Maybe I Like You [bxb]

Chapter 19: Get It Yourself, You Malnutritioned Dino

Out of habit, I woke up early. Our Coach had cancelled morning practice for today. Feeling thirsty I tread downstairs, where I could hear sounds from the kitchen, indicating my father had already started his day.

"Where are you going with that stick?" I yawn and stretch, seeing my father's determined footsteps.

"There's a grubby dog in our backyard, sleeping like he paid for this damn house. I'm going to go and threaten him, so he doesn't return," my dad whispers conspiratorially, like someone would overhear. All my sleep goes away.

"What the- Dad, no!" I stand in front of him.

"Relax Dylan," my father pushes me aside, tightening his grip on the stick. "I'll only make some loud noises, that'll scare him away."

"Dad, wait. Jesus. Hear me out," I plead, snatching the stick from his hand. He looks at me irritated. "That dog is my pet," I confess. 

"Your pet?" he asks incredulous.

"Yes," I repeat slowly. "I met him in the park, and fed him biscuits. So he follows me here, to sleep at night. But he goes away in the morning," I eagerly explain. "He doesn't come near the house in daytime."

"Dylan it's a dog. The hell it would stay away. These animals are too loyal to just leave," my father shakes his head.

"That's a good thing, right? He'll be here, protecting us," I point out.

"What about the pile of turds he'll leave around the house?"

"I'll clean that up," I promise, with a straight face. My father contemplates for two seconds. I make pleading faces, and dog paws. He rolls his eyes.

Then sighing, he gives in, "Fine, you can keep him. He'll stay in the backyard, not in the front," he warns. "And under no condition, will that mongrel enter the house, or sleep on any bed or chair. I can't stand that smell of dogs," he mutters.

"Yes, I know that from the short visits to Aunt Poppy's house," I nod. My aunt had a poodle, that she carried around like a child. She always smelled like wet dog fur, which gave headaches to my dad.

"What's his name?" he asks going outside. 

"Comfort." As soon as I say the name, Comfort sprints to me jumping around my ankles. My dad laughs, "Comfort?"

"Hey, I've done stupider things," I say defensively. He raises a knowing eyebrow watching Comfort. "He's cute for a dog, I guess."

"Yes, he's the cutest. A little superstar," I coo, picking him up. My dad cringes at my baby voice. I hold Comfort in front of my dad's face. "Comfo, this is Paul. Say hello to Paul."

My dad stepped back, dreading he would get his face licked. But like I had taught, Comfort holds out his front paw. My dad raises his eyebrows surprised, but gingerly shakes the paw. "He has more manners than you, Dylan."

"I know," I grin, putting him down. Comfort sits down at my feet in alert position, scanning the surroundings for approaching danger.

"You are raising him well," my dad continues. "If he'll be this good-mannered, I think I'll allow him inside the house."

I glance at my dad, who was already watching Comfort with heart-eyes. I chuckle inwardly, knowing exactly what will happen. I can bet a thousand bucks, that before this weekend dad will have Comfort sitting on his lap while he read his newspaper.

......................

"Is that a hickey?"

"I owed the bus conductor money," Lia replied, lazily flopping down in her seat at the lunch table. Max scowls at her reply, but chooses not to poke her further. I caught a slight twitch of muscle in Luke's face.