Theo's Dorian - Theo/Dorian Pt. 1

Story

"Theo, we're going out. Be good for Ms. Lauren." His father waved at him as he stepped out the door.

Ms. Lauren waved to his parents and then turned to him with a frown, "I don't want you in my way, so you're going to have to stay in your room."

"But I wanted -"

"That wasn't a question. It was a demand. Get out of my sight, kid." The young woman scolded him.

Theodore reluctantly gathered his toys and carried them upstairs to his room. He could hear Lauren already starting to call her friends downstairs.

He went into his room and slumped down to the floor. His parents were never home. Any chance they got, they took extra shifts to make more money. Then, when they had days off, they'd go out or party with their friends. Theo hardly ever got to see them. They even forgot today was Theo's 7th Birthday because they wanted to go to a new restaurant in the city. He had hoped they would spend the day with him, but they didn't even mention his birthday.

Then Theo got an idea. He snuck out of his room and into his father's office where one of the house phones was. He picked up the phone and ed the buttons. The phone rang.

"Hello?" A woman's voice came through.

"Mamaw, it's Theo. Can I come over?" Theo kept his voice as quiet as possible.

"Oh, Theo honey! Of course, you can come over, but we were planning on coming over later for your birthday. Is there a reason you want to come here?" His grandma asked.

"Well..." Theo sniffled, "Mom and dad went out. I think they forgot about my birthday and Lauren won't let me out of my room."

"Oh, now that won't do. Henry, we're going to pick up our grand baby right now. Go start the car." She said sternly, "Theo, I want you to speak out when we come to get you. Don't let Lauren notice you leaving."

Okay, memaw." Theo giggled.

"That's my good boy, now you just wait. We'll be there in about 10 minutes. Memaw loves you, goodbye." She hung up.

Theo excitedly ran back to his room and waited patiently at his window. Time ed, and finally, he spotted an older silver truck pulling in the driveway, and he squealed with joy. The little boy snuck downstairs, making Sire avoid Lauren. He snuck out the back door and out the back yards gate. Then he bolted straight to his grandparents.

"Memaw!" Theo squealed happily as he hugged the older woman's legs.

"Happy birthday, my precious boy!" She reached down and hugged him.

"Memaw, I'm so glad you came. I was lonely." He smiled.

"I know, dear. Now let's me you play a game." She winked.

"A game?"

"Yes, we are going to sneak in the back door and go back to a suitcase of clothes and toys. Then we ate going to go to grandma's and hide till your parents come home." She smiled back at the eager little boy.

Theo happily took the bag she was holding to go start packing his toys up, and his grandma stood back with a frown.

"Fran, is this a good idea?" Her husband Henry asked.

"I don't care anymore. They always leave him here alone with that hateful bitch of a babysitter even after I've told them so many times all she does is neglect and abuse that boy. I'm tired of asking them to be his parents. If they won't, he's coming to our house. At least there, I know he will get fed." Fran waved her hands as she talked.

This wasn't the first time they had to come sneak Theo out because of his parents' neglectfulness, but this time. She was tired of giving them the benefit of the doubt. Her grandchild wasn't going to sit alone in his room on his birthday.

After packing Theo's things, they all climbed into the car, and Theo squeezed in between his grandparents. The scent of honeysuckle that clung to his grandma made him feel safe, and he leaned on her shoulder.

Instead of taking Theo straight to their house, his grandparents took him to a carnival where he asked if he could ride the ponies. Of course, they gave him whatever he wanted since it was his birthday, and the child never asked for much.

However, his grandma noticed how much he enjoyed the horses. There was a particular joy when he was playing with them. It gave her an idea.

"Henry. Let's get that boy a horse."

"Where would we keep it?" He asked.

She smiled at him, "Of course we'll build a pasture on our farm. I think he'd be the happiest kid in the world with his own horse."

"I think you're right."

Theo stayed at his grandparents for nearly a week before his parents called and asked if he was there. They hadn't even noticed that their child had been missing. When they came to get him, Fran gave her son a good lecturing and said that the next time it happened, she'd press charges on child neglect. Of course, the parents argued that they didn't have time to watch them. That made Fran even more angry.

Theo's parents brought him over to his grandparents from then on as Fran had insisted on them leaving with her instead of a no-good babysitter as she put it. Lauren wasn't happy about being fired, but Fran took delight in knowing she would have to find another job.

"Theo, grandpop, and I got something to show you." She smiled.

His grandpa came out of the barn leading the largest colt Theo had ever dreamed to see. The colt was a beautiful color. He was red and purple, much like the plums that grew on his grandparents' trees.

Theo gasped and excitedly ran up to his grandpa, who helped him up on his shoulder where he could reach the tall Colts neck. He reached out and petted him gently while the Colt sniffed him.

"Fran, why the hell wasn't I informed you were getting my child a horse?" His mother scolded.

"Well," Fran shrugged and glared, "I quite frankly don't see how it's any of your damn business what I buy for my house."

"We told Theo he couldn't have any pets. We have enough trouble taking Theo without an animal." His father complained.

"Now you see that's thing about you, you both are terrible parents. You already neglect that child enough as it is. A child is a blessing, but you haven't learned that yet. So what if I get my grandkid a horse that will stay at my house? You don't hardly ever come here anyway. Pretend it doesn't exist. Can't you at least be happy for Theo? He's your son, you know." Fran rolled her eyes and cocked her hip out.

"You don't get to comment on how I raise my child." The mother protested angrily.

"What is there to comment on? You're never there to raise him!" She laughed.

His mother was fuming, "I want you to get rid of it. Theo doesn't need a pet."

"Now look here, I have tolerated your mouth for about as long as I can. You're not going to come to my house and tell me what I am or am not going to do. You can take your angry little self straight back home, but you will leave Theo here since you'll just send him to his room anyway." Fran asserted.

"How dare you! You don't know how stressful it is to have a nagging child. That's why I make him stay in his room. I'm too tired to deal with him." She gasped and stomped.

"I think you just made my point for me." Fran sighed and pinched her nose bridge, "You didn't even as much as wish that child a happy birthday. You didn't even notice he wasn't home for a week. Between the two of you, I wish you'd both go get sterilized since you're not capable of caring for your own child."

"Mother! That was going too far. You need to apologize." Her son protested.

"Get off my property. I'll see you in court." Fran glared.

"Court?" They both asked.

"That's right, I'm going to try and get custody of my grandchild. I have enough evidence to prove your neglect. I never deleted the photos of all the bruises that Lauren left on him when she got mad. You know how many times that kid went without eating all day because you never provided him food? Get out of my sight. You can expect to hear from my lawyer soon."

"Memaw! Grandpa said his name is Dorian. Is he really mine?" Theo came up to her.

She reached down, and her demeanor softened, "Yes, sweet thing. He's all yours. I have lessons scheduled as well, so you can learn to ride properly. You're too small to ride him for now, but we can lead you around on him. Would you like to stay here with memaw and grandpop?"

Theo gasped and eagerly shook his head, "Yes!"

Fran shot her son and his wife a look, and they both frowned.

...

To be continued...