Running Northwest by Michael Melville Read Free Book Online Page B

homework and sipping on an almost empty strawberry smoothie, periodically reaching down to scratch the head of Harley, their yellow lab that was sleeping on the floor next to the boy’s chair. Oregon was generally known to be very pet-friendly state and some businesses were known to allow leashed dogs inside. And at least in Thomas’ coffee shop dogs were always welcomed as long as they were not dangerous and were well behaved. Thomas usually had one or both of his dogs with him when he was there. He decided to leave Layla the M astiff at home when he went to pick Daniel up from school as she was sleeping happily on the bed.
    Thomas had promised Daniel that if he got his homework at least started that they would go for a hike or have a campfire tonight, then call his grandmother in Florida before he went to bed. Daniel had his ear buds from his MP3 player on and was plugging away at his schoolwork in a very quick and impressive fashion. Daniel, much like his mother and adoptive father worked better and faster, with background music.
    A few minutes went by and Thomas tapped the table in front of his son Daniel with his fingers, trying to get the boys attention. Daniel removed the ear buds from his ears, realizing his father had something to say to him.
    “What’s up, Dad?” he asked, smiling.
    “How’s the homework going?” Thomas answered his son with a question.
    “It’s fine, a little easy I think. I’m doing my history homework right now and a lot of this is stuff I already learned from you,” the boy answered.
    “Well, you like reading my books so you should be proud of being so smart. Do you want another drink because we’re going to get going in about ten minutes?”
    “I am pretty smart,” the boy said, smiling and full of attitude. “Umm yeah…I wouldn’t mind another smoothie but can I go get it myself, Dad, if that’s okay,” he said, sort of nervously asking.
    He had wanted to go and say hello to Tracie since they got there but Thomas said he could not yet
    “Of course you can,” Thomas said with a grin as he pulled out a ten dollar bill from the inside pocket of his black pea coat. He handed it to his son, waiting to see what happened with the ensuing interaction which had been more or less set up already between him and Tracie.
    Daniel practically jumped his tiny frame up from the chair after getting the money from his dad and started heading towards the counter with a smile on his face but turned around a few feet from the table, coming back to his dad.
    “Should I give Tracie the change, Dad, or give it back to you?” the boy asked.
    “Give it to Tracie,” he answered with a laugh. Thomas had taught the boy about the importance of tipping, but he still always asked.
    Daniel turned back towards the counter and inched forward waiting for Tracie and the new guy to help the person in front of him. The other customer got his drink, paid, and walked past the small boy and towards the door. Daniel stepped forward and put his arms up on the counter. His chin just a few inches above the counter top.
    Tracie, who had her back to the counter at that moment, turned around and looked at Daniel who had a huge grin on his face as he looked at her. Tracie gave Daniel a little wink and nudged the new guy Pete to let him know he had a customer. Pete walked over to the counter and leaned down a little eyeing Daniel with an annoyed look.
    “What’s up, kid, what do you want?” Pete asked Daniel as he looked at his watch impatiently.
    Daniel’s large grin went away and he backed away from the counter slightly. He looked over Pete’s shoulder at Tracie. She was standing behind Pete with her arms crossed and was staring at him with an evil look. Daniel did not answer right away and looked scared. Tracie and Thomas both knew Daniel was nervous around new people, especially grown men.
    “Umm…umm,” was all Daniel could say at first.
    They wanted to see how Pete handled the boy. In the summer, a lot of