Page 13 of Heartstring

“Tyler, you’ve been a good friend to us. I hope you know we’re here for you, right?”

Ellis’s words cut through me, reminding me I have friends in this town and people genuinely want to help a friend even when there’s no personal gain.

“Yeah, I know. I’m…just preoccupied with the change of weather. We’re due for some heavy rain followed by a drop in temperature,” I say, hoping they’ll take my word for it. It’s not entirely untrue.

“Yeah, we were talking about it at school today. The teaching staff is gathering some blankets and essential goods to donate to the students in need,” Ellis says.

“Really?” Milo asks. “That’s amazing, baby. I’m sure we have some spares we can give.” He turns to me. “Now that we live together, we have two of a lot of stuff. I mean, Ellis’s stuff is so much nicer than mine, but a blanket’s a blanket, right?”

“Absolutely. Ellis, let me know if you need any help.”

He smiles. “Actually, I was going to ask you if you need help at the soup kitchen. There’s an initiative between the schools in Stillwater to educate the kids about socioeconomic diversity, and we’re encouraging the kids to volunteer to help the less privileged. My elementary school kids are too young, but at the high school, kids are looking for things to do.”

“Maybe they could help some of the older people in town with their yards. Clean them up so they can enjoy them without doing the work. Or maybe deliver food from the soup kitchen to those who can’t get out to get it,” Milo adds.

I watch as they exchange ideas back and forth and can’t help getting drawn into their positive spirit. The clusterfuck of my life is momentarily forgotten as I join the idea exchange. It’s not until Levi comes over to ask if they’re having a meal and want a table for dinner that I remember I should get home to Seymour.

Before I do, I order two portions of the special Academy macaroni and cheese, which Seymour will love because it has bacon and cheese. His two main food staples.

That should somewhat go toward him forgiving me. Maybe I can take him out this weekend for a drive out of town and show him I’m not a misery guts all the time.

Milo and Ellis go to their table when it becomes free, leaving me to wait for the food. I grab my phone and drop Seymour a text.

Tyler: I’ll be home soon. Have dinner.

Seymour: Does it have cheese and bacon?

Tyler: Don’t know. I guess it’s a surprise.

Seymour: You wouldn’t break my heart like that…

Seymour: Would you?

I chuckle to myself. For a thirty-nine-year-old man, Seymour can be such an adorable puppy. Porter always surprised his brother with random gifts or acts of kindness, and I loved watching them together.

As an only child growing up in the system, I was lucky when my dad decided to foster me when I was ten. I never had any foster siblings, so being around Porter and Seymour felt like a privilege.

Seymour must miss his brother so much.

I really need to stop being a dick.

My car isn’t parked far, so I jump in and get home in ten minutes. As soon as I open the door, I hear barking.

“Stan. No!”

A black Labrador comes to a sliding halt in front of me, holding a sock in his mouth, followed by Seymour, holding the matching sock.

I stare at the dog and then at Seymour. They both drop the sock they’re holding, but only one looks sorry for whatever they’ve done, and that’s the dog.

Seymour gives me a tight smile. “Surprise?”

“Why is there a dog in my hallway?”

“He was in the laundry room with me, but he kept stealing my socks.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“Is that dinner?” Seymour asks, pointing to the bag in my hand.