Guns And Dogs Read Online Free Page B

father was thinking giving you that beast as a retirement present.”
    “Beast?” Argos replied. “He brings you your slippers almost every morning.”
    “Yes and chews on them in his spare time, thank you very much.”
    “You’re impossible,” Argos said before going downstairs to refill Rusty’s water bowl. At the breakfast table were his two children, his daughter Jessie and her twin brother, Studs.
    “Good morning Daddy!” Jessie said as she stood up and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.
    He returned the gesture by hugging her and rewarding her with a kiss on her forehead. The young woman giggled before offering her father a mug of steaming coffee.
    Argos turned to Studs who had his headphones on and was bobbing his head to music. It was so loud Argos could practically hear the lyrics. “Good morning Studs.” After taking a sip of coffee Argos poked his son’s shoulder. “Aren’t you gonna say good morning to your old man, son?” When Studs paid him no heed Argos gently pulled the headphones off his son’s head. “I said good morning, Studs.”
    Studs scoffed and tried to get his headphones but Argos’ superior reach kept the boy from reclaiming them. “Geez Dad why the hell you gotta be trippin’ so early in the day?”
    “Me? Tripping? Studs haven’t I told you a trillion times that there are no headphones at the kitchen table.” Studs looked at his father indifferently. After a minute Argos handed back the headphones to his son.
    “Not a good way to start the day, Studs,” Jessie added as she was flipping through one of her textbooks.
    “The golden child speaks!” Studs mocked before biting into a piece of buttered toast. Jessie eyed him for a few seconds before returning to her text.
    “See your sister knows what’s up, son.” He high-fived Jessie who giggled again. Studs shook his head ruefully and went to the refrigerator to pour a glass of orange juice.
    “Hey Dad, I’ve been thinking,” Studs began, “I want to take a year off after I graduate and work.”
    Argos scratched his cheek and realized that it was way too early for another argument with his son. “Can we talk about this later? I still haven’t had my breakfast, son.”
    “What’s to talk about, Dad?” Studs said joyfully. “I was thinking about going up to New York and trying my luck up there.”
    Jessie’s eyes shifted from her textbook to Studs. “Not this again. Studs don’t you ever quit?”
    Her brother pointed at her while giving her a sharp look. “Stay out of this little girl; I was talking with Dad.”
    “’Little girl?” She said. “In case you’ve forgotten, and you obviously have, we’re the same age, as a matter of fact I was born a few minutes before you were.” She rolled her eyes at Studs who shifted his attention back to Argos.
    “We’ve had this discussion before, son, so give it a rest.” Argos was doing his best to keep his voice level, but he knew what was coming.
    “Give it a rest? This is my future we’re talking about!”
    Gina strolled into the kitchen dressed in a pants suit, her perfume announcing her arrival. Let the fireworks begin, Argos thought.
    “What about your future, baby,” Gina chimed in.
    “He still thinks he can become a musician,” Argos added.
    Studs shot up from his seat like a missile. “How will I ever know if I don’t try?”
    “Not this argument again. You’re going to college like your sister. Your father and I didn’t bust our butts so you can waste your future away partying with your musical buddies. Try and be more logical like your sister.” In the background Rusty was staring at the heated exchange, a sense of befuddlement spread across his canine face.
    Studs grabbed his backpack and slung it over his shoulder. “That’s just the problem, isn’t it. I’m not Jessie, am I?”
    “That’s a relief,” Jessie said before grabbing her car keys.
    “Boy, best you watch how you talk to your mother,” Argos said. Rusty navigated around