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    CLJobe
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

ARROW - 68. Chapter 68

That evening when Colin came home, Tommy had to show Colin the painting in his room, I could hear their voices but I could only make out a word or two. While Colin ate, I brought him up to date on our day. I had help, when he wasn’t snitching bites from Colin’s plate.

“I am going to the police at the court house downtown tomorrow while Tommy is at school. I have protected the gallery with a fire suppressant and now I need to provide protection from theft. As it is now, anyone could break in and steal my paintings and the art work of the students.”

“Do you have homework, Tommy?”

“Yes Pop, but I did most of it at the gallery with Grandmother.”

“Then after you have finished helping me eat my dinner, suppose you finish your homework.”

He took a bite, kissed Colin on the cheek and went to get his homework. Bringing it back to the kitchen, sitting opposite Colin, he began to finish his homework.

I took a napkin and wipe off Colin’s cheek. Tommy left a little gravy there.

When Colin was finished eating, he went down to the club. I cleaned up and went to sit with Tommy.

“Have you finished all of your homework?”

“Yes Dad.”

“Good, would like to go down to the club for a little while? You have an hour before you need to go to bed.”

He went and washed his face and took care of nature’s issue, “I’m ready Dad.”

We went to the club, Tim had his drink ready. I had bought a stool for him to sit at the bar. He chatted with Tim as he drank his drink.

Colin came over with the young lady who spoke Italian. “Armand, I would like to learn to speak Italian, she said she would help me.”

“Dad, can I learn also. I heard you when you were talking to that woman who you said was from Italy.”

I thought why not, so I agreed. “Colin, set a time each night but keep in mind Tommy’s schedule.”

When it was time, Tommy and I went back upstairs. He to bed and me to the third floor to paint. I decided to include more paintings with animals. I was working on a painting of Carlo with the lambs. The first painting Colin had sent to him, as promised.

I was totally absorbed in my painting when Tommy came into the room calling my name. “Tommy, I thought you were asleep.”

“I woke up and you weren’t there.”

“Come here, you can sleep here while I paint. When I’m finished I’ll carry you back to your bed.” I tucked him in one of the bed rooms. I stayed with him until he was asleep.

I was still painting when Colin came up to the third floor. “I was looking for you. Where is Tommy, his room is empty.”

“He was but when he woke up and I wasn’t there, he came up here. He’s sleeping in the bedroom on the left. I think if I’m going to get any painting done, he will need to sleep here. I’m finished for the night, you can carry him back down to his bed. I’ll be down as soon as I clean up here.”

When I went down to our apartment, Colin was getting ready for bed. “He never woke up. He’ll be surprised in the morning.”

I got ready for bed, checked on Tommy and then I had to check on Colin in a very different way. Each time, when we express our love for each other, it’s like the first time. Colin said I am a romantic and he may be right. But, I’m not going to change.

In the morning we were awaken by a young man. He snuggled between us, every time he did this I was thankful we wore pjs to bed. Colin tickled him, then he laughed and had to go to the bathroom. He was back in our bed, Colin got up to get ready for work. I thought we had this worked out pretty well. When Colin was dressed for work, he started breakfast which had Tommy in the kitchen. That allowed me to get ready for the day.

When the club was opened, Marcel always sent something up for breakfast. If Tommy didn’t like it, we had a box of his favorite cereal on hand. The only problem, if that box, was opened, it had to be tossed on occasions. Colin suggested that I open the box, divided it into serving sizes, seal each serving and freeze them. I tried that once, and when the cereal thawed out, it was mushy. I started to eat dry cereal and soon Colin joined in. Now a box lasts two days, the two days the club is closed.

Dressed, I drove Tommy to school and I headed to the police station at the court house. Arriving I had to find their offices, it was in the basement.

I walked in, there was a desk with an officer sitting there. I told him why I was there and had been recommended to come here to get help. “I’ll be right back. Have a seat until I come back.”

He was gone about 30 minutes. When he came back, he had a name and telephone number. “We have worked with this outfit before. They are very competent and are up to date on the latest technology for crime prevention techniques. Give them a call and tell them we recommend that you contact them. If you have any issues or want us to check out the finished installation, let us know.” He gave me a card with his name.

I thanked him and drove to the gallery.

Copyright © 2022 CLJobe; All Rights Reserved.
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Chapter Comments

Progress, Tommie has settled in really well , they are in a happy peaceful place, everything is going well, the security system seems like it could be fitted rapidly, learning Italian is going to be fun

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23 hours ago, weinerdog said:

Did I forget or miss something? I was under the impression Armand had to go to City Hall.

Something to watch for Tommy had trouble sleeping alone I don't know what the arrangements at the orphanage was if he had a roommate or something.

I also wonder if Tommy had friends there.He spent a lot of time at the gallery did the atmosphere at the orphanage have something to do with that?

 

 

yes Armand had to go to City Hall. Tommy like most kids, wakes up and doesn't find their parents become scared, double this for someone from an orphanage. Tommy does have a friend at the orphanage.

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22 hours ago, scrubber6620 said:

Weinerdog made an insightful point about Tommy's friends at the orphanage. I think Armand should ask Tommy and invite his best friends over to play with Tommy. He must need to be around kids his age at least sometimes.

He's has become quite attached to Colin and Armand.  I'm sure like most orphans they have flash backs. Tommy woke up and couldn't find Armand. A feeling of loss made him to go and look for him.

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20 hours ago, Anton_Cloche said:

Glad to see Tommy settling in, but obviously insecurities still exist when Tommy awakes and can't find his Dad right away, especially not on the same floor. At least Tommy wasn't in tears. (or when children forget where the bathroom is, which is why night lights are important).  I think Colin and Armand still fall into 'twosome' mode and momentarily forget there's now an integral 3rd person in the 'house'. It's a work in progress.

I too was initially confused about where Armand was going to "see the police" about security for the Gallery. After previously going to the police station he was told to go to police office at City Hall. Today he mentions Court House, then I remembered...💡

... Many towns and cities (including large cities), in the U.S. and around the world, often group different 'munlcipal' services and departments together in one location. Hence 'City Hall, the 'Courts', 'Police' etc. share one central building. A Police division there makes sense. 

When Armand went in, he found, "... a desk with an officer sitting there. I told him why I was there and had been recommended to come here to get help. “I’ll be right back. Have a seat until I come back.”

He was gone about 30 minutes. When he came back, he had a name and telephone number. “We have worked with this outfit before. They are very competent and are up to date on the latest technology for crime prevention techniques. Give them a call and tell them we recommend that you contact them. If you have any issues or want us to check out the finished installation, let us know.”

Some people's idea of “I’ll be right back" obviously are not based on normal time. Or when he returned he could have said "Sorry for the delay" (with an explanation?). Or is there a cafeteria, snack counter or employee coffee room on the way? Any telltale 'sprinkles' or powdered sugar on his shirt?

   The Simpsons GIF by FOX TV

 

Remember the first police department he went to that directed him to the police at City Hall, I'm sure he will have report Armands interest to the police at City Hall. Ergo, once Armand introduced himself, the desk sergeant knew what he needed.

I would consider Tommy's reaction normal for an orphan. dreams can be terrible. Something woke him up, he went to look for the one man that was home, he knew where he would find him.. But help is on the way

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16 hours ago, drsawzall said:

If as @Anton_Cloche mentioned 30 minutes is warp speed for the officer...god help us all in an actual break-in...the culprits won't be caught till they spend nearly all of their cash for ill-gotten goods!!

Next step...insurance!! 

And...agemates for Tommy to play with as well!

Definitely need protection backed by a strong insurance policy. I'd suggest each painting be insured. That always get the insurance legal group hoping.

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I'm hoping that the dads can find some of Tommy's friends from the orphanage to play with him on a regular basis.

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