like a hidden talent

Dean knew he was on thin ice lately, but he was desperately in the process of recovery. He hadn't had a bout in anger in ages. Who knew taking it out on a soda machine would be so much trouble. His paycheck was going to the school now.

A part of him felt he was working for nothing, but if he could keep this job, he might have some money by August. Hopefully.

He was tired when he road his little trail bike home. Hungry too. This was what made him moody. Something simple like food did the trick. Maybe so much working out for wrestling had been a part of it too.

Honestly, he was doing so much better than the last place he lived, but the noise got to him, sometimes. He went straight to the kitchen and opened the fridge.

"L, I need you, to do something for me." Vada came up from behind him.

"Like what?" He was rather sullen, yet exhausted. He hadn't eaten since breakfast.

"I need you to take Henry home." She told him as he was nursing on a carton of orange juice.

"Can't his folks, come around, V?" He looked at her as if going anywhere was out of the question. He'd make him a couple of peanut butter sandwiches and chill in front of the TV. But as it was, there was a swarm of kids in the livingroom, already. He supposed this Henry of hers was in the midst.

"No. Of course, not. I don't want them to see, where we live." She winced as if that would be horrible.

"It won't matter." What was the big deal? It wasn't exactly the wrong side of town. Yet, there was a lot more criminal activity going on, these summer nights as of late. There foster Mom wanted everyone accounted for by 8 p.m.. He usually worked til nine. Sometimes, she would come and get him, but it was more light out now and he hadn't run into any trouble.

"It does matter." She looked at him blankly.

"Is he your boyfriend?" He wanted to know as he glared at her. She'd be Evy before he knew it. Out on a date every night of summer.

"No." She looked at him as he'd hurt her feelings. "He just came over."

"Yeah, he'll be back." Dean shrugged as he finished up the carton of juice and tossed it in the trash. "You keep giving him that angry look of yours, and he won't know what to do, but be under that spell of yours."

He yawned. He'd do just about anything for Vada. After all, they'd known each other off and on the last four years. They were close, and he knew he wouldn't want to cross her.

"Well, come on." He sighed. He hoped the mini-van wasn't acting up.