Being Picked Up: Wolf's Turn
(Okay, with that the Being Picked Up one shots will be complete! To give an update, I have been working on digital art now, and I'm trying to make Zeke myself. My sister says she can't draw boys as much as she practices, but still. I owe her by trying on my own. It's coming out better than I expect so far. Hopefully I can post it once I add the finishing touches, but for now I eagerly await the sequel as I try to get a few more things to do! I can't wait! Anyways, enjoy!)
Wolf walked up to the school and noticed some of the people around him still cowering in fear. He didn't know how to take it, but he still walked through each door. It was bad enough the last interview he was at didn't go so well. He really didn't need more rejection today. Today, it was HIS turn to pick up Zeke from school, but he didn't have a car to drive, so he had to pick him by walking and then taking a bus. To top it all off, his friend Akio was supposed to come with today.
Wolf walked in through the second door and asked the receptionist to call Zeke and his friend to the front.
"C-Can I get Zeke Wolf-Foxington and Akio Hayashi to the front office? They're…they're going home?" The receptionist asked into the mic.
"Thank you." Wolf winked, pointed his finger and made a noise, but he noticed the receptionist shrunk back in a bit of further fear. "I-I'm sorry." Wolf said. The receptionist was still unsure, "N-No…I'm sorry. I…I'm o-overreacting." She said.
(Meanwhile)
Zeke and Akio picked up their bags and said goodbye to their friends. "So, what's the plan today? I'm in the mood for Fall Guys." Akio said, "Maybe. But my dad promised to take us to the store. You know what that means?" Zeke asked, urging his best friend. "I get to throw toys into the basket!" Akio said in his signs.
"Wait, no. Don't do that. We can't BREAK and buy it." Zeke said, "I was gonna ask Dad if I can get some spray paint, too. But wait'll you see the hideout! You're gonna love what I've been working on!" Zeke realized this'd be the first time other than his family went to the hideout.
"Yeah, I can't wait. Still, what about homework?" Akio asked.
"What's homework?" Zeke asked, Akio rolled his eyes. "I wanna blow it off as much as you do, dude." Akio signed.
"Ugh…more time away from painting, g…" Zeke said, "Does it ever feel like we're in juvie again?" Akio asked.
Zeke just giggled happily, "Nah, because we actually got good food." Zeke said, the two of them laughing as they recalled times from juvie.
(Back with Wolf)
Wolf had sat in a chair while his son and his friend walked in. "Dad!" Zeke said, walking up to hug him. "Heh-hey, kiddo! Hi, Akio. How was school?" Wolf asked the boys, giving a happy smile.
"Dude, it sucks, sometimes. We have too much to work on…" Zeke said, annoyed with the homework. "Okay, and your paintings and drawings don't count as "too much" to work on?" Wolf asked, smirking. Zeke then looked at his dad blankly, "That's because that's the fun type of "too much." Zeke said.
Wolf just chuckled, "Haha, okay. Didn't know there were types of "too much."" Wolf patted his boy's head and walked with the boy's outside.
Wolf took them to the bus stop to wait. "So, what did the dealership say?" Zeke asked, "Uh…well…" Wolf was kinda scared to admit that he couldn't get the car that he wanted. The options he had before weren't going to do him any favors. "What's happening, now?" Akio asked.
"Nothing, kiddo." Wolf said to him, "All right then." Akio just said.
"You sure you still wanna go to the store, Dad?" Zeke asked, a little cautiously.
"Yeah, of course. I promised I'd get ya some spray paint. I have enough for that and food." Wolf said, smiling at his boy.
(Later)
Akio was amazed by how the hideout was hidden. It was WILD. "Cool, right?" Zeke asked. Akio nodded his head and continued to sign, "I hope the real thing'll be fun!" Akio said.
Wolf had just chuckled, since the boys seemed to have fun.
The door opened up and lead into a hideout with barely a few pieces of furniture. "We don't have much for right now, but make yourself at home, Akio." Wolf told the boy, Zeke trying to translate for him.
"Wow…Still any leftover treasure?" Akio said, wondering if there was anything left from the past heists. "No, Dad gave it all back, but I got something cool to show you!" Zeke showed Akio where his room used to be.
The room was chock full of graffiti all over the walls. It was mostly space themed, but Akio could see Zeke was painting some sorta rainbow colored flame. "Wow…not bad. But there's NO way you painted this all by yourself." Akio said, realizing that this was not a one-rabbit job. "Yeah, you're right. My dad and Uncle Lou helped me out with most of it." Zeke explained, "But we don't gotta work on that right now. Dad, can you help us with our homework?" Zeke asked.
Wolf had out his hands in his pockets. "Yeah sure, kiddo." Wolf said, walking out with the two of them.
(Later)
Wolf had looked through the pages, the homework has become more complicated as time went on. He was honestly thankful he decided to homeschool Zeke when he was younger, and it gave him the time to prepare. "All right, this is…one and nine-tenths." Wolf said.
"Really? Our teacher said it was one POINT nine tenths." Zeke said, trying to recall how they were told to him. "Is there really a difference?" Akio asked through his signs.
"Maybe." Wolf just sighed, a little exhausted. "Yes, Zekey. You can use "point" or "and" when you use decimals." He explained, "Can you tell that to your friend?" Wolf asked.
Zeke translated it for Akio, and the raccoon had understood what to do.
(Later)
Wolf took the boys out for food, and they went to go get French fries and cheese pizzas. "I got stuffed crust, enjoy, kiddos." Wolf said.
"Thanks, Dad." Zeke said, "Thanks, Mr. Wolf." Akio said. "So, you excited to turn the big one-one soon?" He asked his rabbit friend. "Oh yeah! I'm asking my mom if we can go to the indoor go-kart track." Zeke explained. "Haha. I know…that'll be real fun." Wolf sounded excited for that for a moment, but felt ashamed of himself for not being able to set that up for Zeke himself.
He'd have to work hard to fix that, too.
"I heard there was an arcade, too. You know we're there, right?" Zeke continued. "Heck yeah. You think they'll have that cool spinning wheel game?" Akio asked.
"I dunno, maybe they'll have bowling, too!" Zeke said, getting more and more excited thinking about it. "I bet they have those cool shooters—" Akio had said.
"All right, all right, relax, kids." Wolf said to the two boys. "Don't get too ahead of yourselves, okay? I gotta talk with your mom about it, okay, Zekey?" Wolf asked. "Sorry, Dad." Zeke said.
(Later)
After taking Akio home for the day, Zeke had watched a movie with his dad. "Dad? Are you…sad?" Zeke asked, worried about how Wolf had sorta been today.
"What-no, why would you think that, buddy?" Wolf asked. "I dunno…" Zeke said, lifting himself above the couch a little. "I mean, you didn't seem happy when we were talking about the go-kart track." Zeke explained.
Wolf had looked to his side,
"Kiddo, you don't have to worry about me, okay?" Wolf told him, "I wasn't upset with you guys having fun or any a'that. I was upset because I can't help pay for it like I want to." Wolf said, realizing that he's not making enough for him, it doesn't help him keep Zeke fed with him and it won't help balance things out with Diane.
"Dad…no, it doesn't matter. I like that you're there, you shouldn't have to pay for everything." Zeke said.
Wolf rolled his eyes, "I can't JUST be there for you, kiddo. I need to help take care of you, and I can't do that if I don't have a secure job." Wolf said.
"Then maybe Mom could help you. Or…apply for a new one." Zeke said.
"All that's easier said than done, kiddo." Wolf said. Zeke pouted for a moment. Wolf realized he made a mistake venting this frustration to his kid. "Zekey, I'm sorry. I…didn't mean to upset ya. I'm just trying to make sure I can still be with you, is all. Because I love you and I need to help you start your life…" Wolf said. Zeke then hugged his dad, and Wolf gently embraced his son.
"I don't want you to worry, son. I'll find a job soon, God-willing." Wolf said to him, "Guess that's one more thing I need to pray for." Wolf realized he was willing to ask God for help with this issue. He hoped He would be able to help, even if it didn't seem like it would for the moment.
(Okay, I'm done for now! I hope you guys like this! Dude, I desperately need a new trailer like yesterday. Not one that reveals EVERYTHING, of course. Anyways, I've gotta admit, I've uploaded a few of the chapters for the stuff I'm working on within the span of a week. I still gotta work on a lot of things. Stay strong & awesome!)
John 1:29 KJV:
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
(The John they're speaking of here is John the Baptizer)
