Leroy felt conflicted as he pulled up to Hero Cubs Orphanage. The last time the wolf was here he gave up custody of his only daughter. not that he had much choice at the time. He took a breath got out of his car and walked into the building. The receptionist, an Ibex named Flora looked up and smiled.“Well there’s an old face I haven;t seen in years” ”Hi Flora right?” Leroy asked “That is correct” she nodded. “I was wondering if I could see my daughter? Rose Jamison?” The Ibex frowned “I’m sorry sir she’s not here anymore she got adopted last month” Flora explained. Leroy’s heart sank a little. He had hoped to talk to her and maybe offer some hope of coming home if he got a job and a place to stay and kept it. “Would it be ok if I ask who adopted her?” Leroy asked. “A male mouse and his husband who…I dare say looks a bit like you… only he has hyena spots” she said examining him. Leroy couldn’t tell if the receptionist was being prejudice or telling a crazy tail. He gave a curious look that Flora took notice of and brought up a picture on her phone and handed it to him. Leroy dropped his jaw and gasped. “Oh my gods Can it be?” “What is it?” She asked. “I need an address” Leroy said handing the phone back ”I’m not going to create trouble, I just want to know if a long lost family member of mine is still alive” Flora nodded and wrote down the address on a piece of paper and handed it to him. He looked at it and knew the neighborhood. “What are there names?” Leroy asked. “The mouse goes by Fern and the wolves name is James Junior” Flora explained. Leroy nodded hurried out to his car and drove off to the address. As Leroy drove he remembered the last time he saw his little sister Jennifer alive and how he left her. He thought of the day he returned to offer her a home but was no where to be found. Leroy assumed she either got picked by someone up or died. Leroy rounded the corner and arrived at the address. He put his truck in park and was suddenly anxious. He noticed a car gone and wondered if James was home or worse of all What if Rose was there? Leroy however needed to know.He got out and made his way up to the porch. He took a deep breath a nd rang the doorbell. A moment later the door opened and there stood James. Leroy nearly gasped at how similar he looked to his lost sister, minus the spots. He swallowed before speaking. “Hi. Uh excuse me for troubling you but are you James Nickolai Junior?” “I am.” He said his voice very guarded. “Who are you?” “I’m…I’m Leroy Jameson.” He offered a paw. “I’m uh…this is awkward…I’m Rose’s Father her biological father…” James’s eyes narrowed. “Are you here to seek custody? Or see her because I…” “No no it’s not that…”Leroy said cutting him off. “It’s not. I’m sorry she’s yours now I’m not here for a custody coupe or anything with her. I came because I…I needed to know something.” “And What’s that?” James asked. Keeping his gazed fixed on Leroy. “Is um…Are you by chance related to a female wolf named Jennifer Quincey?” James expression changed to one of utter disbelief. No one outside of trusted friends or family knew his mother’s Original name let alone Original last name. “How do you know my mother’s original name?” James asked in shock. “She’s Alive?!” Leroy Gasped “Yeah but how did you know?” James asked. “I’m Her long lost brother Leroy, your uncle!” JJ looked shocked. “Your my lost uncle mom told me about!” JJ gasped. The one who abandoned him” “Him?” Leroy looked at him confused at the pronouns. James noticed his confusion. “You might wanna come inside.” James said beaconing him in. “Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?” “Coffee would be nice Black please lots of sugar” Leroy nodded and followed him inside.“Rose here?” “No, She’s at my in-laws with my husband.” James replied. “Ah I see.” He nodded. Leroy followed James into the kitchen and watched as he got two cup out and started the coffee maker. AS it poured James turned and faced Leroy arms folded. “Before, I answer your questions there some I want answered first. And please call me JJ.” “Fair enough JJ” Leroy nodded. “Let’s start at the beginning what year and day did you leave mom on the street?” Leroy sighed ”April 8th 2005…” “Correct. Why did you leave her?” JJ asked Leroy looked at JJ grimly then saw the pot was nearly ready. “Pour me a cup? I need a hot drink for this” he explained. JJ nodded and poured them each a cup and started on another pot. Leroy took a big sip and gasped holding the cup. “What I’m about to tell you is…not very pretty nephew…I want your word what I say stays between us. No one Not even your mother can know.” JJ nodded after taking a sip himself “I’m listening.” “Are you familiar with the double mass Genocide of 05?” Leroy asked. “Who isn’t that’s two of the great unsolved cases of this city.” JJ replied. “What if I were to tell you both cases were connected and the wolf family were in fact your grandparents?” Leroy explained. “Wait what?” JJ’s jaw dropped. “I went out that day to the store on my bike to get some milk for mom and dad. I came back hearing an unfamiliar voice say “We’ll spare the little one because she is not yet influenced, and find the older one eventually” I hid till they left and went inside to find your grandparents murdered.” “Lion Christ Leroy!” JJ gasped “but how…?” “I’m getting there” he said. “I took Jennifer after they left and ran. We spent our first night on the street and I performed favors to help us survive. I did tell her eventually of mom and dads murder and she cried. I cried too. Later I got the names and where abouts of the murderer’s…” He paused and took a big gulp of warm coffee. “I left Jennifer and found a friend of a client of mine and with his help… We did what needed to be done… we killed them all.” “Shit!” JJ said in utter shock. “That’s not all…after that after I did that my client A badger named Greg took me in and gave me his last name. I went back to find Jennifer to bring her along. But when I did she was gone. I assumed she either was found by someone or worse…she died” “This is a lot uncle Leroy” JJ said trying to wrap his head around it. “I know” but you and Jennifer need to know the truth. JJ looked at him curiously something was a miss here. “What did you mean when they said “Mom wasn’t influenced?” “Um…Think you could answer my earlier question first?” Leroy asked looking uncomfortable yet curious. “Oh? Yeah sure. You see mom is Transgender, He had the surgery years ago but kept his lady parts a while to have my brother and sister and me.” Leroy’s Jaw hit the floor. That explained why he never found her. She had a gender change and he has a niece and nephew. “What are my niece and nephew like? Are they wolves or?” He asked. “Oh no they’re Hyena’s like dad” I’m the sole lone wolf sibling of the family. “Oh cool” Leroy looked relieved.“Well you see the guys that killed our mom and dad they knew of our family’s…inbreeding…always been brother and sister 12 generations and that causes abnormalities including a condition called GFD or genetic feral disorder. It’s normally passed though generations of inbreeding in the same family genus but since you and your siblings have hyena DNA you don’t carry it” “Oh my gods” JJ said looking at him in disbelief “well we do fool around in the family but could…Could my sister pass it to her if I got her pregnant?” “Nope” Leroy shook his head ”you haven’t have you?” “No just asking…what about Rose does she have it?” Leroy shook his head “I don’t think so her mother wasn’t my sister so she’s in the clear.” “Good to know…but what what does GFD cause?” JJ asked. Leroy took a breath. “Well in short it makes one who has it go completely feral temporary. It’s more of a trigger and when it gets pulled…only way to snap it out is with mental training or splash water on them. Snap em out of it.” JJ looked stunned as he tried to think of a time when mom went feral but could never recall. “He’s never gone feral though as far as I recall.” Leroy nodded understandingly. “It’ll happen or it won’t.”Leroy said dismissively and pulled the paper out of his pocket ”mind If I ask for an address for her…er I mean him?” “Just a moment” JJ went into the room and found a pen he also shot a text to dad to call him in in five minuets. He returned to the kitchen and wrote down his parents home address. He also included his cell phone number then handed it back to him. Leroy took the paper back and smiled. “Thank you JJ for believing me” Leroy said “Your welcome.” JJ said but didn’t smile yet “Listen, I’ll keep what happened a secret. But you should know, Mom may not be as welcoming as I was to you. He’s almost sure your dead or never cared to return so don’t expect a warm welcome.” “I have no illusions about that.” Leroy nodded. “I just need a chance to see him again” JJ nodded and smiled finally and lead him to the door. Leroy followed being Lead out. “Call me after” JJ said opening the door. “I will nephew” Leroy nodded heading out. Once he closed the Door JJ heard his phone ring, he went over and saw it was dad and answered.“Hey dad.” “Hey son what’s up?” Jim asked. “Is mom around?” He asked. “Uh no, he just left to get some chicken for tonight why?” he asked. “I just had an afternoon coffee with his long lost older brother. Leroy.” He explained. “JJ that’s a sore topic” Jim said “It’s no joke dad he was just here for real.” JJ explained “I found out mom was right Rose is related to him. Her biological father and he knew the date and everything” There was a pause on the other end. “He explain why he abandoned him?” Jim asked. “He did.” JJ said “It’s not a pleasant story. His side of it.” JJ sounded a little disturbed so Jim didn’t press. “Is he coming over here?” Jim asked “Yeah, he’ not interested in having rose back, he wants to see mom again and I gave him the address for home he should be there soon” JJ replied. “Very well son.” Jim nodded “I’ll go get the fire extinguisher ready.” “Alright dad. Love you and happy hunting” JJ said. “Thanks son” Jim said. “Love you too” Jim hung up and sighed. So much for a quiet evening. Hennery was over at Marie’s and Julia was spending the night at a friends place. The hyena was hoping to have a quiet evening but instead might have to put out a fire. He waited by the stairs till he heard the doorbell ring. He went over and opened the door Leroy looked almost exactly like his husband but much older and did not have the white ear tips. “You Leroy?” Jim asked. “Y-yeas I am,” He said having been caught off guard. “How did you know I was coming?” “My son JJ called” Jim said plainly. Leroy nodded looking and feeling very awkward. “Is um Jennifer here?” He asked very timidly. “Not at the moment no he’s at the store.”Jim explained calmly ”and his name is Michael now.” “Oh…um…yes your son did mention the sex change…” Leroy said. “Mind if I come in?” Jim nodded and opened the door wider inviting him in. Leroy stepped inside and was amazed at how nice the house was. Jim lead him into the living room. Leroy followed closely and his eyes went imediatly to the family photo hanging over the mantel. “Oh my gods” Leroy said looking astonished. He saw his other niece and nephew and jim. But Jennifer, now Michael looked quite not what he expected. “Quite a bunch huh?” Jim asked “Huh oh yes indeed” Leroy nodded looking back at Jim “I’m sorry this is a lot to take in and it;s been nearly 40 years” “Believe me I under stand I had a reunion with my mom after close to the same amount of time” Jim explained. “How well did that go?” Leroy asked nervously “Not so bad really” Jim shrugged. “Cliff notes; Asshole dad died, mom left me alone for my sanity and I found out I have a younger brother” “Oh Wow” Leroy Blinked “my reasons are a bit of a downer really I rather not go into not till Jen…er Michael comes back” Before Jim could reply both ears perked as they heard the garage door open and a truck pulling in. “Well you won’t have to wait long, but You should wait in here a moment” Jim said. Leroy nodded and Jim hurried to the kitchen entrance And opened the door. Michael was carrying a few bags in his paws and smiled seeing Jim open the door for him. “Thanks babe” Michael said in relief “Traffics better then the store today” “Ugh I bet” Jim nodded. Michael came in and set the grocery bags on the kitchen counter “So who’s parked out front in that old pick up?” Michael asked. “Oh that. Well you actually have a visitor kind of an odd surprise really” Jim explained “Really? Who is it” Michael asked curious now. “Close your eyes and follow me.” Jim asked. Michael did as he was told and felt jim take his paw. He lead him to the living room where Leroy was standing excited but nervous. He saw Michael and could not believe his own eyes. He in haled and smiled wide. “Alright Michael open up now” Jim said. Michael opened his eyes and saw Leroy and his eyes got wide. “Hi baby sister.” Leroy said softly “Long time no see” “Le-Leroy?” Michael gasped in shock and a bit of horror. The shock of seeing his older brother made Michael think back to being a frightened little girl on the streets and the last time he saw him and promised to return but never did. Memories Michael fought for years to kept from surfacing too much. Leroy was not aware of this as he stepped forward expecting a hug, When he got close Michael stopped him with a stiff hand that turned into a single finger pointing at him. Leroy backed up looking at the finger and looking at him. “You.” Michael growled “You left me..4 year old girl alone on the street for 2 whole months…” “I didn…”Leroy started “I DON’T WANT TO HEAR YOU DIDN’T MEAN OR WANT TO YOU SON OF A BITCH!” Michael snarled cutting him off. His hackles were raised and his teeth bared. In truth he looked like he was about to lay him out. Leroy backed up in shock with his arm up “Please let me explain I had I had a reason” “I DON’T WANT TO FUCKING HEAR IT!” Michael roared. “Please…Jenifer” Leroy pleaded on his knees “I’m sorry!” “Your sorry huh?” Michael got up to his face his finger at his muzzle his hackles raised “You abandoned me and you abandoned you own Daughter…I KNEW ROSE WAS YOURS DON;T INTURUPT….and you have the audacity to show up nearly 40 years later and expect me to welcome you with open arms!?” Leroy tried to remain calm but he saw Michael’s face was so full of rage and couldn’t bring himself to speak. The older wolf had a few tears in his eyes he knew this was a battle he wouldn’t win. Michael noticed the tears in Leroy’s eyes and just growled softy.”Get Out Of My House and Don’t Come Back” Michael backed away and went into the kitchen. Leroy was pale as a sheet. He knew Michael would be pissed but that was closest to a blood bath that Leroy had been in decades, he turned and left slowly tears in his eyes and a broken rattled heart. He closed the door behind him and made his way to his truck and made his way back to his sober living home. Leroy barely remembered the drive back. He pulled into his spot and parked. The wolf shuddered and let out a heavy sob. He found his long lost sibling but was not welcome in his life, As the rain started pouring he left his truck and went in his apartment and collapsed in his chair he fished in his pocket for his phone. As he pulled it out he saw the paper JJ gave him. He dialed the number. “Hello?” Came JJ’s voice. “Hey it’s Leroy” “Oh hello! How did it go?” He asked. Leroy sighed rubbing his temple. “Terrible. Best I can say is I’m lucky everything is intact including my throat and balls” “Well I did tell you not to expect a warm welcome.” JJ said in an I told you so tone. “I know” Leroy sighed sadly “I’m 51 JJ I don’t have much left in the way of family anymore and I don’t want to grow older alone let alone die alone” “Your not alone.” JJ said. “Listen I’ll work on mom and maybe find a way to bring him around willingly. In the mean time you at least got my support. I can also talk to /my husband and maybe see if Rose can consider you an uncle” Leroy paused at the support but wasn’t sure about Rose. “Let’s let Rose decide that. I don’t want to impose on her and I’m sure you don’t either” Leroy said diplomatically. “Vary true.” JJ said. “Well I better let you go for now Fern and rose just pulled up, I’ll call you again tonight ok uncle?” “Okay” Leroy smiled a little “And thanks JJ” He hung up and set his phone aside. Just like his recovery, Leroy know this will be a steep mountain to climb. __________________________________________________________________________
Leroy's Back-ish in the picture. Michael wants nothing to do with him after having been abandoned all those years ago. however JJ now knows more then he should and is willing to give him a chance.
