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Dirty Paws

I hated this school, I hated everything about it. I hated the teachers, the principle, the students, I just hated it all. Though today I was done, I had finally gathered enough credits to graduate early. All of my hard work getting out of here was about to pay off, just one more class and this senior would be out of Gulf Plains High a semester and a half early! I was ecstatic as I headed to my last class period which was assisting the office clerks. My tasks consisted of running release passes, collecting attendance forms and filing students' absence and excuse forms. This was going to be easy.

"Hey queer!" I heard a loud voice shout from behind me and I knew just who it was.

"Seriously Grant?" I said as I turned to see an oversized Pit Bull in a letterman jacket pushing through the sea of students towards me. The captain of the football team stopped in front of me, he was built like a tank and well... I was scrawnier than a twig. He grabbed me by the collar of my shirt.

"So Johnny, you're all done? I guess I will have to make this beating worth it." I cringed as he spoke to me, knowing what was coming next.

"Johnathan Reb?" I heard a voice say. Grant's paws let go of me and I dropped from his grasp to see Nurse Wilkins at the door to the attendance office I work in.

"Yes, I'm him." I replied as I pushed past Grant's massive form. She motioned for me to enter the office. I straightened my collar and headed for the door.

"Next time I see you faggot, you're dead!" Grant shouted as I entered the office.

Once inside the office I saw a police officer, the principle and my family's attorney. I stopped and looked at the group of adults, they all had a very gloomy look.

"What's wrong? Did I do something?" I asked, a bit nervous that Grant set me up for something.

"No Johnny, you did nothing wrong." My lawyer said quietly.

"Then why are y'all here?" I asked as I became worried.

"Son, your father, on his drive back from Dallas... there was an accident.... He is dead." The officer whispered just loud enough for me to hear him. A wave of shock hit me. I collapsed onto my knees, tears streaming down my face. I cried as I sat in the principal's office alone. After maybe an hour my father's friend Don came in.

"Hey buddy," He said quietly "How are you doing?" I ran and hugged him and he hugged me back. He was like an uncle to me and the only family I had left. He was the vice president of my father's company and I have known him as long as I can remember. "It's going to be okay pal." He whispered, tears falling off his face. "Get your bag Johnny, you have some things to take care of."

The drive home was a somber one. My father was supposed to be home today from his business trip. Today was going to be the beginning of our three month trip to Europe but that was obviously not going to happen. As I pulled the Chevelle in to the garage I could see a gaggle of figures milling about the front of my house. I locked the massive garage behind me as I left and walked up the drive to the house. The house was a very modern hill country style home and a big one at that. My father was president of the largest non-technology company in the world. He oversaw everything from oil & gas, railroads, freight, and construction. We couldn't be closer either, every minute he wasn't working was spent with me. I still couldn't believe what was happening.

I pushed past the figures in suits, they all gave condolences but I didn't listen. They were there to see if their stocks were stable or not. "Fucking vultures." I said to myself as I closed the front door behind me.

"Ah, there you are Johnny." I heard Don say as he exited my father's home office.

"Hey Don, I don't want to seem rude but I want to go upstairs and be alone." I said trying to be polite and keep from breaking down again.

"Johnny we need to talk, come into your father's office." I walked in and sat in a leather couch against the wall. Don paced the room for a moment then closed the large glass French Doors.

"What is this about Don? I want to be alone right now."

"I know Johnny but we need to talk; well I need to talk you need to listen." He began to pace again as he loosened his tie.

"Okay fine." I replied.

"You are the beneficiary of your father's will but you need to make a choice. Now don't talk just listen, okay?" I nodded and he continued. "You cannot collect on his will until you are twenty one. Now you can live in the house, have access to your belongings, and I am authorized to give you a monthly allowance till you can collect on everything."

"Okay, I guess that sounds good." I replied a bit confused.

"Johnny, I'm not finished. There is an alternative option written by your father in his will but I don't know what exactly it is, he just left this for you." Don placed a gray nylon travel backpack on the rug that covered the hardwood floor of the office. I pulled it close and he walked out of the office slowly.

"Where are you going Don?"

"Not for my eyes, he was very specific about that. I'm just here to help if you accept." He closed the double doors behind him. I turned to the bag and pulled it close. On top of the bag was a folded up note. I pulled off the note and opened it to find my father's handwriting.

"Johnny if you are reading this I am no longer with you. I wish I could be there to help you along but I can't, not anymore. From now on you have to be strong and I know you are going to need help. Do not cry for me, I lived a good life and so shall you. I was always there to show you the way but now it's time to grow up. Inside this bag is a piece of paper with a location and a name. If you choose to go you will begin a journey that will take you to places that you have never been. I know you are not the strongest or the most outgoing but I can no longer teach you the lessons to shape you into a man but I hope this journey will. I am not going to lie to you, there may be danger and uncertainly trip but the reward is everything and I mean it. If you complete this quest I have authorized Don to sign everything I own to you. Remember that this is your choice and your choice only but you are my son and I know you will make me proud. Be strong my son.

I love you Johnny

-Your father

Samuel Reb"

I sat in the couch silent and began to think thing over. "You can't do this," I thought to myself. "You're a joke, a nerd, and a wimp." Tears began to well up in my eye and I slowly began to weep. I drifted off to an uncomfortable sleep that was haunted with visions of my father, sad and disappointed with his son. Another dream of Grant harassing me, mocking my father and the wimp he raised. I woke up in a cold sweat and let out a scream. I had been out for a while, the house was dark and cold, a single lamp illuminated the office and casted a dim light over the travel bag. A feeling came over me I had never felt, a drive, an urge.

I opened the office door to find Don asleep on a chair in the hall. He woke at the sound of the doors closing behind me. I looked at him and he looked at me. The silent between us was deafening. I tightened the straps of the travel bag that sat on my back and Don let out a smile. He stood up and slowly walked over to me as he reached inside his suit jacket. He removed an envelope and a plane ticket. The ticket was one way and the destination was Rome. I looked up at Don and he motioned out the window, in the driveway was a taxi with its diver sitting on the hood. I hugged Don and began to head for the door until I heard him shout something at me as he came running after me.

"Hey you're forgetting something." He handed me the envelop and opened the front door for me. "Good luck Johnny!" He yelled as I ran off and dove in the cab. My house faded from view and I decided to open the letter. I was surprised to see my father's handwriting once more. In large bold letters was written a single phrase....

"Go forth my son."