Burdens - Chapter 89: Killing Time
#89 of Burdens
Symbolism.
Chapter 89: Killing Time
Roger left the movie theater in a haze. They wandered toward the restaurant that he had previously decided upon, though a couple of times before they arrived he had forgotten exactly what they were doing. The words echoed in his ear.
At the restaurant, the wolf asked him if he was okay, since he seemed a bit out of it. Was it something he said, he had inquired. Was it the weather? The restaurant? The movie?
Roger said that it was definitely what he had said, and before the wolf could apologize, he clarified that it was not a bad thing.
It took a moment for him to realize that it was his turn to order to order food. The waitress looked a little impatient, and as he took a look around, it was evident that they were there during a fairly busy time. He was surprised that he had not noticed it.
His mind was not on such things, though. He wondered to himself if the wolf really meant what he had said to him. He slowly ordered his food, tripping over a couple of his words, but eventually reaching his destination.
They sat quietly, waiting for their food, until the wolf asked him if this was what they were to do on a date. He had almost forgotten that it was a date, since it seemed as if they were merely hanging out as per usual.
He nodded and said that it would usually involve getting to know each other better, through questions, through experience. So he cleared his throat and collected his thoughts, and struggled to find a question to ask.
"So, uh... hm. Well, I already know... what you like to do. Uh, well, okay, when you were young...er than you are now, what did you want to be when you grew up?" the fox asked.
Hunter thought for a moment. Perhaps he had asked the wrong question?
"Well, I never really... thought too much about it, I guess," the wolf said. "I did used to pretend I was something cool, like a firefighter or astronaut, but all kids usually think about stuff like that."
The fox nodded. "Yeah, and some of them eventually grow up to be such things. Everyone has to start somewhere. Why not be a firefighter? Why not be an astronaut?"
The wolf smiled. "Well, I'm not smart enough to be an astronaut, and I don't know about being a firefighter."
"You're physically able to do it, if you just keep at it. You need to be strong, and you're strong," the fox responded.
"Yeah, but if I'm in a fire, I don't know what to do. I'd probably just stand there looking dumb or something." Hunter shrugged.
"That's what practice is for, to get you ready to deal with such things. I mean, you practice to play football, you learn the plays, you know the moves, and when the time comes you do what you need to do, right? It's no different, except you'd be in a dangerous situation and you'd get to save lives," the fox remarked.
The wolf nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, maybe. I don't know, I just figure whatever comes, comes. Maybe I can just play ball? Well, what about you?"
Roger shrugged. "Well, when I was a kid, I guess I kind of wanted to be a programmer or doctor or something. Anything that would just make me a bunch of money, and then I could be rich and live comfortably, you know? Never have to struggle to pay bills, never have to starve. I mean, I'm older now and I know you don't really need to be rich for that, but still. It'd be nice."
Their food arrived, and then they ate in silence. It was not an awkward or hostile silence, but they just were enjoying each other's company. It felt as if, amongst the cacophony of the restaurant, they could have their quiet tranquility at their table.
When they finished eating, they exited and wandered about outside. They had time to spare until dinner. In retrospect, the fox wished he had planned more for them to do, but also thought that things might have taken a bit longer.
They wandered off to the pet shop that they had previously visited a while ago. It was the same, full of animals that they wished they could take home yet were incapable of doing. He wondered if maybe when he was gone from this place, had his own house or apartment, he could perhaps have one.
The puppies that had previously been there were now gone. Hopefully, he thought to himself, they had been adopted by loving families, but no one could ever really know. They had been replaced with a new batch of Labrador puppies in one pen, and in another pen housed some sort of toy poodle type.
Hunter had already been at the Labrador pen, petting what puppies would get near him, though it was not very many. He called the fox over and pointed to one of the puppies and commented on the similarities it shared with Dan. Roger smiled and agreed.
When the fox stood next to the wolf, the puppies seemed somewhat reassured and cautiously approached. When they realized that the wolf was not a threat, they jumped and hopped energetically, attempting to lick his face.
Roger looked at the wolf. There was a smile he had grown accustomed to, and he had made it his goal for it to be ever-present.
The wolf seemed to be doing fairly well with the puppies, and they seemed to give him much joy. Had he had a pet before? He had never asked, though he had assumed not, since he had not seen any evidence of a pet.
He never had one, and was unsure of how he would be able to take care of one, but if they both shared one, it would be easier, right?
He blushed slightly and smiled, looking down at the puppies. The thought invaded his mind.
Perhaps one day, he thought to himself, he could share a puppy with the wolf.