Under Control - Sequel to 'Running Wild'

Part One, New Beginnings

On my chin I felt his slightly curled hair as he nuzzled his face beneath it. I remembered we have been in this position for a few hours, since we've gone to sleep, but why was I awake again? I couldn't remember what it was that woke me up, until I heard it again. It came from downstairs, but I couldn't tell what it was. I tried to ignore it, maybe it was coming from outside all along? So I caressed Toby's head while falling asleep. Then I heard it again and sighed. I tried my best not to wake him as I struggled to get out of bed. I walked downstairs and the noise became louder, something was inside, or someone. I searched for a weapon and found a knife on the drawer downstairs. The thumping came from the kitchen. I saw a dim light coming out of the room, probably the fridge. As I went inside the door of the fridge was open and someone small stood in front of it. I just saw their little legs. It was a kid. He wore short pants and no shoes. I almost couldn't see him, it was so dark and I was still tired, I could only see his dark skin as the fridge light shone on him.
As soon as I stood in the door way he looked back with a scared face. I turned on the light to see him better, and saw, that he seemed to be blind on the left eye. Anxious he looked at me and at the knife I held. His shirt had holes and looked worn out. Where did he come from?
   "Hey, how did you get in?" I asked, still squeezing my eyes to properly see him. Before I could ask more he fled through the window he must have come from. I stood there confused.
   "What the hell was that?" I looked around, with a drowsy eyesight and walked to the fridge. It looked like a mess, he ate whatever he could grab. I sighed again. In the next moment I heard steps from the stairs, it was Toby. With his eyes as tired as mine he looked at me.
   "What are you doing?" He asked while I closed the fridge and the window. Then I walked over to him and rested my head on his chest.
   "Nothing." He kissed my head and turned off the light.
   "Alright." Then we walked upstairs again and the rest of the night passed silently.

In the morning Toby was already gone, it happens often so I wasn't surprised, but I liked it when he stayed the mornings with me. We don't talk much in those mornings, we just sit in the kitchen and drink coffee. But just like on other days I sat alone, thinking about what happened last night. I've never seen this kid anywhere before and he didn't look like he had human contact in quite a while. Was he living in the woods? He looked so rough, and his clothes must've been older than he can remember probably, so why have I never seen him around?
The sudden phone ringing let my heart drop. It was Chris. He told me about Rae's birthday and that they want us to celebrate with them.
   "She's going to be six this weekend right? She's so big already. I'll ask Toby if he's got time, but I'll come for sure." Rae loved him, although Toby hasn't seen her that often yet she's fascinated by him. He's not the type to like children but he's doing just finde with her.
After we've finished talking I got ready for work and drove into the city. I parked as usually right in front of the diner I always ate at and grabbed something to eat there before I walked down to the flower shop I worked in. It wasn't a dream come true to work there, but it was calming and kind of nice. I didn't know much about flowers and their meanings, but Gloria makes sure I'll remember. Gloria's my boss, she's almost sixty but still kicking it. Once someone tried to rob us, and before I could interact Gloria beat him up with the broom until he cried.

   "Honey, how were your holidays? Did ya have fun with ya man?" She asked as she wobbled out in the shop from the kitchen. Then she laughed with her high toned voice.
   "Same as always." I said and she looked sad at me.
   "Aww honey, if ya got problems with him in the bedroom tell me, my sister's makin' these great potions, works on every man, I'm tellin' ya." I laughed because she was serious.
   "Not like that, it's great like always." Then she smiled.
   "That's what I wanna hear, honey. Now then, make me proud and sell them flowers." She laughed again and went over to her stool at the window.
   "Yes, Mam." I smiled and leaned on my arm at the counter, waiting for customers.

At the end of day, as the radio played 'The wind cries Mary' and no more customers came, the door opened once again. Toby came through the glass door. He looked around until he found what he searched for, he picked up a pot with dahlias and brought them to the counter to me. Dahlias were one of my favorite flowers, and every time he picked me up he bought some for me.
   "Hello Gloria." He said to her, while she still sat in that stool, half asleep.
   "Hello handsome." She greeted him with a smile before she returned to her newspaper. He paid for the flowers and I got my bag and jacket out of the back.
   "See you tomorrow, Gloria." I said before we left and she nodded with a smile.

On our way to the car I remembered Chris' phone call.
   "Hey, it's Rae's birthday next weekend, she wants you to come too, what do you say?" He opened the car door and looked at me.
   "I don't know if I'm able to c-come. But I'll try." He said as we both already sat in the car. I gave him a short kiss before he started to drive.
   "Thanks."