Inner Struggle-Chapter 16-A Leap of Faith
#23 of Inner Struggle
Warning: this story contains sexual situations between fictional gay anthropomorphic characters.
Chapter 16- A Leap of Faith.
I was forced awake by the immediate emptiness of the other side of the mattress. I tried to reach for Kevin, but my paw dropped and hit the mattress jolting me wide awake. Dammit, I missed his morning trip to work. I was hoping to at least say goodbye to the poor fox. Before another boring day would cross my path it became intercepted by a phone call.
"This is Chase, may I please ask who I am talking to?"
"We have a job interview for a Chase Taylor at lucky aces hardware store"
{I already mentioned my name, is it really necessary for them to repeat it?}
"This is him"
"Can you be ready today by 4:00?"
"Why yes, yes of course"
"Thanks for applying at lucky aces, we hope that you have a sturrrrrdy time?"
{they sound so corny that they must pay well}
"Thank you ma'am I'll be sure to show up later".
I laid the phone down excitedly on the holster. Can't wait until Kevin gets home. I asked Jim a few questions about job interviews, and his advice was rather shaky. He told me to "just be myself". I wondered what he meant by that phrase. To get prepared for the job interview I took a nice 18 minute shower..... alone.
I spent the next several hours just getting myself ready for the interview. For the outfit of choice I chose my tuxedo from the prom. Jim thought my clothes were a bit unnecessary for the job, but I told him I liked to dress my best and he just shrugged it off. When I arrived at the workplace furs left and right were turning their heads. When the boss looked at me she even released a small giggle. It made me nervous because I wasn't quite sure how to interpret that gesture. The lady started off interviewing me with whimsical questions. None of them seemed to be relevant to the job itself. She seemed really humorous for an employer and didn't really appear as the type to own a hardware store. We ended up laughing and having a decent office blast. The boss finally came right out and said "I do have a beautiful young daughter at home" looking to meet a handsome young boy such as yourself. I let out a small chuckle and told her "no thanks ma'am I'm gay". Right after I said that, her expression fluctuated into a stern look. For the rest of the interview she didn't crack a single smile. Thinking about what I said in my over and over in my head kept me wishing I hadn't propped my ratchet-jaw open at that moment. When we finished up the in the blue room she had me wait outside in the lobby.
Later an employee came in and out of her office and told me "you can head on home now, we'll call you if there is a position available". I'm not sure why the boss couldn't just tell me the news personally, but I'm sure everyone has their reasons. Jim kept trying to cheer me up after the interview. After a few hours of trying he realized that the only thing that could make me feel better was taking me to see Kevin. Jim carried me to the car and laid me down carefully in the back seat. When we pulled into the parking lot, Kevin appeared exhausted. "busy day at the cuttery?". Kevin moaned his reply towards us.
When we had finally reached the house Kevin grabbed my paw, pulled me into his room, and sat me down on his bed while he closed the door.
"Chase, this is going to be hard for me to do, but we've gotta move out of my parents house".
"Kevin, why is this necessary? We have everything we've ever wanted".
"No chase, you have everything you've ever wanted!"
Kevin's angry tone oscillated throughout my mind, I wasn't sure if this had something to do with me upsetting him or if he was just stating that he was unhappy.
"I'm sorry Chase, I've just always wanted my own place, and a degree. I enjoy my job very much, but I feel unaccomplished without rites of passage."
"I understand"
Kevin: Thats all I ever wanted.
We walked to the library later and researched the apartments that we considered staying at. We had print-outs for almost every place to stay at that was within the vicinity of his campus. Luckily we had been able to register right before the start of the semester, and since he had to start off with the basic classes there wasn't as much panic as most usually experience.
Since the adults were spending the weekend lounging we borrowed the family car and head north until we finally found the university, then we scouted the apartments near the facility. Though they were cheap apartments most of them were too rundown for our taste. The best complex we found was in a bit of a rundown neighborhood, but we had to stick with it because it was also the closest place we could find near the school. Kevin had filled out all information at the flat and it was ours.
Since school was starting for him on monday he had to work school out with his job. He would now be working on the 2 days during the active week that he wasn't going to college. Things are about to get busy for the wily little fox. Throughout each step of his life I vowed that no matter what I would always support him.
On that day we had already started settling into the apartment, it just cost us a couple of unsuspicious trips back home to grab some clothing accessories and a few things to munch on. There was only one minor dilemma that we soon faced once we were finished moving into the apartment complex.
We still share a ride with our parents. How in the world are we supposed to traverse across the cityscape like this. After a few minutes of clouded pondering Kevin walked towards the window and pointed at the bench.
Chase: There is no got damn way I'm going to take the bus.
Kevin: Its only for a few weeks or so, or until we can walk on our own paws.
After I few minutes of pouting I rationalized the bus faire.
Chase: I guess I could hold out for a few months.
Momentarily, we found each ourselves merrily bound in each other's arms. We enveloped our tongues in a passionate deci-minutal kiss that seemed to ease every single trouble that we had. With every waking minute our bodies edged closer and closer to perfection. When we finally caved in to our lives we were at least relaxed enough to deal with the stress.
First things first, we had to deal with the transportation problem as soon as possible. We conversed about the other problems as we embarked back to Kev's parents house. He only stayed long enough to drop off the family car before we walked to the nearest bus stop. On our way to the apartment complex he stopped by the phone store and picked up a pair of cellphones (a necessity that plagues the planet).
Chase: Thanks for uhh.... everything Kev.
Kevin: Its the least I could do for you filling the void in my life.
Chase: Are you sure you can afford this dear?
Kevin: Yes, and if I ever end up in any kind of a bind then my friends at the parlor are willing to lend a helping paw.
Kevin: After a few weeks of working without having much to buy I've managed to save up a hefty dollar. 200$ a month is a superb starting price for a place to stay.
Chase: 200$ you say? I wonder how many murders have taken place in this region.
Kevin: I won't ask, and I'm sure they wont tell.
Using a printout of his schedule, which he apparently printed at the library (I don't remember seeing him print it), he took me on a wild tour of the campus.
Chase: Ya' know... know that I know your class schedule I have a tighter grasp on your leash.
Kevin: I bet I can go longer without yiff than you can
{I hope that we never have to resort to that bet}
After the oodles of bus trips that we went through it felt great being able to relax in our apartment. It felt even greater knowing that we didn't need to censor ourselves for anyone. We didn't need to dress or even close a door, never before in my life have I felt so liberated. When I collapsed next to Kevin on our unusually uncomfortable spring mattress I knew that the dawning of the rest of our lives was set forth into play. I fell asleep much later than Kevin because of the semi-annoying ray of moonlight that I couldn't seem to vacate my eyesight.
I awoke to sunlight flooding the room along with Kevin sitting on the bed somewhat irritably.
Kevin: Yanno chase, I've never realized how much I depend on our parents until now. I've been using them as my personal alarm clock, chef, and at times even a shepherd. Mind if I borrow your journal for a second?
Chase: not at all.
Buy alarm clock
Pre-pay rent
Buy replacement curtains {yes I saw the patches of light Chase}
Buy a car
Relocate bank account and get information
Tell parents that we've moved out
Chase: Wait a second hun, you mean to say you haven't told your parents about our living arrangements yet? As if the move wasn't spontaneous enough.
Kevin: I left them a note telling them that we were at a "friends house" tonight.
Chase: Ugh! They've gotta be worried sick about us.
Kevin: The only one thats worried sick about us is you Chase, ya' gotta kick back n' relax a little.
{how can Kevin make life-changing decisions so calmly}
Chase: Well, just call your parents right away to let 'em know that were doing fine, OK?
Kevin: yeah yeah, calm down. We've only been gone for like a day, its not like we're being held captive or anything.
Chase: Please Kev, just.....
Kevin: I heard you the first time!
Kevin reached for the old school apartment-line phone impatiently because are cellphone payments hardly covered voice communication.
{funny how things turn out technologically}
Chase: are you okay?
Kevin pushed my paw off his shoulder.
Kevin: yeah, I'm just a little pinned down by stress at the moment.
Chase: I understand perfectly.
Kevin dialed the number on the pad and held the phone up to his ear.
Kevin: Hey dad
Jim: Whose house did you stay at last night?
Kevin: Uhh dad, its not exactly that simple.
Jim: Well could you please explain it? Your mom is worried sick about you.
Kevin: Remember how you've always wanted me to take things into my own paws?
Jim: Yeah
I tried to get in closer to eavesdrop on the conversation, but Kevin brushed me away and covered up the speaker with his paw.
Kevin: Would you back off already?
Chase: Okay okay, sheesh.
Kevin continued onto the conversation with his parents
Kevin: Well, I actually spent all yesterday with Chase trying to get my life set up independently.
Jim: Thats great son, you make me proud to be your father
Kevin: heh yeah, I even moved out on my own with Chase.
Jim: You did what?!? Listen son, I better break the news to mom okay? She'll panic if she finds out what you did.
Jim: Hey Kevin, mind passing the phone to Chase for a moment? Martha has something she has to tell him
Kevin: What on earth would she need to discuss with Chase?
Jim: I don't know, but hold on I'm putting her on the phone.
Martha: Hello?
Kevin: Hi mom
Martha: Kevin, d'you mind putting Chase on the phone?
Kevin: Nope
Kevin then passed the phone over to me impatiently
Martha: Chase some people called our house for you and I highly suggest you call them back, the number is 1-8675-4354-1985
Chase: Who was it?
Martha: I forgot to ask, I've seen that number before but I don't remember what they'd wanted and why they would need to talk to you
Martha: Well tell Kevin I love him Chase.
Chase: Will do.
Chase: Kev dear, your mom says she loves you very much.
Kevin: Give me that!
Hey mum luv ya'.
Hey Chase-y, all I hear is dialtone.
Chase: You shoulda' been quicker!
Kevin: meh, I've talked to her enough in my life. So what exactly do you plan to do with that.
Kevin then pointed at the crumpled up piece of paper lying on the ground.
I picked up the paper and dialed the number as my boyfriend awaited in silence.
This number does seem a bit familiar.