Title: A Day in the Life of David King
Author: cannibaljello@yahoo.com
Rating: G
Notes: * = thoughts.
See, I occomplished something this weekend! I stuck to my word, and delivered this chapter which is pretty long considering the other two. I don't know if its necessarily better. After all, I tried to make things look up for David. I was also in a hurry to finish the chapter. Still, that's not an excuse for bad writing ^__^;
I have to agree with Jenell...I don't feel like putting the effort or time into writing this through the whole RE Outbreak period, since its currently being done and someone could just play the game if they really wanted the storyline...Still, it might make an appearance or two, depending on what my mind thinks up.
To Icedragon: you hit the nail on the head. That was my plan from the very beginning. :D Good minds think alike, I guess. Oh yes, and David's day will be getting better – only because I ran out of bad things to happen to him. _; I must restart the brain.
Keni: I like Kevin too ^__^
I like taking advice from my readers, however few there are. I don't necessarily do what is asked of me, but I enjoy seeing differences in peoples opinions, likes, and dislikes. I wouldn't change my whole plans for the fic just because of demand, but I like to keep other options open just in case my brain fizzes out. At least then I'd have a second idea ready to go, and I'd know at least someone would continue to read.
And I was confused by the way you used the word 'impressive' in your review. That's not exactly the word I would use, but hey, that's just me. ;)
Peanutbuttersunshine: Danke sehr. Thank you. I appreciate what you said (no sarcasm included). That is the same style of review I would have given to myself. I appreciate the truthfullness, because I'm sick of lies.
Eh, and sorry, I ain't plannin to die until September 5th. My condolences.
-
It was going to be a long day.
David nearly tripped over his own foot after he pulled up to his clients house. He hadn't planned to get caught speeding – *Psh, speeding? I was only going ten, okay fifteen, over the speed limit!* – and being pulled over had cost him time and - he fretted- a job. David King hated irony; he had been speeding to save time and had been delayed instead.
Cursing, David snatched up his tool belt and jogged to the wooden porch, slinging it about it waist as he did so. The worn leather felt soft yet withstanding beneath his callous hands - perhaps as much of a reliable tool as the metal wrenches and supplies cradled inside it. The buckle, on the other hand, was not.
"Stupid, worthless piece of shit..." David growled, fingers in a fury of fumbling with the troublesome fastening. At the same time, he ambled up the stairs, hands still struggling with his belt. *I will not be made any more late because of some damn buckle!* David told himself and settled for holding the tool belt in his left hand. The other rose to press the doorbell set aside the screen door.
At first, David was unsure he had even been heard, but a quick call of "Just a minute!" told him otherwise. Beyond the voice, and the sppt, sppt of a neighbors sprinkler, David could hear a sound that resembled crying. David knew the sound well. *Too well,* he repeated sourly and stepped away from the door, trying desperately to block out the sobs. to avert his attention, David stepped back into the yard and took a good look at the house. Two stories or so, it was painted a gentle blue hue. In the windows, creamy drapes were hung, framing a vase of flowers - lilies, David guessed - in one of the larger windows. *Of course, I'm no florist. Hell, I couldn't tell a tulip from a pansy...* Well, he had to admit that even he wasn't -that- bad; he knew beautiful things when he saw them. And he was sure he knew what beauty was when the front door finally opened.
In the door frame sat a woman - about 25 or so, not that David would ask - and had to be one of the most pleasant surprises David could have had since the visit with Sheila Armstrong. She had thick, healthy chestnut hair which sat about her shoulders, neatly brushed to perfection. It cradled her fine chiseled face. *Very fine, indeed* The plumber smirked inwardly, and gave himself a mental kick. *Stop staring, you perverted idiot* Still...she was something to look at. David found himself admiring her again, looking at her pointed chin, bright blue eyes, and her nose.
*Now -that- is a beautiful nose* David noted, wondering not for the first time if he had an obsession over noses. *Stop being weird* He told himself. "You called for a plumber?"
"Yes I did. I take it you're the guy." The woman motioned towards the belt hanging from his hand. "...Unless you're just some man who happens to be wandering around carrying a tool belt wearing a plumbers uniform." She smiled gently.
"Oh yes, that's me. Gotta be prepared...You never know when a tool belt could come in handy." Unfortunately, David would soon come to see how true -that- was. Suddenly, he felt awkward standing in the middle of her yard.
"Would you like to come inside?" She asked.
"Isn't that where the pipes are?"
"Wow, it's good to see I've hired a genius" The lady laughed, twisting a finger through her hair. David wondered for a split second whether to take offense or not, and decided the latter. Stepping forward, he walked across the porch and, removing his glove of his right hand, extended it to the woman. *Workin' it smooth* He smiled inwardly. The woman took it with one long-fingered hand shook his. "The names Laura Janson."
"David King, Plumber All Mighty at your service." *Down boy*
"And that" – David jumped as he felt a tug on his pant leg. He looked down to see a little girl. "-that is Marie. Say hello, Marie."
Silence. She looked seven or so. Then again, David wouldn't know; he hadn't interacted with children much. He knew enough to see the resemblance between the two - Mother and Daughter, perhaps? The girl, Marie, had the same face as her mother, yet her eyes were different. Instead of blue, they were a chocolate brown, and – David was concerned to see – seemed puffed from tears.
"Marie, be polite and introduce yourself." Laura chided gently, looking down at the girl who stood only 3' 5", give or take.
"...Who're you?" Mariedemanded. Laura put one hand to her forehead and sighed.
"Name's David." He said simply, holding out his hand to the little girl. She stared at him instead.
"Why is your hair long?"
"Marie!" Laura gasped, giving David an apologetic glance. Instead of catching it, he stared at the little girl.
"I can't stand peppermint floss, so I make my own." He said simply, keeping a serious face. *Well, that's partially true...* He thought with an mental grin. Marie, on the other hand, gaped and looked squeamish. This time, he caught Laura's look of curiosity and amusement. *Score.*
"People don't do that! Yuck!" Marie stuck her tongue out and pointed one short finger down her throat.
"Come inside, you two. Enough playtime. We have a goldfish to save!" The woman smiled. Laura caught Marie's hand in her own, and Marie beamed at David. He stood there, confused.
"-What?-"
"You're going to save Gustav!" The young one hopped and grabbed his hand, tugging him to the house behind her mother. Once inside, he pulled Laura aside as Marie danced around the living room. He opened his mouth to speak, ready to ask her if she was insane. *You can't save a fish* –
"-Are you going to kiss my mother?" Big brown eyes stared at the two adults.
"Marie!" Her mother squeaked.
"Kissing is gross. It's bad for adults! I heard that's how babies are made." David couldn't believe his ears, which – he noted with embarrassment – were smoldering with heat. Laura flushed as well, and batted the child away with her hands.
"Marie, it's rude to interrupt people! I can't believe your manners today, young lady. Now go off and play, or I'll send you to your room."
"But I don't want a little brother or sister!"
"And you aren't getting one! Now shoo! Go watch TV or something." Flustered, Laura glared at her child as the little one bounded, hair in a curly mess, out of the room. David's eyes followed until the girl disappeared around the corner, where the sounds of cartoons began playing. The zips, bonks, and boings of Looney Toons and childish laughter could be heard from the living room, where David and Laura stood.
"David – It's David, right?- I'm really sorry...I don't know where she hears that crap." She ran one hand through her hair self-consciously.
"It's okay. Kids will be kids." He said shrugging. "Now, what is it I'm suppose to do? Save a fish? I'm a plumber, not a lifeguard."
"Hey, it's not like the fish is drowning. Marie accidentally flushed her fish down the toilet when she was cleaning its tank."
"What am I suppose to do? Stop the water?" David questioned, lifting his arms widely. The tool belt, still held in his grasp, clattered slightly as the gadgets inside knocked against one another.
"Sure." Laura nodded.
"I can't do that! Well, I could. But that fish is long gone. By now its probably starring in the movie Grinding Nemo at the water treatment plant." *That was a lame one, David.* He dropped his arms to his sides, then raised his empty hand to rub his aching head.
"Well it was worth a try. Marie loved that fish...Look, I'm sorry I wasted your time." Laura said, looking glum. What hope she had dissipated. Groaning inwardly, David hated being sentimental, but couldn't help but feel down. He disliked seeing people hurt, either physically or emotionally. Hell, he wasn't heartless, despite his past. What made this worse was the little girl giggling a hallway from where he stood. *Fuck, I'm getting soft.*
"...Look, I'll think of something. I'll get Marie her fish back, although I'm not quite sure how..." David worried that he would be regretting his words. At the moment, his ego overpowered logic and he doubted that was a good way to be.
"Would you? Oh thank you!" Laura grinned, stepping to hug him. Despite how attracted he was to her, he was still awkward with human contact, and stepped back defensively.
"I'll need you to take her out somewhere so I can work. Can you do that for me?" David asked.
"Sure," she said to him, then turned to yell down the hallway. "Marie, turn the TV off, we're going to the park!"
The little girl hurried into the room with a worried look on her face. "But what about Gustav?"
"Gustav is fine." David said, mentally rolling his eyes at himself. Time to use that imagination he had stashed away after High School. *And I thought I'd never find another use for it* "Gustav and I are going to stay here and play a little game."
Marie gave him a silly smile. "You're silly. Fish can't play games!"
"Oh yes they can. I just happen to know that they love hide-n-seek. You know why fish hide in anemones - like Nemo? It's because they're hiding!" David was impressed with his madlibbing skills, however dumb they were.
"Nemo was a clown fish. Gustav is a goldfish." Marie said matted of factly. *Smart kid* David thought, having underestimated her intelligence.
"Well Goldfish like to play too...In fact, they're even better hiders. That's why you didn't know about it, because they hide very well." David glanced at Laura who was staring at David like he had gone insane. *Well, if I did, it wouldn't be the first time.* They could both see that Marie was buying his act.
"Wow, you're smarter than you look Mr. Plumber." The girl giggled. *Touche, Marie* David thought. Laura looked as if she was going to scold Marie again, but David kept talking.
"I need you two ladies to leave so I can hide. It's tricky to fool those fish, ya know? He has to think he's alone, and when he does, BAM, I'll snatch him up and throw him in his bowl."
"Mom," Marie turned to her mother. "Why didn't you think of that?"
"Must have slipped her mind." David, offered. Laura decided to play along.
"How could I have possibly forgotten! I must be going senile. Anyway, come on Marie, let's get going so Mr. Plumber can catch Gustav, go home, and eat lunch. In fact, we could go to the park and have a little picnic ourselves. Does that sound good?"
Brown hair bounced as Marie hopped to the door with the enthusiasm of the typical seven year old child, as well as with the impatience. "Come ON Mom, what's taking you so long?"
"...Kids." Laura said simply, smiling at Dave. She disappeared to the kitchen and returned holding a paper bag. She handed him the house keys. "Just in case you get locked out, Mr. Plumber All Mighty." Then the two girls left.
"...Shit." David said to himself. "How did I manage to get into this mess? Great goin', idiot." He walked slowly to the living room, taking a seat on the well-worn couch. It sunk beneath his weight, coaxing him to lay back and relax, but he was on the job. However nice it would be to take a break, he just couldn't. *Think about something besides rest. Look around, see what tools you have to work with.* So he did.
He scanned over to coffee table sitting just two feet away, noticing the stack of news papers. On the front page, the headline struck out at him. It read: Mysterious Illness Strikes Raccoon. With one hand, David picked it up, smelling the sharp scent of newspaper ink. Beneath that, he noted another interesting article, Thirteen More Found Dead in Raccoon Forest. And another - Cannibalistic Activity Continues to Baffle RPD. David caught himself reading.
"Now is not the time," he told himself, setting the stack down. Still another paper caught his attention. David brushed aside the newspapers with one gloved hand, picking up a small sheet of drawing paper. On it sat a scribbled drawing of a girl. It seemed that Marie was an aspiring artist. Even David, despite his hatred for the word, had to admit that the scribbles were...*Well, kinda cute*.
He looked at the crayon doodles, a small smile forming on his lips. Hell, he could smile to himself, he was alone after all. There were three other drawings besides the first. One was of a cat, he guessed, because of the pointed triangular ears and long whiskers. The next was of a girl and her mother. Like most children drawings, everything was exaggerated and the daughter was as tall as the mother. It must have been a family portrait. *No father, either.* David noticed.
The last drawing was bright orange and yellow. David strained his eyes and noticed with a raise of his brow that it was a goldfish. So that's what the illegible writing in the corner of the picture said - Gustav.
David dug through the pile of papers to see if there were any more. That's when he saw it - the answer to his problem. "Aces." He whispered, smiling at it - an advertisement for a pet store.
With the Gustav drawing in one hand and the paper in the other, David left the house and hurried to his truck parked against the sidewalk. Both items were throw into the passengers seat while David jumped in the others and revved the truck. "Why hadn't I thought of this sooner?" He asked himself, abiding the speed limit this time on the road. It wasn't far; he'd seen it before. Heck, it was a few shops down from his favorite sushi bar, which sounded tempting at the moment. *Watch it, you're getting sidetracked again.* David warned himself as he pulled into a parking space and cut the engine.
A bell jingled as David stepped through the door, the strong, chemical smell of chlorine washing over him and attacking his senses. It only fueled him to leave the place sooner.
"Hello there sir. What can I do for ya?" A teenage boy said from behind the register. Red headed and acne scarred, David was once reminded how thankful he was during his teenage years. Of course, he had other issues to worry about back then. Forcing the thought from his mind, David held up the cartoon doodle.
"Do you have any of these?" He asked. He didn't realize how stupid he appeared until the cashier smiled at him sarcastically.
"Did you draw that yourself?"
"If it makes you happy, then yes I did. Do I have to repeat myself?"
"That's a goldfish, right?"
"...Yes. I'll take one." David snapped, tapping his foot. He didn't want to return to the girls house later than they did.
"Okay, slow down, Sparky. Just a moment." The young man disappeared to the back and emerged holding a plastic bag with a golden fish circling in a confused frenzy. "That will be fifty cents."
"...That's it?" David asked dumbly. He hadn't bought a fish before.
"Yep."
"You're kidding..." The darker man murmured , digging through his pockets with one hand, coming up with a one dollar bill and a crumpled up twenty.
"Here. Go buy yourself a spring roll or something. They're really good." David laid down the money, ignoring the odd look he received before snatching up the fish and jogging out of the shop.
David let out a sigh of relief when he opened the front door to Laura's house. The two girls weren't back yet, giving him plenty of time to return the drawing, find the fish bowl, and drop the new Gustav inside. It made a tiny plop sound as he fell into the water, and almost immediately after the front door opened. Voices filled the tiny house, unhearing as David stashed the wet plastic bag in one of his uniform pockets. Picking up the bowl and the happy fish swimming inside, David marched out to the living room.
"Gustav!" Marie squealed, leaping for the bowl and nearly crashing into the man holding it. She then hugged David's leg, causing him to flush pink. "Thank you, thank you Mr. Plumber! You saved Gustav. You're the best!" She giggled and then turned her attention to her fish. All the while Laura stood there, staring at the fish and David curiously, as to say "How did you manage?"
"Gustav, you are a bad bad fishy, scaring mommy like that! No more playing hide-n-seek! You are grounded for a week!" She chided the fish and once again reminded David of her mother. Apparently, he had been quickly forgotten by the little girl who was chasting the fish all the way down the hallway and into her room. Laura, on the other hand, had not forgotten the plumber.
"How did you do that?" She asked in awe, watching him smirk.
"Let's just say that Gustav feels like a new fish." He answered simply. Laura understood, with a thankful grin on her lips.
"What could I ever do to repay you?"
David clamped the thoughts in his mind before they could even start. *Bad, bad David* "It was nothin'. I did it free of charge."
"I'm sure I've made you miss your lunch hour," Laura said apologetically.
"Didn't even notice." He said. Yes, perhaps –he- hadn't noticed, but his stomach had. It betrayed him and growled loudly. Laura laughed.
"Sure you didn't...I'll tell you what..." She began, pulling one of Marie's scribbles from the table and tore of a blank corner. Leaning over, her hand sought out a green crayon which she used to scratch something down on the paper. Then she handed it to David. "How about you call me and we can go out to lunch sometime - to make up for today. It will be my treat."
David had a hard time controlling himself. He had to refrain from slapping one hand across his thigh or jumping to click his heels together. *Score! I've got a date!* Despite his giddiness inside, he acted calm and collected - like always - on the outside.
"I'll see you up on that offer." He said coyly, picking his unused tool belt from its place on the table. Male pride filled each muscle with energy, which he used to strut *-not to obviously, I hope-* out the front door.
"I'll be looking forward to it." Laura purred, running a hand through her brown locks. She watched as David climbed in his truck, before calling out. "David! What if Marie finds out...you know, about Gustav?"
Buckling his seat belt, David rested his right arm on the unrolled car door windowsill. "She won't. Besides, what she doesn't know won't hurt her." He said, waving as he started the truck and began to turn from the sidewalk. Laura waved back before disappearing into the house.
"Perhaps today is finally looking up." David said to himself, resting his head back on the seat.
He couldn't have been more wrong.
-
TBC
Author: cannibaljello@yahoo.com
Rating: G
Notes: * = thoughts.
See, I occomplished something this weekend! I stuck to my word, and delivered this chapter which is pretty long considering the other two. I don't know if its necessarily better. After all, I tried to make things look up for David. I was also in a hurry to finish the chapter. Still, that's not an excuse for bad writing ^__^;
I have to agree with Jenell...I don't feel like putting the effort or time into writing this through the whole RE Outbreak period, since its currently being done and someone could just play the game if they really wanted the storyline...Still, it might make an appearance or two, depending on what my mind thinks up.
To Icedragon: you hit the nail on the head. That was my plan from the very beginning. :D Good minds think alike, I guess. Oh yes, and David's day will be getting better – only because I ran out of bad things to happen to him. _; I must restart the brain.
Keni: I like Kevin too ^__^
I like taking advice from my readers, however few there are. I don't necessarily do what is asked of me, but I enjoy seeing differences in peoples opinions, likes, and dislikes. I wouldn't change my whole plans for the fic just because of demand, but I like to keep other options open just in case my brain fizzes out. At least then I'd have a second idea ready to go, and I'd know at least someone would continue to read.
And I was confused by the way you used the word 'impressive' in your review. That's not exactly the word I would use, but hey, that's just me. ;)
Peanutbuttersunshine: Danke sehr. Thank you. I appreciate what you said (no sarcasm included). That is the same style of review I would have given to myself. I appreciate the truthfullness, because I'm sick of lies.
Eh, and sorry, I ain't plannin to die until September 5th. My condolences.
-
It was going to be a long day.
David nearly tripped over his own foot after he pulled up to his clients house. He hadn't planned to get caught speeding – *Psh, speeding? I was only going ten, okay fifteen, over the speed limit!* – and being pulled over had cost him time and - he fretted- a job. David King hated irony; he had been speeding to save time and had been delayed instead.
Cursing, David snatched up his tool belt and jogged to the wooden porch, slinging it about it waist as he did so. The worn leather felt soft yet withstanding beneath his callous hands - perhaps as much of a reliable tool as the metal wrenches and supplies cradled inside it. The buckle, on the other hand, was not.
"Stupid, worthless piece of shit..." David growled, fingers in a fury of fumbling with the troublesome fastening. At the same time, he ambled up the stairs, hands still struggling with his belt. *I will not be made any more late because of some damn buckle!* David told himself and settled for holding the tool belt in his left hand. The other rose to press the doorbell set aside the screen door.
At first, David was unsure he had even been heard, but a quick call of "Just a minute!" told him otherwise. Beyond the voice, and the sppt, sppt of a neighbors sprinkler, David could hear a sound that resembled crying. David knew the sound well. *Too well,* he repeated sourly and stepped away from the door, trying desperately to block out the sobs. to avert his attention, David stepped back into the yard and took a good look at the house. Two stories or so, it was painted a gentle blue hue. In the windows, creamy drapes were hung, framing a vase of flowers - lilies, David guessed - in one of the larger windows. *Of course, I'm no florist. Hell, I couldn't tell a tulip from a pansy...* Well, he had to admit that even he wasn't -that- bad; he knew beautiful things when he saw them. And he was sure he knew what beauty was when the front door finally opened.
In the door frame sat a woman - about 25 or so, not that David would ask - and had to be one of the most pleasant surprises David could have had since the visit with Sheila Armstrong. She had thick, healthy chestnut hair which sat about her shoulders, neatly brushed to perfection. It cradled her fine chiseled face. *Very fine, indeed* The plumber smirked inwardly, and gave himself a mental kick. *Stop staring, you perverted idiot* Still...she was something to look at. David found himself admiring her again, looking at her pointed chin, bright blue eyes, and her nose.
*Now -that- is a beautiful nose* David noted, wondering not for the first time if he had an obsession over noses. *Stop being weird* He told himself. "You called for a plumber?"
"Yes I did. I take it you're the guy." The woman motioned towards the belt hanging from his hand. "...Unless you're just some man who happens to be wandering around carrying a tool belt wearing a plumbers uniform." She smiled gently.
"Oh yes, that's me. Gotta be prepared...You never know when a tool belt could come in handy." Unfortunately, David would soon come to see how true -that- was. Suddenly, he felt awkward standing in the middle of her yard.
"Would you like to come inside?" She asked.
"Isn't that where the pipes are?"
"Wow, it's good to see I've hired a genius" The lady laughed, twisting a finger through her hair. David wondered for a split second whether to take offense or not, and decided the latter. Stepping forward, he walked across the porch and, removing his glove of his right hand, extended it to the woman. *Workin' it smooth* He smiled inwardly. The woman took it with one long-fingered hand shook his. "The names Laura Janson."
"David King, Plumber All Mighty at your service." *Down boy*
"And that" – David jumped as he felt a tug on his pant leg. He looked down to see a little girl. "-that is Marie. Say hello, Marie."
Silence. She looked seven or so. Then again, David wouldn't know; he hadn't interacted with children much. He knew enough to see the resemblance between the two - Mother and Daughter, perhaps? The girl, Marie, had the same face as her mother, yet her eyes were different. Instead of blue, they were a chocolate brown, and – David was concerned to see – seemed puffed from tears.
"Marie, be polite and introduce yourself." Laura chided gently, looking down at the girl who stood only 3' 5", give or take.
"...Who're you?" Mariedemanded. Laura put one hand to her forehead and sighed.
"Name's David." He said simply, holding out his hand to the little girl. She stared at him instead.
"Why is your hair long?"
"Marie!" Laura gasped, giving David an apologetic glance. Instead of catching it, he stared at the little girl.
"I can't stand peppermint floss, so I make my own." He said simply, keeping a serious face. *Well, that's partially true...* He thought with an mental grin. Marie, on the other hand, gaped and looked squeamish. This time, he caught Laura's look of curiosity and amusement. *Score.*
"People don't do that! Yuck!" Marie stuck her tongue out and pointed one short finger down her throat.
"Come inside, you two. Enough playtime. We have a goldfish to save!" The woman smiled. Laura caught Marie's hand in her own, and Marie beamed at David. He stood there, confused.
"-What?-"
"You're going to save Gustav!" The young one hopped and grabbed his hand, tugging him to the house behind her mother. Once inside, he pulled Laura aside as Marie danced around the living room. He opened his mouth to speak, ready to ask her if she was insane. *You can't save a fish* –
"-Are you going to kiss my mother?" Big brown eyes stared at the two adults.
"Marie!" Her mother squeaked.
"Kissing is gross. It's bad for adults! I heard that's how babies are made." David couldn't believe his ears, which – he noted with embarrassment – were smoldering with heat. Laura flushed as well, and batted the child away with her hands.
"Marie, it's rude to interrupt people! I can't believe your manners today, young lady. Now go off and play, or I'll send you to your room."
"But I don't want a little brother or sister!"
"And you aren't getting one! Now shoo! Go watch TV or something." Flustered, Laura glared at her child as the little one bounded, hair in a curly mess, out of the room. David's eyes followed until the girl disappeared around the corner, where the sounds of cartoons began playing. The zips, bonks, and boings of Looney Toons and childish laughter could be heard from the living room, where David and Laura stood.
"David – It's David, right?- I'm really sorry...I don't know where she hears that crap." She ran one hand through her hair self-consciously.
"It's okay. Kids will be kids." He said shrugging. "Now, what is it I'm suppose to do? Save a fish? I'm a plumber, not a lifeguard."
"Hey, it's not like the fish is drowning. Marie accidentally flushed her fish down the toilet when she was cleaning its tank."
"What am I suppose to do? Stop the water?" David questioned, lifting his arms widely. The tool belt, still held in his grasp, clattered slightly as the gadgets inside knocked against one another.
"Sure." Laura nodded.
"I can't do that! Well, I could. But that fish is long gone. By now its probably starring in the movie Grinding Nemo at the water treatment plant." *That was a lame one, David.* He dropped his arms to his sides, then raised his empty hand to rub his aching head.
"Well it was worth a try. Marie loved that fish...Look, I'm sorry I wasted your time." Laura said, looking glum. What hope she had dissipated. Groaning inwardly, David hated being sentimental, but couldn't help but feel down. He disliked seeing people hurt, either physically or emotionally. Hell, he wasn't heartless, despite his past. What made this worse was the little girl giggling a hallway from where he stood. *Fuck, I'm getting soft.*
"...Look, I'll think of something. I'll get Marie her fish back, although I'm not quite sure how..." David worried that he would be regretting his words. At the moment, his ego overpowered logic and he doubted that was a good way to be.
"Would you? Oh thank you!" Laura grinned, stepping to hug him. Despite how attracted he was to her, he was still awkward with human contact, and stepped back defensively.
"I'll need you to take her out somewhere so I can work. Can you do that for me?" David asked.
"Sure," she said to him, then turned to yell down the hallway. "Marie, turn the TV off, we're going to the park!"
The little girl hurried into the room with a worried look on her face. "But what about Gustav?"
"Gustav is fine." David said, mentally rolling his eyes at himself. Time to use that imagination he had stashed away after High School. *And I thought I'd never find another use for it* "Gustav and I are going to stay here and play a little game."
Marie gave him a silly smile. "You're silly. Fish can't play games!"
"Oh yes they can. I just happen to know that they love hide-n-seek. You know why fish hide in anemones - like Nemo? It's because they're hiding!" David was impressed with his madlibbing skills, however dumb they were.
"Nemo was a clown fish. Gustav is a goldfish." Marie said matted of factly. *Smart kid* David thought, having underestimated her intelligence.
"Well Goldfish like to play too...In fact, they're even better hiders. That's why you didn't know about it, because they hide very well." David glanced at Laura who was staring at David like he had gone insane. *Well, if I did, it wouldn't be the first time.* They could both see that Marie was buying his act.
"Wow, you're smarter than you look Mr. Plumber." The girl giggled. *Touche, Marie* David thought. Laura looked as if she was going to scold Marie again, but David kept talking.
"I need you two ladies to leave so I can hide. It's tricky to fool those fish, ya know? He has to think he's alone, and when he does, BAM, I'll snatch him up and throw him in his bowl."
"Mom," Marie turned to her mother. "Why didn't you think of that?"
"Must have slipped her mind." David, offered. Laura decided to play along.
"How could I have possibly forgotten! I must be going senile. Anyway, come on Marie, let's get going so Mr. Plumber can catch Gustav, go home, and eat lunch. In fact, we could go to the park and have a little picnic ourselves. Does that sound good?"
Brown hair bounced as Marie hopped to the door with the enthusiasm of the typical seven year old child, as well as with the impatience. "Come ON Mom, what's taking you so long?"
"...Kids." Laura said simply, smiling at Dave. She disappeared to the kitchen and returned holding a paper bag. She handed him the house keys. "Just in case you get locked out, Mr. Plumber All Mighty." Then the two girls left.
"...Shit." David said to himself. "How did I manage to get into this mess? Great goin', idiot." He walked slowly to the living room, taking a seat on the well-worn couch. It sunk beneath his weight, coaxing him to lay back and relax, but he was on the job. However nice it would be to take a break, he just couldn't. *Think about something besides rest. Look around, see what tools you have to work with.* So he did.
He scanned over to coffee table sitting just two feet away, noticing the stack of news papers. On the front page, the headline struck out at him. It read: Mysterious Illness Strikes Raccoon. With one hand, David picked it up, smelling the sharp scent of newspaper ink. Beneath that, he noted another interesting article, Thirteen More Found Dead in Raccoon Forest. And another - Cannibalistic Activity Continues to Baffle RPD. David caught himself reading.
"Now is not the time," he told himself, setting the stack down. Still another paper caught his attention. David brushed aside the newspapers with one gloved hand, picking up a small sheet of drawing paper. On it sat a scribbled drawing of a girl. It seemed that Marie was an aspiring artist. Even David, despite his hatred for the word, had to admit that the scribbles were...*Well, kinda cute*.
He looked at the crayon doodles, a small smile forming on his lips. Hell, he could smile to himself, he was alone after all. There were three other drawings besides the first. One was of a cat, he guessed, because of the pointed triangular ears and long whiskers. The next was of a girl and her mother. Like most children drawings, everything was exaggerated and the daughter was as tall as the mother. It must have been a family portrait. *No father, either.* David noticed.
The last drawing was bright orange and yellow. David strained his eyes and noticed with a raise of his brow that it was a goldfish. So that's what the illegible writing in the corner of the picture said - Gustav.
David dug through the pile of papers to see if there were any more. That's when he saw it - the answer to his problem. "Aces." He whispered, smiling at it - an advertisement for a pet store.
With the Gustav drawing in one hand and the paper in the other, David left the house and hurried to his truck parked against the sidewalk. Both items were throw into the passengers seat while David jumped in the others and revved the truck. "Why hadn't I thought of this sooner?" He asked himself, abiding the speed limit this time on the road. It wasn't far; he'd seen it before. Heck, it was a few shops down from his favorite sushi bar, which sounded tempting at the moment. *Watch it, you're getting sidetracked again.* David warned himself as he pulled into a parking space and cut the engine.
A bell jingled as David stepped through the door, the strong, chemical smell of chlorine washing over him and attacking his senses. It only fueled him to leave the place sooner.
"Hello there sir. What can I do for ya?" A teenage boy said from behind the register. Red headed and acne scarred, David was once reminded how thankful he was during his teenage years. Of course, he had other issues to worry about back then. Forcing the thought from his mind, David held up the cartoon doodle.
"Do you have any of these?" He asked. He didn't realize how stupid he appeared until the cashier smiled at him sarcastically.
"Did you draw that yourself?"
"If it makes you happy, then yes I did. Do I have to repeat myself?"
"That's a goldfish, right?"
"...Yes. I'll take one." David snapped, tapping his foot. He didn't want to return to the girls house later than they did.
"Okay, slow down, Sparky. Just a moment." The young man disappeared to the back and emerged holding a plastic bag with a golden fish circling in a confused frenzy. "That will be fifty cents."
"...That's it?" David asked dumbly. He hadn't bought a fish before.
"Yep."
"You're kidding..." The darker man murmured , digging through his pockets with one hand, coming up with a one dollar bill and a crumpled up twenty.
"Here. Go buy yourself a spring roll or something. They're really good." David laid down the money, ignoring the odd look he received before snatching up the fish and jogging out of the shop.
David let out a sigh of relief when he opened the front door to Laura's house. The two girls weren't back yet, giving him plenty of time to return the drawing, find the fish bowl, and drop the new Gustav inside. It made a tiny plop sound as he fell into the water, and almost immediately after the front door opened. Voices filled the tiny house, unhearing as David stashed the wet plastic bag in one of his uniform pockets. Picking up the bowl and the happy fish swimming inside, David marched out to the living room.
"Gustav!" Marie squealed, leaping for the bowl and nearly crashing into the man holding it. She then hugged David's leg, causing him to flush pink. "Thank you, thank you Mr. Plumber! You saved Gustav. You're the best!" She giggled and then turned her attention to her fish. All the while Laura stood there, staring at the fish and David curiously, as to say "How did you manage?"
"Gustav, you are a bad bad fishy, scaring mommy like that! No more playing hide-n-seek! You are grounded for a week!" She chided the fish and once again reminded David of her mother. Apparently, he had been quickly forgotten by the little girl who was chasting the fish all the way down the hallway and into her room. Laura, on the other hand, had not forgotten the plumber.
"How did you do that?" She asked in awe, watching him smirk.
"Let's just say that Gustav feels like a new fish." He answered simply. Laura understood, with a thankful grin on her lips.
"What could I ever do to repay you?"
David clamped the thoughts in his mind before they could even start. *Bad, bad David* "It was nothin'. I did it free of charge."
"I'm sure I've made you miss your lunch hour," Laura said apologetically.
"Didn't even notice." He said. Yes, perhaps –he- hadn't noticed, but his stomach had. It betrayed him and growled loudly. Laura laughed.
"Sure you didn't...I'll tell you what..." She began, pulling one of Marie's scribbles from the table and tore of a blank corner. Leaning over, her hand sought out a green crayon which she used to scratch something down on the paper. Then she handed it to David. "How about you call me and we can go out to lunch sometime - to make up for today. It will be my treat."
David had a hard time controlling himself. He had to refrain from slapping one hand across his thigh or jumping to click his heels together. *Score! I've got a date!* Despite his giddiness inside, he acted calm and collected - like always - on the outside.
"I'll see you up on that offer." He said coyly, picking his unused tool belt from its place on the table. Male pride filled each muscle with energy, which he used to strut *-not to obviously, I hope-* out the front door.
"I'll be looking forward to it." Laura purred, running a hand through her brown locks. She watched as David climbed in his truck, before calling out. "David! What if Marie finds out...you know, about Gustav?"
Buckling his seat belt, David rested his right arm on the unrolled car door windowsill. "She won't. Besides, what she doesn't know won't hurt her." He said, waving as he started the truck and began to turn from the sidewalk. Laura waved back before disappearing into the house.
"Perhaps today is finally looking up." David said to himself, resting his head back on the seat.
He couldn't have been more wrong.
-
TBC