Stories From Tokyo-To

Chapter 8: A Boy and His Dog!

I've been alone for a while now. Some may question my choice, but I ignore their suggestions and concerns. All I need is me. Well, that's not entirely true; I have Pots here keeping me company. We live in our little corner of the world. It's a good thing the neighbors keep to themselves. The least they can do is leave me be.

So when a kid breaks into your garage and thinks it's a five-star hotel, I see it more than reasonable to punch him square in the face. Though he seemed harmless, I couldn't risk anyone coming in and ruining the peace Pots, and I have been enjoying all these years.

The second he yelled that 'K' sent him, I admittedly lost my shit. I don't wanna hurt anyone, but goddamn it, I'll do anything to protect Pots and Ojiisan's place. When I left the room, I made sure to leave "K" a nasty but deserved voicemail. Hell, I doubt he cared. He'd probably say something like, "The kid needed help. What was I supposed to do? Leave him there?". Yes! Don't drag me into it! Fuck!

Whatever. So far, this kid, Benisu, he's alright. Real chatty. I don't like the chatty ones. He gets the message when I walk away from his questions and prodding. You'd think giving him two days would make him scurry and find a place to hop to after my door closes, but no, apparently, this guy comes from Fukowoka-Cho. Knows nobody here. Completely lost.

Again, not my problem. I do my part. He stays in his lane, and off he goes.

The first day I came back from work and the usual mess around the house was cleaned. Not only that but the groceries were stocked for the week. Pots was asleep next to a half-eaten bowl, and when I made my way to the garage, he was fixing some of the speakers I intended to sell. He apologized for cleaning without permission and wanted to help out around the house, seeing as he couldn't pay for his stay. 

Not one of my previous "guests" has done that before. It's weird, but if he was willing to help, that's his fault. He better not expect anything to change 'cause I ain't extending his stay.

Day two: his last day. Work was a drag. There were too many customers, and my boss had no one to cover my bum-ass coworkers' break. I expected him to be gone by the time I got home, like the others. But when I opened the door, I heard Pots crying. I knew it was too good to be true. He probably beat the hell outta Pots as a last 'fuck you'! I dropped my keys and darted to the kitchen, where his little yelps came from.

"GETCHA HANDS OFF MY DOG YOU MOTHAFUCKER!"

My fists were ready to plow into this dude's face and break more than his glasses. He looked at me, shocked. Pots' ears ducked as he flinched at my yelling. Benisu was wrapping one of Pots' paws. There was a bit of blood bleeding through the bandage.

"I'm sorry! We went for a walk, and he stepped on a shard of glass that cut his foot!"

I looked around to see the kitchen had some gauze and antiseptic. Was he tending to Pots' wounds? What, did he just not wanna get in trouble when I got home? Maybe the cowards knew there was an ass-whooping coming!

"I'm sorry, Pots. I knew it would sting, but I don't need you getting an infection, man. Here, let's set you down."

He looked at Pots and patted his head. Pots shook and licked his nose. Picking him up, Benisu gently took him off the counter, sat him down, and began to return the first aid supplies. My little guy limped his way to me and waited for me to pick him up. I did, and he snuggled into my arms. I was still hyped up, but knowing Pots was okay settled my nerves.

The kid got his things and made his way to the front door. He thanked me for letting him stay and said that he cleaned the bathroom, couch, and fixed all the speakers he was fidgeting with the day before. He ruffled Pots' head and smiled as he headed towards the entrance. Picking my keys up, he placed them on the nail in the wall, then walked out. I stood in the door frame as he walked out. Was this guy for real?

Before I could react, Pots wiggled in my arms, and I placed him on the ground. He started limping after Benisu. He barked at the kid, yapping his mouth off. Benisu looked back and was shocked that Pots was following him. He looked around and went to grab him. Snatching Pots in his arms, he walked back up to me.

"I'm sorry, man. I didn't mean for him to get so attached." He tried returning my dog to me, but Pots wouldn't let him. I was stunned. He's never acted this way. I looked down at my lil homie; he looked at me with literal 'puppy eyes'. I didn't know what he was getting at, but I had an idea. We both felt it.

"Aw man, he's all riled up here if I can just-" He tried angling Pots into my hands.

"Where are you planning to stay?"

He was surprised. "Hm? Oh! I guess somewhere nearby. Maybe an under a bridge or duct tunnel?"

I shook my head and took Pots from his hands. He looked at me funny, questioning why I asked. Without even saying a word, I jerked my head back into the house. He smiled brightly as he nodded and thanked me for my offer. Damn, I don't know what I was thinking. But if Pots liked him so much, then maybe there was something I was missing. He helped and didn't expect anything in return. It took me back to when it was just me and my Gramps. Maybe he was telling me off from the "great beyond". 

Who cares? I'll give the kid a shot.