Smokey Haze

Foster Caldwell. 32. Lawyer and bartender at Lammar's.

[fostercaldwell-blog]

presleymartin:

“I probably would stick with a smaller dog for now, I feel if I got a big dog it would feel claustrophobic in my tiny apartment and that won’t be fair to a sweet animal.” Presley sadly said, “A dog walker huh? I bet you can start, make a few bucks on the side lines when you’re not working also hanging out with dogs. I think that would be a fun job, minus picking up shit.”

Foster tried to picture himself in a tiny apartment with his dogs and already felt claustrophic. He was willing to bet that he’d just end up constantly being run over by the dogs and no able to even get around. But at least Presley’s smaller. “Yeaaah, go with a smaller dog. Something cute and fluffy you can take with you all around town,” Foster said as he moved to sit down on the bench. “Minus picking up shit, that’d be the dream job. Shit, I’d love to just open up a dog shelter, you know? Forget being a lawyer. Bartend at night and save animal lives by day. Too bad I cant do that.”

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zosiasolo:

The yapping noise drew Zosia’s attention and her lips curved into a smile over Fox putting in the work for Queen Chandelle. A momentary frown settled into her features at her dog being so stubborn, though there was a small victory for Fox, as she did look at him. Laughing lightly, her baby blue gaze traveled the full length of Foster, down then returning up. It was an action almost as though she had never taken his size into account before; he was nearly a foot taller than her and it was no surprise. It seemed everyone towered over her. “You’re definitely no small man, no. At least your dogs aren’t big,” she offered, food for thought. “You must have a big bed to accommodate all of that. I have a queen myself and I keep thinking I might need to upgrade. I’m a small person and if I don’t get myself a spot in the center of the bed then I end up with a sliver.” Zosia certainly wouldn’t have it any other way though, they kept her warm and were often the only way and reason she got any sleep. “How many blankets? I wish mine liked blankets. They’re all right with them on the bed, other than that they either lay on the bed or the couch or floor.” Her hand took up the place over her heart as Linden bounced with excitement at Joy bringing the toy, grabbing an end of it to walk around with her. “Six or seven years ago? That’s… wow, seems way too young to me even if they are plenty of people that do it. Did she hand you a timeline of your life at some point? I assume that you’ve told her what you want…” Eyes reaching his, a hopeful look in her gaze that he at least expressed to his mother rather than just tolerating her attempts at ruling his life. “What’re you bartending for? Is that just for fun or for kicks? A way to meet some ladies?” Her brows lifting, she nodded, “You know that’s not the first time I’ve heard something… similar to that. If you would ever like to be near one, let me know. As that is something I can make happen.”

Foster held his arms out wide as if to indicate the size of his bed. “It’s huge. The king size bed is already proving to be too small. I might end up having to by another mattress and just stick it beside the other one.” That’d make plenty of room, a whole bed for Fox and Joy and Foster could have his own. But really, they’d likely find a way to take all the space. “Actually, is that a thing? Could I just turn my bedroom into one huge mattress? Then I’d never run out of room even if they did try to take up all the space.” There was a spare bedroom that his clothes could go into easily. It felt good to talk about his dogs, to be able to relate to someone who had two of their own dogs ( large dogs ) and knew the struggle but happiness. “God, I probably have...eight blankets on the bed right now? Joy loves wrapping herself in them and Fox makes himself a little cubby. It’s the cutest thing in the world so it’s hard to be mad when they hog all the blankets.” On more than one occasion he’d woken up to no blankets but both his dogs wrapped up and looking adorable.

Foster couldn’t help but laugh at Zosia’s timeline comment, smiling as he shook his head. “Thankfully no, but I’m willing to bed she’s got a little book in her office with a timeline. She loves reminding me how late I am on everything.” He toed at the grass with his boot, sighing softly. “I’ve told her a few times what I want, but she doesn’t really listen. Partly cause I think I don’t really know what I want.” Foster had no plan, no outline, no idea about how he wanted to live his life and what he wanted to do. At this point, it was just a one minute at a time routine.

“Bartending, I do that for fun. It’s better than being a lawyer cause you can talk to people on a different level. There’s something about a customer and a bartender, we’re ears for people. They trust us. I like that people feel like they can talk to me and I love socializing so it’s kinda perfect. And meeting some ladies? That’s an added benefit, but not really needed,” Foster said with a smirk, the one that easily said ‘I have no problem meeting women’.

Excitement bubbled up in Foster a moment later, excited about the idea that he could potentially meet a horse. “You’d do that? I’d love to meet a horse! I’d probably be scared shitless at first, but I’d still love it.”

[fostercaldwell-blog]

jamiefrench:

                             Too many kids had used every trick in the book and while it might have worked for some classes, gym and football were more difficult to get out of. “And nobody clocked on?” He chuckled, wondering if he was in a classroom all the time if he would notice patterns such as that. “Oh my god, the counselor excuse is a pretty good one—” Maybe not the best, but certainly one that you couldn’t say no to. “Had a girl do that twice before Christmas, after the holidays were done I spoke to the counselor about her and found out she had never been for a meeting.” It was a simple game of stop lying after that and she soon decided just to never turn up, “As long as you didn’t use the dog ate my homework excuse, then I wouldn’t say you were dumb.”

Foster sighed and shook his head, a happy look on his face. “I lucked out with everyone just taking my smile to mean that I was going to be a good kid and do exactly what I said I was going to do. I can’t count how many times I cut class and no one ever really did anything about it. Whether or not the teachers actually knew... I’m not sure?” Those were the memories. Skipping classes, hanging out with friends at the diner or at the bleachers. Riding his bike through the streets until it turned into driving his car down the streets. “Oh god, no. I didn’t even have a dog back then but even if I had, everyone knows not to use that excuse. If you do, you’re just asking for trouble.” Foster paused, raising an eyebrow. “Please tell me people aren’t using that excuse.”

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emil-gabor:

Emil chuckled as the man spoke, nodding at the truth of his words. “That is very accurate,” he told him. “It seems as though they have a boundless source of energy – that is, of course, until they are suddenly very tired. And then they are asleep like flipping a switch. I swear I have seen my son go from talking rapidly to fast asleep in seconds.” He smiled softly. “I swear I only got social media accounts to be able to upload pictures and free up space on my phone to take more.”

“That’s the cutest thing ever. My coworker has probably shown me ten million videos of her little girl running around or rambling and then bam, out like a light. I wish I could do that. Shit, just do a whole bunch of work and bam, nap time.” If only being an adult could work that way. Apparently napping wherever you wanted isn’t appropriate for an adult. “That’s how I am with my dogs, I can’t imagine how I’ll be with an actual baby. Everyone’s gonna get so tired of me posting stuff.”

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presleymartin:

“My mother is a control freak, always have to be her way or the highway. But I do agree on dogs being so lovable, they’re just always so happy to see their owner or just people in general.” Laughing lightly and tilt her head as she watched the dogs play, “I would but I would have no one to watch the dog while I do long shifts at work or get homework done.”

Foster knew what it was like to have a control freak for a mother. He could remember very vividly the many years of living with his mother and father--could admit that his parents still tried to control every aspect of his life. It shouldn’t surprise him that it never really went away, but he’d had hope that eventually his life would start being his own. “You just need a calmer dog,” Foster said and letting his mind shift away from his parents. “For example, Pointers? Pretty easy temperament, calm, and really sweet. They do like to run around and have fun but it’s not too hard to find a few minutes in the day. Or you could go with a smaller dog, that’s probably be your best bet. Even better, I could be your dog walker for whenever you’ve got work or homework. I’ve always dreamed of being a dog walker,” Foster joked.

[fostercaldwell-blog]

charlotterenolds:

Charlotte peered at the dogs and smiled. A strand of hair was tucked behind her ear, hesitating slightly. “They’re really nice and they seem to have everything that they need right here.” It was a big space for them to run around, and they both seemed happy and healthy. “Sure, I’d like to see them, if that’s okay. They’re nice, right?” After all, dogs were dogs. 

Both dogs were overjoyed running around everywhere, taking the park into their paws and making it their own big world. As long as they didn’t get themselves into anything they shouldn’t, Foster was fine with letting them bounce around happy. “Yeah! Promise, you won’t find two kinder dogs.” Foster turned toward his dogs and whistled, watching both of them skid to a stop and come running over, Joy and Fox excitedly wagging their tails and coming to his side, licking his outstretched hand. “Sit,” he directed to both of them, watching as they did as he asked. “Here, just reach your hand out and let ‘em smell you. They’ll lick your hand and then probably want all the cuddles and pets from you.”

[fostercaldwell-blog]

harlowtheller:

Harlow stopped in front of him and sighed when he was quick to apologize. Frankly, she was a little disappointed by it because she had hoped they could argue. She needed a good fight to rid her of the tension and anger that rumbled in her gut. “It’s fine, you’re just lucky that your dogs are cute.” She peered at the animals who continued to run around. They were adorable, truly. 

“Glad I have them around, they’re a good distraction,” Foster said with a soft chuckle, a little on edge. He wasn’t entirely sure if she was still pissed at him or not. “Hope you don’t mind me askin’ but you okay? Just seemed like something was up.” Considering how quick Foster managed to make her angry, he was wondering if something had happened before he showed up.

[fostercaldwell-blog]

ellaportermitchell:

Ella stopped walking as she passed the dog park, watching two dogs leap with joy as their owner let them off their leashes. She loved watching dogs- they were adorable and lovable and filled Ella’s heart with something that was best described by a “squee” sort of noise. “They’re really cute, she said, smiling at the strange man. “What are their names?” she asked.

Foster half-turned to look at the newcomer, offering up a smile as he glanced back toward his dogs who were running around and smelling everything. “Black one is Joy and the brown and white one is Fox. They’re two big babies, honestly.” He chuckled as he watched Joy bark at a bird in a tree. “I don’t recognize you, so I’m guessing we haven’t met yet? Either that or I somehow forgot which is doubtful. I’d remember a pretty face like yours,” Foster said as he pulled on his charming smirk. “I’m Foster.”

[fostercaldwell-blog]

jasongrey:

  Jason followed and walked side by side with Foster as he walked towards the nearest restaurant, “I should not have told you my weakness Foster and you’re lucky that you’re cute” he smiled, “sure, i have not seem them in like forever. I am not doing anything tomorrow night. So i can cover over”

“Perfect, that saves me the trouble of just showing up at your doorstep and making you eat dinner or dessert with me,” Foster said with a laugh. He stopped in front of the door to the restaurant, opening it up for Jason. Already he was picturing the burger he wanted and could feel his stomach rumbling. “Good luck finding a spot on my couch though. Fox and Joy have pretty much taken over the whole thing.”

[fostercaldwell-blog]

alex-matthews:

   “At least i am no longer in pain as before but still have one more week before i go back to work and still can’t remember things that has happened in the last two months honestly” he admitted with a sigh, “thanks…”

Well, that was certainly a positive point. Foster couldn’t imagine that he’d be that positive about it. Especially if it came down to not remembering things that had happened within the last two months. “Hopefully time will pass fast and you’ll be back at work. I’m sure that’ll help feel like things are getting back to normal.”

[fostercaldwell-blog]

maisiereed-wallace:

Harry Reed didn’t remember much these days (Maisie was lucky on the days he called her ‘Marcy’…), but he always remembered he liked to take walks in the park. They were slow and plodding, but for the hour or so they made their way along the short path, he hooked his hand in her elbow and she could pretend it was the way it once was. 

He always liked to stop at the dog park. There was a bench under a tree overlooking the expanse of grass where he could catch his breath and watch the dogs play until he became so consumed with it he would forget that he was even so very often confused. Dogs had always had that kind of healing power, Maisie was convinced of that much, and if it didn’t mean yet another thing she’d have to look after, she’d almost consider getting one for him. But as it was, she contented herself to these small moments of observation with her father. 

He didn’t even notice the man speaking to them - so engrossed was he with watching - that Maisie didn’t bother disrupting him to bring him into the conversation. “They’re very cute,” she agreed. “Rowdy. I’m glad they get to come here to work off some energy.” 

Foster set the leashes down on the ground, freeing his hands. “I’m glad I can bring them here to work off the energy they have. If no, my shoes would probably be ripped to shreds,” Foster replied with a laugh. He turned away from his dogs to smile at Maisie, a familiar face at the dog park. There were a few people he knew some seeing along the sidewalks or in the park, Maisie one of them. She was a nice person to talk to when just sitting down and letting his dogs run free.

“How’s the day been?” Foster asked, shifting to stand near the bench. “How’s your dad doing?” He asked the second question quieter, careful not to disturb Maisie’s father who seemed content on taking in his surroundings from what Foster could judge.

[fostercaldwell-blog]

adritimothy:

Adri shifted towards the end of the bed when another partygoer decided to come in. It surprised her, mostly because the male had no jacket in tow. It was a rather lovely party, but given how she’d gotten here a little too early, the night had begun to wear her thin. As well as the people who wanted to speak of the events going on around the world, and there was only so much she could do when it came to hearing about our dear Mr. President. “Yeah, it’s a little dull and tight.” She laughed at him and sat up slowly, not knowing that there would be so many elderly and older professionals that made her feel a little ill. She’d chosen a career path that none would approve of, most likely. “Excitement? I don’t think I’ve had enough, but the mood is kind of tearing at my soul — so that, I’ve definitely had enough of.” The blonde paused, “We make a grand escape.”

It was comforting to know that Foster wasn’t the only one who felt like the night had been plenty fulfilling with all the filler conversation, little dishes that could barely fill his stomach, and not nearly enough alcohol to keep him entertained. At least he had managed to escape his parents and their many friends who would ask him about life choices and current events. Nothing Foster wanted to really discuss. “A grand escape?” Foster said slowly, entertaining the idea. They could probably dash out before anyone would really notice. “Let’s do it, there’s nothing really here for us. But you know what? We should do something fun. Make the night a night to remember, yeah? Pretend like we’re teenagers again.”

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matildabyrd:

                           It was dangerous, how simple it was to revert to old habits. Synapses of the brain not yet re-wired, impulses persistent. Beyond ignoring. His hand was near her face, unmistakably tender in its extension. A remnant of happier times. Mattie melted into the ghosted ( not quite ) touch for a beat, then caught herself and reeled automatically back. “Don’t,” she warned, eyes unmistakably sad as they skipped away from him. She tried to occupy herself by tracing the lines of her porch railing, the fresh coat of minty paint, the new swing she’d had installed ( another day’s distraction, the paint job and bench both ). Her voice was calm, quiet, but uncharacteristically firm. Not a quiver of doubt, despite the questions that still remained. The part of her that could never fully let go of him. After a breath, she continued: “I have to live my life. I can’t keep waiting for you to decide whether or not you care about me. Held suspended in Foster Caldwell purgatory.” Perhaps it was harsh, but it captured precisely what their dynamic felt like. Him, keeping her loosely tethered, never able to choose whether or not he wanted to pull her close or release her. Shove her away. 

                           It was hard to decide which was more painful: the agony that was his indecision, or the loss of him entirely. “I know it hurts,” she agreed in that same serene, composed tone. “Believe me, you’ve got no idea. I’ve hurt over you for years. I can’t do it anymore.” Her voice broke once, loudly, on years; a chink in her armor that rung through the relative silence. There was nothing to do but press on, fill the space between them with her explanation. She had her reasons, and it was only fair that she communicated them. He was half of the equation, regardless of his reluctance to commit. Mattie tucked a free tendril of hair behind her ear, then kept her hand occupied by twirling it methodically back and forth around her finger. Fidgeting. 

                          “I bet some would be totally alright with the arrangement. I’m sure you’ve got plenty of people willing to be your fuck-buddy.” A word foreign on Mattie’s tongue, not often one to swear. Synonyms evaded her; that was the only way she could accurately describe what they’d been ( without falling into romanticizing again, without indulging in her fantasies ). Fuck-buddy. It was generic, impersonal even in the familiarity it suggested, and it helped Mattie considerably to embrace that label. As opposed to lovers. As opposed to childhood friends. As opposed to – as she’d believed until recently – soulmates. Her words were somber, wistful in their honesty. That was the sappy, delusion Mattie; that was then, this was now. “I’m not one of those people. I thought I could be, but I was pretending.” 

                           She was leaning against the door now, trying to put as much distance between herself and him as possible ( while the other instinct told her to move closer, allow him to touch her, sink into him ). Mattie was determined to remain strong, to fix herself into steeliness. Just the same, the guise had been slowly faltering. The tremor in her throat was indication of that. The way her wide eyes, paled by the daylight, shone wet up at him. Tinged with insuppressible moisture – she’d always been weak, teary-eyed. A sensitive child with a tender heart. Nothing had changed. Nothing, expect for the fact that she’d been enlightened to the dysfunction of them. How she gave everything, he as little as possible. “We’re not good for one another. Maybe just right now, maybe…forever.” A thick swallow, tongue sandpaper-dry. “Maybe we never were.” 

A visible wince. A recoiled step back. Foster Caldwell purgatory. For a man who had impenetrable walls, who had heard plenty of insults thrown his way and simply deflected them or laughed them off, it wasn’t often someone managed to say something that threw him off his guard. In the many years that he’d known Mattie, he couldn’t trace back to a single time when she’d said something that took the breath away from him. Mattie, the girl who built him up, gave him all the love and attention he wanted, had sent him crumbling down. Instantly, he felt his defensive side appear, the part that wanted to argue and defend and prove Mattie wrong. Years they’d grown up together and learned the ins and outs of one another and here Mattie stood, trying to tell him that he didn’t care. That he’d put her through hell. And perhaps he had done exactly that, but it wasn’t something he could admit even to himself.

It kept building, the words she threw at him and pushed him farther and farther away. The tether between the two of them was fraying from the tension, Foster trying to cling to it desperately. He couldn’t let go of Mattie. He couldn’t let go of Mattie. Never had he imagined a life without Mattie right there. He couldn’t even remember a time before Mattie. And look what had happened to him when she’d gone off to the hospital. There was no doubt that Mattie was some sort of stability for Foster. However, it came at the price of all his instability being pushed upon Mattie. “Stop,” Foster pleaded, eyes closed as he took another step back and had to avoid stepping off the porch. How had it come to this? Had this always been coming for them and Foster ignored it? Was obvious to it? Could he have fixed it before everything went wrong? This wasn’t the end. Foster couldn’t imagine it being the end. Mattie and Arch. Forever and always.

When he opened his eyes, she was so far away from him against the door. It was hard to not picture all the variations of Mattie that he’d come to know growing up beside her. All the faces of the two of them growing up through their troubles and their happy memories. It was a photo album in his mind, a flash of memories that only screamed at him not to let it go. Not to let her go. “No…don’t say that,” Foster said desperately. “Everything you’ve just been throwing at me, you’re wrong.” Words were failing him. For once in his life, Foster didn’t know what to say that would bring Mattie back to him. “I care about you Mattie, there’s no one else I care more about. For fuck’s sake, I put you even before my own sister. Every time someone said bullshit about you, I was right there to stand up for you even when you were away. I tried to come see you when you were in the hospital but my parents wouldn’t let me. When you’re not around, I lose my fucking mind, Mattie. We are good for each other. You’ve always been the one person who keeps me sane, the one person who is always there when everyone else is fucking around.”

Foster was breathing harder, emotions on high. He’d taken a small step closer to Mattie, eyes soft and begging for her to see the pain. “What do you want me to say? I’m sorry? Hurting you wasn’t my intention, Mattie. And I’m sorry that I don’t know what the fuck I want and to be honest with you, I don’t know what I want. I’ve never known what the fuck I want. I feel like I’m spiraling out of control and just floating around and trying to get back on the ground.” Another step closer, but Foster knew better than to get too close and take away that space from Mattie. But god, did he want to just slide a hand along her cheek, to let his thumb caress her cheekbone and look down into her eyes. Draw Mattie into him.

“You’re the only thing that’s always been certain. Mattie and Arch. You and me. Don’t give up on me, Mattie… don’t give up on us.”

[fostercaldwell-blog]

alex-matthews:

  Alex watched as his friend took a seat, “I am good. Still have so minor pain but good” he answered with a light sigh, “well i got into a really bad accident a few months ago and was in the hospital for about a month but am doing great now honestly”

Foster leaned back in his chair, letting out a deep sigh as he just stared across at Alex. Part of him couldn’t really believe that Alex was okay. He couldn’t imagine that anyone would be okay after that. When he leaned forward again, he crossed his arms on the table and shook his head. Before he could say anything, a waitress came over and Foster ordered a coffee. He waited until they were alone again before he spoke. “If you’re really doing great, I’m glad to hear that. But don’t blame me for doubting that. An accident bad enough to land you in the hospital for that long leaves scars, Alex. You know I’m here for you.”

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avaxblake:

                             “…. Joy and Fox,” she repeated, a small laugh shaking her as she watched the two puppies romp around, playful in their nipping and rolling and abundant curiosity of the world existent around them. “How long have you had them for?—” she was going to offer more, the book eclipsed by her intrigue of the canines, when one of them— Joy or Fox, she wasn’t sure —trotted carefully toward her, its eyes filling her with a warmth that only a puppy could. “Hi there,” she cooed, her hand reaching out tenderly, until the pup took her beckoning and pressed his head into her palm, a broad grin erupting from Ava as she started to stroke his coat of fur. “You’re such a sweetheart, aren’t you?”

“I’ve had Joy for ‘bout a year now. Fox, right there, I’ve only had for a month. Feel like I’ve had him forever, to be honest.” When it came to his dogs, Foster wished they’d never had any other owner but himself. He loved them with his whole heart, children to him in their own way. Foster watched as Fox moved closer to Ava after pressing his head into her hand, whining for more petting. “He loves cuddles and being petted, he’s just one big baby with all the love in the world to give.” Foster knelt down in front of Ava and beside Fox, running his hand down along his dog’s back. “Seems like he fancies you quite a bit, you’re gonna steal his heart away.”

[fostercaldwell-blog]

jasongrey:

  “That sounds good Foster” he smiled at his friend, “and hey, don’t use the puppy dog eyes. I can never say no to those cute eyes and that look; it is my weakness”

Foster smiled, big and toothy like a kid who’d just been given a bucket full of candy. Any excuse to hang out with friends he happily took up. “At least I know that if I ever need anything, I just have to be cute and you won’t be able to resist me,” Foster chuckled and started walking in direction of the nearby restaurant. “You’ve gotta come by my place one of these day, by the way. I’ve been itching to cook or bake something and all I’ve got are my dogs.”

[fostercaldwell-blog]

devynmurphy:

Devyn folded her arms above her chest as she awaited an offer. It intrigued her to know what Foster believed was worth her time and effort. Especially since she already had a few options in mind, but none seemed as fun as what he did. A perfectly shaped brow rose, grinning at the hints he made. “After closing, hm?” She repeated with a brief bite of her lip, laughter billowing from her lips. “The thought of doing those things, on top of the bar where you would be reminded every single shift is pretty satisfying to me. What do you think?” He could bend her over pretty much anything, but the idea of it being a bar — much less the one he worked at, was a little too fun to pass. As he stepped forward, her arms dropped to her side, dark hues moving over the male. He looked good, though that was no surprise to her. With a quick flicker of her eyes towards the animal, she returned it to him when he spoke of this trip at a lake. It would be refreshing, and she was always eager to go on a new adventure. “I’m totally free,” she nodded her head, grinning wide. “Do I get to pick the music?” That, however, would be a deal breaker. “But I don’t have a swimsuit on me,” she paused, “do I need one?”

Oh Devyn would be the death of him. Smart, beautiful, and with a smile that did a number to him. Foster had his fun flirting with just about anyone in Lanford, but Devyn? Proving to still be one of his favorites for good reason. “You can pick the music, I have no problem with that. S’long as you don’t play some classic music and put me to sleep instantly,” Foster said with a chuckle. He didn’t mind the imagery, driving down the roads with the windows down and Devyn beside him. Better yet, behind him if he brought out his motorcycle. “Hm?” Foster raised his eyebrows, smirk on his lips as he shook his head slowly. “If I don’t need one, you don’t need one. Where’s the fun in clothes?” Skinny dipping in the lake was something Foster had done before, a teenager on a dare, and he had no qualms in doing it again. He whistled for his dogs, watching both of them come running over and he leaned down to hook on their leashes. “So, up for it?” Foster asked when he stood back up, charming big smile still on his lips.