Hound (Chapter 2)

Hound (Chapter 2)

Saturday, April 27th

I babysat for Becky again. As usual Preston proceeded to show his butt the moment I turned my head. That's about all he's good for these days. I'm just happy Becky and Shane have him to deal with and not me. I'd steal Beau from her any day and keep him as my own. Beau is a good kid.
The weirdest thing happened though. Some strange guy got himself locked up in Mr. King's dog run. One moment I was walking aimlessly around in the fields, seeking some needed solitude, then I heard someone yelling. I ended up helping him out. He seemed very grateful if not too grateful. At one point he joked about kissing me! The absolute nerve of him!
He was annoying too. He ran his mouth as if he were some high school buddy. I think he's a bit conceited. He's so sure of himself and from what I could make out he speaks and doesn't once stop to think about what he is about to say. He says the oddest things. Maybe he is just thinking out loud.
I wish I could say that was the last I saw of the individual. However, Brady Isaac (that was what he said his name was though I bet he had no proof of identification on him), left a good impression on Becky and he was invited...yes...invited, to dinner...

She said very little at the dinner table and ate very little too. June pushed her glasses up the ridge of her nose and pushed a green been around on the edge of her plate. She nibbled a little at her chicken and took a bite or two of her mashed potatoes, but for someone who stayed later just for the food she hadn't done much eating.
“You the only kid?” Shane asked, taking a large bite out of his chicken breast.
Brady nodded and swallowed. He was still dirty as he sat at the table with the Cunningham family and June. He had at least removed his shoes and thrown on some old clothes of Shane's. It was an old t-shirt with the Carolina Panthers on the front and a pair of jeans too large that had to be held up with a tight belt. The head of the Cunningham house was just as generous as his wife. She gave him food and he clothed him though neither knew anything about him. The two normally had good judgment though.
“I'm their best and worse child.”
Shane chuckled at the response.
“I bet you couldn't have been that bad.”
Brady shrugged, “Well, I had to be the one to make all the mistakes and I didn't have an older brother or sister to make them for me so I could learn better.”
“In my case I was the one always doing stupid things. It gave June a heads up on what to expect. She ought to be grateful for that.”
June put on a false grin when all the eyes at the table turned on her. The only one not looking was Preston who was humming something quietly on the far side of the table.
“So, locked up with them hound dogs? How was that anyway?” Shane questioned.
Brady replied with a heavy sigh, “The best company I've ever had. Had I stayed any longer I'd have grown myself a snout and a tail.”
Shane laughed whole-heartedly at Brady's response. He leaned back in his chair as he did so. Becky joined in the laughter, but was much milder about the whole thing.
“I bet by today they thought you was just another hound.”
“I doubt it. I happen to disapprove of sniffing ass-”
“Brady!” Becky cut in, covering Preston's ears though the word had already been said.
“My mistake. It won't happen again.” he stated. There was slight embarrassment in his expression, but it lasted only a short while. He cleared his throat, ate some mashed potatoes, and was once more talking up a storm.
After an hour the kids had left and the plates were empty. June had heard enough rambling out of Shane and Brady. She stood up, but neither of the two men looked her direction. Becky turned her head and looked up at her younger sister.
“Leaving?”
“I've got some things to take care of at the apartment. I'll drop in here in a few days. It's getting late now though so I'm heading out.”
June carried her dish to the sink and had it rinsed and placed in the dishwasher before Becky could get to her feet and take it from her. Then she picked up her purse and opened the back door.
“Leaving already?” Shane demanded, taking a look at the clock on the wall.
“I probably should be on my way too,” Brady added.
Everyone was rising from their seats. Brady pulled up his jeans upon standing. His belt wasn't quite tight enough. June rolled her eyes and looked away from him.
“Hound, you going out back to sleep with them dogs again?” Shane questioned the young man.
“Not unless someone bribes me enough.”
Becky followed June outside. June pulled out her car keys and rattled them for a second. She knew by her sister's look that Becky was about to say something.
“Heard from Derek?” Becky asked, referring to June's Fiance, while standing on the porch.
“Two days ago. He's been so busy lately that he's been pressed for time. We are actually thinking of moving the wedding to this summer instead of September. It'll be easier on us both. We've both got these degrees to finish up and once this is out of the way we will be able to breathe again.”
Becky nodded her head, but put in no advice or encouragement. June subconsciously nodded her head along with her sister. She stopped when she realized she was doing the same. Her keys jingled again and then she hugged Becky.
“See you around. Love you.”
She let go and walked down the steps to her car, an older Volkswagen Jetta. It was a nice car and good on gas. With gas prices peaking it was a relief for her to own the green Jetta. June opened the door and saw Shane and Brady were standing on the porch too. The two men waved briefly.
“Bye June!” Shane called out.
She waved back and got into her car. She pulled out the yard and drove out onto the main road. In fifteen minutes she was back at her own place. She went to her floor and headed to her door. There she found a bouquet of pink carnations propped up against it. June picked them up grinning and read the card as she opened and closed the door behind her.
“How about a date tomorrow? How's my beautiful woman doing? Sorry for not calling. I've been up to my neck in work. I love you lots. I will call at ten on the dot. Love your Derek.” She read aloud.
The phone rang as soon as she sat herself down at the couch a couple minutes later. She looked at her watch. It was ten-o-clock. She smiled as she picked up the phone.

...but it wasn't that horrible. I think I acted a bit childish with the whole thing. I regret it now. I think Becky is upset with the way I acted. She should be mad at that Hound though and not me. He's the one who said “ass” in front of Preston. Preston loves to repeat things he shouldn't. He'll go to school Monday saying “ass” to all his friends and “ass” to his teacher. At least it could have been something worse.
Went ahead and left pretty early. I could only take so much jabber from Shane and Hound. If I see Brady again I think I'm going to call him Hound. Maybe it will get on his nerves. I heard Shane calling him that before I left so I can't say I was the brilliant mind behind the nickname though.
Anyway, came home and Derek left these pretty carnations in front of my door with a note. I was starting to feel a bit sad because he hasn't had time to call. He called within minutes of getting in the door and at the exact time he said he would on the note with the flowers. I love how punctual he is. You don't find many men out there who can read time correctly. He's always been good like that. I know I've probably written this a thousand times in my journal. It's just one of the many things I like about him. I love Derek so much.
We ended up talking for a good hour. He has been really busy the last few days catching up on school work. The whole lawyer thing is completely draining him. I plan on going over to his place for dinner tomorrow. Can't wait to throw my arms around him and give him a big kiss. I believe I still have that middle school crush-like thing going on with him because he still has a way of making me feel bashful. My heart still flutters here and there when he does something sweet. I love my dependable and kind Derek.