John Campbell The Male Teacher

"Hmm..." I take the pack of lucky strikes out of my front shirt pocket as I approach the house. It's been a few years since I've been here in this state. Not much has really changed though, I guess that is a good thing.

I walk up the gravel driveway to where it connects to the walkway leading to the door. I looked around as I approached the porch, it really was a nice neighborhood. I looked to the house that was situated next to mine and stopped a bit. There on the lawn was a mother playing tag with her daughter. They both had tails and the mother had multiple ones. I see what looks like ears as I try to make out more details.

The mother catches me looking and stops. She straightens up, and with a smile now on her face she waves to me. I wave back out of politeness and finally turn back to the door and take out my key. I slide it into the lock and turn it, the gears making a soft click as it unlocks.

As I step inside and close the door I am greeted by the scent of air freshener and new carpets mixed together. It's a moderate sized house, with two bedrooms in the upstairs two bathrooms a living room a kitchen and a basement. I had gotten it pretty cheap too, one of the perks of having a good friend.

"Not bad for an old man, eh?"

Well, 36 isn't too old you guess. But I am getting up there. I frown and take a walk around inside. Everything looks good so far, thanks to arranging it with your friend, you had sent him an amount of money so he could furnish the place for you before you arrived, he had called two days ago, telling you it was ready. I guess now it was time to call him back and thank him.

You take out your cellphone, it wasn't anything too fancy, just a trac phone, and dial the first number in it. You wait a few seconds as it rings before someone finally answers it. "Hello, this is Mark?"

"Hey, it's me." You say taking a cigarette out of your until now forgotten pack. "Just got in and it looks pretty good."
"Hey, John, glad you like it!"
Mark is your oldest friend, hell you two even served in the Corps. together, you had told him that you would be coming to North Carolina, to settle down, and that you already had a job lined up. He had been extremely happy, and so had his family, especially his daughter, your pseudo niece.

I bring it to my mouth and take out my old zippo and light it while he speaks.

"I'm really glad you decided to come here, can't believe you were thinking of going for another 6 year contract."
I inhale the smoke and exhale slowly. "Yeah, I guess it was time to do something new."

"Here, Mark, I think we can let Tammy and Vanessa in on the secret now." I say with a chuckle

When he talks I can hear the grin on his face. "Alright, hold up, I'll go snag Tammy first, she misses you the most I imagine.

"Will do."

This should be a fun conversation.