The lucky one

Chapter 10

Later that day, Oliver found himself on the porch of an old abandoned house, the owner saying "Just needs a little tender love and care. 

He explored it, finding its state a little worst than just needing "a little tender love and care" but still good enough for him to stay in for awhile. It was still better than a leftover piece of a plane's body on a desert island.

"I'll take it," he said to the owner "How much for the rent?"

The man scoffed at that "Oh, it was seating there doing nothing anyway! Let's say a hundred per month for the form? I could use that and get better fishing equipment"

"Deal" Oliver nodded "I'll be by tomorrow morning to sign the papers"

"Alright," the man said, turning to leave "I have tools and timbers and the likes. You're welcome to them!"

"Thanks!" said Oliver, amazed by the carefree nature of the owner, who simply chuckled as he walked away.

"Looks like we'll be here for a while buddy," Oliver said after he had set his camp outside the house. He would get on it later the day after. Right now, he had a call to make

He sighed, tossing a piece of meat to Zeus as he dialled Thea's number.

The line rang three times before someone finally picked up

"Hello?" said Roy in an exasperated tone

"Bad timing?" asked Oliver

"Hi, hey man! And no, it's just that I get so many calls today that I'm starting to get behind schedule"

"Seems like business is good"

"It is, I'll need to hire somebody very soon at this rate. Anyway, I'll go get Thea, just a sec."

"Thank you" agreed Oliver, hearing the faint sound of a door opening and closing and Roy's voice shouting his sister's name.

A few seconds later, Oliver heard  her voice "Hello?"

"Hi," he said, smirking as heard her gasp

"Oh my god! Finally! What took you so long?!"

"I'm happy to hear your voice too Thea" he joked with a find smile on his face

"I am too! I was just so worried! Thank God you made it!"

"You ever doubted it?"

"No, but it's been nearly two months! Did you meet the mysterious beauty?"

"I did, but as I was searching for the picture, a piece of newspaper that I use to start my fires fell and she thought I was applying for a job at her kennel."

"And?..." asked Thea, expectantly

"I couldn't say no, so tomorrow is my first day at cleaning cages, cleaning dogs and repairing what I can"

At the other end of the line, Oliver heard his sister chuckle "Oh Ollie..."

"What?"

"You were simply too smitten by her to tell her the truth"

"Wha-no! Thea!"

Now, Thea was full-on laughing

"Thea Queen, stop laughing!" he grumbled

"Okay," she said, her voice cracking just enough for him to know that she was about to explode in laughed anytime soon

"Anyway, I figured I might stay for a while. I actually got a house with minimal rent"

"Well then I guess we'll have somewhere to stay at when we get by and visit"

"Sure, but first I need to repair it. And I also doubt you'll come by anytime soon. Roy sound pretty busy"

"You wouldn't know. You remember these suspicious guys that kept showing up when you were here?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, they are so desperate that they actually help Roy as much as they can so that they can get their car faster"

"It's strange. Why are they so much in a hurry?"

"I don't know. And something tells me I don't want to ask. Anyway, we're about to open a restaurant with a small motel beside it near the entrance of our yard"

"Like a truck stop? I remember there were a lot of trucks passing by. And since you're only a few hours from the border with Canada, you might want to keep that in mind. You might become the busiest place around there"

"My dear brother, always the businessman"

"Not much, but I did what I could. Anyway, I got to go to sleep, I'll start early at the kennel tomorrow."

"Need any money for the rent?"

"I could use some. I don't think the guy would have minded waiting for my first pay but it wouldn't hurt to get that out of the way."

"I'll transfer it on your regular card."

"Which one? You didn't just slip a credit card in my bad, did you?"

"Nope. Check at the very bottom, there's a wallet. You should be alright with what's inside it"

"Okay. Thank you, sis"

"It's a pleasure Ollie"

"Oh and Thea?"

"Yes?"

"I love you"

"I love you too. Take care of yourself"

"You too. Bye."

"Bye."