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Like Father

'Miles Fennix' was written on the bottom of the paper, then signed just above it by the wolf himself. His jittery fingers set down the pen, then slid the stack of paper towards the jackal in uniform.

"Here you go, sir!" Miles replied with sudden enthusiasm as he saluted. His voice was peppy, and young but had conviction.

The jackal chuckled, and smiled at him. "Just like your father. You will be a fine soldier." He then glanced up to his father who had been standing behind him, nodded approvingly. "The army will come pick you up, at 0400 sharp."

At first glance he couldn't fully see the resemblance. Miles was a white wolf, while his father, Captain Fennix, was predominantly black with a streak of white from his cheek neck down. However on closer inspection, they had identical red eyes, and muscular builds, though the son had less so.

Dexter laughed heartily, and patted his son's shoulder. "I'm sure he will be." His voice was lighthearted, but his experiences in the military had been far opposite of it. Nonetheless his youthful tone helped build rapport, and encouragement to anyone he met. "Thank you Staff Sergeant Gonzales for your efficiency." He stood firmly, and saluted halfheartedly due to his seniority.

The jackal stood up straight, and stiffly saluted the captain. "Sir, yes, sir!"

"Let's go son." Dexter rested his arm, and tapped Miles' shoulder. "Know any good burger joints here, Gonzales?" He looked at the jackal.

"Sir." Gonzales cleared his throat, then gestured his thumb towards the doorway, pointed left. Miles turned to the door, looking out as well. "Several stores down, there is a 'Ice-Burgs' joint where they have frothy milkshakes, and poutine burgers, sir." He kept his composure while the captain was still in the room.

Dexter's tail wagged at the sound of that. "Good call Gonzales, thank you. At ease." He gave the jackal a quick nod who then loosened up after. "C'mon son, food's on me."

"Yes, sir!" Miles stood up, and offered his hand to the sergeant first. They shook each other's hand, and went towards the open door where his father waited. The new army recruit marched towards the exit, brimming with confidence for his new future.

Outside, Dexter opened his arms, and Miles embraced his father. Happy tears soaked through the father's eyes. "I'm so proud of you son!" He exclaimed, hugging Miles tighter, the younger man able to withstand his powerful embrace. "Becoming a soldier just like me." Dexter spun themselves around in this joyous moment.

Miles chuckled, glad to have taken the first steps to further his father's approval of him. Did it matter that people were staring? Probably not, even some applauded his father's comments. "Thanks dad." He smiled the widest he had so far in his life. "I will make you more proud!"

"That's the spirit!" He set him down, and raised his eye towards the sergeant's direction earlier. "C'mon, let's give you the last fatty meal you'll have for the next two years."

Miles followed, ready to indulge in the extravagance when they got there. "So after two years, is it okay for me to gain a bit of weight?" He asked, which made him think up more questions to follow. Rather he would just ask the base question then. "How different would life be after I graduate from the M.A. (Military Academy)?" The younger wolf looked up to his father who was able to manage over the last 20 years, despite his mother's untimely death.

"Well, it's no different than a regular life." Dexter scruffed the hair on top of Miles' head. "Except the obligation to serve your country will always be there." Which his son nodded at, the patriotism was there but not as expressive. The older wolf added. "When Canada calls on its brave soldiers, you will answer that call no matter what."

"Seems easy." Miles replied, and as his father was about to retort, he then added. "You've done it, which means I could do it too!"

Dexter smiled, with teary eyes. Miles was raised right, he thought. "Definitely. You'll be like me by 2030."

"And that's just two years away." Miles beamed, already excited to graduate. "Does this mean we get to go on missions together, or stationed at the same place?"

That made Dexter think because family presence was a pro and a con. Knowing his son's safety at all times, and being there would definitely boost morale. On the other paw, having him injured or worse might damage it instead. He was a soldier, but he was a mortal. He didn't want to ponder too long, maybe figure it out when he got there. "We'll see on your competencies first, son." He said after a lengthy pause.

"Don't worry, you've taught me over the last eight years. I think I'm ready." Miles immediately followed it up before his father reminded him. "Or at least have an idea."

Dexter did nonetheless. "What I've taught you so far is just the washed down version of things to come, son." He chuckled, patting his back to assure him. "You've already got the foundation, as they say, now you just need to build yourself up from it."

"Oh.." Miles encouraged himself through the analogy. "At least with a bit of furniture, and walls on the first floor right?"

And Dexter answered in kind. "Well, without a roof, and the upper floors, it wouldn't be a complete house now, would it?" He chuckled, and noticed they were only steps away from the restaurant entrance. "What matters son is, you already have the makings of a soldier that the other recruits most likely would not have."

Miles nodded and smiled at that.

Dexter then inspected the place. The restaurant was a mix of American and Canadian cuisine; the interior had a retro diner aesthetic. It had checkered flooring, with a red and white assortment of colors on their tables and chairs. There were low-hanging lamps, posters of the 50s, and neon lighting on the corners where the walls and ceiling met. He then tried to get a good glance of the food. They were Canadian meals, like poutine and bannock, but served in larger portions and had more sauce. There was a decent amount of people inside, with only a few tables available for them. There was a milkshake bar that was mostly empty, though Dexter would prefer to sit face to face with his son. He took a step back to catch the logo above its entrance. 'Ice-Burgs' in neon lettering, and it was a burger on a plate, swimming over a milkshake sea, that was about to collide on a side of fries.

Miles rubbed his chin, as it seemed familiar to him. "Oh, this place." He realized. "I've overheard my highschool classmates talking about this place." The young wolf said to his father, as he pointed at the sign. "They call it IB's, and this is where they hung out during their exams. Just realized the full name because I have eaten here like once or twice."

Dexter looked at the sign first then back to him. "Was it good?" He wondered, looking at the faces of the people inside. They seemed content, and those who were done seemed satisfied.

"Oh, definitely. I just went for the cheap stuff because allowance, and they're kinda pricey if I remember." Miles chuckled. "But it's your treat, riiiiight?" He nudged and leaned to his father with a narrowed stare, ensuring his father would.

"Alright, I will." Dexter laughed, opening the door for his excited son. The old rock music seeped out from the doorway, which felt oddly nostalgic for him even though he never lived during those times, nor in America either. As he stepped in, an assortment of fragrant scents filled his nose. The Canadian cuisine he had been accustomed to was much more intense, which made him ecstatic. A female fox waiter in a befitting retro uniform attended to them.

"Howdy pardner!" She welcomed them with a fake and exaggerated American western accent.. "How many seats do you need in our fine establishment?"

Miles chuckled, and found her performance to be awkward, but he was being polite. "Just the two of us, thanks."

Dexter on the other hand was captivated by the entrance, and already considered returning for the enthusiasm and pleasant smell that made his stomach grumble. "Nice place you got here." He commented as they were directed to their seats close to the kitchen.

"Thank you, cowboy!" She cheered, then passed them their menu. "Now..." She unclipped the pen from her shirt, and pulled a notepad from her plaid blouse. "What would you fellers like to eat?"

Dexter then gestured to his boy since he was getting treated. "Well son, my treat. What would you like to eat?" And both he and the waitress looked at the younger wolf who had been browsing through the front pages of the menu. He could see his excited tail wag, and was curious himself to see the menu prices.

There were double digit items, which made him gulp. "Wow, ma'am. These are all quality items."

"Of course sir!" She turned to him. "We ensure the best for our customers, and nothing less."

Dexter processed her words as he went through the menu. He could easily afford this on his salary, but he didn't expect it to be this expensive based on his son's comments. The older wolf then licked his lips as he perused the choices. Savory pictures of Canadian cuisine in decent photo quality, one of which was meatloaf made with Grade-A beef. Even wagyu burger patties, in a salisbury style meal. All that thinking made his stomach grumble.

"I'll have the Canadian special, with angus beef." Miles said, with a finger raised. Then a second as he found a certain page. "Poutine, extra large..." Then a third finger. "...and a large milkshake."

And those were enticing choices, though Dexter himself preferred a different set. That way they'd get to share, and enjoy the diverse flavors. Plus it would be a good way to teach his son last-minute values, or at least remind them. "I would have the bison beef, please." He glanced at the waitress who was taking down notes. "Then some roasted potatoes, medium cup. Lastly, a regular soda for me."

"Will that be all pardners?" She put down her notepad, then glanced at the father, then son, who both nodded back at her. "Alright then, lemme bring it back to y'all: Canadian special burger, extra large poutine, a large milkshake for the young gentlemen; Bison beer hamburger, roasted potatoes medium, and a regular soda for the sir."

"Yes ma'am, thank you." Dexter nodded in approval. And she went on her way to the kitchen slot to pin their orders, before going back to the front door to await more customers. There were others like her who went around serving food, and doing an exaggerated accent, which added to the fun immersion. He then turned to his son who was on his phone, tapping away to maybe one of his friends. There was a grin on his face, probably telling his friends he was about to become a soldier. Wasn't that what youngsters did nowadays? He recalled his own rite of passage of becoming one. All the training, his old squadmates like Chase, and eventually having met the love of his life. He then looked to Miles wistfully, seeing his wife's joy in him, and seeing him becoming an adult.

"Son?" Dexter got his son's attention, who looked up to him and put his phone down.

"Yeah, dad?" Miles smiled. Then his face narrowed, with a sly smirk as he pointed on his own cheek.

Dexter felt a tear sliding down his, and wiped it with his arm. "Sorry, son. I'm just really proud of you. And I'm sure your mom would've been too."

Miles sighed out happily as he teared up too, grabbed a napkin to wipe the sides of his eyes. "I miss her a lot, I wish she was here to have seen me like this."

"I know, son. Don't you worry, she's always cheering you on." Dexter nodded approvingly, before he leaned back and relaxed himself.

"Thanks, dad. I love you, and mom." Miles eased himself against the seat too.

"I love you too, son." Dexter replied. The waitress then arrived with their meal.