Welcome to the Neighborhood #1 Read online

  Chapter 3

  Scrub-a-frickindub, Andrew thought as he worked on the Code Red stain in the carpet. He’d come home feeling down in the dumps after what had happened with Garrett. Andrew felt terrible over what had gone down. He’d been hoping for some comfort and snuggling from Ellen, but opened the door to find her standing with a rag and a bottle of carpet cleaner. To his wife’s credit, when she saw how despaired he looked, she sat down and let him talk it out. That was his Ellen, one tough cookie on the outside, but soft and gooey on the inside. Jeez, Andrew chuckled, he’d used his wordsmithery again. It’s a good thing he thought before he spoke.

  So, after she heard his story and tried to make him feel better, Ellen sent him on his way to tackle the stain he’d left behind earlier in the evening. Billiam was a few feet away, lying on his side all sprawled out, looking extremely comfortable as he mocked Andrew. He was a plump little pug, and Andrew loved him like a son. Picturing how nice it would be when he got to sprawl out like Billiam on the couch after the stain was cleaned, Andrew got back to work.

  Scrubbing with all his might, he was disappointed to see there was still a very noticeable red stain left behind. Darn it all, what do they make this delicious soda with, he wondered. Blood? The thought of blood reminded Andrew of how upset Garrett had been, the look in the guy’s eyes when he told him to get out of his house…it really scared the crud out of him.

  Just then the doorbell rang and Andrew had to check his underpants to be sure he hadn’t shat himself. Billiam sprang to his feet , ran to the door, and began growling. Ellen called for him in a cautious, worried tone that caught his attention. Hopping to his feet, Andrew hurried to the front room. Ellen was standing by the door hugging herself.

  “Baby, it’s him.” Who, Andrew wondered.

  “Who is him babycakes?” She rolled her eyes and motioned to the peephole. Crouching down and squinting, Andrew peeked through. Garrett. Oh boy. Andrew hoped the crazy kook wasn’t here to finish him off. Billiam was still going crazy, so Andrew picked the little heffer up. Strange how upset the little guy was, he was usually such a laid back lover. Looking at Ellen, Andrew handed Billiam over to her then motioned for her to get out of sight.

  “It’s okay honey, don’t worry. Grab the phone and if he attacks run out the back to the neighbor and call 911, I will hold him off.” Ellen’s eyes got big.

  “Are you freaking serious…if he attacks? What the hell Andrew? You are scaring me even worse!” Andrew motioned for Ellen to get out of view of the door again, folding his hands in a pleading fashion and mouthing the word sorry to her. Rolling her eyes, she did as he asked and grabbed the phone, hugging Billiam to herself as he continued to growl. Andrew nodded towards her and reached for the doorknob, but suddenly stopped. Realizing he wanted a weapon of some kind, he frantically looked around as Garrett knocked on the door again. Grabbing the closest blunt object, he raised it and threw open the front door.

  Garrett stood there smiling, but before he spoke his eye caught sight of the object in Andrew’s hand and his look turned puzzled.

  “Hey, Andrew, um…expecting rain?” Andrew smiled sheepishly and put the umbrella down. An awkward silence ensued as they stood still, staring at one another, the only sound being Billiam’s continued growling. Finally, Garrett broke the silence after scratching his head.

  “Well…uh, yeah. So, I just wanted to apologize…apologize for how I treated you earlier. You didn’t do anything to deserve that kind of treatment. I just have this temper…I can’t control it sometimes, you know? I…look, you seem like a great guy and I just wanted to say sorry and I hope we can be friends. And maybe if the offer is still on the table, I could still have dinner sometime with you and your wife. I can see I’m making your dog upset so I will go. Well, have a good night.” Garrett nodded and turned to leave. Before Andrew knew what he was doing, he called after him.

  “Wait, Garrett…wait. Apology accepted. Why don’t you have dinner with us tonight? My wife was just starting dinner.” He heard Ellen growling at him to stop from the other side of the open door. Andrew looked around the door and motioned for her to come to his side. She said fudge no with her eyes, so he changed his approach.

  “Come on in Garrett.” Garrett stood for a few seconds, trying to decide if he should accept Andrew’s invitation. Finally, making up his mind, he walked back up to the porch and through the open door. Shutting the door behind him, Andrew turned to Ellen, who put on a brave smile despite still hugging their little pug tightly.

  “Well, Garrett, this is my beautiful wife Ellen and that ferocious beast is my little pup Billiam. As I said, my wife is a wonderful cook and has a great meal planned. What were you planning for dinner again babe?”

  “Frozen pizza, dear.”