Running Northwest Read Free Page A

sweatshirt and put his running shoes on his feet.
    Thomas and Layla walked out the slider door in his bedroom and stood on the deck for a minute. He took a deep breath trying to wake himself up a little bit more, inhaling the salty morning air.
    “ Its gunna rain today,” he said aloud.
    He had gotten good at smelling the rain coming in the air since he had been back in Oregon. As Thomas stood there on the deck, Layla took off running as fast as she could bu t not at anything in particular. E verything had to be smelled as quickly as she possible could. Thomas was not worried about the dog, no one lived all that close him and there usually were not a lot of people on the beach this far north of town. The tourists did not come up this far often, let alone at this time of day. However occasionally a few people would wander past his home, usually waiving politely as they walked along. He stepped down onto the sand and walked the 70 yards or so towards the shoreline, watching the huge dog run around smelling all the new things the Pacific had washed up during the night. Because of the currents, occasionally he would find things from Japan on shore after they spent who knows how long at sea. Watching the waves come in with the morning fog with the slightest hint of daylight in the sky was one of his favorite ways to start the day. He walked up bent down, rubbed the dogs’ messy sand-covered face, and smiled.
    “Now don’t tell Harley I brought you out here without him, he will be jealous as hell!” he said laughing. The dog licking his cheek in reply.
    After about 30 more minutes of walking, Thomas and Layla headed back to their small cottage looking at it as he approached. When Thomas first moved here, he was just renting the place from a local retired couple. Eventually the owners offered to let him buy it cheap considering the location and land value. However, after everything with Daniel’s mother happened and the article in the paper, strangers and friends alike stepped up and offered help of many types; some Thomas accepted and some he gratefully declined. Nevertheless, that is how the locals were out here in these small coastal towns, everyone cared, and people were willing to help each other. He was not the type to ask for help and had issues even accepting the help that was offered, but it was an adjustment he learned to make.
    By the time, Thomas and Layla walked into the cottage, it was a few minutes before 7 am. As they both walked down the hallway, he could hear scratching noises coming behind one of the bedroom doors. He looked down at his large mastiff Layla, who was waiting impatiently at his side for the door to be opened. Her head was cocked slightly to the left. She looked at him, then the door and back to him again.
    “You ready?” he said smiling as he slowly turned the doorknob.
    As he opened the door, a yellow flash streaked out and passed him, emitting a quick bark. At virtually the same time, Layla forced the door open all of the way and launched herself onto the bed. Then she began licking its small, defenseless occupant.
    “Layla, that’s gross,” said a child’s squeaky voice from underneath the blankets. “But good morning to you too girl,” he said laughing.
    “Hey Dad, g’morning,” the young boy said smiling as he sat up and wiped his eyes.
    “Morning to you too Kiddo. How did you sleep?” Tom asked.
    “All right I guess, I had some weird dreams but I’m fine I guess. I am starving Dad. What’s for breakfast?” Daniel, Thomas’ son asked.
    “Well I haven’t decided yet, so get up and get dressed. We will decide together. I am sorry but you have school today, ya know. Sadly, our weekend is over,” he said smiling.
    Throwing his body back on the bed, he said growling, “Yeah, yeah, I know dang it. Do I gotta go Dad?” he asked.
    All he got for a reply was a stern look and a raised right eyebrow from Thomas.
    “Fine, fine, you win again!” the boy fussed.
    “Well kid,