D.E.A.L.

Chapter 5
untitled

The rest of the day passed slow, lazily, an extreme departure from the past few. We ate our breakfast, (eggs and bacon) in leisure, taking our time. I was far more inquisitive then before, asking as much as I thought was polite. Danielle, for her part, answered my multitude of questions with an exuberance I found exhilarating. She wanted to share her life with me, be a part of mine. Whatever Hayden had been to her, she had abandoned him completely, leaving him for me. That helped. More then anything.

I learned that her father was a military man, and that she had grown up in England, ?just south of Piccadilly’, she said. She loved it over there, but was more then happy to trade the calm, cold beauty of the Island for the sunny beaches of California. She told me that she had gotten into cheerleading on a suggestion from her friend Rachel Dumas, but her true passions lay in choir and songwriting. She didn’t think too much of her ability, but it was what she enjoyed doing, so there. I kept the topics on her life as best I could...for a few obvious reasons, I tried to steer away from memories of ?us’. I treated her like a stranger that I was interested in getting to know, and I think she appreciated that. Made me easier to talk to.

There was still the feeling of loss, though, and whenever there was a lull in the conversation, it sat back down on my chest, making it difficult to breathe. It was hard to deal with quickly, I mean, all those questions...but I fought it down as best I could. It got easier in the next few days, but that first one was hard.

After breakfast, I got cleaned up and dressed (in a pair of pants this time, even) and went out with Dani on a stroll around the block. Hayden and his mother had lived here for about ten years, while Danielle and her family had moved here (to California) about three years ago. She didn’t talk about her parents much beyond the initial bit about her dad, and I didn’t press it. I wanted to know about her.

It truly was a beautiful day, and I wasn’t sorry for wanting to enjoy it. Seeing the merry-go-round, and that god-forsaken slide brought a smile and a chuckle to my lips before I could quell it. When Dani asked about it, I only shook my head and told her I’d let her know later. I couldn’t get up from the chair to enjoy the playground though, and more then a little of me was disappointed. When we had made our rounds, it was with some resignation that I said good bye to it.

A quaint dinner later, and I was in bed, tired and looking forward to a good nights rest. Dani lingered a bit, having to go home for the night, and watched me until I fell asleep. Before I closed my eyes, before I let her go, I reached out to her, and grabbed onto her hand.

“Danielle, can I ask you a favor?”

“Anything, Hayd, you know that?”

“I wish...you’d call me by my real name.”

Sleep closed in, the darkness drawing nigh.

If she heard me, I wouldn’t find out until tomorrow.

And so it went.

The days marched along, and Dani and I grew closer every day. There were a few days when prior obligations kept her from my side, but for the most part, we were attached at the hip. We even started going on drives together, just to enjoy the warming weather and the beautiful scenery of the Californian coast. I was happy, truly happy, and I could see that she was as well.

I used the key, of course. I used it every day for those first few weeks after finding out just what it was capable of. I was afraid of it, sure, but once I found out what I could do with it, I took advantage of what I had been given. A good majority of those first wishes were aimed at making my surroundings a little more comfortable. I wished for a more comfortable bed one night, and awoke upon a gently sloshing waterbed. The posters of the athletes were replaced by pictures of fantasy, dragons and knights. Hayden’s pictures also came down, but I had Dani help me with that. We had bought a camera and I intended to replace the old pictures with new.

About two weeks into this new chapter of my life, things began to get rough. For reasons I couldn’t figure out, Danielle began to grow distant again, quiet, and though I was no expert at emotions, I could tell something was eating at her. She’d never tell me, though, and if I got too inquisitive, she’d tell me to drop it, or she’d leave. I’d have left her to her privacy, but she had become someone I desperately cared about, and were it in my power, I’d want to do something about it.

She told me on Friday that she wouldn’t be around for the weekend. The reason she gave me was that she had some last minute things to do for Christmas, which was swiftly approaching on the following Tuesday. I told her that was fine; even if Mary wasn’t around, I had enough strength now to wheel myself around in my chair, once I was assisted into it. I assured her that I could survive a day or two on microwavable entrees, and that whatever she needed to do, I’d be around afterwards if she needed anything. A bit sappy, sure. She just gave me a hesitant look, kissed me once, and left. In the wake of her passing, I wished for the reason why.

I knew that the wish wouldn’t come into effect until tomorrow morning, so I decided to spend the rest of the day practicing. I wheeled myself back into my room, and looked around. The new set-up was more welcoming. Going over to my bed, I took a hold of two bars installed over it, and pulled myself into a standing position. My legs were still weak, but I still managed to, for lack of a better word, throw myself onto my bed.

Reaching behind the head board, I pulled up the guitar that I had wished for on the third day. Grinning a bit, I closed my eyes and tried to recall a few of the lessons that I had wished for on the forth. Strumming a bit and feeling the music drift through my being, I relaxed, and looked forward to the morn. On a side note, my diaper was a bit damp, but I could always take care of that myself now. It was when it was more then wet was when I needed assistance. Hopefully, if I ate light, I could avoid that for the weekend.

*sigh*

The next day I was awoken by the TV. Loud static filled my room, and roused me from my sleep. I blinked at the console, when suddenly, a news feed started up. What it told me nearly broke my heart. A cat-woman stood outside in the rain, wrapped in an overcoat, and tightly gripping her microphone. Behind her, several cars zoomed by on a crowded freeway, and a cross adorned with several wreaths and flowers stood tall next to it.

“It’s a dubious anniversary today, as we remember and mourn the events of two years ago, when a delivery truck hit a patch of black ice, and went veering into the on-coming traffic lane. Almost a dozen people died in the resulting accident, including a military man and his wife as they were on their way to their daughter’s choir concert. Also among the dead were Came...” I stopped listening after that, shocked and horrified at what had just run through my head. A list of the victims followed, though, confirming my suspicion.

“Oh my god,” I whispered out loud. Now I knew, and I wish I didn’t. She had managed to keep this from me for all this time, and I hadn’t even realized. Did Hayden know? He...he had to have known. They’d been dating for so long, there was no way to cover something like this up. So why lie to me?

It didn’t matter, I decided. Whatever the reason, she didn’t want me to know, so I’d respect that. But she was hurting, hurting bad, and damned...something caught in my throat at that moment, and I coughed, shaking my head. Damned if I wouldn’t try to do something about it. Clearing my throat, I closed my eyes, and tried to think of the best thing to do.

It was so simple...

“I wish...I wish I could make her feel better,” I said aloud.

I knew I was taking a chance with a wish that vague. The key liked to embellish things if I didn’t specify them to the degree I needed, like ending up a toddler when all I asked for was the chance to see myself at that age. Unlike the genies in the old stories, though, it didn’t deliberately try to screw me up though, so I felt some measure of comfort asking it this. Dani hadn’t been sure if she’d return tomorrow or the next day, but I trusted in my wish and made myself comfortable for the evening. I flipped over the cartoon station and let it sit there, trying to get the ?bad taste’ if that’s what you could call it, of the horrible news off my mind.

Dinner was a quaint chicken pot pie, which I do believe I overcooked.

A bit of the old anxiousness crept into me as I settled down among my covers for the evening. The familiar sensations of ?what would tomorrow bring’ came back, finally getting back to me after so long. I closed my eyes though, and knew, for better or for worse, whatever had given me the Key in the first place would know what it was doing.

I closed my eyes, and willingly gave myself to morpheus.

It stood in front of a mirror, propped up against a tree under a darkening sky. It stared desperately into the glass, looking for something familiar, something to hold on to.

“This isn’t something you can just, you know, get over!” the voice shouted angrily, shaking it’s fist at the cloudy sky. “What did you expect? That I could roll over and get on with my life? After two years of it? I don’t think so!” The speaker fell to it’s knees, shaking. “Don’t ever ask...All LIES!”

“Damnit...D...dying...might end...”

The mirror shattered.

***********************************************************

“Ah!” I cried out, bolting upright. My breath came hoarse and my fur felt damp. Whatever dream I had been caught in must have been a doozy. I blinked off the stupor of the morning and yawned wide.

It was when I hopped off the bed and crashed to the ground when I noticed something amiss. I hadn’t been prepared to jump off from such a height. “Ohhh...” I moaned, picking myself off the floor. As I did, my body instinctively went through the motions of setting me on my feet, and I didn’t fall over. A quick glance down at myself confirmed my first sleep weary suspicion. Once again, I was a little kid. Or kit, as I found out juvenile foxes were termed. That brings up something else interesting that I found out, but I’ll save it for later.

With a sigh and a scratch at my ears, I toddled for my door. I know, I probably should have been more surprised, but with all the experiments with the key in the past week, this really didn’t shock me too bad. Besides, I was able to walk, and knew now that this was no dream, so I resigned myself to it and set a grin on my muzzle. This is apparently what the key had thought I had asked for sooo....

As I stepped nearer the door, I was almost bowled over by it as it exploded outward, allowing my mother to enter my room. She was dressed as dapper as usual, wearing a sharp business jacket over a rather expensive looking skirt. She glanced down at me, and gave me a look. Her omnipresent cell phone was still in hand.

Now, I tried really hard to get along with Mary, even in the wake of the revelation that I wasn’t her son. I surmised that their relationship wasn’t the best, even before the accident, and tried to act accordingly. But for all the chances I gave her...Mary...well...she just seemed, past first glance, to rather have nothing to do with me. Even this house, it sometimes seemed. She was always leaving the most meaningless chores to Dani, and I think I had seen my girlfriend at least 200 percent more often then I did my ?mother’. She had never been anything more then lukewarm with me, and was always gone on some ?business trip’ or another. There was no mention of a father for me, and being that I didn’t fancy myself immaculately conceived, Hayden was probably born out of wedlock, or a mistake that wasn’t supposed to come when it did. Ah well.

“Good morning...eh...Noah,” she said brightly, patting me on the head. “Nice to see you up and about.”

She caught herself, like Dani used to, everytime she said my real name. It was like saying it left a bad taste in their mouths, but Dani had gotten used to it. I was glad. I hadn’t realized how much you are defined by a name until you go by one other then your own. Noah was the name I had left behind, and that much I held tightly to.

“G’morn, Momma,” I murmured, rubbing at my eyes. It had become a habit calling her mom, or mother, that I guess it translated to fit my childish stature.

“I just wanted to make sure you were up and awake. I’ve got an eight o’clock meeting that I can’t miss and that babysitter of yours is late. Damn...” and with that, she turned to rush out of the room. I took a step, and felt my clammy underwear press against my thighs. I sighed, and raised my high voice after her.

“Um, momma, I’m wet,” I called, and she stopped, slowly turning to face me. Her cell phone was at her ear and she swatted at a stray strand of hair that fell into her eyes. “Can you change me?”

“Noah, Mommy’s really busy right now. Hang on just a moment, and Danielle can take care of it, alright? Alright.” She said, walking briskly away, not giving me a chance to argue. A ring at the door diverted her path from the kitchen to the living room. “There she is now...late, of course...” her voice trailed off, and I hurried after her.

The strength in my legs gave just as I made it, and I greeted Dani unceremoniously, plopped on my stomach in front of the door. Mary glanced down and ?harrumphed’, but plastered on a fake smile as Dani walked through the door. I rolled over, and glanced up at her. She didn’t look any different, still came in wearing that beautiful, quiet smile that I knew her so well for. She nearly stepped on me, and glancing down, kneeled by me.

“Well, kiddo, I’d say this is a rather forward demand for a tummy rub, or someone’s head got in front of his feet this morning.”

“G’morn,” I said shyly, looking away. I don’t know why, but something in me made me feel all...um...goosepimply. Maybe the promise of a belly scratch? I dunno. These animal people seem to react to the weirdest things...

Mary coughed, and set out the door. “Alright. Your payment for the week is under the bowl on the table, Danielle. I included a bit extra in case you decide to go out.” Her eyes softened. “Are you alright, dear?”

Dani nodded, shooting a quick glance at me that I dodged. “Right as rain, Ms. Welk. Don’t worry about it...me and Noah are going to have a great day today, right?” She looked me over. “Starting with a much needed change of underwear, eh?” She smiled. “Unless wet diapers are all the rage these days?”

I groaned and righted myself, struggling to stand. She met me half way and hoisted me up into her arms, leaving me dizzy. My mom was already in her car and we stared out of the door, waving. Dani seemed happy enough, but had the key made the right wish?

As the door shut behind us, Dani carried me back into my room, and gently tossed me onto the bed. As she busied herself at my dresser, I took the time to glance around. My age wasn’t the only thing the key had changed. The handle bars that had hung from the ceiling, helping me get in and out of my wheelchair were gone, and in their place a few futuristic starships gently floated about. My fantasy posters remained, but they were softer, cartoony. Something akin to a thrill ran through me as I noticed a line of miniature dragon action-figures lining my shelves...I made a mental note to play with them if I ever got a chance.

Then I shook myself. The whole reason I was in my current state was because of my wish on Dani’s behalf. I twisted around to look back at her just as she made her way over to me, lightly colored diaper in one hand, and a bottle of talc powder in the other. (I had wished away the spray on stuff she used to use...I couldn’t be sure, but I think it made the rashes worse...) She was humming a song under her breath, and she carried a smile in that melody and on her face.

“Well, how are you doing this morning, Noah?” she asked, poking me in the stomach as she undid the tapes on my soggy underwear. I didn’t say anything, as a diaper change, to me, didn’t seem the ideal place for conversation. And well...I never really said it before, but I really looked forward to these things. It gave Dani an excuse to be somewhat intimate with me, and, yes, I know how weird this is going to sound, it also showed me how much she cared about me.

Sure, with my current appearance it might be considered part of the job description, but as she gently grasped my ankles and lifted them to place the clean diaper underneath me, I knew it was something more. She held out her hands so that I could grasp them with mine, and she pulled me forward, making me sit up, so she could affix the tape above and around my tail. That reminds me...

I didn’t have anytime to elaborate on that thought as she let me fall back to pull the diaper up between my legs. “Well, ah see. Too early for elaborate conversation, then, is it?” She teased, holding up a pair of faded red overalls to step into. I kept silent, still mulling over what to say. She had grazed my tummy during the change, and that always elicited a near-high experience. “Or is whatever you’re pondering too important to allow you to give me the time of day?”

I snapped my head up, startled. I guess I was easier to read then I thought. “Nuh-no! I’m doing fine....and not pondering anything...how’re you?”

“It speaks!” She cried with a grin, leading me out of the room. “Alert the media!”

“Oh, funny,” I said drolly, as my stomach concurred. “What’s for breakfast?”

“Hm....Bacon and hash browns, and whatever else ?breakfasty’ I happen to find in that cupboard of yours.

My stomach growled again with a noise that I, with my currently squeaky voice, would be hard-pressed to duplicate.

“And for lunch?” I asked sheepishly, (a mean feat for a fox) looking at my round toes.

She tapped the side of her chin, turning to gaze up at the planes that circled my bed. I thought I saw the briefest bit of anxiety flit across her face, but she just smiled, and looked back down at me.

“Well, your mum did leave some extra money in the event that we go out...Christmas is just around the bend...how about a pizza at Treasure Island to celebrate.?”

Now, this was ridiculous. Even after all this time, I still had no idea who I really was, where I came from, what I looked like, nothing. But when she said Treasure Island, my brain instantly came up with the appropriate images. Video games, a giant, indoor jungle gym, an animatronic musical band featuring pirates...before I knew it, my tail was excitedly swishing behind me, and a giant grin must have been plastered on my face, because Dani just smiled again, and went to get breakfast started.

The food was great as always, and afterwards, we played a bit with those toys on my dresser (success!) and talked a bit about what we wanted for Christmas. Dani gave me a hard look when all I said I wanted was peace and harmony in the world. She rapped me on the head gently, and encouraged me to be as materialistic as possible. Struggling to think, I mentioned how nice it would be if my dragons had some knights to pal around with (or eat), and she confided in me that there was a scandalously expensive pair of jeans that she was considering splurging on. She wouldn’t give me the name of the store, though, saying that clothes that expensive only feel good when they’re bought on your own dime.

Whatever that meant. I made a mental note to ask the Key, and see what it could do.

The rest of the morning was pretty uneventful...I actually asked for a bath (that whole once a week thing did necessitate things a bit) and I got to enjoy splashing around for a bit. I still felt that shivery nervousness as I eyed the tub, but I got over it pretty quickly. Afterwards, Dani was right there, ready with a new diaper in hand, waiting.

I did my best to just ?go with it’...I didn’t want to spoil things by maybe going too much against the grain, or...well...it’s hard to explain. I still didn’t know how the key worked, not really, and if this was the way it thought it could best fulfill my wish, then I wouldn’t question it. That’s why I didn’t mind that my legs still weren’t a hundred percent, and it’s also the reason that I didn’t protest the diapers. Now, a bottle and pacifier might be cause for concern, but if this was all it was, I could deal. Besides, like I said, it was nice being fussed over.

Following a showing of my favorite movie of all time, Pirates of the Caribbean 7: Jack Sparrow vs. Godzilla, we piled into Dani’s car, and headed on our way. I was big enough where I didn’t need a car seat, but she had a special seat belt that tightly anchored me to the chair. It also placed an uncomfortable pressure on my bladder, but all of the Christmas lights and decorations she pointed out as we drove through the suburbs distracted me from that. Winter here in California was more like fall everywhere else, so there was a distinct absence of snow. The residents apparently tried to overcompensate somewhat, as some of the houses boasted impressive light shows and theatrics. One house even had their lights blink on and off to a rock song. It was great.

As we pulled into the parking lot, Dani raised her head and sniffed at the air, then turned to fix me with a look. My attention was riveted on the brightly colored building only seconds away, so I didn’t notice. As she walked over to my side to undo my seat belt, she bent down and scooped me up before I had a chance to dash past her. I squirmed a bit, trying to get down, but she held me tight as we made her way around the back of the car. She opened the door and set me on the back seat. Me, my attention a hundred miles away, didn’t even register what was going on until she undid the buckles on my overalls, and pressed on my stomach to get me to lie down.

“Hey! What’s up? What are you doing?”

“Well, unless my nose is wrong, someone is in dire need of a changing.”

I inhaled. “No...you’re crazy. I had a bath already!”

“Oh really,” she asked, pulling the overalls off, revealing a sagging and droopy diaper. The smell finally hit me, and I realized that breakfast had made it way down into my underwear. It took me by surprise. I mean, even as an adult, I was still pretty much confined to absorptive undergarments, but thanks to some modifications in the bathroom, and my regaining strength, I had mostly been able to use the toilet for that particular body function. This was my first, ahem, messy diaper in quite a while, and I think I was more then a little upset by it.

I whined a little bit, and looked away, ashamed. Bad enough that I did, even worse was that I didn’t realize it. Dani didn’t say anything, just stroked the exposed fur on my belly and went about the task. She had pulled a plastic bag and some wipes from the front seat and finished with all the speed and grace of a NASCAR pit crew. Clean once more, I still felt a bit off, so once I was fully clothed once more, she lifted me up unto her shoulders, and we entered Treasure Island. I ducked to avoid bumping my head, and when I looked up, all bad feelings were forgotten. The place was a child’s heaven, and at the current moment, I was a child. As my feet touched the ground, they were seized with a desire to go several different directions at once, a sensation that ended me up in a heap on the ground. I hopped up, though, tail wagging like a puppy, and gazed out into the resteraunt, selecting my first victim.

Thinking to myself that my legs could and would give out at any time, I chose the more strenuous of the my options, the huge tunnel-land that seemed to beckon to me with phantom limbs. Dani took a seat near one of the TVs, and waved me on to go. I didn’t need a second pressing. I shot off with all the speed I had, and raced up the rope ladder, nearly bowling over another kid that was about to ascend. Murmuring an apology over my shoulder, I made it to the slide and zoomed down, ending up with a plop in the sea of balls. They felt funny, pressing against me everywhere, and I sank into them, kicking them around. Then, something underneath me started poking at me, and I realized with a start that I had landed on someone.

I struggled to my feet as the person below me came up for air in an explosion of balls. Shaking herself, the little raccoon turned and fixed me with a baleful gaze.

“That wasn’t very nice!”

I fluffed and scratched at the back of my ears, unaware of what to say. “Um...sorry?”

She nodded. “Saulright, then.” She reached up to make sure if the dark bow was still in place in her long hair. “I haven’t seen you here before...My name’s Gabbie.” She extended a paw to me, which I took gingerly. “What’s yours?”

“Um...Noah.”

She looked thoughtful. “I used to know someone named Noah.” I turned around, and started to slink towards the exit, when she hit me in the back of the head with a ball. It didn’t hurt, but it stopped me in my tracks. “Hey! I’m not done with you!”

I rubbed at my head. “What do you mean?”

“You jumped on me! You owe me at least five minutes of your time...”

I rolled my eyes. She looked a little older then me, but she was clothed in a frilly dress that made her seem pretty young. Was I that bad at her age? Or rather, am I that bad? She drew closer.

“I also get a kiss.” She said, grinning at me, reaching for my hand.

That was it. I twisted around and dashed through the opening, and the sounds behind me told me the chase was on. We ran around the playpen, through the games, dodging people, other children and employees laden with steaming pizzas. My legs finally had had enough as I tried to get back to safety (which meant Dani). Collapsing, I twisted over just as she sat down on my chest, pinning me down. Before I could stop her or protest, she leaned over, and kissed me quickly on the forehead. My hands shot up and I tried to wipe off the cooties, but to no avail. She laughed and extended a hand to help me up, but I was done.

“What’s wrong with you? Why don’t you get up?”

“I was just kissed by a girl. That’s enough of a reason.”

She stuck her tongue out at me. “Oh, don’t be a baby. C’mon, get up!”

I tried my best, but it was no use. I was stuck on the floor, until a shadow loomed over me. Gazing up, I saw Dani grinning down at me. “Should I be jealous?”

“Aww...”

She bent down and picked me up as Gabbie watched. “I’m sorry, he’s got a condition that keeps him from walking sometimes,” she said to the raccoon girl, who ?oohed’. “He’ll be up and about in just a bit, ok? Why don’t you come have a slice of pizza with us?”

“Ok, Danielle.” She said, rubbing her hands together, when suddenly, a large human called out from near the door. I looked over at him, startled that anyone could bellow so forcefully. He wore a dark long coat that seemed to ripple and pulse on it’s own volition.

“Gabriel!”

Gabbie pouted, and tugged on my foot. “Oh, foo. Coming, Michael!” She yelled back. She looked up at us. “You two make a sweet couple. Especially you, cutie. Can’t wait to see you again, y’know. Ta!” And with that she dashed off.

“How did she know your name?” I asked her Dani as we sat down, the beautiful pizza melting away any concertation I had felt.

Dani shrugged, reaching over to wipe at my face, where I could feel a stray piece of cheese nesting. “Don’t know. I probably babysat her at one point...you’re not my only charge, y’know?”

I harrumphed.

“Only my favorite,” she finished, getting a laugh from me. “I mean it.” Her tone grew serious, and suddenly, I was once more reminded of why I was in my current state. “I...ha, I don’t know if I should be sharing this with you, but you’re pretty smart.” She sighed, and looked out into the restaurant. “You and your mom...well...really, just you...it’s like you’re the only family I’ve got.”

I didn’t say anything, cautiously hiding my expression behind another slice of pizza. I murmured a response, mouth full.

“Now now, you’re going to grow up with bad habits if you start that at your age,” she admonished. I swallowed hard, and repeated what I had said.

“Well, with my mom never around, sometimes it seems that way for me, too.”

She put a hand to her mouth, and laughed behind it after a moment. “Now, Mary’s a great mum. She just keeps busy so she can provide for you, boyo.”

I rolled my eyes and began fiddling with a spoon, trying to keep up appearances. “Uh-huh.”

She tweaked my ear, and I giggled. “I mean it, you ungrateful little scamp!” she said playfully. “Such a precocious little brat...”

“That’s me.”

“You’re like the little brother I never had.” She continued, then stood as we polished off the pizza. “C’mon, race you to the go-karts!”

My ears drooped a little at that. Sure, I was glad she considered me part of her family, but no boyfriend wants to be told that they resembled a brother. Well, that’s what my brain told me, anyway. For me at the moment though, the comment warmed me, and raced us through the rest of the evening. After playing a few rounds of mini golf, and a quick trip through the jungle gym (no little raccoons to land on this time around) we finally left. Dani seemed happy, upbeat, almost...um...frisky? Dunno the word for it. I wasn’t aware of how it had happened, but I guess the key had done it’s thing.

It didn’t take a rocket scientist to infer from that last exchange that Dani was lonely. Very lonely. In a way, I guess I could understand a bit of what she must be going through. To have no parents, and be 18...your only lot in life divided by a cheer squad, choir group, kids to babysit, and a near-quadriplegic boyfriend, I inwardly smacked myself for never thinking about that before. To go through all that, and still be...well, still be her...

Damn.

“I wish...I wish I could always be there for you. I don’t want you to suffer alone,” I said quietly to myself, as she undid my seat belt, easing me from the car.

“You’re fading fast, kiddo, I could barely hear you. Huh?”

I shook my head, but it was true. My eyes felt droopier then they’d ever felt, and I caught myself drifting in and out of sleep. Even though it was only about 7:30, I finally dropped off, snoring contentedly on Dani’s shoulder, and she rocked me gently, humming a lullaby.

I awoke easily, calmly. As I blinked my eyes, I realized that I was sitting up, and there was a pressure on my chest. Looking down, I saw a tousle of light colored hair, and I smiled. Wherever I had ended up last night, I had woken on the couch, and Dani lay on top of me, breathing lightly. I leaned down, and brushed my long nose against her cheek. I had stopped caring about the difference in species...I guess, to some extent, it had never bothered me in the first place. She stirred, and looked up into my eyes.

“G’morn, beautiful.” I whispered to her.

“Handsome,” she replied, squeezing me tighter.

We lay there for a long while, saying nothing, but sooner then later Dani had to get up to use the restroom. I joked about wishing I could join her (though not a WISH wish) and contented myself in leaning back and stretching. When I looked at the TV, I realized with a start that there was an envelope taped to the front.

“Dani!” I called, curiousity beginning to gnaw at me. If it was one thing foxes couldn’t handle, it was curiousity.

“Just a moment, Noah!”

“No, it’s ok,” I said. “Did you notice the addition to our TV?”

“What?”

“Nevermind.” I looked back at the envelope, feeling the cold affects of unfulfilled wonder coursing through me. It was like a nervous twitch just beneath your skin, a shivery feeling that just made you want to get up and do something about it. And before I realized what I was doing, I had.

In one solid motion, without thinking, and my time as a kit still fresh in my mind, I stood. Not comprehending, I took a few wobbling steps forward. My legs held.

“Dani!”

“Hold your horses!”

I crossed the living room and reached for the note on the TV. With paws that were trembling with shock and exertion, I opened it and read the neat, cursive writing. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t believe it, until the rest of the letter feel out of the envelope to rest atop the TV.

Danielle came back into the room, shaking drops of water from her hair. “Noah, I...” She saw me standing by the TV and jumped. “Noah! You’re...you’re standing! Did you walk?”

I didn’t have words for her. I just turned, and extended the letter to her. Not understanding, she took it from me, passing her gaze from me to it. Finally, out of old habit, she started to read it aloud.

“Dear Noah and Danielle,

Good morning, dears. I wish I could have had the courage to tell you this personally, but seeing the two of you sleeping so peacefully on the couch there robbed me of all of it. I couldn’t face you both with this, and I hope you’ll forgive me.

Noah, I received a promotion offer that is going to take me pretty high in the company. However, the only way I can accept it is if I relocate. Pretty far away. There wasn’t a chance I could turn down this offer, and so, I agreed.

I know it’s sudden, but with the accident and everything, I’ve been struggling to do what I think is best for you. You grew up so quickly, without me being there in your life, and when all this happened, I was at a loss on how to deal with it. After your father landed himself in jail, I swore to myself that I wouldn’t see him in you, but before the crash, to be honest, it was really hard to do. These past few weeks, it’s almost like you were given a second chance at life. I’d have been a fool if I didn’t notice the changes in your...behavior. You are finally the good souled son I always knew you were, deep down.

I know too, that you and Dani are right for each other. I had my doubts long ago, but she has long since banished them with her determination to you. Her actions in caring for you speak volumes about her character, and you must hold her tight.

It is to this end that I am giving you the house. As you may or may not remember, it is completely paid off with the settlement I received from your dad. The company is furnishing me with a small, corporate apartment where they want me, free of charge. I have opened a bank account in your name that I will pay into from time to time, so that you both have money to eat and live. If you need anything more, I’ll call soon, I swear.

And I mean for it to go to both of you. There is no reason that Dani go back and forth up that mountain to that empty house. If she is willing, please, invite her to stay with you, with my blessing. Dani, if you’re reading this, I love you like a daughter, and can never repay the kindness you’ve shown my son and I. I wish you both well.

Haha, as I write this, my cell is buzzing at my hip, and it’s flashing a number I can’t ignore. I love you both, so much, and I hope you make the most out of your lives. Merry Christmas, and please, try not to hate me.

With all my love,

Mary Welk

For a long time, we just stared at each other in shock. The house...this huge, beautiful house...was all ours. Ours. I admit, a part of me was saddened, truly sad that Mary was gone, but it was a small feeling compared to whatever else I was feeling. I couldn’t quite tell you. I thought we’d stand there all day, when Dani suddenly cried out happily and grabbed my arms, and tried to jerk me into a whirling dance. Miracle aside, I wasn’t ready for it, and we both ended up on the ground, me atop her. She had a grin plastered on her face that I knew I was miming on my own. I touched my nose to hers.

Thank you, Mary.

 

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