Snatch and Go (Open)

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THE ONLY EASY DAY

was yesterday

Don saw the kid frown as he wondered if he had said the wrong thing to him. Being a military kid was difficult, he had seen it from the friends he had made. The families that waited at home and the fact that a parent could be away more than they were there was tough. Don couldnt not understand that, it was one of his main reasons for ending his service days to help his father who’s heath wasnt all that great. His mother needed the help at the restaurant and without a sibling to rely on sending money back home wasnt doing much for them.

“I’m pretty sure that you would have known it before that Jeff.” Don said with a smile as he tried to think of the right thing to reply with but really, after the fact it pretty much summed the entire thing up. “Cop or military they were working to keep you safe, it might not seem like it but it’s true. It takes a good person to do those sorts of jobs.” He might have said he was lucky to have had that sort of family growing up but then given the situation at the moment Don didnt want to upset Jeff at all.

Not having any place to go might not seem all that lucky now. When the conversation turned to food Don looked a little stunned when Jeff said he hadn’t ever had Risotto. “Okay you have made several good food choices, anyone would think you’re half Italian too.” Don said grinning, “But you’ve never eaten Risotto, that needs to be fixed because honestly... it’s just, well never eaten Risotto?” Don added grinning as he pointed to a small shop that was set back into one of the buildings. “See, that’s the place to eat.” Don said smiling, yeah the restaurant was as much home as his place was. Funny how work and home could be one in the same.

Tag: @yugioh

SWANSKI

[Deleted]

Jeff gave a small smile at that.

Maybe he was right - and he had thought of them as brave before that. Really, he had, he supposed it was just that sometimes it bothered him... Maybe because he felt he had some huge shoes to fill and wasn't sure he could ever rightly do so. "Of course I did, just really hammered home when they went out the way they did," he explained. "Especially my dad. He was one of those cops that wanted nothing but to help people. And I kinda... Want to follow his example one day, maybe. I've been thinking lately about becoming a vet - big difference but still."

Half-Italian? God he wished! He loved their food and he could only imagine what it would be like eating that kind of food regularly. He licked his lips as he thought of it - though his mind also got to Risotto. "Well, I'm always up for anything new. I mean I'm not picky about food much anyway. My last food came from the McDonalds dumpster," he felt himself blush as he said that - God what kind of animal did he sound like?

When they reached the restaurant, he swallowed. Just how nice would this place be? Would they be embarrassed to have him there? "Are you sure this is ok...? I don't want to scare anyone off..." He knew how some rather closed-minded people can be when they saw the homeless. He hadn't thought of it until now - but still. "I can just eat out here if it's a bad idea for me to come in."

@don

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THE ONLY EASY DAY

was yesterday

Don smiled when Jeff mentioned he might want to follow in their footsteps, he had to admit he was waiting to hear cop or military. Then again thank whoever it wasnt the army but a vet still could make a big difference in life. “A vet huh?” Don said thoughtfully, “That is a very heroic profession too because you get to save peoples family members. Their dog, cat, fish or hamster. Animals make the world go around and not so big a difference. You’re still helping people as much as they did, just a different way about it.”

Don was impressed he wanted to do that though how he planned to do that, it would be interesting then again given what he had seen so far. It wasnt entirely out with the kids ideas, he seemed to be genuinely good and smart too. “So do you want to go to school, college to become a vet?” Don asked curiously if he went to school already or what the deal was. AS the conversation turned to food Don had eaten a lot of things, with the military not all of it great but then again a McDonalds dumpster meal didnt sound all too filling to him.

“McDonalds is nice, just how about we get you some real food. Not that there’s anything wrong with a burger or two but just saying, new food might be a little better for you. Besides McDonalds put lettuce in a burger, if I’m eating a burger I’m not going for the healthy option so that is a point against those guys.” Don added grinning, sure it didnt sound great that his last food came from a dumpster but then again Don had issues with salad being attached to things like burgers. There was no need for that slice of tomato when he was going for a take away meal. It was like ordering a full fried breakfast with a side of salad, nope it wasnt a thing for him.

“Okay Jeff, nope eating outside is lovely yeah but for you today no. We’re going in and you won’t scare anyone off, leave that to my mother she has a handle on that all on her own.” Don said grinning, “Listen I’ve never let anyone eat outside unless it’s a lovely day and you’re outside a lot so why not eat inside where it’s warm. Trust me, it’s fine and you’ll be fine. After you.” Don offered as he opened the door to the place. It wasnt anything fancy, more like a small place that you might look past.

It had the chequered table cloths toward the front of the restaurant, the small private dining area off to the side that could be hired out for functions and the bar area along the back wall that lead off into the kitchen. It was a small place that hadn’t changed much since he was a kid, it was like a little piece of history that stayed the same no matter what new creations came out for the latest restaurant fashions.

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Tag: @yugioh

SWANSKI

[Deleted]

Jeff hadn't thought of that before.

But he did suppose it was true, even if a part of him did wonder how true that was. All the same - he knew that a part of that was right. It was part of the reason he wanted to do that. Another being he knew what it was like to be sick or hurt and helpless. "True... I guess you have a point there," he explained.

Jeff paused - having not thought of that. Of course, he didn't go to school right now. Any school would probably turn him in the way he looked - so he kept away from there. Maybe if he one day had a home, it would be an option... "I'd like to. But I uh... I'm not really in school right now. I'm not sure college is an option for a guy like me." He commented.

Jeff was more than a little surprised that Don didn't want him to eat outside. And his mom scared them off? Well that was different. But all the same, he was absolutely... Stunned by the fact that he was acting so nice to him. Treating him like he wasn't some kid who just climbed out of some gutter... It made him feel good.

Don't get too close, Jeff, he told himself. He wouldn't want you - no one wants damaged goods. Especially not ones that had been to juvie.

He examined the restaurant - it was nice and quaint. Something that was a far cry from what he usually ate at. He licked his lip a little, it smelled so good - like good, real, food. Something that was such a rarity for him that his heart leapt a bit. "Man, it smells so good," he commented as he stepped inside. "I don't think I've smelled anywhere so good."

@don

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THE ONLY EASY DAY

was yesterday

Don rolled his eyes when Jeff said about college not being an option for a guy like him. “What kind of guy is that?” Don asked as he shook his head, yeah he wasnt about to have a kid give up on a dream of college. “Any college would be lucky to have you and really not being in school isn’t the end of the world either. You’ll get there kid just have a little faith and never give up.” The fact that the kid wasnt in school was a big enough issue though he needed to get cleaned up first.

Then again they could maybe look at that later, right now he needed to eat. “Besides if you want to be a vet then you need to go, so there will be a way trust me. There usually is.” Don replied thinking on having the kid eat outside. Nope, there was no chance of that at all. Don didnt mind where Jeff had come from, honestly the kid just needed a hand and if he could do that for him then sure he would do. It wasnt like he could see anyone else trying to help him out so why not. He needed things to do and if taking care of a kid or just getting one a much needed meal.

It was all just passing on a little luck. Sniffing the air it felt like a home away from home, he couldnt count how many times he had wanted to get off a ship in the middle of the ocean for a whiff of what he could smell in that moment. “No place like it trust me and yeah, last year I would have swam all the way home for a smell of this.” He explained as he saw his mother glaring at him from behind the bar. Before he could even open his mouth he saw her heading toward them like a missile as he glanced at Jeff.

From the other side of the restaurant he could hear the Italian than fell from her lips. The general tirade of what did he think he was doing coming back after she had thrown him out earlier to go and find something to do other than working. Yeah that was his mother, Don could feel himself standing up a little straighter as he tried to straighten out his shirt. “Know where your exits are and just smile.” Don said grinning giving the kid an okay sign as he watched his mother eye Jeff carefully before she poked his shoulder.

“Oh jeez he’s just skin and bone, I’ll tell you what you need child a good meal. Over here.” She motioned toward one of the tables before she turned to look at Don. One flick of the tea towel she held in her hand and it snapped against his arm. “Owe.” Don yelped as he sat at the table. “He’s just skin and bone, what didnt you bring him here sooner.” His mother looked at Jeff as she smiled sweetly. “Now what are you having Piccolo?” She asked him as Don handed the kid a menu and rubbed his arm not even making a move to argue with her mother. No that never went well with Italian and Irish in his blood, arguing was a death sport at times.

Tag: @yugioh

SWANSKI

[Deleted]

Jeff smiled a little bit.

It was encouraging to hear those words no doubt. Even if a part of him somewhat doubted them. What kind of guy was that? That wasn’t a hard one to answer. One who was not that well educated. One that was probably going nowhere in life being a street kid the way he was. But all the same maybe Don was right and he should try to get back into school. Try his best to earn an education and get there - even if it took him a lot longer. But at the same time his low feelings of self-worth made that hard.

He put his hands in his pockets. “I don’t know. I guess just a street kid. Y’know, not the best educated... Probably not the smartest,” he paused a moment. “Maybe if I went back to high school. But then I risk someone finding me... And I don’t want to be found really.” he didn’t feel too keen on saying why either though. 

He was a bit nervous at all the shouting, though Don’s comment did make him chuckle a little. Don’s mother surprised him with how boisterous she was, by hardly insulted him. He was pretty much skin and bone, he figured, so she had a good point. As he sat down, he looked over the menu, it all sounded so... Good. He didn’t want to do anything that put them out. So he had to think about it carefully. “I don’t know m’am it all sounds really amazing. But I’m gonna eat light. I don’t really want to put you guys out too much,” he explained. He hated taking advantage of hospitality even if most probably didn’t see it as that. “Don says the Risotto is amazing though?”

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THE ONLY EASY DAY

was yesterday

Don raised his brow at the mention of someone finding Jeff, so he was running from something or someone. That much he had though school was still important. “Jeff you really shouldn’t put yourself down, you’re smart enough to take that guy’s wallet back there. Smart enough to know to give it back so sure you’re one very smart kid so far as I can see.” Don said smiling trying to be helpful, “So can I ask who it is you’re not wanting to be found by?”

He had to ask, mostly because if he could help the kid out he would do. Don had a million ideas as to who it might be, parents, foster care, the entire system of state. A bad guy in the park or just someone he had stolen off that wasnt the right guy. Or at least someone that might have a heart and just let it go as one of those things. Then again he figured that Jeff might not tell him that though if he could stick with the kid maybe he would feel like he could in time. After all the thought of anyone having to hide that didnt need to, no he would make sure the kid was as safe as he could be.

Don’s mother stared at Jeff for a moment when she spoke about eating light. Her face practically said that he had hit her as she shook her head. “You’ll do no such thing as eat light. There’s no trouble and anything you want to eat you’ll have it. We’re Italian not stick insects so we eat.” His mother said nodding about the risotto. “Aww he knows risotto is amazing here, but is that what you want?”

Don just smiled at Jeff. “Yeah don’t let me go putting ideas in your head, pick what you want eat Jeff it’s okay. Anything at all, it’s no trouble. Plus I think we need appetisers too, just so you can try a few things.” Don said as his mother started to scribble a few things on her notebook.

Tag: @yugioh

SWANSKI