Caden has been working on Oliver's costume for a long time. It's the last day of September. The calendar is turning a new page tomorrow. That Wednesday afternoon, Caden and Oliver were again walking together to the tricycle terminal.
"Hey Caden, how much longer before you finish the costume?" Oliver asked.
"Why'd you ask? Are you getting tired of coming to my house?" Caden sarcastically replied. "But I think I'll finish your costume today."
"Bummer." Oliver whispered.
"What was that?" Caden asked.
"Uh. Nothing. Come on let's keep walking." the boy replied.
They kept walking, talking amongst themselves, when they passed by a flower shop. There was a man sitting outside, smoking. Beside him lay a pile of trash, unsegregated. The man looked like he works for the shop, but didn't even bother to sweep it up.
"Oh my God a rat!" Oliver screamed, pointing at the pile at the storefront.
Caden went to look for it. "What a weirdo." Oliver thought. "Caden what are you doing? That's disgusting!" he told his friend, who was leaning down on the trash looking for the little animal.
"Oliver you're a dumbass. That's a puppy!" Caden exclaimed.
Caden wanted to pick it up, but Oliver pulled his hand away. "Don't just pick it up! Its owner might be nearby."
The smoking man overheard their conversation and joined in. "Do you want it?" he asked. "That dog's been sniffing around for a few days now. I don't think it has an owner."
"Poor dog." the man added. "I think its previous owners just threw it out, not wanting to take care of it."
Caden then went closer to the puppy and observed it. It didn't have a collar. He really wanted to take it home.
"Fine." Oliver spoke. "But don't make me carry it. It looks like it has ticks." he added.
Caden then took out a plastic bag from his backpack. He wrapped it around the little puppy and lifted it. "Look at you, you're so light." he told the puppy. "I'm taking you home."
The two boys then walked on, continuing their journey to the tricycle terminal. Oliver asked, "Why did you take it? That dog might carry diseases, you know."
Caden just smiled and looked at the helpless puppy in his arms. "Look at her, she's so young, yet she's already trying to survive alone. She couldn't ask for food no matter how hungry she is. It's hard being voiceless in a world where you need to ask."
"Well, what are you gonna name it?" Oliver asked.
"Millie."
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The two finally got home to Caden's house. He paid for all the seats in the tricycle so the puppy could sit on the floor. They were greeted by Louise at the door.
"Caden! Where did you get that?" she asked, looking at the dirty puppy Caden held.
"He found it looking around the garbage on the way home." Oliver responded.
"Mom, I felt so sorry for it. I mean, can you resist that cute little face?" He teased, lifting the puppy in a way that it faces his mom.
"Fine, fine. But don't bring it in yet. It might have fleas." Louise replied.
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Those Damn Dimples (BL)
RomanceA lot of Caden's later years were spent with the absence of his father, a man whom he had always wanted to feel by his side. He longed for his father, to feel safe in his arms when he's in peril. The man was always abroad, working. Caden had conside...
