ways. He hadn’t seen her since. Wasn’t even sure of what her name was.
He’d hooked up with Silvea two years ago, shortly before he’d met Trask. He’d skipped math class, found a small alcove no one used and lit up a joint. Silvea had wandered by, or she’d been looking for someone he wasn’t clear which. Either way she’d paused asked if she could have a hit. He’d agreed, passing it over. She’d taken one and then passed it back staying to share the joint. They’d chatted a bit, she’d touched his arm, played with the strings on his shirt, remaked about his gloves and jeans, how she liked the punk scene. He’d corrected her that he was more goth which seemed to excite her even more. Before the bell rang she suggest a different location, somewhere more private.
That same location was where they lay now. AN old storage shed, no longer used as the school didn’t bother to keep the needed tools save a rake and edger. They rented everything these days, claimed it was more cost efficient to have a company come in and take care of the work rather than having someone full time. In *’s mind that didn’t make any scene. They still had a janitor who took care of clogged toilets, stopped sinks and vomit during the day why not have them mow or rake or even handle the snow when it came. It wasn’t as though there was always a floor in need of mopping.
Still thanks to their “cost cutting” the shed was empty save a rake and a shovel, Why the shovel he had no idea, maybe the janitor needed it when he hide the bodies after a teacher killed a student with boredom. The shed was large enough even the tallest of the races could stretch out comfortably. Old gym mats had been moved in at some point adding enough padding to make it bearable to fuck on the floor. Someone else had added blankets or at least cloth which could be used to cover a naked body in case anyone opened the door, or under the head. The only thing the place was missing was a lock on the inside of the door that and a bathroom. It’d be nice if there was a way to clean up after a roll. As it was he’d need to dress then head to the bathroom and clean the spunk off his body.
“Oh that was wonderful honey.” Silvea breathed laying on his arm staring at the ceiling with him.
“Yeah.” he breathed smiling. His eyes drifted closed when he felt her move. “Kicking me out?”
She glanced at him. “No of course not.” She dropped back to his side. “I’d never do that to you.” She kissed him tenderly brushign his hair back.
* closed his eyes. He really didn’t care what she thought of his golden eye. “So why did you get up?”
“Wanted my lighter.” She laughed lettign his hair drop. “Want some?” She waved the joint she’d fished out of someplace.
“You know it.” He took the offering after she’d lit the end taking a slow drag. She didn’t by from the kobold but her shit was pretty good nonetheless.
When they’d passed for a bit she spoke. “I hear tell you might have a job.”
Nodding he took the offered joint. “I’ve got a few offers.” He studied it, as though he was trying to decide which end went into his mouth. “Not sure which offer I’ll take.”
“The one which offers the most money of course.” She flipped her hair, her wings fluttered for a moment.
She was nervous. Her wings only tinkled when she was. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She tried to laugh it off but he caught the sound again.
“Silvea?” he breathed waiting for her to make eye contact. “What’s wrong? I can hear your wings.”
She sighed taking the joint back. “It’s nothing really. Just… oh it’s silly.”
The skunk gnoll waited, when she didnt’ seem ready to explain he pressed her. “What is?”
“My paretns want me to settle down, you know find a good man, someone with a job get married have lots of little fairy babies.”
“Not interested.”
She snorted. “I know that. I don’t want marry and I never want to have children.”
* doubted that’d last. Fairies loved kids, back in the day when war and famine were common fairies would take babies from their cribs raising them as their own. Any village which was in the path of some advancing army would see their little ones vanish in the night, those which were about to be set upon by famine or plague would see the same. For many of the common man it was a sign, a warning of sorts that danger was on it’s way. Some places encouraged the fairies to take the little ones, others found ways to shut them out believing if the children weren’t removed the danger would pass them by. These days fairies didn’t steal babies as much as run orphanages, and day care centers, foster care parents taking on as many as they could. Unless Silvea was one of the very odd ones she’d have a massive family. “Which ones pushing you?”
“Dad.”
Interesting as her father was the elf. Elves didn’t tend to have large families, they also didn’t tend to marry young. Most elves didn’t settle until they were well into their forth decade, some even later. “any idea why?”
“No, well sort of.” She sighed taking the joint. “He doesn’t like how flighty I am. Swears that a good man will help me settle.” She shrugged. “But enough about my problems. I want to know all about the different offers you’ve had.”
She didn’t, what she wanted to know was which he was going to take and how much money would he have to blow on her. “I doubt that.” In order to prevent her form saying anything else he pulled her close, moving her right to his lap as he kissed her. “How about we drop all the talk?”
“Oh sugar.” She laughed, it sounded like a bell, high pitched and musical. “I’d love that.” before he could do more she shifted found what she sought and handed the tiny package over. “Or would you like me to put it on you?”
Laying back he allowed her to stretch the thin condom over his dick. Using her mouth she wet it then slide on, riding him.
When they parted again he caught his breath quickly, rolling to his side so he could gaze at her. “Damn, I don’t normally keep your attention long enough for a second go.”
“Well you do now.” She grinned, her wings still, clearly she was happy.
“How do I rate? I thought you only fucked the best twice in a row.”
Once more that musical laugh rang out in the small space. “Well that was the policy but you see I’m…limiting who I see these days.”
This was news. “Why? Your dad?”
“He wishes.” She smiled but it was forced. “No, I decided I was stretched thin, wasn’t enjoying it as much. There’s some who are…run of the mill, you know?”
He didn’t but didn’t say as much. “So who’s being cut out? The one minute wonders?”
“Some. But no. A lot of the guys who blow it fast their just excited, don’t see enough tits, never had a pussy about their dick.”
“So not the nerds?”
Now she really did smile. “You mgith be surprised but those nerds don’t blow it that fast. Either they’d learned with their hand or they’ve seen enough boobs not to be shocked when the bra comes off.”
Not that she wore one often. Her breasts were small enough not to need one most of the time. “So who?”
“the jocks.” At the shocked look she laughed. “Most have their pick of women, and they tend to come as soon as I drop my pants. I’m tired of having to wait for them to get hard again or needing to jack off after. Some even need a porno to get started. I’d rather not waste my time and with the end of the year right around the corner.” She moved closer breathing into his ear causing his dick to jump. “I thought it might be smart to cut some of those lose who won’t be around much longer.”
“You mean those going to college?” She nodded. And since he didn’t plan on it. “That’d be a lot of the nerds.”
She shrugged. “Sure their all going but not all of them are leaving the area. Most plan to stick close, those who are leaving…”
Those she wouldn’t see again unless they were rock stars in the sack. “How many of us are their?”
“A dozen, maybe a few more.”S he smiled, glanced at her watch and sighed. “I’ve got to go honey. I can’t afford to miss another history lesson.” She rose dressed quickly. “Next week?”
“Sure. Same time?” She nodded and * laid back as the door opened and she slipped out. For a time he lay there thinking, letting his mind play out as the small buzz he’d gotten faded to nothing. More than likely she was fucking their history teacher. He was young, attractive and very confident in his skills. “If she was going to settle with anyone that’s who I’d pick.” Not only was he hot but he was stable, had a job, and more than enough income to keep someone like Silvea comfortable. It might not be high living but it’d be a hell of a lot better than any of those closer to her own age could give her. “She’s thinking.” His eyes closed, he felt like he could doze. Not safe here, the last thing he needed was for someone to come in, a teacher or another student and see his naked body stretched out on the mat.
Forcing himself to rise he dressed adjusted his hair to hide the golden eye then slipped out, heading to the third floor where he’d find Tultahur. With luck the kobold would have some grass for him to share. If not he’d have to hit up Roob and hope he had something worth smoking. “Seriously need cash.” he breathed hands in his pockets as he crossed the lawn heading to the door.
* poked his head into the coffee shop. He smelled the rich odors of coffee and pastery. He’d gotten a text about an hour before school ended asking if he’d be willing to meet here when he was out of classes. He’d read it twice, making sure it was form his father. No matter how many times he read the words he couldn’t believe his old man was asking for a meeting, outside of the house. As it was a friday there was no reason to tell Trask that he wouldn’t be back right after school. He’d watched as the half orc packed a few things, stuffing them into a bad. With a kiss he’d promised to text if he wouldn’t be back Monday. “One day you’ll tell me what you do?”
“One day.” he promised then departed leaving * to grab another hour of sleep before the alarm went off and he walked to school.
Stepping in he scanned the room for his father, not there yet. “Could be a joke.” he breathed finding a table. Until the old man arrived he wouldn’t order anything just in case. Thanks to trask he had a lunch but no money to buy anything with. Taking a seat he noticed the waitress coming towards him. She had a smile on, expecting him to order something. Most teens had cash to blow, or at least they thought they did. As they got older they learned. Most of those who’d graduate with him no longer came in here unless they had a meeting or some class project they wanted to work on. Nearly all of them had a car, or a phone they were payign for. Some didn’t but those that came from wealth hadn’t bothered with this place.
“What can I get you?” She breathed her large chest heaving as though she’d just run here.
“A water for now.” He told her forcing his eyes away form her bust and to her face. He wished he hadn’t. He should have known with the size of her tits that she was a cyclops. There were only three races which were that large in the chest naturally, cyclops, ogres, and half giants.
She nodded then hurried off. Filled a glass and returned. “Let me know if you want anything else.” She purred or at least tried to.
* flicked his tail wondering if she was one of those immune to his musk. Some were, not many but ogres at least tended to be, he didn’t know much about the cyclops, they tended to sick to their own and for good reason. Between the smell they put off even after a bath, having only one eye which meant their vision was off and how brutal they could get when angre or aroused the smaller races just didn’t stand a chance.
The door opened and his father entered, still dressed in a suit * noted. He watched as the man made his way to the table. He glanced at the water. “No coffee?”
“I was waiting for you.”
Pulling out the chair his father took a seat. “Two coffees,” he glanced at the wiatress, his eyes resting on her chest. As it was eye level that was easy to do. If he was in a mood to tease his father he could remark that he liked boobs as much as the next man but checked himself. They hadn’t been on good terms in years, not since his father had started to ignore his personal responcilities in favor of the fiscal ones. “Anything to eat?” He asked forcing his eyes away.
“Got fresh meat bun?” * asked. When she nodded they ordered a dozen. This was the best place to get meat buns, packed with chicken, and beef, with a nice rich gravy. Some places liked to add vegetables like peas, carrots or potatoes. In *’s opinion if he wanted a that he’d order a meat pie. “Extra gravy on the side.” he added pleased when his father didn’t shoot him a dirty look. “So?”
“I’d ask if we could eat first.”
* snorted. “This is out of character Dad. You want something, I want to know what.”
He nodded. “And if you don’t like what you hear?”
“I leave and you can take those buns home for the others.”
His father leaned back as the coffee was placed between them. When she was gone again he took the time to doctor the cup to his liking. * did the same taking a small sip and sighing. “Alright but I doubt we’ll be done before they arrive.”
“and why is that?”
“Got a few things to say.” He dug into his pocket, carefuly placing what he held on the tbale then slid it over. “You can count it later but that should be everything you were promised for the last year.”
* glanced at what was before him. He quickly pocketed it. “That’d be close to a grand.”
“A bit over. Your mother pretended she hadn’t promised to pay you for your time, then when she finally did recall she didn’t think she’d missed a payment, yet she wasn’t sure how much she’d paid you either. Finally got her to admit she hadn’t. Took me a bit to work out the math, figure out how much you were owed. Doesn’t look good when we don’t keep our word.”
“No, nice to have it now.” The first thing he’d do it buy some grass then he’d give some to Trask if he’d take it, if not well he wouldn’t push too hard he could use the spending money. “This isn’t all, is it?” Even if it was it’d be worth waiting for the buns which were clearly on their way.
The cyclops set the basket down. “We’ve got more coming out shortly.’ She assured them then departed.
Grabbing one he broke it open, blew on the contents then ripped into the fresh bun, moaning as he ate quickly. “Not eating lunch?”
“Didn’t feel up to making lunch today.” He told the other. It was true enough. Trask made him lunch letting him sleep and without the half orc there he didn’t have a lunch.
“I see.” Breaking his own open he ate half before he went on. “You might be happy to know your siblings are learning the hard way what you’ve known all along.”
* reached for his second. “And what pray tell have I known all along?”
His father watched as the last of the buns was consumed faster than he could break his own open. “What it takes to raise a small family. You were pretty much taking care of the hosue when you were Meler’s age.”
“About, you couldn’t get Iheh to do it.”
“But your mother could bribe you.” And that bribe never ended, Each time he refused she came up with another bargin, another way to trap him. “I’ve been talk, to others who have kids, those who have as many as we do, or close to it. They all say the same thing. We’ve taken advantage of you.”
To that he could agree. “And you’re about to lose me for good. A bit late to want to make amends.”
In a way it was. “I talked to your siblings, the older ones. We’re a pretty independent gnoll, preferring to live alone, not interact often. That said they had a few words for me, for your mother.” Mostly they’d been geared at her and her single minded need to care for anyone but her own children. “Turns out the other three felt the same way, and I know they had less responsibility placed on them.”
“The more kits you had the less you wanted anything to do with us.”
“So it seems. Funny how that works.” he leaned back as the rest of their order arrived. * snagged one before the basket reached the table. He tossed it form hand to hand using his nails to hold the pastry while he broke it in half. The gravy running onto the plate before him. Blowing on it for a short time he dipped it into the hot gravy using the bread to soak up what had fallen to the plate before he added more form the bowl which ad been placed between them. “Might as well bring another dozen.” he told her smiling.
* tipped his head. “Going to eat a dozen?”
The other skunk shrugged. “I could. It’s been a while since I had anything decent. Drot can’t cook and your mother is refusing. Swears she’d too tired but I’d bet she’d grabbing something on the way home, too hungry to wait.”
That sounded about right. “Why tell me?”
“Because I want to strike a new bargain, one in your favor.” He ate the bun he held letting * process that as he ate.
“Like what?” The skunk gnoll didn’t turst anything said at this point.
With one on his plate and another half in hand, covered in thick gravy which ran down his fingers making a small mess on the plate he spoke. “When you decide to come home, if you do, you’ll be free to do anything you want when you want. You’ll be treated as though your not there, no more chores, no more taking care of anyone.”
* snorted. “And how are you going to do that?”
“In a way you will. Ignore them, if they come to you kick them out. Don’t ask permission just go. No punishments will be doled out no matter what time you roll in.”
“Sounds good, but there’s no way you can enforce that.”
His father smiled. “In a way I can. You’re mother has promised an allowance, to all of them.” and unlike with * they didn’t have to do anything. “I’ll simply make sure they’re not paid unless they behave and leave you alone.”
That was an idea. “How much did mom promise them?”
“Different for each kid, and she was smart enough not to talk to them together.”
“How did she find the time? I thought she was too tired to do anything but sit on the sofa and wait for dinner.”
Silence filled the space between them as they ate. The last of *’s buns were nearly gone when the next dozen arrived. “That’s the other thing I wanted to talk to you about. What’s your plan, after graduation?”
A good question, one he didn’t have an answer to. “I’ve got a few job offers, I’m thinking I’ll take one of them. Haven’t decided which yet.”
“And where will you live?”
“That’s the other problem. Where to live and how to get there.” He should save what he’d just been handed for a car, instead of buying some decent grass.
As he’d said in the forest he had plenty to thing about. “What else have you been pondering?”
There were other things, like what he wanted to do with his life, where he wanted to live, if he wanted to stay in the area, what sort of life did he want and who did he want to be around. He could feel himself drifting form the other pot heads, but unlike before he wasn’t drawn to another group. He’d spent a good part of the night laying with Trask wondering if he was going to be a loner like the oldest or if he’d eventually find a group of friends who’d he want to stick with. “A lot, some of it personal, some of it future, and some of it hardly matters.”
Slowly the other nodded. “Come home when your ready.”
“And if I never am?”
“Then you aren’t, just make sure you change your address.” He placed some bills on the table eating another bun. “I know it won’t matter now but I am sorry. I should have seen it, should have realized what we were doing. I can’t stop your mother but I can try and take the weight off you.”
That was nice. “And if I don’t do shit about the house?”
His father smiled. “I’ll make sure you’re paid every week on Friday. Lift one finger and you’ll be docked.”
Finally the younger skunk smiled. “You mean that?” When he got a nod he relaxed. “Alright, I’ll come home, but you forget to pay me once and I’m out. Bark at me to be home at a certain time and I’m gone. If you make one move to have me take care of their problems and I’ll bail faster than a sinking boat.”
“You have a deal. Now let’s enjoy our meal.”
It wouldn’t be that simple, no way would his mother let it be that easy, and yet…he wanted to find out if his father would keep his word. If he did, the last few weeks of school would be a pleasant change that was for sure.
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