On the town - Wes (open tag)

[wes]

After such a warm day the evening air felt a touch cooler. That said, Wesley Domaszewski was used to either the chilly Pacific breeze or, even more bracing, the slice of icy air that carved through Squamish and Whistler at this time of the year. As such he didn't bother with a jacket or a sweater. He'd save those layers for when it really got cold... assuming it ever did in California. Probably but not to the same degree as he was used to.

He shoved his hands sdeep into his pockets, wishing (and not for the first time) that he had a dog to walk with him./ His mom and dad had told him - again - that they'd 'think about it'... but Wes wasn't done with his persuasive begging, winning smiles and constant pleads fopr them to 'think about it a bit quicker'.

This evening he was exploring the neighbourhood. Something he'd done a few times already since he'd arrived in town but maybe tonight he'd manage to NOT get himself lost!

* * *

His aimless wandering saw him end up in a retail sector. Not exactly a mall but plenty of shops... all of which seemed to be open - barring the kebab joint that looked like its doors had last been parted back in the 50's.

He walked past a few shops - hairdressers, drug store, pet shop.

He froze.

Pet shop?

"Pet shop!" He back-tracked and pressed his nose against the glass window. "No... don't look," he muttered to himself. Wes knew he'd see a puppy he wanted and until he had permission he knew he couldn't risk.

"Aww man..." he breathed when the small creature in the far corner of the window pen peered out from behind a large wooden box.

It was... perfect.

Wesley wanted it... and he dug out his phone. "Mom... I've seen the pup I really want... can I?" He half turned away from the window as he waited for his mom's answer, bumping slightly into someone else viewing the animals. "Sorry 'bout that," he offered, along with a wry smile. "Cute, huh?" he added, along with a slight jerk of his head towards the pets inside...

[Theo Jacobsen]

Theo was on his way to get somethin for his nephews birthday, not that it was a real issue he could just buy them some clothes or addto the list of toys they already had god knows they didn't need them. In fact he was pretty sure that his brother would go nuts if his children had any more toys. Probably a reason to buy them some more he thought as he approached a pet shop.

He didnt know what would annoy his brother more toys or a pet for them to share or pets for the both of them. He looked into the window and smiled at the dogs on display ignorant to the guy next to him. He was out shopping so wasn't expecting to bump into anyone he knew. Though in fairness in this area of town that was highly unlikely.

He felt the guy in question bump into him and the boy apologising to him for the accident which he waved away with a wave of his hand.

"Don't wory about it." Theo said with a smile, he had been seeing a speech therapist who delt with stutters all summer, he still did it when he was nervous or angry but he had come on a way. He felt more confident talking to people and resisted the urge to revert to sign language to talk to people. "Yeah their pretty cute, not sure whether." he said taking a deep breath and exhaling. "My brother would probably... not be happy about them." Theo said to him.

"So your trying to get... your mom to let up and get you one?" he asked politely.

[wes]

The kid was either as nervous as all hell or had a stammer. Either way Wes was far too good natured to make any comment. If it was the former then maybe some friendly conversation would put him at ease? And if it was the latter then... so be it. Poor kid probably got his ass teased off him about it if so.

“Yeeah I am... She keeps saying ‘I’m still thinking about it, Wesley’ or ‘talk to your dad’... Blah!” He’d adopted a high female-type of voice to mimic his mom, forgetting her still held the phone up to his ear. “No, mom... I was kidding around. Really... I don’t think you sound like that!” He threw the other boy a wry grin. He covered the phone with his other hand. “She’s gone to ask my dad,” he hissed.

Extending the hand then towards the other boy he threw him another grin. “I’m Wes... Wesley,” he provided. “I’m pretty new to town and no doubt will soon be asking for directions back to the main thoroughfare. Hopefully not until I get my hands on that uber-cute puppy, though.” Wes peered back at the creature in question. “So... you lived around here all your life?”

[Theo Jacobsen]

Theo was silently laughing as the boy was explaining things to his mom, he tried not to laugh a loud but it was a close run thing while he was on his phone.

"I'm Theo." he introduced himself.

"Okay I'm deaf whats your excuse?" he asked politely. "No seriously... I really am deaf." he said lifting his hair slightly to show the implant. "Good camoflauge... to give people the impresson that... I am a normal hearing person." Theo explained taking his time rather than rushing his way through his words. "The stutter, it comes from... my not using my vocal... cords growing up. The implant is new for me... my sister finally got me to have it done... I liked the silence that not hearing gave me." he explained feeling the need to explain the stutter it took him a while to get it out but he managed to do it.

"I live in Hollywood with my parents." Theo said to him. "I come from New York." he added. "What about you where are you from originally?" he asked

[wes]

“Wow... Kudos, pal... I would never have guessed you were deaf. Good to meet you, Theo. Never been to New York myself but it looks pretty impressive on TV. Is it as crime-filled as the media makes it out to be?’ asked Wes. “As for me... I’m Canadian. Well, BC to be exact. A small town north of Vancouver.” No one had ever heard of Squamish so it was a hell of a lot easier just to refer to it as a nameless town above the far more well known city.

“We moved here at the start of the summer but I’m still trying to find my way around. I didn’t get much chance before the end of term to get to know the other kids and so my summer was spent mostly on my lonesome. Still, I’m not afraid of my own company and a lot of my time was spent that way back up north. I used to be a tourist guide on the local mountain in the summer. That usually meant not hanging out with the others as much but... the pay was good... and the tips were even better!” he added with a broad wink. “Plus some of those tourist girls... I mean... Wow... Could their shorts get much higher? Man, it was like heaven right here on Earth.”

He glanced back at the shop window and waited for his mom’s reply... “So... what did he say?” he asked into the phone. He held his breath... “He did? That’s awesome, mom. No, you won’t have to walk it and yeah I will clean up any mess. Promise! Thanks, mom. You’re the best!” He ended the call with an exuberant flourish. “Looks like I got myself a puppy. Wanna come in while I buy it?”

[Theo Jacobsen]

Theo grinned, "Not as much trouble on my side of town... never had trouble getting from my house to my ride to the school." Theo said shaking his head. "I've been heavily shielded by my parents and siblings... I'm pretty sure that if I was to have a fall they would... think that I would shatter from the impact." Theo said smiling. "I didn't mind it when I was younger, but it gets pretty old with my ma now." he said shaking his head. "Canadian so you see a lot of mounties where you come from." Theo asked Wes.

"My dad and siblings not so much." he said to Wes.

He scratched the back of his head trying not to be as obvious as the discomfort he felt about the topic of girls. The idea of any girl in short shorts just did nothing for him, then again it was something that he was used to pretending that he was into around new people.

"Sure thing, maybe I can find something smaller for my nephews ." he said with a shrug. "What do you buy kids that have literally everything a modern kid could possibly want... books are out because their more film kids." Theo said to him. "So are you going for the dosing sleep a lot type, or the one that is likely to sit on his brothers head or something?" he asked.

[wes]

“Yeeeah,” drawled Wes, “... parents can be a bit over the top on the caring and nurturing front, can’t they? Still, wouldn’t have ‘em any other way! And Mounties were ten a cent up north. Couldn’t turn a street corner without running into one.” He was joking for the most part as the image of a Mountie - red jacket, hay, boots... and don’t forget the horse... were in all truth rare sights... particularly around built up areas.

“Kids who have everything... Tricky one that. How about you get é nothing as that’s the only thing they don’t seem to have!” Wes winked at Theo, still fooling around. “Maybe you’ll see something that takes your fancy. Come on... Let’s check out the pup I saw earlier. I reckon he’s more the timid-run-for-the-hills sort...!”

The pair stepped inside and Wes leaned over the pen’s barrier. “That one... Over there! Behind the box.” The smallest and, quite possibly, cutest black, brown and white beagle puppy peered up at the Canadian boy, eyes by far the largest Wes had ever seen. The tiny dog looked so sad and soulful. He had to have him. Her... Didn’t matter which.

An assistant came over and within minutes Wes was the proud owner of the male puppy. He’d have to come up with a name eventually, of course. Other stuff he’d need were packed up and ready to go and Wes, with the puppy nestled in his arms, turned to look for Theo. This HAD to be the best day ever! “ What do you reckon?” he asked his new friend. “Those eyes are to die for, huh?”

[Theo Jacobsen]

Theo smiled as he rubbed the puppy's head effectionately, "Soulful is just about the right word, big ears like that and droopy face... going to be a very hard face to no to." Theo sai to him laughing. "Your going to be a handful I think... those eyes just have mischief written all over them." Theo added smiling.

Theo looked at the other boy before looking into the pen smiling as he bent down picking another one up, the runt of the litter. "Okay buying two of you is out of the question my brother would go into melt down... but one between the two of them and some non joint presents... that should do the trick I think." Theo said smiling. "My brother may never forgive me and this might be impulsive... not the most impulsive thing my family has ever done." Theo added. "I can tell that your going to be a bad influence on me." he said to Wes grinning.

"Maybe we should find these two collars and leashes... before I change my mind and get two." Theo added with a shake of the head, it waas possibly a clear sign of what kind of life the boy led as he lifted the pup up to eye level. "Now you listen here, if you ruin my car's carpet I don't think my dad... will ever forgive me... no puppy dog eyes will get you out of that dog house." he said getting a lick on the face for his efforts before he allowed the dog to nestle into his arms.

"You think I'm nuts right?" he asked with a smile.

[wes]

"Totally wacko, pal!" Wes replied with a broad grin. They made their purchases (although Wes decided to carry his puppy who seemed absolutely terrified of the outide work. "A name's going to be tricky," he said as he looked down at the forlorn little creature who was trying to shove his nose inside Wesley's shirt. "Dustin? Nah... And he's hardly a Prince or Spike... Oh! I know! Canuck! That would be a cool name, don't you reckon?" he asked Theo.

They wandered away from the pet store and Wes murmured down at the puppy in what he hoped was a comforting and reassuring tone. The little guy was going to take some gentle handling to build up that confidence a touch but how could Wes have left him back there? Not when he'd looked up at him so imploringly!

"What say you to taking them to the park for some fun before we head our seperate ways? I mean, these two have been together since they can remember and now we're about to split them up. We've got to meet up with them when we can and let them play. Didn't that girl in the shop say they were from the same litter?"

[Theo Jacobsen]

Theo laughed at the name of the little dog in the other boys arms, it wasn't a harsh laugh just an amused one. "Well it is definitely a step up from Dustin, Canuck definitely sounds right for the little guy for sure." Theo said to Wes. "As for what this one is going to get called... who knows, knowing my brother and nephews probably... something like scamp or trouble or mischief." Theo said to him.

"Sure park sounds like a good idea... though it will have to be a short walk. I dont think that the two of them will need such a long walk." Theo said to him. "We'll tire them out when they are that small." he added. "And if you mess in my car mister... you and I and probably dad will... be off to a very bad start." Theo said to the little puppy which was wagging its tail happily. "I have no idea how much that thing would cost to get cleaned on the inside." Theo added.

Actually the idea of getting a limited edition car washed to rid it of the dog pee was a thought akin to sacrilige, but he wouldn't mind that as long as it was for a good cause.

"I'd offer to drive us over their but my car is a two seater so you'd have to have two dogs on your lap for the entire trip. Which would not be an easy thought." Theo said to him as he bent down and scooped the pup up in his arms. "Now your have fun in the park." he said. "Maybe we can grab drinks on the way." he said to the boy.