Loving and Learning

Dodging

Dante slowly and reluctantly went down the steps, wiping his eyes. Inside the kitchen, he can just barely hear the voices of Dolly, Doug, and Delilah being drowned out by the complainants of impatient pups.

"Come on!"

"We're hungry!"

He peeked through the opening, to the sight of rambunctious pups. Dylan and Dawkins were by the kibble machine, a tool box next to them.

"Great the machine is broken." Dante thought.

"Everyone settle down." Doug called out across the table.

Dante could see Deepak going around the table, trying to help calm his siblings while barely looking like he was holding it together.

"Oh Dante, there you are." Delilah said upon noticing him.

Dante looked over in her direction. Delilah sensed something seemed off as she looked at his troubled face.

"Are you alright luv? Something seems to be on your mind?" Delilah asked.

Up until now, Dante had still managed to keep Elvira a secret from his parents. They had no idea the impact she has had on his life, how she took the time to understand him, those moments they spent bonding, and the feelings he now had for her. Ironically, this gothic girl had become the ray of sunshine in his life. His parents would never understand.

And now, he was gonna throw it away.

Regardless he still didn't want them to know about her, what he was planning was going to be hard enough, he didn't need their lecture or Elvira getting in trouble with them.

"I'm fine, just a little tired." Dante lied.

Delilah didn't seem convinced, the concern on her face made that clear, but she wasn't sure if she should press him. Was Dante still mad at her, did he still not understand that she wanted to help. Every day she questioned whether her methods were helping. On one hand he was helping more, less seemingly anxious. But on the other, he still didn't seem to want anything to do with her. A wall was still between them.

He had no idea how much she loved him.

"Am I doing the right thing for him? He still seems closed off from me?" Delilah thought to herself.

"Hey Dante, can you come over here?" Dolly called out.

Dante snapped partially out his thoughts and came over, moving past Delilah. Dolly had some bowls next to her, next to a kibble bag.

"Can you help pass food around, it's obviously gonna take a bit before the kibble machine is fixed.

Dante didn't say anything and just started passing food around as Dolly filled the bowls. The younger pups impatiently tried to grab at the bowls he was carrying.

"Hey! That's enough, wait your turn!" Dante frustratingly said at a group of pups, raising his voice slightly.

The pups jumped back slightly. Dolly quickly came over with bowls and placed them down in front of the pups, then turned to Dante.

"Bro just relax. Here why don't you do the scooping instead." Dolly suggested.

Dante did as told and went to the bag, trying to scoop quickly. He really just wanted this breakfast time to be over. He watched Dolly go around the table, trying her best to stay relaxed. She did some playful tricks as she passed the bowls around to keep the pups entertained and soon they all calmed down.

Just like the amazing big sister she was. Dante looked at Dylan who was making sure the pups were behaving, correcting any firmly who were acting out. Both Dolly and Dylan looked tired. Dante just looked down at the bag in shame.