So, I continued walking with my one-armed little buddy, of whom I still didn't know the name of..
"So, what's your name?" I asked.
"Aiden, yours?"
"Haydin.."
"That's an awesome name."
"I guess..."
Then the awkward silence began again.. We continued walking until we got to the intersection of Soder and Grand. We waited for Jack for what seemed like a millennium, then he finally pulled up.
"So, Haydie, is this your little one-armed wonder?"
"Shove it, and give us a ride to the hospital." Aiden chuckled a little at that.
So we climbed into Jack's S60R Volvo.
"So Jack, how exactly can you afford this car, when you make less money than me in the bounty huntering business?"
"Uhm.." He paused and it looked like his face flushed a bit.. "Uh, it was a, uhm, inheritance."
"Oh, who died?"
"My father."
"He did? He called me yesterday to make sure you weren't smoking crack or doing drugs.."
"Crap. Uhm. My grandfather?"
"Oh, that's bull shit too. Your grandfather died four years ago."
"FINE! Uh, I, uhm..." I waited.
"Yes..?" ..More waiting.
"I have a side job...."
"As a..?"
"Promise you won't laugh.."
"Jeez, how bad is it? Are you a clown for little kids birthday parties?!"
"NO! Jeez.. I'm a.. Professional dog walker."
I froze. Then I burst out laughing.
"Professional DOG WALKER?!" More laughing on my part, and quite a bit of laughing from Aiden's. A slight giggle came from Jack.
We pulled up to the hospital and I helped Aiden out and walked him into the emergency room. The doctor that I usually see when I walk in with FTA's that took a couple hundred too many volts was the first doctor available, as usual.
"So, Haydin, why is it that I never see you unless you're delivering someone e- OH MY GOD. Is that kid missing his ARM?!"
"Yes, and it would be nice if you would help him."
He simply nodded and led the boy away..