Ch.8| Icecream

"Hi." The kid responded depressingly. It had a huge affect on Arius, who couldn't help feeling sympathy for him.

"Come on, let's leave the big meanie Dave." Arius shot a playful glare at David. Then he stood up and held out his hand for the little guy, his hand was ignored though.

"Lets go then." The 5 year old replied, feeling dejected. He quickly jumped off the couch and headed for the front door, leaving a bewildered Arius. It didn't take long for Arius to follow along, but he was once again taken aback when he saw that the kid was already in his car. He had only been Phil for a week and he already had a kid. He walked up and opened the car door before getting into the drivers seat.

"My name is Phil, what's your's?" Arius tried to initiate a conversation as he started the car.

"Are you going to keep me?" The kid didn't answer his question, but asked one of his own.

"Yes." Arius didn't hesitate.

"Then, my name is Durante." The kid replied, satisfied with Arius's answer.

"Can I call you Dante? It's short for Durante." Arius smiled, come on that was so easy! David said he wouldn't tell them anything, but he just got a name!

"Hm, okay. So, do you have a wife?" Dante didn't seem shy.

"No. I don't." Arius began driving.

"Because no one will marry you?" Dante asked. He definitely wasn't shy!

"No... it's just that, no girl is good enough for me." Arius said.

"You don't have to lie to me." This kid! Arius was starting to see why David was so adamant about getting rid of him.

Although it made sense that David wouldn't like him, Arius was rather amused by the kid. In fact, he rather liked him.

"Do you like ice cream?" Arius tried to change the topic.

"Yes." Dante nodded vigorously.

"Okay, let's go get some!"

The two drove to an icecream shop, although it was quite far from Arius's-- or Phil's --house. Arius was well acquainted with the shop, it was much better than any other. The thing about it was the flavors, it had one flavor he wouldn't find anywhere else. Even though the flavor blue-raspberry was so amazing, it was hard to find in icecream.

Dante was without worry as he hopped out of the car to follow Arius, and he gladly took Arius's hand when it was offered. The two easily resembled a father and son pair, as they were both extremely good looking.

Opposite the counter was a cute teenage girl, around 15. The name written "Crysa" on the tag attached to her shirt.

"Hello, what can I get for you today?" Crysa said with a polite smile.

"Two blue raspberry icecream cones." He looked down at Dante, "Do you want a waffle cone?"

The small boy nodded his head while the girl looked on in adoration of the kids cute features.

"Both waffle cones." Arius looked up at the girl.

"Is that all?" She continued to smile.

"That's all."

"Alright, wait a moment." Crysa turned around.

"Bethany, get two raspberrie icecreams, both with waffle cones."

The pair stood at the side, quietly waiting for their icecream. When they got it, the both of them left with smiles. Arius thought that perhaps Dante's adorable smile could cure cancer.

That was when his phone buzzed, he got a text. He didn't know who it was from since he didn't bother to read it. Arius and Dante sat outside, happily eating their icecream. Although Dante stopped smiling after awhile.

"How do you like it?" Arius asked.

"It's good." Dante has his eyes focused on the cone in his hand, he was quiet but content. Arius decided not to bother him again while he ate.

The two finished and left for the car, Dante sat in the passenger seat once again. Arius felt that it was rather dangerous for a child his age, but he didn't want to over step his bounds with the kid. He could always correct his behavior later, but right now he didn't feel 5that he held much power over Dante.

"That girl's name was Crysa." Dante spoke first.

"You can read?"

Dante nodded in response.

"How old are you again?" Arius was surprised by that revelation.

Dante hesitated, "Five. Or maybe Six."