Golden leaves gently floated upon an unseasonable warm southern breeze from sparsely covered trees to splash down amongst their fallen brethren to collect in brightly colored piles along the road side. Behind white picket fences bare corn fields doted with lines of large rolled bales of hay black and white heifers picked through the truncated corn stalks munching on the bites left behind by the thresher. Every other odd field boosted vines of pumpkins under scrupulous inspection as children of all ages and even a few adults young at heart picked out the best gourds for decorations. Passing by the autumn festivities leaving a wave of scattered leaves in its wake a silver jeep headed north left the country side behind and approached the nearby town.
Pressed up against the rear passenger window Collin took in the sights of the country side for his first time out of the city gazing wide eyed at his new surroundings. Sitting beside him were a battered suitcase and a well worn cardboard box that held all of the young foxcoon’s possessions in the world traveling with the cub to his new home. Dressed in his Sunday finest Collin fidgeted in his seat pulling on the tight collar of his button up shirt wishing for his causal and more comfortable cloths. Noticing the pickers of pumpkins the small kit looked up at his new father in the driver’s seat seeking his attention.
“Can we get a pumpkin?” The cub asked swinging his legs playfully as he looked up at the ferret behind the wheel.
“Not right now kido,” The sandy colored ferret said glancing back through the rearview mirror at his charge, “We’ll take you tomorrow after you’ve settled in.”
“But all the good ones will be taken by then.” The white kit complained as he continued to fight with his collar unable to stand the pinch to his neck.
“Don’t worry we have a super secret farm we always go to that has the best pumpkins each year.” A tan hare said turning in the front passenger seat smiling down at Collin and reached back to adjust his collar, “Besides we don’t want to spoil you good cloths do we?”
“I guess not.” The cub pouted but remained still as the hare loosened up his top button, “How much longer till we get there?”
“Just a couple of minutes,” Andrew said smirking a little as he caught Trent’s practiced look of parental suffering as he finished with Collin’s collar, “Can you count all the cars you see and tell me the number once we reach home?”
“I suppose.” Collin said as he brushed his long bangs form his black face mask and returned to his vigil now keeping track of each car that passed by, “One, two, three…”
Shaking his head at the some what cliché situation he now found himself in Trent glanced at his partner with a quiet sigh and rueful smile. Beaming with a wide grin Andrew chuckled at Collin’s verbal antics seeming at complete ease with the world and his new found place in it. Slowing down for the lights at the intersection the ferret turn off the main highway and cruised into town. Pulling into the drive Andrew parked and shut off the jeep before turning to Collin and pointing out his new home.
“We’re here,” The ferret declared undoing the safety belt of the cub’s booster seat, “Welcome to your new home.”
“Oh wow,” Collin said breathlessly as he took in the two story town house on the corner, “It’s really big.”
Taking Trent’s offered hand as the hare help him out of the jeep the little kit held on tight now that he found himself in unfamiliar territory. Leading the cub around the walk beside the house Trent pointed out a play set behind the garage with swings and a slide as well as were the property ended marked by a telephone pole. Following behind Andrew carried Collin’s suitcase and box waiting as the hare opened the door of the garage. Walking inside Collin stopped and stared up at Trent looking confused as he saw two doors leading into the house.
“How come there are two doors?” The kit asked not sure which one to take.
“The house is a duplex,” Andrew said as he rested the box on his knee while Trent fished out his keys and unlocked the left door, “It got split down the middle before I bought it. The neighbor’s live on that side of the house and use that door.”
Collin nodded and held open the door for his dad as he stepped inside after Trent and up a short set of steps. Inside a another door opened into a large kitchen with a wrap around counter, side-by-side refrigerator freezer, stove and range, and a long picnic style table with bench seats. Slipping off his sneakers on the other side of the kitchen Trent then hung up his jacket and Collin’s as the cub struggled to untie his shoes without causing a knot. Hopping around for a bit the small kit finally kicked off his foot ware and stepped into the living room to make way for Andrew to hang up his coat.
Glancing around the living room that stretched all the way to the front of the house Collin held his paws behind him suddenly nervous as he took in the somewhat cluttered space. Along the left wall windows with satin curtains illuminated the room while black and white photos of historical significant moments hung between them. Along the right wall just after a walk in closet an antique chest sat with an old time crank up phone on top of it next to a stand up piano. Halfway down a long sectioned couch divided the room in half with two large bookshelves flanking ether side of a hanging wide screen TV.
Just behind the couch and around the corner the stairs to the second floor where tucked away as Collin peaked up hesitating before given the nod to proceed. Holding the rail the kit clamored to the top landing that opened into a long room that was oddly divided by a bench press with a set of weights on one side and a computer desk on the other. Between them sat a three drawer file cabinet with a wire cage on top housing a fat dozing grey rat. Three doors lead out of the room the closest one across from the stairs being the bathroom and the other two leading to the bedrooms.
Opening the bedroom door towards the back of the house Trent led Collin into his new room stepping back to let the kit explore a bit. An old fashion wooden twin bed with a fluffy comforter sat in the right hand corner with a large wardrobe next to the door. On the left side a small book shelf filled with childhood classics including the Rats of Nimh, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Through the Looking Glass, sat next to a small closet. On the far side of the room a night stand sat by the bed next to a door that led outside to a patio porch overlooking the back yard.
Opening the door Collin stepped outside and peered over the balcony rail gazing on the neighborhood taking a deep breath and sniffing to sample the air. Entering the bedroom Andrew placed the cub’s suitcase on the bed and his box on top of the dresser before joining his son outside. Ruffling the kit’s hair the ferret smiled down at the entranced cub.
“Nice view huh?” Andrew stated as he leaned against the rail, “Saved the best room for you, what’d think?”
“You can see everything from here.” Collin stated as he stood on his tippy toes and pointed to a playground at the end of the block, “Can we go to that park? It’s not that far away.”
“We’ll go there soon enough, but first we probably should get you unpacked and set up your room how you want it.” Trent said as he joined the pair on the porch, “I’ll start dinner while you two are at it. As it’s a special occasion I bought pork chops so work up an appetite.”
“You got apple sauce too right?” Andrew perked up as he turned to follow Trent back inside, “You can’t have chops with out the sauce.”
“Yes I got apple sauce.” Trent sighed as he headed down the stairs, “I remembered.”
As Collin turned around to return to his room he noticed the door on the other side of the balcony leading into the neighbor’s apartment. Peeking through the hanging blinds of the door a pair of brown eyes peered out at the foxcoon before darting away once they where noticed. Creeping close to the closed door Collin tried to peek inside to see who was watching him and out of curiosity raised a paw to knock on the door.
“Collin don’t dawdle.” Andrew called out before the cub’s paw fell, “If you don’t hurry up I’ll pick out were all your stuff goes.”
Scampering back into his own room Collin closed the door behind him and began to sort out his cloths and belongings placing them in their proper place. Pants in the bottom drawer, shirts in the middle and socks and underwear in the top the kit filled his dresser before turning to his box. Placing his glove and ball on top of the dresser Collin then neatly placed his small collection a toys in the closet before setting his picture of his mother on his night stand. Then entering the bathroom the young cub picked out a spot for his tooth brush and washed up for dinner.
Coming down the stairs after cleaning up Collin helped his dad set out the plates and silverware as Trent finished up cooking. The succulent aroma curled off the chops as they where placed on the table beside a bowl of mashed potatoes as the kit sat down with watering lips eagerly picking up his knife and fork. Popping the top off the jar of apple sauce with a triumphant ‘woot’ Andrew sat down across from Collin as Trent served up the plates. Once everyone was set the trio dug in making pleasant small talk as they ate.
“Tomorrow we’ll head over to the mall to pick up some new cloths and your school supplies.” Trent informed the cub as they ate, “Once we’re done we’ll stop by the market and pick out some pumpkins for you to carve.”
“And then go to the park?” Collin asked having a little trouble slicing up his pork chop and forgoing his fork holding it in his paws nibbling diligently.
“Well it might be a little late after we get done shopping,” Andrew said as he replaced Collin’s chop with a napkin and began cutting it up into bite sized pieces, “But we can make Jack-o-lanterns tomorrow night.”
“When can we go to the park?” Collin asked spearing a bite with his fork and popping it into his maw and chewing.
“Sunday afternoon, I promise,” Andrew said as he dipped his chop in apple sauce as he licked his lips, “We’ll play a game of ball and even have a picnic.”
“Can we have hot dogs like we had at the baseball game?” Collin ears perked up hopefully as he remembered the treats, “And nachos?”
“I can bring some hot dogs but nachos don’t work to good for picnics,” Trent said not wanting to get the cub accustomed to a bunch of junk food right off the bat, “I can make a nice fruit salad though.”
“But not with marshmallows,” Collin stated as he scrunched up his nose in disapproval, “It’ll taste yucky that way.”
“I concur,” Andrew said nodding sagely and playing along winking at Collin, “They get all melted and gooey don’t they, just a horrible mess.”
Collin giggled as Trent gave his mate a vexed look as the ferret smiled back pleasantly. Once everyone had finished each having a second helping to finish off the chops Andrew started to do the dishes while Trent picked out a movie before bed time. Sitting Collin up on the counter beside him as he worked the ferret let the kit dry off the plates and cups before placing them away in the cupboards. As they worked Trent made up a bowl of popcorn and the trio retired to the living room to watch the movie “Despicable Me”.
Munching on popcorn and giggling at the antics on the screen Collin snuggled between Trent and Andrew resting his head on his dad’s shoulder. As the movie came to a close Collin opened his muzzle wide and yawned as he rubbed his eyes sleepily. Nuzzling against his dad as he was wrapped up snugly in warm arms the kit began to doze off struggling to keep his eyes open.
“You tired?” Andrew asked softly as he rubbed Collin’s back, “Droopy eyes.”
“A little,” Collin murmured as he looked up at his dad with blearily eyes.
“Time for bed then,” Trent said as he ruffled the kit’s hair, “I’ll go draw his bath.”
“Will you carry me?” The cub asked holding on to his papa tightly as Trent moved up stairs to run the bath.
“I guess so. Hold on tight.” Andrew said as Collin wrapped his arms round his neck.
Pushing off the couch with his right hand the ferret kept the majority of his weight on his right leg catching his balance before heading for the stairs. Holding the sleepy cub up by his rump Andrew held Collin tightly as he gingerly made his way around the couch. Taking the steps slowly the ferret winced a bit as he shifted his weight to his left leg hissing softly unaccustomed to the added weight he was carrying. Looking up as his dad’s face scrunched up Collin looked concerned and squirmed a bit.
“Does it hurt?” The kit asked ears down afraid he had hurt his daddy, “I’m sorry, I can walk.”
“Its o.k. it’s not that bad,” Andrew whispered as he reached the top setting Collin down on his feet then rubbed under his left knee, “It just slipped out of line a bit, I’m o.k.”
Ushering the kit into the bathroom the ferret sat on the toilet seat as he helped Collin undress and step into the warm water. Sinking into the tub the cub cooed and relaxed as his dad worked soap into his fur. Covering his eyes with a washcloth as the ferret poured water over his head and shampooed his hair Collin wiggled a bit as some of water trickled into his ears. Once his bath was finished Andrew held out a large fluffy towel that he wrapped around the kit after he climbed out of the tub and proceeded to rub out his damp fur.
Taking up a grooming brush Andrew combed out Collin’s fur and hair before helping him into his night shirt. Brushing his teeth and taking a final sip of water Collin then followed his dad into his room and crawled into his bed. Tucking the kit in securely Andrew sat on the bed and stroked his son’s cheek as he settled down.
“Night kido,” Andrew said as knelt down to kiss his son’s forehead, “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Don’t go,” Collin whispered reaching out a hand to take a hold of his dad’s paw, “I don’t want to be alone.”
“But I got to get ready for bed too,” Andrew said softly as he rubbed behind Collin’s ears, “How about a song or a story to help you sleep?”
“A song please,” The kit whispered and rolled onto his tummy, “And can you rub my back?”
“Sure thing sweetie,” Andrew said as he started to rub the kit’s back, “Now what to sing, what to sing. Ah I know.”
Starting out soft and low Andrew begins to sing,
He spends his nights in California
Watching the stars on the big screen.
Then he lies awake and wonders
Why can’t that be me?
Cause in his life he’s filled with all these good intentions.
He’s left a lot of things he’d rather not mention right now.
But just before he says goodnight,
He looks up with a little smile at me and he says
If I could be like that
I’d give anything
Just to live one day
In those shoes.
If I could be like that, what would I do?
What would I do?
Now and dreams we run.
She spends her days up in the north park,
watching the people as they pass.
And all she wants is just a little piece of this dream, is that too much to ask?
With a safe home, and a warm bed, on a quiet little street.
All she wants is just that something to hold onto, that's all she needs.
Yeah!
If I could be like that, I would give anything
Just to live one day, in those shoes.
If I could be like that, what would I do?
What would I do?
I'm falling into this, in dreams we run away.
If I could be like that, I would give anything
Just to live one day, in those shoes.
If I could be like that, what would I do?
What would I do?
If I could be like that, I would give anything
Just to live one day, in those shoes.
If I could be like that, what would I do?
What would I do?
If I could be like that, I would give anything
Just to live one day, in those shoes.
If I could be like that, what would I do?
What would I do?
Falling in.
I feel I am falling in to this again
Drifting off as the chorus runs it’s finale Collin falls asleep as his father sings too him. Wrapping up Andrew bends down one more time to leave a parting kiss and turns to exit the room. Standing in doorway watching on with a wide smile and happy eyes Trent greets his mate as he wraps him in his arms after the door is closed.
“You make a good dad you know that?” Trent whispers as he nuzzles against Andrew holding him tight.
Returning the embrace Andrew smiles feeling truly at peace for the first time in a long time, “I won’t be able to be one without you. We’re a family now a real family; it’s been a long time since I really had one.”
“Our house is now a home,” Trent nodded planting a kiss and leading Andrew to their bedroom and closing the door behind him, “Lets fill it with love.”
Be like that:
By Three Doors Down
