Disclaimer: This story is fiction. All the characters are my own, completely fictional with borrowed names to comply with the fan fiction genre. They should not be confused with any person living or dead. I am not now nor have I ever been affiliated with any professional wrestler or wrestling company. No disrespect intended.

Chapter 6

(Dean)

Like most high class women, Baylee didn't finish her sandwich. It drove me insane. What the hell was it with women thinking that it would make them look like a pig if they ate every bite?

But instead of pushing the uneaten morsels away, Baylee placed it in a napkin, wrapped it and placed it in her purse. Midnight snack. I assumed. Or perhaps she planned to finish it off in the car after she'd left the view of judgmental eyes. Although I didn't see too many of her kind where we dined.

I stood against the café wall as she paid for our meal. I had planned to pay, but whatever. She wanted to treat. I blame my male ego for making me reach for my wallet. It was job. Not a date.

I lit a cigarette. The woman took too long to pay a check. I looked over my shoulder, wondering if there was a bus boy or a cook I had over looked. Nope. She was talking to the female waitress like they were old friends.

"Come on, Lady." A light sprinkle began to fall. Making the fall weather a bit nippy. I stepped under the roof's overhand and pulled my jacket tighter.

"Ah." Baylee stepped out, closed her eyes and raised he chin, letting the chilled drops fall on her face. She took in a deep draw of fresh air, then gazed at the neighborhood around her. "It's a beautiful day."

"It's a miserable day." I spat. "I hate grey skies." And we were standing in a questionable part of town. Granted, it wasn't dirty and run down with vagrants piled up in alleys like the places I had grown up, but it was a big leap from the upscale town Baylee resided.

"There you are." A big grin crossed her lips. "I was beginning to think you were gonna stand me up."

I turned quickly. She really had the gall to meet some guy …

"Hello, Ricky."

Arrff. Arff.

A dog. Ricky was a stray dog? A knotted long haired little mutt that wagged his tail furiously. She squatted and he jumped up on her skirt, leaving dirty paw prints behind. She fed him the treat she'd saved from her sandwich. Then he rolled over on his back.

"Have you been making your rounds? You look like you're eating well." She laughed and rubbed the tummy exposed.

The thing looked like it was supposed to be a Shitzu. Was it white? Grey? I couldn't tell if the brown was part of its coat or if the thing was just that dirty.

"He's a sweet puppy." Baylee said in a baby talk way as she patted the energetic dog. "I would take him home." She sighed. "But Brock hates pets."

"Or maybe pets don't like him," I mumbled.

"I'm sorry. I didn't hear you," she said politely.

"Nothing." I pushed off the wall. "It's raining, Princess."

"My father calls me that."

"I'm sure he does."

"Good bye, Ricky. I'll see you soon." She giggled. "You behave yourself.

The little dog circled then walked up to me. I gazed down at him as he wagged his tail like he expected something.

"What?"

Ruff!

I ignored the pup, flicked away my cigarette butt, and followed Baylee back to the car and she opened the trunk. I climbed into the passenger's seat.

The dog stood up on its hind legs and jumped up and landed in my lap.

"Oh, no." I picked him up and placed him on outside the vehicle. "You don't want to go home with me … what the …"

I hurried to catch up with Baylee who ventured away from the car. Where was she going now? She crossed the street and began to walk down the sidewalk with a shopping bag in each hand.

"I think you made a friend." Baylee laughed.

I glanced behind me to see the dog following like he belonged to me.

"Go away." For as long as I could remember, dogs were drawn to me. I could ignore them, refuse to pet them, tell them to get lost … it didn't matter. "Shoo!"

I took quick steps to catch up with her. The dog moving its little legs as fast as he could to keep up. "Does he always follow you like this?"

"No." she giggled. "He's not following me." She came to a stop in front of run down store that looked nearly condemned. It had paper bags over the windows and the door's glass was thick with grime.

"What are you doing?"

"Running errands." She said as she swung open the door.

"Baylee!" A guy at the counter addressed her with a big grin as soon as she approached. He didn't stand up.

I stared at the place. Yellowed tile, where there was tile. Faded, chipping light green paint on the walls. Several people sat around in old chairs around an old floor model television. The picture was horrible with lines going through it and it rolled from time to time.

"Hi Paul." Baylee smiled.

"What have you got for us today?"

"Oh, just some toothpaste and toothbrushes. Shampoo, shaving cream." She laid out boxes and bottles as she placed them all on the counter. "I found some snacks and … tada!"

"Fresh fruit! That is a treat. You're a good woman, Baylee." The guy began to cough. Really hack.

"Still not feeling well?"

"It will pass." He mustered a weak smile, then he rolled his wheelchair around the desk. The guy had no legs. Baylee bent and hugged the guy, not caring if he was contagious.

"I'm just going to say hello to the guys." She let him hold her hand for a moment. "Take it easy okay?"

I watched by the door. I didn't see anyone in the place that I would want to be that close to, but Baylee squatted next to an old man who looked like he had slept in a dumpster. She gave his shoulder a gentle shake. He must have been asleep and when he awoke he gave Baylee a huge hug. Actually made a big deal out of her presence.

"Oh, my girlfriend has come by to see me today."

"Of course I would come to see you. Did you think I forgot our date?" Baylee humored the old man. "I got you something." She dipped into her shopping bag and gave the old man a suit. Pants, shirt and jacket. "Now, you're ready for that job interview." It was probably an old suit of Brocks. Maybe one before he had pumped up his muscles. At least I knew why she had climbed up into the attic before leaving the house.

"Martin?" Baylee turned to address a younger man. "Where's Martin?" The young, normal looking guy approached with a broom in his hand.

"Hi Bay." The guy looked sad and he placed a hand on Baylee's shoulder and pulled her away from the group. He whispered in her ear and Baylee's expression turned sad.

"He's in a better place now. And I bet his spirit is hanging around here laughing at all of us for being sad."

She then gave the guy a sympathetic smile and she went to the others sitting around the television. She pulled out items and handed them to the guys and I knew I heard the names Justin and Craig. Then she was saying her good byes and heading out the door.

I groaned. That little dog was still outside. It jumped to its feet and wagged its tail the moment I exited.

I squatted. The dog came right to me and I gave him a piece of the beef jerky I kept in my pocket. Then I scooped Ricky up in my arms. Yeah, I was a bad ass guy. He kicked but and acted like a didn't give a damn, but I had a soft spot for dogs. Especially ones that become attached to me. I couldn't stand the thought of driving off and leaving him behind whining and whimpering.

"Looks like you found you a home mutt." I said in his deep drawl.

Baylee looked a bit surprised, but then she gave a little smile.

"Um." I looked toward the car, at the dog in his hand then took quick steps to catch up to Baylee who had started to walk in the opposite direction again.

My feet complained and my jacket was wet. Which was not good for leather. I was cold and uncomfortable and I hated that cold wet feeling.

"I guess you're wondering why someone like me would use coupons the way I do."

"Not my business."

"No. I want you to know. The things we bought earlier – that was all for the shelter. Those thing were bought with the money they get from donations and they don't get very much of those. Most of their funds goes to paying for the rent and the utilities. There's not much left over for the little things they need to live every day. Their meals are so basic and small. It makes me want to cry. My families company always contributes to a charity. They choose one every year. I'm trying to get them to take on the shelter this year. I'm hoping they'll make it permanent."

"He's your father. I'm sure he'll do whatever you want."

"Probably, but he's not the only one who has a say. He has a few partners that have to be convinced. I give as much as I can, but its not a lot. Brock doesn't like to give money away. He doesn't believe in it. He doesn't thinks people like them are lazy. That there's no other reason for them to find themselves were they are. I'm trying to make him see he's wrong, but he's stubborn. I mean he pulled himself up from nothing … so …"

She turned down an alley.

"Whoa." I took her by the arm to stop her. "I'm not letting walk through there."

"Oh please, you're the most dangerous creature in this alley." She shrugged my hand off and headed down the alley. She stooped by the trash bin and I saw something stir. I moved closer.

A young girl, who couldn't have been more than thirteen appeared. She looked sad until Baylee handed her the bag, then gave her a few folded bills from her own purse.

"She'll come back." She assured the girl and then she was heading back. This time she returned to her car. Finally. I couldn't tell you how ready I was to get back to her house and settle in the corner.

No such luck. She drove to a nicer part of town where she turned into a facility. It was a nice place with gardens and walking paths. People in robes walked with nurses and some people sat by the pond in wheel chairs. Baylee walked inside. By passed the desk and turned down hall after hall until she finally entered a room.

Baylee stood in the door frame watching a grown man play with an erector set. She had a sweet smile on her face as she watched him play. Then she went inside and sat on the floor beside him. She put her arm around his shoulders and he placed his head on hers. She spent the whole afternoon there.

Let me tell ya, the guy wasn't all there. He made sounds and laughed and covered his ears when someone dropped a lunch tray in the hallway outside his door. Baylee soothed him. A nurse came in and handed her his lunch. She prepared the tray for him and then sat while he ate.

"He's had a good day," The nurse told her.

"Thanks."

"I'm going to go now, George." She kissed his cheek. "I'll be back tomorrow."

"So, that's George?" I said as she drove away from the home.

"He's my brother." That was all she had to say about him. Then she went to the grocery store and did her regular shopping. Well, at least now I knew why she didn't buy anything cold at the first stores. The woman's errands took time. A lot of you for reading. Please review.