****
“And the big dog comes back to town” Zack says turning as Sean opens the door for him
“Heyyyyy!!!!’’ Sean says pulling him into a hug
“Long time bro” Zack nudges his shoulders pulling away
“Two years too long, how have you been, come come” Sean tells him stepping back for him to enter
“Been good, actually good, business is booming. And you, why did you come back?’
“You didn’t miss me apparently did you?” Sean heads to the kitchen and pulls out two bottles of beer, handling him one
“Oh, only a little” Zack smiles
“Yeah right, and your calls have been… it’s sooo boring without you Sean, when are we seeing Sean, can I come over this summer Sean, how are you Sean? Too busy to chat up an old friend?…. I miss my best friend Sean”
“Hey hey okay, I did miss you don’t rub it in, I am just surprised you moved back. I thought that place is the best thing that happened to you?’’
“Oh it was, I got a better offer’’
“Same company?”
“Yes, they opened a construction and designing company here, it’s also a consultation firm plus it’s into supplies for schools which includes uniforms, books and all things schools, in fact the company is going into other commodities that people might need. So they needed someone who knew the area and had lived here for some time so my name popped up, they gave me the position of manager, which means I get to oversee everything here and everyone reports to me, plus I get my salary doubled and the best part? Pops gave me the house, you know they moved permanently out of state to the light city of angels like you used to call it? Anyways … here I am. I couldn’t possibly refuse that sweet offer”
“Damn!!’’ Zack whistles “Your family is already rich, that’s one and you get this sweet offer really? God loves you son”
“He loves you too’’
‘’No he loves you son, congrats man. You want to go out and celebrate?”
Sean scratches his head “You know celebrating with you means booze, drugs and girls?“
‘Well, it’s good to have your best friend know you through and through”
“Well nice but… no drugs, come on men, you need to grow up”
“Okay drinks and girls”
“Aren’t you in a relationship Zachary, that Christie girl?”
He rolls his eyes “That was months ago, I am with Viona now but, I dumped her last week“
“Dude!“
“Hey look at who is talking,how about Tasha Williams, that hot model you talked about?’
Sean steps into the living room and falls into a seat “She A-ight”
Zachary follows him ‘‘That she A-ight kinda sounds bland. I thought you were looking to propose?”
‘‘I was. I am but…look she is great and all but, she is all materialistic”
“All girls are materialistic”
“True, but at least show you love me more than my money, she is like a trophy wife or girlfriend, flashy all there and everywhere”
“So you want someone who is in the background and nowhere?” Zachary seats opposite him and squeezes his face
‘’No! look we had a fight the other day and it was because she wanted me to buy her a car”
“So buy her a car, you can afford it”
“I got her one for her birthday two months ago, so I buy her another one because she wants it? This is her third car in two years man. The other one was on her birthday last year and now for this year and now in two months she wants another? Its ridiculous, I can afford it but still, it doesn’t mean I don’t have other things I need to do… I would definitely give my wife everything she wants. See I give her all that she wants but I have to be sensible.. do I want a wife who is concerned in spending and spending and not thinking about the future? No”
“Okay, so break it off with her”
“Can’t”
“Why?’’
“Because she can be sweet and great too”
“Then curb her expenses”
‘I am, that’s why we fight more than we make love”
Zackary laughs “Sorry bro”
“Nah, its fine. Look, I got a list of schools I am supposed to do some supplies to, I just want to take a look at them, since I am the one in charge, I have to go around to check out all the projects we have started, but first with the schools, you want to come with?”
“Erm sure, by the way, this house is too huge for you to stay alone, need a roommate?”Z achary winks
“Nope, not a three legged roommate sir” Sean play-punches his friend and gets up, he grabs his jacket, keys and a file on his desk
“So, where to first?”
“The first on the list is GreenVille Heights, they need all uniforms replaced, their last order was under-standard and they had a huge complain, that first and the others would be a breeze through.
“Okay, drive away”
*****
“I am sorry about the inconveniences madam , I would put my best team on it, we should have the first orders in less than four weeks”
“Thank you so much Mr Sean” The elderly lady is smiling “The other man was a tad impatient, we had parents wanting to chew us up”
“Don’t worry Ma’am, before the end of the month they would be smiling” he says thanking her and taking his leave.
It was break time apparently because the bell went off and kids ran out of their classrooms heading to different directions
“Grrrhhh, I hate kids” Zackary says
“Yes, little troubles they are” Sean says walking down the hall “But they are quite lovely” he is smiling as two boys ran down the hall
“Well, I ain’t having them, “
Sean laughs “Oh don’t be dramatic okay” He says turning to notice a crowd of children running to the field
“I wonder what they are up to” Zackary says following Sean’s eyes
“Let’s go to the other schools you have to cover“
“Yes, let’s go’’
They get into the car and began pulling away, apparently the kids were fighting over a bag of ball and as soon as they got one, they began to run and scream about.. he laughs shaking his head, he didn’t see the little girl trying to cross to the other side to pick her ball..
Someone screams, he steps on the brakes immediately.
“Shit!!!” he exclaims jumping out of the car..
“Fxxk !Did you see the little devil that just ran past?” Zachary says jumping out too, Sean bends to look under the car, his heart beating fast. he heard someone scream, he saw a small form..but where did he/she go
Nothing.
His car had climbed a ball and flattened it.
He turns when he sees the child sobbing at the corner, he rushes to her..
“Are you okay, are you hurt?’’ he bends to look at the child, she was crying, he scans her body.
Thank God, No bruises !
The child shakes her head ..
“then why you crying?’’
“My ball” she points at car, then points at him “You ruined it”
“I am sorry, I will get you a new one okay, I promise”
Silence
“I promise okay?”
She nods her head cleaning her eyes
“What’s your name?”
“Kikina, but mummy says not to talk with strangers “ she says
Sean Smiles “Let’s go find your mummy shall we?’’
Kiki nods standing up, he gives her his hand and walks back towards the entrance of the hall
“The little devil’’ Zackary exclaims looking at her and the car, thanking God Sean didn’t hit her.
Sean was thankful he didn’t, he was just going to give her to her mum, get her a new ball and leave.
*****
TO BE CONT.
