This was just an idea that came to mind as I was working on a different story that will be posted in the near future. This one is a little different and I hope you guys like it because I'm having a lot of fun writing this one. Enjoy!
"Mom the new neighbor has a dog; do you think I could go ask if I can walk their dog?" Abel asked, leaning on the counter. "I promise I'll be back after to help you with dinner," he pleaded. When it came to her son she found it hard to tell him no.
"Okay, but come right back," Zoe told him. Abel kissed his mom's cheek and ran out the door. Zoe sighed watching from the kitchen window. They had been in Mobile for 6 months now. She wanted a better environment for her son. He was starting to get into a lot of trouble in the city and Zoe needed to find a way to keep him from going down the wrong path and moving seemed like the ideal option. He took up walking dogs for extra cash around the little neighborhood they lived in. He was saving his money for a car when he turned 16 in less than 2 years. In two months time he'd be getting his driver's permit.
Wade was digging through boxes cursing himself out for not putting labels on any of the boxes. He had been able to find the dog stuff that had been his first priority when he got there. He really needed to find a towel and the rest of his bathroom things so he could take a shower. Moving to Mobile wasn't necessary but he needed out of Bluebell for a while. And well he cared about his dad that he couldn't find it in himself to move elsewhere while his dad was getting the help he needed at a local place that gave him his own personal doctor until he was allowed to move out of the hospital and a sponsor to help him stay sober.
"Hobs hush," Wade demanded walking past his husky that was wagging his tail at the door where the knock had come from. Wade pulled the door open to see a kid with short blond hair and dark green eyes standing there looking excited. "What can I do for ya?" He tried to pull Hobs from assaulting the young boy with his pink tongue but the dog wasn't budging an inch. Not that the boy minded.
"I walk the other dogs during the day after school for a small fee and I was wondering if you needed someone to walk your dog. I live right there," he pointed to the faded blue house next to his corner house. "Names Abel," he introduced. "If you need me to walk him on the weekends you'll have to let me know."
"I'm Wade and this here is Hobs. It would be nice if you could walk him maybe play a game of fetch or two with him," Wade suggested. "I'll pay ya extra for it," he added on.
"That's not necessary, I'd be more than happy to play a few games of fetch with him," Abel beamed. "I know that you can't have anything to eat here and take out can get sickenin' and well my mom and me always make a lot of extra food that goes to waste so maybe you and Hobs can come over. Ma won't mind, at least she shouldn't mind," Abel invited.
"Thanks for the offer and all but I don't think that's the best thing, I still have a lot to do before bed, maybe another time though Abel," he declined politely.
"Okay but if you change your mind we'll be eating in about an hour. Bye Wade," he told him giving one last pat to Hobs head walking back to his house through the gate that was in the fence that separated the two yards. "I can walk him and I invited him for dinner 'cause it's the neighborly thing to do. He declined though," he informed his mom pulling out the things for mashed potatoes and homemade meatballs.
"That was nice of you and I'm happy that you get to add another dog to that ever growing list of clients. But maybe next time run it by me when you plan on inviting the new neighbor over," Zoe informed him.
"Okay mom and I promise this won't affect my school work."
"The second it does you have to cut back with the dogs," Zoe told him sternly.
"I know," he huffed with an eye roll. "We've been through this before, Ma. School comes first, he replied. "Can you promise not to burn the place down while I go type up my English paper?" He asked cracking a smirk.
"I'm sure I'll be fine, Abe," Zoe stressed with a soft smile. Abel rolled his eyes, walking upstairs.
"What have I told ya about calling me Abe?" He questioned under his breath. Zoe bit back her laughter, getting the ingredients out for a salad.
Abel sat at his desk waiting for the computer to load. He liked New York and he missed his grandma dearly. When he was told they were moving to some city in the south he wasn't happy about that and he rebelled even more. Until they got to their new home and he overheard his mom on the phone, he never wanted to cause problems and hurt her, his ol' man had done enough of that to the both of them over the years. That's why he went to look for something he could do that would keep him out of trouble. He tried to help his mom out with the money he was able to bring in from walking the dogs but she refused and told him to save it for a rainy day. The more time he spent in Mobile the more he actually liked the city.
Zoe just finished the salad and checked on the potatoes when there was a knock on her back door. Frowning she opened the door and a white and grey dog ran past her nearly knocking her over, the dog would have succeed if it wasn't for his owners lightening fast reflexes. Zoe pulled away from him running her hands down the front of her apron, her cheeks a deep crimson color.
"I'm sorry about him. Hobs can be a bit of a kid. I'm Wade, Abel invited me over," he explained rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't mean to intrude or anything on ya," he tacked on.
"Its fine really come on in," Zoe told him pulling the door open wider. "I'm Zoe," she told him holding her hand out for him.
"Wade," he replied, bringing her hand up to his lips placing a soft kiss to the back of her hand. "It smells lovely in here." He couldn't remember the last time he had a home cooked meal.
"I'd wait till you try it, you'll think otherwise," Abel smirked, Hobs behind him. Wade chucked watching as Zoe tossed a towel at her son.
"My cooking has improved greatly, thank you very much."
"You keep telling yourself that. Just last week you set the toast and toaster on fire, we still haven't gotten a new one," he pointed out. Wade leaned against the counter watching mother and son duke it out. The memories he had with his mom wanting to come out. He smiled happy he decided to take the kid up on his offer. Zoe was gorgeous and she could laugh at herself. With one look you could see just how much she adored her son and how much Abel thought of his mom. Their home was filled with love.
"The real question here has she burnt water?" Wade asked joining the conversation. He stepped up to the stove to check on the meatballs as Zoe and Abel set about smashing the chunks of potatoes.
"I have not," Zoe told him placing the milk in the fridge, seeing the smirk on her son's face. "You're our guest you don't have to do that," Zoe told him trying to shoo him from the pan.
"I don't mind, besides they're done," Wade told her glancing to see what his dog was doing. He was being lazy as ever sleeping under the table.
Abel handed the potatoes over to his mom and he dug plates and silverware out to set the table. Zoe placed the food on the table and Abel went back to get glasses. "We have milk, juice, water or coke," Zoe rattled off pulling the chocolate milk out for Abel.
"Ya know milk is just fine," Wade commented, sitting down at the small round table that seated four people. He did wonder where Abel's father was but that wasn't a question to ask now.
"What brings you to Mobile?" Zoe asked, handing him the bowl with the salad.
"I could ask you the same question. New York?"
"How'd ya know?" Abel asked.
"Accent," Wade smirked. "Just needed to get away for awhile, I'm from a small town not far from here. Bluebell, we have the greatest mayor around. Lavon Hayes."
"You know Lavon Hayes? Ma did ya hear he knows Lavon Hayes?" Abel yelled excitement in his voice. Zoe laughed nodding her head.
"Big fans I see," Wade chuckled.
"The biggest," Abel stated. "We never missed one of his games."
"I'll make sure to send him over when he comes for a visit."
"That'd be awesome."
"You don't have to do that," Zoe informed him.
"Nah it's cool. He'd like that more than you two meeting him," Wade chuckled. "Mind if I ask how long you guys have been here?"
"Six months," Zoe told him. "New York wasn't working out for as any longer."
"In other words I was being a disrespectful troublemaker," Abel stated. "We moved so I'd straighten out."
"Ya know I caused a lot of trouble growing up and I'm doing alright for myself now that I got my act together. Wish I would've done it when I was your age. I'd be the one playing football," Wade shared.
"What team?" Abel asked.
"I would have liked to play for the Titans or maybe the Cowboys. Any team really."
"I play soccer and baseball tried football once but I had more fun watching the game instead of playing it," Abel rattled off. After that they had fallen into an easy conversation while they finished eating.
"Did you finish your homework?" Zoe asked after they were done eating.
"Uh not yet. I'll get right on that," he replied placing his plate in the sink. "It was nice meeting ya and I'll be over after for Hobs, when I'm done with school tomorrow," Abel said petting the dog in question.
"The key will be under the welcome mat in the back if I'm not home and it was awesome meeting you Abel," Wade responded back.
"You learn all these weird places where people hide their spare key," he mused walking upstairs.
"I shouldn't be worried he's gonna rob me and the rest of the neighborhood, should I?" Wade joked.
"You don't have to help," Zoe informed him getting the table cleared off. "These days no." Wade looked outside hearing no joking or teasing to her voice. He had to wonder just how much trouble he was getting into before the big move.
"I really don't mind especially after that lovely meal you cooked," Wade replied with a dazzling smile, letting the rest fall away.
"If you insist, I can also give ya a list of things that need to be fixed around here," Zoe winked, running water for the dishes.
"You're pushing your luck there, woman," Wade joked, rinsing the soap off the dishes.
"It was worth a shot," she shrugged.
They had worked in comfortable silence. Wade was glad that he decided to take up Abel's offer. After his shower he felt rejuvenated and with no numbers to call for take out and not in the mood to venture into town he decided to come over and get to know Abel and his mom a little better since he was letting Abel play with his baby during the week maybe on the weekends depending.
"Thanks for dinner, but I should really get home. I have an early day tomorrow," Wade commented walking to the door with a whistle. Hobs jumped up and followed his master out.
"You're welcome," Zoe told him, holding the door open. "Night Wade."
"Night Zoe. I'll have to cook for you and Abel one night." Zoe smiled and nodded her head. They both knew he didn't have to do that.
Zoe turned things off downstairs and headed up to Abel's room to wish him goodnight and to remind him that it was a school night and not to stay up too long. With an eye roll and an 'I know, ma' Zoe went to bed with Abel calling out a night and an I love you which Zoe returned the sentiment. She got ready for bed and pulled her book out to read as she snuggled under the covers.