I Never Told You What I Do For a Living

Chapter One: A little white Maltese

 “Jimmy!  Keep your shit out of my room!” I screamed as loud as I could.  I heard him stomp into my room, and he grabbed his jacket from my bed.  He towered over me for a second, just grinning like an idiot. “What’s with you?  You’re creeping me out.”  I gave him the gesture to get out of my room like I would have a dog.  I was just lying on my bed, reading my book.  I didn’t want a giant, grinning at me like a pedophile.  “We got new neighbors.”  I just stared at him for a moment, “Really Jim?  You’re excited over new neighbors?”

                I stood up, following him down stairs and out the front door.  We stood there, watching movers carry in different pieces of furniture, and boxes.  “Do you see anyone?” Jimmy whispered.  I looked at him, and he was bouncing on his feet.  He is the only person I know that would get excited over new neighbors.  “I don’t see anyone.” I said out loud, and he quickly shushed me.  We were ducked behind some bushes, and I felt like a creep just staring at this person’s house.  I stood up, shaking my head.  “I’m not waiting to see some old, wrinkly couple.” I said, walking back towards the house.  The development we live in, just so happens to be a retirement place for the old folks.

                Jimmy groaned, following me back inside the house.  “You act like a little kid, even though you’re older than me.” I laughed.  I walked into the kitchen, where I found my mom making breakfast.  “We have new neighbors!”  Jimmy shouted as he came into the room.  I swear, I think he was dropped on his head when he was born.  But I love the kid, more than anything.  He is my best friend, and I don’t know what I would do without him.  My mom was a little surprised; she didn’t think that house would ever get filled because of rumors about it being haunted by the couple that died there like, ten years ago.  I think it’s all just bullshit.

“Emma!  Can you please go get the mail?”  My dad called from in the kitchen.  I was sitting in the living room, watching TV, being lazy.  The normal.  I groaned, getting off the couch and slipping on my flip flops.  I walked out of the house, and strolled to the mail box.  As I was walking out, I saw this white dog just flash right in front of me, and down the street.  I didn’t pay any mind, and continued on my journey.  I grabbed the mail, and began to look through it, all junk, and bills.  “Hey, have you seen a little white Maltese running around here?” The males breathless voice was coming from beside me, I didn’t even bother to look up.  I pointed in the direction the dog went in, and he took off running.  “People and their dogs.” I mumbled.

                I looked up, to see the direction he was running in.  The guy was now walking back, with the small white dog that I had just seen a few minutes ago.  He walked up to me, giving me a tired smile, “Thanks.” He said, trying to catch his breath.  He had a black beanie on, and a pair of sunglasses.  He wore a jacket, unzipped, and a white V-neck t-shirt, showing part of a tattoo he had on his chest.  I really couldn’t see much of it, to know what it said.  He was very attractive might I add.  “Yeah, no problem.” I said in a flat tone.  “I’m Brian, by the way.  I live next door.” He nudged his head in the direction of the house next door. 

                “You’re not old.” I blurted.  I buried my face in my hands, completely embarrassed.

                “Um, no?” he laughed.

I looked up at him, “I’m going to go inside now.  Nice meeting you, Brian.” I started walking away, and was almost to the house, “I never got your name!” he yelled.

                “Emma!” I said as I opened the door.  I walked in, slamming it behind me.  I am such an idiot.

Getting up the next morning, I had Jimmy yelling at me to walk the dog.  That dog is like a million years old, I don’t understand about walking it.  I stepped out of bed, and grabbed a pair of cotton shorts and my purple hoodie.  Since we lived in old people town, I don’t just walk my dog, I walk everyone else’s dog around here too.  I grabbed my ipod off of my desk, and went downstairs.  I grabbed Phoenix’s leash, and now I had to hunt his lazy ass down.

                I found him sleeping behind the couch, which was no surprise to me.  “C’mon lazy bones.” I laughed, snapping the leash on his bright yellow collar.  Only Jimmy would pick out something that color.  I didn’t really mind much.  I never saw the dog anyways.  I pulled on my converse before walking out the door, and heading over to Mrs. Perch’s house.  I knocked, and I already heard all the dogs barking.  She had three dogs, including the Great Dane; I like to call a horse.  She already had them on their leashes.  She handed me the three leashes, thanking me a million times like she does every morning.  “It’s not a problem, Diane.”  She never liked being called by her last name.

                I moved to the last house of Mr. Walsh, who only had to small pugs.  One was black, and the other looked like the one from Men and Black, so you can say he was definitely my favorite.  They were all pulling, and tugging as we walked down the street, and to a little park the development built for the dogs.  I let them loose in the caged area, and sat on a bench across from them.  Phoenix just sat quietly beside me.  I ruffled his ears and smiled.  He was always such a good dog, even though he bugged me most of the time, because all he would do is sleep.

                I felt the presence of someone sitting next to me, and I turned my head and wouldn’t you know it.  Brian was sitting there, “What a coincidence seeing you here.” He smiled.  I shook my head, “Not really.  It is a park…where I live…and I walk dogs…so not at all.”

He laughed, leaning forward.

                “So why did you move here?” I asked.  “Well, if you don’t mind me asking.” I added quickly.

He looked over to me, “Well I moved here with my grandma.  She can’t really take care of herself anymore, so I stepped in to help her.  And plus, she’s going through chemo right now, so I need to get her to her appointments.”

                “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.  I didn’t mean to pry or anything.”

                “No, it’s fine.” He smiled.  

I gave him a sorry smile, and turned my attention to the dogs.  It seems that Brian’s dog has taken to the Pug that happened to be my favorite of course.  They were cuddled in the corner of the fence, it was quite humorous actually.

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