Aiden is sent to Hawaii to stay with his father, whom he has never met. But when he arrives there he discovers there is no one to meet him. He has no money, and his mother and stepfather do not want him back. Devastated at their betrayal, hungry and heartsore, he walks away from the airport in a random direction, only to be beaten up and have his belongings stolen by vagrants. But Aiden is a fighter. The next morning he determines to find help, and on his way he sees three children being attacked by dogs. He jumps in to save them, and the consequences of this act of bravery leads him down a brand new path. Aiden soon learns that he can choose his own family, and that his past need not always define his future.

Dog Days

And of course it was the dogs, as well. I didn’t have time to worry about it though, as the nurse tugged a few more stitches into my leg, and left, and as she went out someone else came in—oh crap, the midgets again. ‘Youwoknow!’ one said and the other simpered, ‘You go shi-shi? You need make?’ and I sat there with absolutely no, fucking, clue, while drifting back in from the hallway came a wicked, snickering laugh.


So I found out that shi-shi meant urinate and make meant—number two. I found out that Filipinos were stronger and more stubborn than they looked. They had me shi-shi-ing and make-ing in no time, walking around the room twice and then back in bed before the ice in my soda melted. Then one of them nuked my fries for me so they were nice and hot again, brought me a cup of ice for my drink, and today’s newspaper, and a coloring book. It was the thought that counted, I guess. I think they said they’d bring the crayons later.


Chapter 9