Atypical Family: Some Assemble Required
Part One
Dawn light refracted through frost covered windowpanes spilling dazing light across a tidy small room while the aging radiator below creaked out in protest as it fought off the autumn chill of an early October morning. Modest yet well kept school uniforms rested upon an elderly dresser amongst sparse personal effects and toys next to the door waiting to be donned once their owners rose from their slumber. Standing guard at the foot of the bunk bed and closest to the heater two sets of worn sneakers and socks were warming in preparation for chilly toes. Heavy wool blankets that offered refuge from the cold were wrapped tightly about the small occupants of the bunk bed and pulled over their eyes protectively blocking out the sunshine.
The sound of padding footsteps briskly approached the door heralding the arrival of the floor’s caretaker. Pushing open the door a middle aged male husky entered and stepped up to the sleeping wards to gently shake them awake. Groaning with displeasure a young calico feline in the bottom bunk crawled reluctantly out from under his covers, slipped on his warm socks and headed off to the communal bath room. Receiving no response from the youth in the top bunk the husky gave another prod to the securely bundled cub and cleared his throat.
A bright green eye peered out through a small aperture of the comforter glaring impudently at the brazen disturber of pleasant dreams. With a tired sigh the husky took a firm hold of the blanket and began to tug away stripping the cub of his covers. Yelping at the sudden chill the arctic-fox/raccoon mix spilled out of his comforter and shot his oppressor a wounded look. Telling the boy to wash up and get dressed the care taker turned and left the room taking the blanket with him so the cub could not retreat back into his bed.
Growling under his breath about the general unfairness of the world and one canine in particular the young cub grabbed his uniform and made his way to the bathroom. After a brief shower the foxcoon brushed out his white fur and black ringed tail then pulled on his blue jean pants, white undershirt, and maroon vest. Turning the water on at an empty sink the cub then diligently brushed his teeth before smoothing the fur of his black face mask and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. Finishing up the kit ran his fingers through his bangs trying in vain to keep them from falling into his eyes.
Once the foxcoon finished grooming he returned to his room to make up his bed before heading down to the dinning room for breakfast. Noticing his blanket was still in the possession of the caretaker, the cub did his best making his bed with sheets alone which earned him a chuckle from his room mate. Vowing to get back at the husky the boy tied on his sneakers, gave the picture of his mother a quick kiss and followed the calico out into the hall and down the stairs to the first floor.
Entering the crowded and noisy cafeteria the foxcoon maneuvered his way into the waiting line and snatched a plastic tray off the cart. Sniffing hopefully for hot sausages and crispy bacon as he approached the service window, the young cub’s pointed ears drooped when the delectable meats were not available. Reluctantly taking a hot bowl of oatmeal from the sympathetic looking vixen server the youth then poured him self a glass of orange juice before jockeying for a place to sit. Finding an empty seat off to the side the boy quickly dug in quietly consuming his breakfast.
As the cubs ate Mrs. McCarter the squirrel headmistress was reading off the daily announcements and made a note that there would be a few visitors on the grounds through out the day. Eager ears perked up at the prospect of adoption as the elderly squirrel implored good behavior from them all to make a good impression. Taking the news impassively the foxcoon continued eating well aware that mixed species had a hard time getting adopted. Licking clean his spoon for the last morsel of tasteless oatmeal, the cub then proceeded to police his tray up onto the rolling receiving line before exiting the cafeteria.
Pulling his generously donated coat out of his cubby hole in the main hall the foxcoon donned his winter gear and headed outside into the courtyard. Steam escaped the cub mussel as he breathed in the cool air and his fur rippled as a shiver worked up his spine. In the yard other cubs ran freely about the makeshift playground under the attentive eyes of a pair of social workers enjoying the last few minutes of free time before classes began. Finding an empty bench that was basking invitingly in the morning light, the young cub sat down in the warming beam and closed his eyes for a brief reprieve before he had to head back inside.
Bathing in the radiant light the foxcoon soon began to drift into a light dozing, trying to catch up on the precious few moments of blissful slumber he had been denied by his caretaker. The shouts from the playground and chirps of song birds prevented a complete loss of consciousness yet the cub was able to relax peacefully and rest his tired eyes. The crunch of gravel underfoot soon joined the chorus of sounds in the yard and a shadow fell over the lazy kit. His access to the warming sun cut off prompted the cub to open his eyes and looked up at an adult he did not know.
“Morning kid, mind if I join you?” A sandy colored ferret with a brown face mask and long whiskers asked with a smile as the foxcoon sat up a bit unnerved by this stranger’s arrival. Looking over the ferret who was dressed in an army field jacket with the name Hendrick sewn on it, faded blue jeans with four fat golden buttons running up the outside seam of his pant legs, and dusty boots the cub took a second before he nodded meekly. As he walked to the other side of the bench the cub noticed the ferret kept most of his weight on his right leg, and had a little trouble sitting down.
“My names Andy, nice to meet you,” The visitor said as he held out his hand to the foxcoon.
“Collin, Collin Conway.” The cub stated timidly as he took the offered hand gingerly and received a warm firm handshake.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Collin.” Andy replied maintaining an encouraging smile. “You mind if I ask you a few questions about yourself?”
“I guess so,” Collin answered as he looked over at the one of the social workers who was watching at a distance and gave him thumbs ups. “Are you looking for a kid to adopt?”
“That’s my plan,” Andy said as he leaned back against the bench, “It my first time trying this so I suppose I’ll ask some questions about you and then you can ask some questions about me and we can trade info, how’s that sound?”
“O.k. should I go first?” Collin asked not used to this kind of attention himself as he normally didn’t get many visitors.
“Sure, think of a good one.” The ferret grinned back letting the kid begin the conversation.
“Ah, o.k. are you in the army?” The foxcoon asked pointing to Andy’s field jacket not really sure were to start.
“Nope, just in the reserves. I only train one weekend a month and two weeks during the summer. I’m part of a transport unit that drives semi trucks that moves freight about the country.” Andy replied showing off this unit patch proudly. “My turn now, so how old are you?”
“I’m five, but my birthday is February 1st so I’m over halfway to six,” Collin answered then turned the question onto his guest, “How old are you?”
“Twenty four years old, and my birthday is August 1st,” Andy said then thought up his next question, “How long have you lived here at this home?”
Collin looked a bit uncomfortable for a moment and gazed at his feet. “Forever, I came here after I was born. My mom died when I was born.” Collin said quietly and didn’t look up.
“Sorry kid, I know what its like to lose a parent. My dad died when I was just a kid too.” Andy stated a bit morose, sorry that he had brought up a bad memory for the kit.
“Its o.k. I got a lot of people looking after me here.” The cub stated then looked Andy in the eye. “How’d your dad die?”
The ferret took a moment to respond as he recalled the devastating event. “He died in his sleep, had an attack of sleep apnea. I was only fourteen when it happened.”
“Sorry,” Collin said as he took in the tale, “At least you got to know him right?”
“That I did but I still miss him, I guess that will never go away.” Andy stated sadly. Collin could relate even though he didn’t know his mother he still missed her deeply.
“How about you, you know anything about your mom?” The ferret asked curiously.
“A little, she was a nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She helped a lot of people before she died.” Collin said proudly then thought up his next question, “How come you walk funny? Did you hurt your leg?”
“You noticed that huh,” The ferret stated happy the conversation was turning away from darker memories. At least this one memory had a better outcome. “I hurt my leg a couple years ago, back when I was fighting in Iraq. But I’m all fixed up now, got a new replacement that’s why I walk kind of funny.”
“Replacement?” Collin asked confused looking at the ferret’s left leg. “You got a new leg?”
“Sure did, want to see it?” Andy asked as he decided to test the kid out to see if he’d freak out at the sight.
Nodding his head in agreement Collin waited as the ferret reached down and began to unbutton his left pant leg. Pulling open the seam where his ankle should have been a steel rod shined in the sunlight instead. Above the rod were the calf muscle should be a polymer shell ran up to two inches below the original knee of the ferret and a set of straps wrapped around above the joint. Andy watched the foxcoon’s expressions hoping he hadn’t unsettled the kit.
Collin’s eyes went wide as he took in the mechanical appendage that had taken the place of the amputated leg. Reaching out a hand unconsciously the cub almost touched the prosthetic out of sheer curiosity but stopped short as his manners kicked in. Looking up at the ferret the kit gained a nod of approval and he carefully touched the cold metal.
“Did it hurt?” Collin asked coming out of his shock.
“I don’t remember what it felt like when it happened, but it did hurt when I woke up.” Andy replied honestly surprised that the kit wasn’t scared off by the sight. “It took me two years to get used to the prosthetic but I’m good enough with it to perform my duties so I was able to stay in the reserves.”
“Does that mean they could send you back over there again?” Collin looked a bit disturbed at the idea. “Will you have to fight again?”
“Not likely, my MOS isn’t in demand any more.” The ferret shook his head in the negative, “They gave my job over to civilian contractors so they don’t need me over there anymore.”
“What’s MOS mean?” Collin asked completely confused by the military jargon.
“Military Occupation Specialties.” Andy informed the kit, “It’s my job title. I’m an 88-Mike, motor transport operator.”
Collin looked more confused by the minute and the ferret relented. “I drive trucks that what it means.”
The foxcoon nodded at that then sat back holding his hands in his lap waiting patently, “Your turn to ask a question.”
“Right, lets see, what kind of classes do they teach here?” Andy returned to the quid pro quo.
“We’re learning how to spell and count.” Collin informed the ferret, “I can get to twenty and spell my own name.”
“Nice, that always good to know.” Andy grinned then waited for Collin’s question, “Your turn.”
“Are you married?” The kit asked probing for more information on the ferret.
“No, I have a partner but not a wife.” The ferret replied, “Your not holding out for a new mom are you?”
“I don’t know, you’re the first person to actually talk to me like this.” Collin answered with a shrug, “It would just be nice for someone to want to adopt me.”
“Well I’m already checked out on the paper work so all I have to do is pick someone out.” Andy informed the kit, “You’re pretty interesting, I can’t see why anyone won’t want to consider you.”
“You mean that?” Collin looked up at the ferret with doubt in his eyes, “You’re not just saying that to be nice?”
“I mean it; I’d like to get to know you better.” Andy reassured the kit. With that the school bell rang signaling classes were beginning and the other school kids were heading for the door.
“Looks like we ran out of time,” The ferret said to Collin as one of the social workers made their way over to see that the foxcoon made it to class. “I can see if Mrs. McCarter will set up another meeting, just the two of us later on in the week if your up for it. I can take you out to a Brewer’s game if you like baseball.”
“That be nice,” Collin nodded at the idea glad the ferret want to see him again, “You promise you’ll come back then?”
“I promise, and I always keep my word.” Andy nodded. After saying their final goodbyes Andy waved as the Collin turned towards the door and headed off onto his class. After the kit was inside the ferret smiled to himself and made his way to the headmistress office to set up his next appointment. It had all went quite well indeed.