Who Tells Your Story

“Since when did you let a little rain stop you from creating a masterpiece?”

“When I buy a brand new camera, but have yet to get a waterproof case.”

“Huh.” Jacob chewed this thought over in silence for a moment before raising his hands, unsure how to answer. “Hadn’t thought of it that way. Guess you’re best off going somewhere in the middle.”

“The difficultly is figuring out what exactly the middle is.”

“As far as leverage goes, at least it’s the good kind.”

“Is there such a thing as good leverage though?”

“Oh, they truly are. I hope so! I never had a dog growing up, but it seems worth it for him to be as happy as he is.”

“I never had a dog growing up either, but I had a cat and in this case it’s kind of the same basic thing. Has he decided on a name for it yet?”

“Not such a bad thing to slow down, smell the roses, you know that whole thing. At least once in a while.” 

“But, by the same thought, if you slow down too much life passes you by doesn’t it?”

“Hear, hear! Him and Owen get along incredibly. He loves belly rubs, and Owen loves to rub bellies!”

“Sound like a match made in dog and kid heaven then. Plus growing up is always more fun when you and your dog are growing up together, you know?”

“Ah, but you will. Someday.”

“So hold it over my head now why don’t ya?”

“Maybe you should uh… stick to the back roads tomorrow, my friend.”

“You miss all the best stuff when you stick to the back roads though. And besides no one can live life driving that slowly.”

“And you, my dear Archer, are always the good kind.”

“Ah, you flatter me Dylan, and here I’ve got nothing for you.”

“You plan on getting hit by the fleet of busses always clogging up our streets?” 

“I don’t plan on it, but ya never know. Things could change between now and tomorrow.”

“Hmm. Shit. Yeah, I guess it is. Could be a worse kind of moron, though.”

“Since I can only think of two kinds, I think oxymoron is the only good one.”

“And he’s a rescue, so no worry about house-training or neutering. Adopt don’t shop, I always say.”

“Responsible pet ownership from the start then. Dunno why anyone would turn their nose up at a rescue anyway, it gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside cause you know you helped.”

“I’m more surprised you haven’t been chased away by Taylor giving you a lecture on the horrors of smoking.”

“We all gotta die some how, yeah? And if I’m hit by a bus, didn’t much matter anyway. It’s all in the loopholes.”

“Cut yourself some slack. You’ve got that whole “I don’t care” ambiance going for you. People consider that cool nowadays.”

“Isn’t that an oxymoron or something?”

“So long as you don’t toss them in the grass or anything, not my business. Kinda expensive though, aren’t they?”

Archer nodded their agreement. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” They shrugged, “Maybe if I did it more often.”

“Isn’t he just too cute? Owen wanted him so bad, and I just couldn’t leave the little guy.”

“And as far as impulse buys go, I’d definitely say that this is one of those you don’t end up regretting.”