Chapter 15

The week went by in a flash. Alex walks Zero early in the morning, quickly eats breakfast and then heads out to the day-care-centre. Since Peter managed to settle back in with Leon by his side, he didn't need the special supervision anymore. The two kids played happily together and eventually even Emma came back over. Afterwards Alex learned that Emma's father also warned her of "the mafia brat". But Emma, being the self-reliant kid that she is soon dismissed her fathers warning.

Alex was especially happy when he overheard the conversation of her and her mother when Emma was picked up Monday afternoon.

"Mom, look, I made this today." Emma showed her mother an origami star Alex teached her today how to make.

"Oh, how pretty. Did you make this all by yourself?"

"No, teacher Alex helped me. And look at this. Leon and Peter each gave me one, too." She showed stars in green and blue. The kids made several as gifts for their 'special persons' and gifted them to their new found friends.

"Oh, how nice." The mother admired them adequately before handing them back. "But, did you mention Peter? Wasn't this the kid your father warned you about?"

Emma, busy storing her stars safely in her bag, nonchalantly replies "Ah yes. But I guess dad was wrong about him. Peter is nice. He was the one teaching me when my first star failed." She says this as if this explains everything.

"But Emma, aren't you afraid of the bad people in Peter's family?"

"Should I? I mean, I only play with Peter, not his family!?" She finally looks at her mother with a questioning look.

This puzzled the mother, as Alex smirkingly observes. "Well, I guess you are right. But please be careful.", was all the mother had left to say. Outwitted by a three year old.

From Tuesday onwards his duty of specially supervising Peter was lifted since Peter himself was kindly leaving him behind playing with his now two friends. His supervisor, seeing Alex had too much of free time on his hands, ordered him to reassume his regular duties.

After knowing that Alex owns a huge dog, the other kids showed a lot more interest in him and bombarded him with questions. At least half of them admitted to having at least once begged their parents for a pet. So they spent the morning with collecting the pro and contra arguments for owning a pet. It was a lively discussion and Alex pitied the parents who would have to withstand these kids, now not only armed with their cute pleading eyes but also one or two reasonable arguments.

In the afternoon Alex tried not to collapse at the doorstep again and succeeded. He used this, one time to buy groceries, one time to tackle the enormous amount of laundry and two times to get back to his childhood hobby by stopping at a dojo for ju-jutsu. Maybe he could teach the kids some self-defence techniques in time.

And so the week went by.

Saturday morning Alex received a text message from Daniel. After Peter using his phone to call his uncle, Alex saved his number. Had Daniel also saved his number after receiving Peter's call from this phone? Alex felt a bit happy with this thought.

The message itself was short.

"Good morning, teacher Alex. I will pick you up at 10 o'clock tomorrow to drive to the lake. We will prepare the food and everything."

While Alex was still busy thinking about what was left for him to take along the message tone rang another time. Puzzled, Alex looked at the phone.

"I am looking forward to seeing you again."

Alex' eyes widen and he blushes furiously. 'This is a hint. Is it not? You do not send a message like this to someone you only met recently. You just don't.'

Pacing in his room with thoughts swirling in his mind his suddenly stops in his track.

"Zero, come over here, buddy." Zero trots over, his tail wagging lazily. Alex squats down in front of him, holding the dog's face in both hands and looking him deep in the dark eyes.

"Zero, you remember why we left my parent's home, right? I wanted to live my life, free from restraints and guilt. I hoped I could find love…. Yeah, I know it sounds cheesy." Nodding, half to himself, half towards the dog, he continues "I think, Daniel is interested in me. Well, I at least hope it and there are undeniably certain signs. And you know what? I really like him. He is a caring parent towards Peter, I am comfortable with him and, yes, he is just gorgeous." Shifting his eyes as if he has to collect his thoughts he looks back at Zero again, a deep meaning in his eyes. "And Zero, I think I can trust him. I think, he can be good for me."

He keeps Zero's gaze locked in his, getting the meaning across. "Zero" Alex finally leans his forehead against the dogs head, sighing and silently saying "I really wish that this will turn out right this time."

The dog licks his face as if in confirmation. Alex laughs. "Thank you, Zero. I am glad you will be there with me to give me strength." He caresses his dog all over his body until he wriggles on his back under him, exposing the ready to be scratched stomach.

He made up his mind. Enough with the blushing coward. He moved out for a reason and tomorrow he will finally act on it.