Chapter 6

It had been a few weeks since David and I went to go see my father. As it turned out, my father’s blow had caused a number of hairline fractures cracks in David’s arm, but he had mostly healed since then. As strong as David was by human standards, if my father’s swing had been any more than a half-hearted attempt to get him to move aside it could have been much worse! However, David didn’t hold a grudge, and since then I’d been able to speak both my father and Rebecca a couple times, and it was wonderful being able to reconnect with the people from my old life!

As it was, I was just getting off the bus, headed toward Serafina’s diner to meet up with Sara. I spotted her just as she was about to enter.

“Sara, wait up!” I called out. She turned around and grinned.

“Hey, girl! Perfect timing!” She exclaimed and waited for me at the door. We hugged when I caught up, and then we went inside.

After walking through the door I caught Sara grinning at me.

“You seem to be in a good mood. What about?”

“You!” She replied.

“What about me?” I asked.

“Just that a few months ago you would have never called out to me like that. You’ve always avoided drawing attention to yourself as much as possible.” I spent a moment thinking about it and was rather taken aback when I realized she was right! “I think David’s been a good influence on you and your confidence,” she added quietly.

“I suppose so.” I smiled at the thought, and wondered if I was a good influence on his life too. I hoped so, but I didn’t have long to think about it because the vulpine hostess came up and led us to our booth. I’d since found out her name was Vivian and was quite surprised to hear that she was mated to an Ursine named Derek! Serafina had offered her a job after finding out they’d run away together. The young vulpine gave me a wink before going to fill our drink orders.

I glanced around and seeing Serafina at another table I marveled that there were three different mixed species relationships represented in the restaurant, and other than those involved, no one had any idea! Looking back at Sara, I felt a little bad about keeping the knowledge from her, but it wasn’t mine to tell.

“So, you nervous about seeing David’s old neighbors tonight?” She asked.

“To be honest, yes. We’re planning on telling them about us, and I’m concerned about how they’ll react.”

“That’s understandable. I’d say just follow David’s lead.”

“That’s what I intend on doing.”

A moment later Alice skittered to our table with our drinks.

“Hello,” she greeted, though it was a bit less cheerfully than normal. She took our orders, then headed back to the kitchen.

“Is it just me, or does she seem a bit down?” Asked Sara.

“I noticed it too.”

“I wonder what’s up.”

“I don’t know.” Figuring there wasn’t much I could do about it I changed the subject. “Did you know that the anniversary of David moving is only a couple weeks away?”

“What? Already!?” Exclaimed Sara with a laugh. “Man, time flies! So, are you two doing anything for it?”

“David wants to take me out for a nice dinner.”

“That sounds great!”

“Yes...” I said hesitantly.

“Oh, come on, what’s the problem!?” She said, rolling her eyes.

“No real problem, but I am rather nervous about going somewhere like that with such a high profile.”

“That makes sense, but I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

“I think so too...” Sara eyed me curiously.

“There’s something else, isn’t there.”

“It’s a very nice place, and I don’t have anything to wear to somewhere so upscale,” I confessed and Sara’s eyes gleamed.

“Don’t even worry about that! Make sure to take the day off and we’re gonna have a girls day out! I’ll make sure you’ll blow David’s mind!” I chuckled.

“I would appreciate that. Thank you.”

“That’s what girlfriends are for!” She exclaimed with a wide grin. A moment later Alice came back with our order. Weirdly enough, she initially placed my salad in front of Sara, and Sara’s soup in front of me. She was normally more attentive than that!

“Oops, sorry,” she apologized before switching the meals.

“That’s ok.” I replied. “Is everything alright?” I asked before I could think better of it. Alice opened her mouth, but glanced at Sara and after a moment of consideration she shut it again.

“Is it about Tom?” Blurted Sara and Alice gasped, indicating that she was probably right. She stared at Sara with her eyes full of surprise and a little bit of fear while I groaned at her tactlessness.

“How do you know about that?” She hissed and glared at me, apparently assuming I told her.

“Sara pointed out how he was acting toward you in the first place.” Alice jerked her head back toward Sara. “If it makes you feel any better, she has known about and been very supportive of David and I,” I added quietly, hoping to put the arachne a bit more at ease knowing that Sara wouldn’t be judgmental. It seemed to work as her wide-eyed shock died down into mild annoyance. She leaned in a little closer.

“Fine, it is. But I have to get back to work.” She scurried off and Sara smirked and took a breath as if to talk.

“I don’t want to hear your speculation...” I interrupted and she closed her mouth again. I just knew that according to David, the date had flopped.

“Oooookaaaaay...” replied Sara with a sigh and she started eating her soup.

A few minutes later, Alice came back up to refill our drinks. Sara looked at her expectantly.

“You’re not going to this go, are you?” I opened my mouth to say that I would if she wanted, but Sara spoke first.

“Not really,” she said quickly and Alice sighed.

“Ok, fine.” She glanced at me. “I imagine that you heard that I went on a date with Tom.

“Yes. David said that it didn’t go very well,” I replied.

“Well ... that’s because I didn’t let it. I just went because I hoped it would get him to stop coming by. It was starting to get kinda weird.”

“Oh, I see...”

“Is he still coming around then?” Asked Sara.

“No ... but I can’t stop thinking about that evening, or ... him.” Her many legs shifted awkwardly under her skirt. “To be honest, he was very sweet, if a little awkward ... and I feel bad about dismissing him so quickly.”

“Maybe you could give him a call,” suggested Sara. Alice shook her head.

“I don’t know. I didn’t save his number anyway, so I guess it doesn’t matter.” She glanced over at another table. It must have needed service because she left.

“You’ve got his number, right?” Asked Sara.

“Yes...”

“I think you should give it to her.”

“I’d rather not be pushy.” Sara rolled her eyes.

“I’m not saying you should be, but I think she should at least have all her options available.” I thought about it for a moment.

“I suppose that’s true,” I relented, ignoring the smug little grin on Sara’s face. We finished our lunches in silence, then wrote down Tom’s number on a napkin. When Alice came with the bill I handed it to her.

“What’s this?” She asked.

“Tom’s number.” Alice opened her mouth to speak, but I held up my hand to cut her off. “If you don’t use it that’s fine, but we thought you should have it in case you change your mind.” She sighed.

“Thanks.” She took it and the bill and left. A minute later, so did we.

After leaving the restaurant, Sara and I said our goodbyes and went our separate ways.

When I got to the apartment I got the water started for a shower. Since I knew David wasn’t supposed to be home for a few hours I spent some time on my weekly shampoo and blow-dry. Afterwards I couldn’t help chuckling at the big, woolly, cotton ball that was my reflection. The only person to have ever seen me like that was my father when I was very young, and I intended to keep it that way!

While I waited for my fur to settle I decided to give my latest gaming endeavor another try. David had warned me that getting into it was like trying to break down a wall by beating your head against it, but that it was worth it if you could get through. I had yet to break through said wall, but the frustration that the game provided helped keep my mind off of the upcoming outing. After a fruitless hour I was ready to be done, and my fur was laying flat enough that I could get fully dressed.

A little while later David made it home. We exchanged affectionate greetings, but he quickly went to the bathroom to get cleaned up. Before long he was ready to go too and we left. However, even that short interlude allowed the pit in my stomachs to return.

As we got closer that pit kept getting worse.

“Hey, are you ok?” Asked David after we’d been driving for around fifteen minutes in complete silence.

“I will be.” He took my hand in his.