Flowers from 1970 - DNF

The time's torture

Wilbur Soot had texted George at six in the morning, asking for his help.

Wilbur: Hello, George. I do apologize that this text finds you so early in the morning, but I would like to ask a favor. Are you busy today?

George: It's no problem, I woke up early anyway, but no, I don't have any plans as far as I know.

George was curious as to what the favor was. He thought it might have been an invitation to something at first but from how semi-serious Wilbur's tone was, he knew that wasn't the case.

Wilbur: Are you good with kids?

George: I'm not horrible I guess. Why?

Wilbur: Would you be able to watch over Tommy?

I know he can be a handful, but my family and I have found ourselves in a sort of emergency and all the adults are needed.

George: Is everything ok? Also yes, I reckon I can watch Tommy.

Wilbur: I'm going to be honest, I'm quite unsure. There's a lot going on right now, I've taken a work leave and Techno's even closed his store for the rest of the week. We all just hope everything will be fine.

Thank you for your concern, we appreciate it.

George: No problem! I hope everything turns out ok, whatever it is. But anyway, would you like to bring Tommy here? Or should I go to yours?

Wilbur: Is it alright if you come to ours? He's easier to take care of when he's entertained and out of your hair. All of the stuff he has to entertain himself is here.

George: Yeah, sounds good. I can be there in an hour?

Wilbur: That works. Thank you again, we definitely owe you one.

George plugged his phone in while he went to the kitchen to make himself a bowl of cereal (as it was the fastest to make and eat). After that he rushed to wash his face and change out of his pajamas. Finishing faster than he expected, he asked Wilbur if he could come earlier than he had planned. Wilbur said it was actually convenient, since he, Niki, and Techno were leaving soon.

It took a couple turns and attempts to find their house in the neighborhood, but after George spotted the number painted on the curbside, he parked on the side of the road before locking his car and knocking at the door.

The house was decorated beautifully on the outside, with the roof lined in hanging flowers, a white archway on the path to the door, and wind chimes that sang together as the last of the warm summer wind blew on them.

The door in front of him opened, revealing Niki.

"George!" She gave him a hug, surprising him but he found himself hugging back, "I'm sorry this was so last minute."

George dropped his keys on accident, and he leaned down to pick them up before looking to Niki again, "No, no. You've been great company to me lately and this is something I feel like I owe you."

"Oh don't be silly," Niki smiled, "you don't owe us anything for friendship."

Wilbur walked up behind her, carrying a small backpack of things, His eyes looked dreadful. They were baggy and dark, and the amount of hours he had slept the previous night could be determined by his face alone. "

"George, good to see you." He greeted, patting him on the shoulder, "Thank you for coming by so early. Tommy is up in his bedroom right now, still asleep. He wakes up in around ten minutes."

Wilbur gave Niki the backpack to load into the car, where Techno was already sitting at the steering wheel waiting for them. Wilbur led George inside, showing him where everything was kept and also where he had put Tommy's meals (which were pre-prepared for George's convenience). He urged him to not hesitate to call if there was an emergency, and that he could eat whatever from their kitchen if he should ever get hungry.

"That should be it," Wilbur told him as he led George into the living room, "the TV and computer is all yours to use too. The TV has a password lock on Youtube since we found out Tommy was finding content he shouldn't have been watching. It's written on the back of the cable box."

George was amused, wondering what in the world Tommy had found on Youtube that caused his family to restrict him from it permanently. "Thank you, Wilbur. I think I can manage. When's his bedtime? Does he ever nap?"

Wilbur's eyes widened as he shook his head, "We can never get him to nap, so we just make him sleep early. Hopefully we'll be back before he has to sleep for the night, though."

"Sounds good," George took note, "I hope wherever you guys are heading off to is well for you, and that everything turns out fine."

Wilbur was getting teary-eyes, managing to grin, he said, "We hope so too. I'll be off now, make sure to double lock the doors."