I decided to rewrite this chapter again because I didn't like how it went, but I tried to keep some of the original stuff in here. I'll try to have another one up soon
Some weeks have passed since the last chapter. David managed to get back to school, but now only had recovery classes due to his early dismissal from school. He noticed that his mother has been happier and smiling more than usual. On the other hand, Armando has continued doing his own thing while also getting closer to Liz; they've gone out a few times when they both have some free time.
It was the early hours of Saturday morning when David and Armando found themselves in their warehouse, meticulously inspecting their stash of weed and calculating the profits they had generated.
"Well, we've got Mr. T's money all set," Armando said, a satisfied grin spreading across his face as he carefully placed the last stack of dollars into the duffel bag.
"That's good to hear because we've also managed to gather enough money to purchase the warehouse," David said, a sense of satisfaction evident in his smile.
"Finally, we have a place we can truly call our own," Armando said, his smile mirroring David's.
"Yeah, but there's a downside. Our cut for this month is going to be smaller," David said, a tinge of disappointment creeping into his voice as he examined the numbers in their notebook.
"That's okay, we can always make it up with the next shipment," Armando said, waving his hand dismissively, trying to maintain an optimistic tone.
"That's true, and you're right. But we also need to start finding more reliable customers who can buy from us regularly, rather than just whenever they feel like it," David said, a hint of frustration seeping into his words as he set the notebook down.
Afterwards, David and Armando stood up and began cleaning and organizing various items within the warehouse. As they worked, they reached out to Tucker and patiently awaited his arrival to lend a hand with a few tasks.
"I take it y'all didn't just call me to come and sit around," Tucker remarked, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and amusement, as he strode into the warehouse and exchanged handshakes with David and Armando.
"We actually need your assistance in purchasing this warehouse," Armando explained, while David promptly fetched a chair for Tucker.
"Well, based on what I've seen so far, this seems like a solid investment. I happen to know a guy who can handle the purchase for you, but he'll require some funds to facilitate the transaction," Armando continued, as David returned with a chair for Tucker to sit on.
"That's not going to be a problem; we have the money right here," David confidently responded, gesturing towards the stack of cash displayed by Armando.
"Good, but do y'all know what money laundering entails?" Tucker asked, his gaze fixed on them.
"Yeah, we have a basic understanding of it, but we've never had to deal with such large sums, so we never learned the intricacies," Armando admitted, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
"Well, that's good news because I'm here to teach y'all," Tucker said, his tone filled with a mix of confidence and determination, as he began explaining the money laundering process in detail.
"Well, it's great that we live in a state where we have the flexibility to construct nearly anything, as long as we've paid our dues," Armando exclaimed, playfully clowning around.
"Absolutely, and I'll keep you both informed as soon as my contact secures the warehouse for y'all. It shouldn't take more than a few days," Tucker assured them, rising from his chair and shaking their hands before departing with the money they had entrusted him to purchase the warehouse.
In another part of town, several changes had taken place in the Dexter household since the last chapter. Dexter found himself serving a two-week punishment as a result of the mess caused by his package in the backyard. Additionally, he started spending more time with David and his group of friends at school.
Meanwhile, DeeDee began to feel increasingly anxious about her upcoming college test. In an attempt to distract herself, she managed to trick her mom into agreeing to a makeover. However, Ms. Dexter was aware of DeeDee's intention but chose not to say anything, hoping to provide support and spend some quality time with her daughter.
On the other hand, Mr. Dexter's behavior had taken a turn for the worse. He would arrive home and barely engage in conversation with anyone. Instead, he would immediately turn to beer, consuming it while eating or watching TV, before eventually retiring to bed and repeating the same cycle the next day.
In the Dexter household, everyone gathered around the breakfast table in the morning, except for Mr. Dexter, who had opted to stay at his friend's house for the weekend. He had planned a fishing trip, and thus, was absent from the morning routine.
"Hey, Mom, can I invite David over later today?" Dexter asked, taking a sip of his juice, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Of course, sweetheart. I don't mind at all," Ms. Dexter replied, her face breaking into a warm smile, pleased to see her son's enthusiasm.
"Thanks, Mom," Dexter said, returning the smile with gratitude evident in his expression.
"If Dexter can have a friend over, can I also have someone come over?" DeeDee chimed in, taking a bite of her food, her eyes hopeful.
"Of course, dear, but remember, both of you need to make sure not to make a mess in your rooms," Ms. Dexter responded, taking a sip of her drink, her voice filled with a mix of caution and gentle reminder.
"Okay, Mom," both Dexter and DeeDee replied simultaneously, their faces lighting up with excitement as they resumed eating and engaging in lively conversation.
As the day wore on, Ms. Dexter found herself in her room, sitting on the floor, going through her clothes and organizing them. In the midst of her task, she heard a soft knock on her door, followed by DeeDee entering the room.
"Hey, Mom, what are you doing?" DeeDee asked, peering into the room and taking in the sight of her mother surrounded by clothes on the floor.
"After you took me for a makeover, I realized I have so many clothes that I don't use or that no longer fit me," Ms. Dexter explained, carefully folding a shirt and placing it aside.
"I told you it would be fun to get a makeover!" DeeDee chimed in, giggling as she affectionately hugged her mom.
"Thank you for helping me realize that, but did you come in here for something specific?" Ms. Dexter asked, a grateful smile gracing her lips as they broke away from their embrace.
"Yeah, my friend is here, and we'll be in my room. Let me know if you need anything," DeeDee replied, making her way towards the door.
"Alright, just try not to be too loud or make a mess," Ms. Dexter reminded her, her gaze fixed on DeeDee, nodding in agreement before her daughter exited the room.
After a few minutes of rummaging through her wardrobe, she stood up and headed downstairs in search of a water bottle.
"Hey, it's odd seeing you here, son," Ms. Dexter exclaimed with surprise as she walked into the kitchen, where Dexter was sitting at the table.
"Yeah, well, I'm just waiting for David to show up," Dexter replied, rising from his seat and placing his cup in the sink.
"Just don't try to kill him while in your lab," Ms. Dexter said, her gaze fixed on him, a mix of concern and caution in her eyes.
"Okay, but we're not going to do much today other than moving a few things and dismantling," Dexter said, his voice tinged with a mix of excitement and nostalgia as he spoke to his mother. Memories flashed through his mind of the day he first revealed his lab to her, assuring her of its safety. They had made a deal then: as long as he performed well in school, he would be allowed to spend time in his lab.
"Hey, I just came to grab some bottled water for me and my friend," Deedee chimed in, swiftly passing by them on her way to fetch the water bottles.
"Hey, before you leave, I'm not making food tonight. You two can order takeout, that's okay with me," Ms Dexter said as looked at them as the door bell ring.
"I'll get that," Dexter exclaimed, a spark of excitement lighting up his face as he hurried to answer the door. Meanwhile, Deedee and Ms. Dexter engaged in conversation nearby.
"Hey David, it's good to see you," Dexter greeted warmly, a genuine smile spreading across his face as he welcomed his friend inside.
"Hey, Dex, same goes for me to you," David replied, his voice filled with a sense of camaraderie as he stepped into the house.
"Hey David, good afternoon! It's been a while since we last saw you," Ms. Dexter greeted, approaching them with a warm smile on her face.
"Yeah, sorry about that, but it's really good to see you, Ms. Dexter," David replied, his smile growing slightly as he acknowledged her presence.
"Well, we better head to my room," Dexter interjected, his tone laced with a mix of eagerness and anticipation, as he started making his way up the stairs.
"Try not to make too much of a mess," Ms. Dexter playfully cautioned, her eyes following them as they ascended the stairs, before returning to the kitchen with a faint smile lingering on her lips.
After an hour of rearranging things in Dexter's lab, they both took a seat on his worktable. David indulged in a few cookies that Dexter had generously given him, savoring their sweet taste, while Dexter tinkered with one of his projects, engrossed in his work.
Hey, can I tell you a secret?" Dexter asked, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension, while reaching for a screwdriver.
"Sure, go ahead," David replied, munching on his cookies with curiosity in his eyes.
"A few years ago, I created a serum that could make anyone young again," Dexter revealed, his voice tinged with a mix of nostalgia and mischief. "But at that time, I didn't have a cup to hold it, so I took it upstairs to the living room, planning to grab a storage bottle I had left there. However, while I was searching for it, I absentmindedly left the serum on the counter. To my surprise, when I returned to retrieve it, my mom had unknowingly mistaken it for something else and started drinking it," Dexter confessed, a small smile playing on his lips as he recalled the incident.
"How did your mom not realize it was your serum? It must have tasted strange," David inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"I had actually altered the flavor to resemble that of lemonade, and coincidentally, my mom had made lemonade that day. So I guess she thought it was her own cup that she had accidentally left behind," Dexter explained, a goofy smile adorning his face as he recalled the situation.
"So, how old is your mom now?" David asked, still intrigued by the details.
She's 22 years old now. It helps that she's always kept herself fit, so nobody really noticed her looking younger instead of older. But I'll tell her about it when she's got nothing planned for the day," Dexter explained, the goofy smile still adorning his face, a mixture of mischief and fondness in his eyes.
"That's good to hear, but did you do something to these cookies?" David asked, a small smile spreading across his face.
"Yeah, I made them with a serum that boosts your IQ, which could come in handy for your street business," Dexter replied mischievously, grabbing a screw and returning his attention to his work.
"Now that we're done, I should probably get going," David stated, rising from his seat and disposing of his trash.
"Alright, and thanks for your help today," Dexter expressed gratefully, walking alongside David towards the elevator.
As Ms. Dexter emerged from her room, she caught sight of Dexter and David emerging from Dexter's room, and suddenly she found the answer to a problem that had been troubling her.
"David, are you already leaving?" Ms. Dexter called out, closing her door behind her.
"Yeah, sadly," David replied, his smile slightly fading.
"Well, if you have nothing to do today, could you lend a hand?" Ms. Dexter asked, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
"Sure, I can. I was just going home to probably sleep," David responded, nonchalantly shrugging his shoulders.
"Great! Can you help me take these bags to the donation center?" Ms. Dexter requested, pulling bags from her room and placing them in the hallway. Where Dexter and David promptly grabbed the bags and loaded them into David's truck, working together to fulfill the task.
"But why don't you take Deedee's car instead?" Dexter questioned, his brow furrowing as they finished loading the bags.
"Because they might want to go somewhere, and I still need to stop by the store for a few things," Ms. Dexter explained, climbing into David's truck.
"I see. Well, I'll make sure to let Deedee know you've left," Dexter replied, walking to the front of the truck and waving them goodbye as they drove off.
"I didn't get a chance to tell you earlier, but you look beautiful with your new makeover," David complimented, his gaze focused on the road. Unbeknownst to him, Ms. Dexter blushed as she was dressed in a green, sleeveless blouse paired with a high-waisted, long skirt, ankle-strap flat sandals, and a touch of makeup.
"Thank you, but you don't look too bad yourself," Ms. Dexter shyly replied, causing David to burst into laughter. He was sporting a black shirt, his metal Jesus cross necklace, baggy jeans, and Air Force sneakers.
They playfully continue to tease and compliment each other as they chat during the ride. However, after they drop off the bag at the donation center, they decide to head to the mall.
"So, any place you want to visit first?" David asked excitedly as he popped a piece of gum into his mouth.
"Nope, not yet," Ms. Dexter replied, her anticipation evident as she began chewing her own piece of gum.
"You know these places are known to be packed with people, so why don't we hold hands to make sure we don't lose each other?" David suggested, a playful tone in his voice.
"You know what, you're right," Ms. Dexter responded, a small smile spreading across her face. She reached out and grabbed his left hand, interlocking their fingers, and confidently led the way.
As they strolled through the mall, exploring various shops, their conversation continued to flow, allowing them to deepen their connection and get to know each other better. However, after some time, their rumbling stomachs brought them to a halt, prompting them to find a place to grab a bite to eat.
"So, are you having fun?" David asked, taking a sip of his drink, his eyes filled with anticipation.
"Yep, it feels like we're on a date," Ms. Dexter replied, giggling with a hint of excitement in her voice.
"Well, why don't we make it official then?" David suggested, his gaze fixed on her, brimming with sincerity.
"You're just joking, right?" Ms. Dexter questioned, looking at him, her eyes searching for any sign of playfulness.
"Nope," David replied firmly, his expression unwavering. "But seriously, when was the last time you went out and had fun for yourself, without worrying about your kids?" he added, causing Ms. Dexter to pause and contemplate his words.
"Not since a long time, but are you absolutely certain you want to have a date with me?" Ms. Dexter questioned, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty.
"Absolutely, and I'll show you all the incredible experiences you've been missing out on," David confidently replied, as he swiftly gathered some his trash, ready to dispose of it later.
"Alright then, I'll trust your lead," Ms. Dexter said, a genuine smile gracing her face, as they continued their conversation and savored the last bites of their meal before rising from their seats to dispose of their waste.
"Let's go find a jewelry store. I want to pick out something special for my mom and sisters," David suggested, his gaze fixed upon her.
"Sure, but are you forgetting something?" Ms. Dexter raised an eyebrow, her eyes fixed intently on him, hinting at a playful reminder.
"Now that I think about it, you're right," David replied, his gaze shifting to his belongings momentarily.
"You silly dork, that's not what I meant. I'm talking about this," Ms. Dexter clarified playfully, seizing his left hand and intertwining their fingers, a spark of warmth and connection passing between them.
"Oh, my bad," David admitted sheepishly, a goofy grin spreading across his face as he met her gaze. They continued walking together, their conversation flowing effortlessly as they sought out a jewelry store.
"Thank you for helping me choose something special for my mom and sisters," David expressed his gratitude, retracing his steps towards Ms. Dexter after completing the purchase. He noticed how her eyes lingered on a ring displayed in the store.
"It was my pleasure," Ms. Dexter responded, a gentle smile gracing her lips.
"Why don't I buy it for you?" David suggested, nodding towards the mesmerizing ring displayed in the store.
"No, it's alright. I was just admiring it," Ms. Dexter replied, shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly.
"Well, it wouldn't be a proper date if I didn't get you something special to cherish," David insisted, engaging in a playful back-and-forth until she finally relented. They left the store, continuing their stroll through the mall.
"Just so you know, I didn't intend for this to happen," Ms. Dexter giggled, expressing her amusement as they made their way back to David's truck.
"Yeah, I'll be the judge of that," David chuckled, glancing down at his now damp shirt with a mix of amusement and mild exasperation.
"Well, on the bright side, you now have an excuse to wear one of your new shirts," Ms. Dexter remarked, a playful tone lacing her words as they reached David's truck.
"Yeah, that's a good point," David agreed, opening the truck door to place his belongings on the seat before retrieving another shirt.
"To make it up to you, why don't I wash the one I accidentally soaked?" Ms. Dexter suggested, a small smile adorning her face.
"Sure, that would make me really happy," David replied, his teasing smile evoking a reciprocal smile from her. They began to drive away, engaging in conversation about various topics.
"Thank you for your help today, and despite the little mishap, I truly had a wonderful time on our supposed date," Ms. Dexter expressed her gratitude, a small smile gracing her lips as they neared her house.
"Yeah, I'll be here whenever you're ready for another adventure," David teased, eliciting a laugh from Ms. Dexter.
"I'll certainly give it some thought. Take care and drive safely," Ms. Dexter replied, planting a quick kiss on his cheek. She gathered her belongings, stepped out of the truck, and made her way to her front door. With a small wave and a smile, she entered her house, leaving David to drive away.
"Hey, son," Ms. Dexter greeted Dexter as she spotted him emerging from the kitchen. They engaged in a brief conversation before she proceeded to her room, while Dexter went to his. She took the time to put her things away and tend to a few tasks around the house, making the most of the afternoon.
Thanks for reading point out any errors or mistake I made.