Chapter 2: Choice

For the second night running, I was in no mood for TV. Instead, I sat in my comfy chair, reading. The new wall lamp had proved to rend asunder all dad\x92s colour ideas, so he\x92d spent the day trying to convince me to buy a blue spare bed, so that the walls could be dark blue with black borders. I promise to think it through, which, of course, I didn\x92t. Instead, my mind wandered to the note I still had in my pocket. I decided against calling John, feeling it would be easier to talk to him face-to-face. With thoughts of John, there came, inevitably, thoughts of Britanny. She was really stunningly beautiful, and the smile she had given me had been promising. And she had said I was pretty. The more I thought about it, the more I realised how much the two looked like each other. The shape of the face, the large brown eyes, the hair, although with different styles. If there hadn\x92t been six years separating them, they could have been twins.
Finally bored with the book, I decided to go to bed. The scary movie must have worn off, \x91cause there was no Tina tonight. After brushing my teeth, I crept in between the cool, inviting sheets, yawning. I hadn\x92t noticed how tired I had become. Turning out the lights, I laid down my head, and the next moment, the alarm clock went on. Seven o\x92clock. I couldn\x92t remember one single dream. As tired as I had been when I went to bed, I tried to wake myself up with a quick shower. Some cold water did the trick, and half an hour later I was down in the kitchen, eyeing through the morning paper. An ad seeking a part-time record store cashier got my interest, so I copied down the phone number, thinking I\x92d call them later that day, or maybe tomorrow morning. Dad came in a few minutes after me, on his way to cook breakfast. Of course, I thought, this is his first day at work.
"Up early, Mike?"
"Yeah. John\x92s offered to show me around a bit. I don\x92t have anything special to do today, have I?"
"Don\x92t think so. You could help me choose paint for your back room some day this weekend, though, couldn\x92t you?"
"Sure. Let\x92s see how Saturday comes."
The door bell rang, and as I looked out the window, I saw the Volvo parked on the street outside. I went to open, and let him in.
"Dad, this is John, my new-found friend. John, this is my dad, Darrin."
"Nice to meet you, Mr Darrin," John said, and they shook hands.
"You too, John. But please, no more \x91mister\x92, okay? Just call me Darrin."
"Okay, Darrin." He smiled.
"Want to see my room today?"
"What, no more horror films?"
We both chuckled as I led him up the stairs. He whistled softly as I opened the door. So far, there was only the furniture; I hadn\x92t had time to decorate.
"It\x92s really nice. Big and airy. But a little bit dark, isn\x92t it? What, with that tree just outside."
"I like it like that, that\x92s why mom chose this room for me." I showed him the back room. "In here, I\x92m going to have my desk for school work, and my computer. Maybe an extra bed, but I haven\x92t really decided yet."
"Why an extra bed?"
"In case I invite somebody over, or fall asleep while reading. I don\x92t really know, I just want one."
Realising I had better start talking about me and Britanny, I asked him to sit down in my comfy chair, while I sat on the chair I had brought to go with my future desk. My nervousness must have shown again, because I didn\x92t have time to open my mouth.
"Mike, what\x92s wrong? You look petrified."
"John, there\x92s something I have to tell you." He raised his ears, catching my eyes. "I... I don\x92t really know how to start."
"Just tell me," He said, reaching out to take my hand. "If you want to tell me, just do it."
"I met someone yesterday, after you left for work. We kind of ran into each other, and before I knew it, I had asked her out."
"Her?"
"Yeah. It wasn\x92t \x91til we had decided to go see a movie together that I realised who it was. John, would you hate it if I went on a date with Britanny?"
For a moment I thought he would faint. He kept opening and closing his mouth, but no words would come. He withdrew his hand, suddenly looking away from me.
"No, I guess it\x92s okay."
"It\x92s nothing serious, really, just a date."
"No, it\x92s fine. Absolutely fine." He looked up at me again. "So, are we still taking a ride?"
"Sure. I\x92m seeing Britanny Saturday night. Until then, it\x92s just you and me."
"Great." He said it, but he clearly didn\x92t mean it. "Should we go?"
"Not until you tell me honestly. Do you mind me seeing her? Please tell me if you do, because I still want to be your friend. John?"
"Yeah. I don\x92t mind my sister seeing you. Honest!"
"Then let\x92s go."
He had been telling me the truth. The scenery around Cleveland was terrific. Open, flat terrain, with picturesque farms of varying sizes. Then there was the lake. Erie is the second to smallest of the five big ones, but when you stand next to it, it\x92s huge. We stopped at a lookout point, watching fishing boats and sailing boats criss-cross the surface. It was quite windy that day, and the sky was low with rain-swollen clouds. Still, I wished I had brought my camera. After a quick lunch at a roadside diner we went back to town; I insisted on paying the food, since he paid for gasoline. He showed me the town library, a must for students, and a great antique shop, which sold all kinds of old stuff. All the time he seemed his normal, happy self, but as soon as the two of us were alone, he became nervous, cautious, distanced. Instead of the old money wall, he had erected a new one, and I could easily guess the cause. Britanny. I decided to give it time. Maybe there would be nothing between her and me, and if there were, he would have to take his own time accepting it. We ended up at the New Harbour Park, watching an open air theatre giving The Taming of the Shrew. After the show it had begun to get darker, and we went back to the car.
"You want to eat something, or do I take you home for the day?" he asked.
"Can\x92t we go to your place? I\x92d like to meet your mother."
"Another time. Look, are we still skating tomorrow?"
"Sure! Why wouldn\x92t we?"
"Because... well, I thought, with you and Britty. Maybe, I don\x92t know, I thought I\x92d be the fifth wheel or something."
"I won\x92t be seeing her tomorrow. You almost sound as if I was trying to become your friend just to get at her."
"Well, it has happened." Again, I felt the ice beneath me quiver, ready to break. Clearly, this was a delicate matter.
"John, no! I didn\x92t even know she existed when I met you. You\x92re my friend, and I don\x92t want to change that. I\x92ll take her to that movie, then we\x92ll call it quits, okay? I won\x92t fool myself into thinking she\x92d romance a seventeen year-old kid."
"You date her if you want to. I won\x92t try to change your life."
"You already have!" I saw us gliding apart, and I felt I\x92d do anything to stop that. Those three words made him stop. "You already have. Normally, I\x92m not very good at making new friends. I used to hang out with some people back home, but they were just places to go, time to kill. But I\x92ve found a great friend in you, John. Better than ever before. I won\x92t lose that! Not to your sister, not to your stubbornness. If you want me to, I\x92ll phone her right away, calling it off. Do you have her number to work?"
We stood there, by his car, staring at each other for a moment, nobody speaking. For a while I could have sworn I saw him blink away tears. Perhaps Britanny had been right, and he was like me, having a hard time to meet people. Maybe he had seen in me a real friend, not just some opportunist playing chummies to get a chance to hit on Britanny, and now he thought I had betrayed him. I felt deeply for him. In the same situation, I would have got paranoid. Still, I decided to push him.
"I talked to my mother yesterday, telling her I felt ambivalent about seeing Britanny. She said I might have to choose, friend or flirt. Well, I\x92m choosing now, John. What\x92s her number?"
"Mike, I\x92m sorry," he began. "I\x92m sorry if I\x92m being bothersome. I know you mean what you say, it\x92s just that... I mean, I... I\x92m not very good with words, am I? I was just thinking. It doesn\x92t matter, anyway. I\x92ll get over it. I\x92ll be your friend, John, if you promise me you won\x92t see me just to see her."
"What\x92s her number?"
"Damn it, Mike! Date her! Don\x92t mind if I\x92m a bit grouchy about it, I\x92ll get better, I promise. I\x92ll still be your friend, okay? You don\x92t have to choose."
"Thanks, John. I really mean it, thank you so much." I gave him a quick hug, and he leaned into it. When he looked up, he was smiling again.
"C\x92mon, let\x92s get a burger. I\x92m hungry."

When he dropped me off that night, he seemed to be back to his usual self, but I couldn\x92t help but feel that he was a bit more reserved. Maybe he wants to test me, I thought as I waved him good bye. To see if I\x92d stick to my promise, if I\x92d still be his friend. We had agreed that he\x92d pick me up an hour later the next day, so I\x92d have time to call the records store. The others were watching an old video I had seen before, giving me an excuse not to watch TV. The thought hit me that I hadn\x92t watch a single programme since our move, except for that movie with Tina. I just didn\x92t feel like it. Instead, I laid down on my bed, turning my stereo on with some slow, gloomy metal tunes. I didn\x92t really look what record I picked, nor did I listen that much to it. Something in the back of my mind wouldn\x92t go away, some stray thought that shied away as I tried to approach it. Lost in thoughts, I failed to notice when the record ended, but I did hear the soft knock on my door.
"C\x92mon in, it\x92s not locked." Mom came on in, closing the door behind her.
"So, did it turn sour?"
"A bit. He didn\x92t take it that well. Obviously, guys have been using him to get closer to his sister."
"Ouch. Poor fellow. What did you do? That is, if you want to talk about it."
"Yeah, no problem. We talked for a while, and I think I managed to convince him that I still want to be friends. He said he\x92d get over it."
"Do you think he will?"
"I don\x92t know. He seemed kind of distressed, and I can understand him. For a while he thought I was just another false friend, but I think I managed to convince him otherwise."
"How?"
"I told him I\x92d cancel my date with Britanny. I would have, too, if he hadn\x92t conceded."
"You\x92re such a sweet guy!" She tousled my hair. "I don\x92t think you\x92re capable of hurting a living thing. Are you hungry? There\x92s some food left in the fridge."
"No thanks, we had a burger a while ago. I\x92m fine."
"You look much better than you did a few minutes ago. Feels good to talk to somebody, eh?"
"Really good. Thanks, mom, you\x92re the best."
"Always here for you. I saw you had encircled an ad this morning. Did you get it?"
"Don\x92t know yet. I\x92ll call tomorrow morning, then I\x92ll dig out my old skates."
"Going out with John again? Will you be out all day?"
"Yeah, I guess so. No dinner for me."
"Okay. You going to bed?" My alarm clock showed half past ten. I hadn\x92t really noticed it was getting late.
"I guess so. See you tomorrow."
"Good night, baby."
She closed the door behind her, and I made myself ready for bed. The nagging thing inside my head was still there, but talking to mom had quieted it down, and it didn\x92t stop me from falling asleep as soon as the light was out.

The others were having eggs and bacon, while I sat by the phone, dialling and re-dialling the same number. How could a record store\x92s phone be busy the whole damn time? Unless there were plenty of people applying for the job. The doorbell rang, and I leapt to my feet. Halfway through the hallway, I heard the sounds of girls giggling. Apparently, Tina had been making friends, too. She shouted a quick good bye, and was gone. Dad was filling up the dish washer, and I could hear mom cursing the car keys for having gone missing again.
"Off to work?"
"Yep. Last day o\x92the week." He gave his slave-ready-to-drop act, which I sneered at. "Don\x92t look like that, Mike. Have you the slightest idea what hardships they put you through at Sales?"
"Yeah, they force you to have coffee breaks every hour, and bend your backs with those heavy paycheques."
"How could I have raised such a sarcastic boy, alas?"
"Finally found \x91em! Come now, honey, bye Mike, have fun, don\x92t forget to lock the door, Tina\x92s got her own key, she\x92s eating out, see you tonight!"
A mother-shaped tornado swept my dad along with it, and I can swear the door didn\x92t have time to slam behind them before the car engine was running. Alone in the house, I snatched a left-over slice of bacon, and sat down by the phone again. This time, the signals went through, and almost immediately someone answered.
"Hello!" said a surly voice, nearly making me jump to attention. "What is it now, those damn speakers again?"
"H-hello," I stuttered before finding my voice again. "Is this..."
"Stone\x92s Records, that\x92s Stone apostrophe s. Sorry if we haven\x92t answered before, but some idiot!" He screamed out the word, apparently to someone in the same room. "Left the phone off its hook. Now, about those speakers..."
"I\x92m sorry, but I\x92m not calling about the speakers, I\x92m calling about your ad."
"Oh. Didn\x92t have to call. Just cut out the coupon and get over here. Offer\x92s only valid \x91til tomorrow, though."
"Not that ad, the one about the part-time job." This got him quiet for a few seconds.
"Okay, what\x92s your name?"
"Mike. Actually, Mikkall, double k, double l."
"Species?"
"Red fox, but what\x92s that..."
"Preferences?"
"Come again?"
"What music do you listen to?"
"Metal. Some classical tracks, too."
"Good enough. You start Monday, be here at eight-thirty, ask for Stone, that\x92s me. We\x92ll settle payment then. Now get off the damn line! I\x92ve been waiting for the speaker guy to phone the whole bloody morning!"
There was a sharp click, and I had a dead receiver in my hands, and a job waiting for me next week. Did I really want to work for such a guy? The deep, almost snarling voice made me picture a huge guy, perhaps a wolf or a bear, with a quick temper and a nearly violent anger. Then again, he had been mad at someone. Not me. I decided to check it out. Just then, I heard the smoothly running Volvo come to a stop outside, and I put Monday to the back of my mind. John was in a better mood today, and his smile did reach his eyes again. He waited in the living room while I rummaged around for my skates, opening box after box without results. Checking out my parents\x92 quite large video collection, he whistled softly.
"These are some great movies," he said. "Think I could borrow some, some time?"
"Sure," I said, using a claw to open a crate marked Miscellaneous. "Try some of the old classics, His Girl Friday is a mean piece of work."
"Yeah, I like that one. Ooh, The Great Dictator! Someone in your family\x92s got good taste for B&W flicks."
"So do you, it seems." Reaching the bottom of the box, I finally found my skates. "Ah, here they are! Actually, we\x92re all more or less hooked to the old human classics. There are good genimen films, even brilliant ones, but the classics\x92ve got such charm."
"I know what you mean. Look, Frankenstein! The Wizard of Oz! Are you sure it\x92s all right if I borrow one every now and then?" I nodded, smiling at his enthusiasm. "My video store\x92s gonna be out of business."
"Speaking of business, I\x92ve just got a job, I think."
"Hey, that\x92s good! What\x92ll you do, sweep the sidewalks? Mow the park lawns?" He dodged as I threw a couch pillow at him.
"Actually, I\x92m filling in for a Nobel Prize winner at the university. While he\x92s on vacation in the Alps, I\x92ll lead the research on finding a cure for cancer. They want it ready before end of summer."
"That record store you told me about?" I nodded. "That\x92s great! Are you working as a cashier, or in the warehouse?"
"The ad said cashier, but all I got over the phone was \x91get your arse down here Monday morning\x92. Stone\x92s Records, the store\x92s called."
"I know where that is. Follow Almond Road, just a bit from that café we were at the other day, and it\x92s just about a hundred metres\x92 walk. Small neon sign, you can\x92t miss it. If you start before nine, I\x92ll drive you."
"Thanks. I\x92m supposed to be there at eight-thirty, so it\x92ll be fine."
"All right. What days will you have off?"
"I don\x92t know yet, but I\x92ll try to time it with yours. Come on, now, let\x92s go make the ice melt!"

The skating hall turned out to hold a hockey rink, a speed skating oval and several curling lanes. I was really impressed, and I could tell from John\x92s grin that he liked that. It had been a while since I skated last, but as I tied them on, the feeling came flooding back. John wasn\x92t very good at it, and he told me that he just skated for fun, not as a way to keep in shape. Still, we did a few laps on the oval, before entering the rink. I tried to teach him to skate backwards, but he fell over. Leaving him to practise, I skated around the rink at top speed; nothing breath-taking, but still fairly good. Coming back, an evil thought entered my mind.
"Want to see how we play hockey back home?" I said as I went past him.
"Mike, no!"
I could see that he had caught on, by the look of fear in his eyes. He started screaming as I brought up speed, locking myself on collision course. An instant before I pressed him flat against the sideboard, I slowed down. Still, it was a heavy crash. I fell over, rolling in order not to crush my tail, and then he landed on top of me, laughing wildly.
"I won\x92t let you up again, you crazy fox!" he yelled, pinning me to the ice.
"Hey, no fair! Stop tickling me!" This time I was the one who screamed. "Time out! Time out!"
"Sudden death!"
"Give! I give up! Stop, please!" He stopped tickling me, but I was still pinned down. "Let me up!"
"Not until you admit to me what a wicked little fox you are."
"All right! I\x92m mean. I\x92m evil. I am the most wicked fox alive. Please, Mr Lion, sir, my butt\x92s getting cold. Please, let me up?"
"I guess so. Will you veer from your evil ways?"
"Never!"
"Then I\x92ll definitely let you go. I kind of like you the way you are. Don\x92t know why, though."
Panting I got to my feet, punching him lightly in the chest. We skated over to the side of the rink, where I sat down to try and regain my breath. Again I punched him.
"Ooh, you\x92re killing me!"
"What the hell got into you? I thought you would crush me to my death."
"No sense of humour, that\x92s your problem. And you shouldn\x92t call me little. I\x92m not much shorter than you."
"Well, you are shorter than me, Mike, so that makes you little. If you don\x92t like it, I\x92ll call you little all the time."
"In that case, I do like it."
"Good. Then I\x92ll call you little all the time."
"I\x92ve lost, haven\x92t I?"
He nodded. Once rested, we played around for a while in the rink. There weren\x92t much people there, so we didn\x92t have to worry about disturbing anyone. It felt really nice to see John in such a good mood. He was laughing and chatting as if yesterday hadn\x92t happened, and tomorrow never would. I decided not to talk about Britanny, unless he brought it up, which I felt sure he wouldn\x92t. When we left the hall, tossing our skates in his trunk, my body was beginning to tell me it had forgotten what skating felt like. I was aching all over, most of all in the lower back muscles. Almost as an excuse to get home and sit down somewhere comfortable, I offered to cook us lunch.
"You\x92re a good cook? I work at a restaurant, remember? I\x92m used to the best!"
"No, you\x92re not. You\x92re just used to that pig\x92s food they serve at that poor excuse for a pasta shop. I\x92ll make you something a gourmet would drool over."
"What\x92ll you make? I\x92ll help you."
"Let me check the fridge first, okay? I don\x92t really know what we\x92ve got."
Taking a route I had never seen before, John managed to enter Paradise Street at the far end, parking outside our gate. I really have to start learning to find my own way around here, I thought. Can\x92t always rely on friends and buses. The door was locked, and I deduced that Tina was still making the neighbourhood unsafe somewhere else. When she set her mind to it, she could be a prankster without equal. I hoped she wasn\x92t up to something that would get us kicked out of town, but you cloud never know for sure. Rummaging through the fridge, I found that dad had, as usual these days, stocked up something extra. Deciding not to go for show, I picked out some smoked ham, an onion, a few potatoes and some red pepper. It didn\x92t take me very long to whip up a ham casserole, a dish mom had taught me how to make, especially since I got help with peeling potatoes. To John\x92s feigned surprise, it turned out edible.
"Mmm, this is really, really good. Next break, if you want, I could probably get you a job at the restaurant."
"We\x92ll see. I like cooking, but I don\x92t know if I\x92d like to work with it."
"What do you want to do for the rest of the day?" He looked at me, tilting his head. I recognised the gesture.
"Can\x92t we just sit down with a video? My back\x92s troubling me for skating with it. Do you know if there\x92s a gym around here? I like to work out every now and then, and now I feel like I need it."
"There\x92s the Iron Club, but that\x92s not got a very good reputation. I go to the Sweat Shop on Pine Drive sometimes. It\x92s really okay. They\x92ve even got a heated jacuzzi pool and sauna."
"Sounds great. I think I\x92ll try it out one of these days. I\x92m not really a body builder, as you can see, but I like to break a sweat."
"Me too," he nodded. "When school starts, I\x92ll be training with the floorball team, but during the breaks I\x92m more of a slacker."
"That\x92s hard to think. You\x92re really well built."
"Well, lions usually are. I guess I could look better if I really tried, but..."
"No need. You look great. More muscle would just make you seem ungainly."
"You think so?" I nodded, and he beamed with delight. "That\x92s nice of you to say."
"So, what\x92ll it be? Movie, peace and quiet sound good to you?"
"Yeah, fine. Want some back massage? I\x92ve learned from the team manager, she\x92s great at it."
"Really? Okay, I know I could use it."
"Well, then, take off your shirt and lie down on the couch, face down."
I did so, and he sat down as well, straddling my legs. He put his hands on my shoulders, rubbing them softly. It felt really good. Then he went lower, first stroking me with his fingers, then applying pressure with his thumbs. I could feel the muscles begin to relax. As he reached the hurting ones, he eased his touch, at first, relieving the strain, then started rubbing harder. By that time, I was humming with delight. When he was finished, he started over again. This time, as I was already relaxed, it was pure pleasure.
"You might want to keep that purring down, in case anyone gets home. Might get a wrong idea."
"I\x92m beyond caring," I replied, still humming. "Let them have ideas."
"Suit yourself."
"Suits me just fine. You\x92ve got to teach me this!"
"If you want to. There, how\x92s that?"
"Fantastic! I don\x92t feel a thing anymore."
I got up, flexing and stretching, but there was no trace of pain. What a miracle worker! Leaving him to pick a video, I went to the kitchen to make us some popcorn. While the popcorn maker was producing white, fluffy goodies, I raided the fridge for a bottle of cola. Balancing bottle, glasses and a large bowl, I made my way back to the couch just as Casablanca started rolling. Excellent choice, and I told him so.
"I like this one," he said. "Soft spot for romance, I guess."
"It\x92s one of my favourites as well."
"Might want to put your shirt back on, so you don\x92t spill butter on your chest fur."
"Oh! I forgot."
We were still alone in the house when I started rewinding the tape. Both of us were blinking away tears, neither caring to hide them. Casablanca is that kind of movie. If you don\x92t cry, you\x92re made of stone. John helped me clear away the dishes, then we went upstairs. None of us wanted to go out again with red eyes, so we sat for a while, talking.
"Would you?" he asked, wiping at his eyes.
"Would I what?"
"Give up your love like that?"
"No. No, I think I\x92d be more selfish. I know I would find it hard to live with myself if I gave up. No, I\x92d not give up my love."
"Britty?"
"I don\x92t know," I sighed. "It\x92s not as if we\x92re lovers. We\x92ll see a movie together, that\x92s all. Not that I\x92d regret it, she\x92s fine, but all in time."
"I think I\x92d rather suffer than watch my love suffer. I think I\x92d give up."
"Then you\x92re much nobler than me," I said, and we laughed. "I\x92m not good at being noble."
"Yes you are!" he protested. "You wanted to give up your date with Britty, remember? For my sake."
"You\x92re right. Maybe I am a good fox after all. Damn, there goes my reputation!"
"You haven\x92t got one."

I felt really good that afternoon. John\x92s back rub had taken my pain away; we had cried, we had laughed, and we had talked about Britanny without any harsh feelings. We were beginning to form that sort of insulting banter that only really good friends can keep up without hurting each other. The rest of the afternoon seemed to fly us by, and soon enough I heard mom and dad coming home. Still no sign of Tina.
"Kids? Home yet?" mom called, knowing perfectly well that John and I were there. We hadn\x92t hidden our jackets. "Mike?"
"Up here," I answered, and soon she opened the door.
"Listen, Mikey, we... oh, hi! You must be John." They shook hands. "I\x92m Shade, Mikey\x92s mom. Call me Mrs or anything like that, and I\x92ll feed you knuckles, kid."
"Hi, Shade," he said, smiling. "Nice to meet you."
"You too. Mike, could you come out here for a while? There\x92s something we need to talk about."
"Yes sir, Mrs Shade, ma\x92am, mom!" I yelled, leaping to attention. "Just a minute, John, while I find out what I\x92ve done this time. Or not done."
"You\x92re such a clown," mom sighed, making John laugh as she slapped my butt, ushering me out into the hallway. "You\x92ll have him back soon. Maybe you\x92d like to adopt him?"
"Anytime, Shade," he laughed.
"Okay, Mike, quit fooling around, now," she said, closing the door.
"Yeah, sure. What is it, you look distressed?"
"Well, things have got screwed up back home. It seems the papers for my transfer to the Cleveland branch have got lost. So they\x92re quite pissed off that I haven\x92t shown up back there for two weeks."
"Ouch."
"Yep. So we\x92ve got to go back there to clear it up. Do you think you and Tina\x92ll be fine for the weekend?"
"Sure. I\x92ll whip her into cooking for me and fetching my slippers, no big deal."
"Have her paint the front door, while you\x92re still bullying her. We\x92ll be back Monday night or Tuesday morning."
"I start work on Monday. Just got it, this morning."
"Damn. Can Tina go with you? Is it that record store?"
"Yeah. Look, don\x92t worry, she can be with me. And if she refuses, well, she\x92s spent the day on her own today, so there\x92s no saying she can\x92t do that on Monday, too."
"She hasn\x92t been home?"
"Not that I\x92ve seen, but we were out \x91til lunch."
"Quiet afternoon without parental guidance, eh?" she smiled.
"Casablanca and popcorn, it was quite quiet, yes."
"So that\x92s why your face fur\x92s streaked with tears. I thought you two\x92d had a lovers\x92 quarrels."
"Mom, please! You know that movie always get to me."
"Well, I guess so." She smiled a wicked grin at me. "You\x92re sure there\x92s nothing... more... between you two? Not that I\x92d mind, mark you well!"
"We\x92re just friends, okay."
"Mhm, if you say so. Look, your dad and I are leaving just after dinner, so ask John if he\x92d like to eat with us."
"I\x92ll do that."
She went downstairs to help dad with the cooking, while I was left dumb-struck. Me and John, a couple? Where did she get her ideas? Had she heard me purring on the couch? I thought about it for a few seconds, then shook my head. No, she\x92s off the mark this time. We\x92re buddies, the best of friends, but my love interest\x92s Britanny, I thought to myself. Smiling at mom\x92s insinuation, I went back inside.
"So, she didn\x92t flog you. That\x92s a good sign."
"Was nothing like that. She and dad\x92ve got to go back home for the weekend. So, I guess tomorrow\x92s off, after all. Can\x92t leave Tina alone the whole evening."
"If you... if you want to, I could come over here. Keep her company while you\x92re... out."
"You\x92d do that? Talk about noble! Sounds great, if you really want to," he nodded, "but I\x92ll have to check with mom and dad first, and with Tina, of course."
"Do you think she\x92d mind?"
"Probably not, if I say you\x92re okay, but she can be a bother sometimes. She hasn\x92t met you yet."
"Oh yes, that\x92s right. You\x92ve talked so much about her, I felt as if I know her."
He looked out the window at a passing car, and I shot a glance at him. He was really beautiful, no denying that, looking so much like his sister it was uncanny. His large, kind eyes and his high cheekbones, short, broad muzzle with soft lips that really lit up his face when he smiled. A large nose that tended to twitch as he spoke. Large yellow ears sticking up from his black, well-kept hair. Then I stopped myself. What the hell was I thinking? Could mom get to me like that? He was a looker, so what? So was Britanny! Keep on track, boy! Tearing my eyes away, angry with myself for staring and with mom for making me, I still managed to wrestle my mind back under control.
"Mom invites you to dinner, John. Want to?"
"Could I use your phone? I\x92ve got to call mom to see if it\x92s okay."
"Sure. There\x92s one out in the hall."
He got up, closing the door behind him. My thoughts were still racing. Thinking back, I recalled the girlfriends I\x92d had. I couldn\x92t remember really being in love with any of them. Could that be it? Then again, I couldn\x92t remember ever looking at a guy that way, either. My male friends had been just that; friends. Only, now... John was certainly the best friend I\x92d ever had, even though I had just known him for a few days. But I didn\x92t love him, did I? Like that? Yet, I had been prepared to give up on Britanny, the most beautiful, sexy woman I had ever known, to keep him as my friend. Shaking my head, I decided to get back at mom for messing up my mind. We\x92re friends, I told myself. John opened the door, smiling at me.
"She said it was okay. What\x92re you having?"
"I don\x92t know. It\x92s dad\x92s cooking week. I\x92ll have to remember to make him take some of my days next week, now that I\x92ll cook for Tina and me the next few days."
"I thought you were coming with me."
"What?"
"Your mom said I could adopt you. The tricky bit will be to persuade my mom to take you in. Maybe you could sleep in the hall, if you promise not to shed on the carpet."
"In your dreams. I want a large, soft bed with lots of fluffy pillows. Silk sheets."
"No, seriously, I couldn\x92t keep you, Mike."
"Why? You disappoint me, John!" I let my whiskers droop. "I thought you\x92d take me away from all this."
"Sorry. Our landlord\x92s adamant. No pets!"
Mom called us down, and I got up to follow John down the stairs. A part of my mind kept on mulling mom\x92s words over. Nothing\x92s to say he is... or that he\x92d go for me, even if he were. Struggling to keep that voice down, I set myself to have dinner, to hell with all else!
Dinner was a seafood stew, clams and shrimps and lobster, all deliciously mixed together and flavoured by a rich dill sauce. Tina got back just as we were setting the table, and mom took her away for questioning. They got back, a wicked smile on my sister\x92s lips, just as we sat down to eat. I was having second thoughts about the weekend. If I were to leave poor John with Tina, he would probably have exploded by the time I got back. Literally. The food was great, and John said so, to dad\x92s delight. I smiled at this. If there\x92s one thing you can do to make eternal friends with my father, it\x92s to compliment his cooking. Not that it\x92s hard to do so; you just have to eat it, and the compliments come naturally. We kept on talking through dinner. Mom told Tina about the business trip, and she, as I knew she would, protested about having to hang out with me the whole of Monday. She lit up, though, when John said he could keep her company Saturday night, while I was out, but I could see a frown on dad\x92s forehead. Leaving his baby girl in the care of a total stranger? Mom seemed a bit apprehensive about it as well, but I suspect her reasons were more like my own; would he survive an evening with Tina?
"I can vouch for John, dad," I said. "He\x92s a great guy. I doubt Tina will manage to kill him off in just a few hours."
"Well, all right," he replied. "If you say so, it is so. Just promise me you\x92ll be a good girl, okay?"
"Aren\x92t I always, daddy?" There was something wicked in Tina\x92s smile, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. "I\x92ll be as good as ever."
Once we had eaten, John headed for home, saying a quick good bye and thanking three times over for the food. I listened for the purring engine until it faded from hearing, then I asked mom to come with me. Dad and Tina were clearing away the dishes.
"Is this quick, baby? I really should get packing."
"What the hell were you thinking back then?"
"When?"
"Saying that John and I... that we were a... a couple?"
"Well, I\x92d be lying if I said the thought hadn\x92t occurred to me. You seem so much happier these days. So much more relaxed with yourself." I couldn\x92t find words to answer, so she continued. "You know, some of our friends back home were quite convinced that you were gay. The way you never really got off with girls, and the way even straight guys would look at you."
"You\x92ve really screwed up my mind, you know that? I\x92d never... I never even thought..."
"I\x92m sorry, baby," she said, planting a kiss on my cheek. "I just wanted you to know it was okay if you were gay. If you aren\x92t, that\x92s fine too, except that you two make such a cute pair."
"I\x92m all dizzy. You\x92ve got my head spinning like a roulette wheel."
"I\x92m sorry, Mike. I know that it\x92s tough, being a teenager, with conflicting emotions and thoughts. If I got you thinking, then at least think. It can\x92t hurt."
"Mrs What\x92s-her-name from hell again?" I smiled. "I\x92m not gay, sow doubts as you may. Even if I were, I think I\x92d keep it under my hat. Dad being an NW hotshot, coming out could become lethal."
"You know he wouldn\x92t do anything to hurt you, dear. He\x92s not really that deep into that... that organisation. If he did, I\x92d kick him in the..."
"All right, all right! I give up! I swear I\x92ll tell you first of all if I ever become gay! But I\x92m not!"
"You\x92re my baby, that\x92s what you are. Now, have a great weekend, you hear? And promise to spank Tina purple if she\x92s rude to poor John."
"That I can do! You be sure to drive carefully, okay?"
"Yeah, we will. If you\x92ll excuse me, Mr Straight \x91n\x92 Macho, I have to go pack."

"All right!" Tina shouted, as the car turned the street corner, disappearing from sight. "Kids unleashed! I\x92ll fix popcorn, you go and rent us some scary movies."
"I\x92m not letting you share my bed again tonight, Tina. If you watch scary movies, you\x92re on your own."
"Think I can\x92t handle it? Think I\x92m a coward?"
"Frankly, yes. I\x92ll rent you Bambi."
"Bambi - Director\x92s Cut? The one where they use a bazooka to make a roast venison?"
"No, the cute and fluffy one with all the lovely little singing animals."
"I\x92ll barf in your slippers."
"I don\x92t wear slippers. Do you know how far the nearest video store is? It\x92d take me an hour to get there on foot."
"Then use your bike, dummy! Dad unpacked them yesterday, while you were out playing."
"He did, did he? Well, in that case..."
"Or call John again, and let him drive you."
"You\x92re not using my friend as a set of wheels, Tina."
"I will this Saturday."
"No, you won\x92t. Forget it! You\x92re going to behave nicely, or I\x92ll sit on you."
"I wanna see Emerald Fire 2, or The Temple of Cats. Get Cybernautic Frankenstein, too."
"You promise not to leave your room tonight?"
"Sure. No problem. This is a new, tougher Tina you\x92re looking at, Mikey-boy."
"How come I doubt?"
"\x92Cause you\x92re a worryguts, that\x92s why. Now get! Fetch! C\x92mon, out you go! Pick up some wine gum or something while you\x92re out."
Sighing, I decided to give in. I\x92d exaggerated the distance a bit, and it didn\x92t take me more than fifteen minutes to return with two videos and some candy. We had a nice and peaceful evening; I lay on the couch with Tina lying on my stomach, draping my arm over her face whenever things got too spooky for her. While the last video was rewinding, we started getting ready for bed. She followed me around; I had to force the door shut to use the bathroom. When I got out, she was waiting for me.
"Okay, what\x92s up?"
"I promised I wouldn\x92t leave my room," she said. "But if I don\x92t go there, you can\x92t say I broke the promise."
"So you do have in mind to stay in my bed tonight."
"Yeah..." She looked away, obviously embarrassed.
"Oh, all right," I sighed. It\x92s really hard to stay stern with her. "I give! Just get ready, and bring your own bed cover. Last time I nearly froze my butt off."
Giggling, she bounded off. Honestly! What did I do to deserve such a sister? She was spoiled rotten. Well, I knew I shouldn\x92t complain. I knew some kid siblings from back home who were more disgusting than anything the horror movie producers could ever have dreamed up. Tina\x92s a nice kid, even though she\x92s stubborn and has a way to always get what she wants. She has a sense of humour that matches my own. As I was getting undressed, a bundle of cloth came in through the door, falling on top of my bed. We climbed in at the same time, this time not fighting over bed covers. She kissed my cheek, and gave me a very warm smile, that somehow made it worth all trouble.
"Thanks for letting me be a bother, Mikey. You\x92re so kind."
"Oh, it\x92s nothing," I said, hugging her back. "Anything for my favourite sister."
"Your only sister."
"Still, my fave one. Good night."
"Night, bro."