"Then and Now" - Day 3, Chapter 2 and 3
#3 of Then and Now
"Then and Now" - Day 3, Chapter 2 and 3
Chapter 2
To my surprise, what Leanne made wasn't half bad. I'd say it was even the quality of what Al could produce. Pancakes with fried apples - done just right so that the apples melted in my mouth but didn't fall apart on the fork.
"Really nice job." I told her, half way through the plate. "I didn't think you knew how to cook this well."
"I worked in a few diners along the road back here to get gas money. Friendly cooks, taught me everything I know."
"Did they walk around with tents on their crotches?"
Li smiled. "Actually, two of the three were gay. The last didn't care, since he was in a very intimate relationship with a certain cat fur waitress. And a pretty one at that."
"Fair enough." A thought struck me. "Hey, what do you say I take a month off work and we go on a vacation, like you suggested?"
"That's a great idea!" She beamed. "Where shall we go? Sydney? Rio?"
"I thought we could go to California. To see your parents and Brandon again."
Leanne's smile faded. Her sight dropped to the plate.
"I'd... Rather not."
I put my fork down. "What do you mean?"
"I just don't want to go back there."
"Did something happen?" Standing, I walked over to her and leaned down at her side.
Leanne took some time to pick her words, to think over what she was going to say.
"My parents were furious when they found out what I did. Mom yelled at me, Dad wouldn't speak to me. Brandon couldn't bear to look me in the eyes. I haven't spoken to them in years."
"I'd explain this to you, but I know they're not mad anymore. What's more, they're mad at themselves for letting anger take control."
"You'd better explain, because it didn't look like they'd change their mind anytime soon."
"First, let's go down to the hospital so I can make the vacation arrangements." I placed a quick kiss on her muzzle. "Okay?"
It got her to smile. "Okay."
I rode on the passenger's seat of Li's Harley, constantly hugging her around the waist. A mighty contrast from the way we first rode into the garage, wouldn't you say? It was around noon when we left, my storytelling having taken a good two hours, plus a shower for both of us. Not a separate one, either - adding another hour.
Whoever said that a wet dog was bad? I mean, if the wetness was on the outside as well as the in...
Anyway.
On the way there, I had an epiphany.
"Stop here." I said. Leanne banked to the right and stopped at a curb about a hundred metres from the Hospital entrance. To the right was a big flower shop.
"Everything alright?" She removed her helmet and studied me with mild curiosity.
"Yeah. I just realised that Judy's been flirting with me for the past three years."
"Wow. And you only just realised?"
"I don't know what blocked the signals. I mean, you can't get more obvious than a half-undone shirt and no bra walking into my office."
Leanne whistled, laughing.
"I guess you want to go get her a present?"
"It's her birthday today. And she loves flowers. All kinds. I'm going to go get her the biggest basket they have, and hopefully I can smooth out the misunderstanding."
"Alright. Do you need a ride over there?"
"I think I'll walk. If you want, you can wait there for me."
"Sure."
I turned and took a step, only to be pulled back by my belt.
"Hey, where's my kiss?" Leanne asked, faking irritation.
"I'm only going to be away from you for half an hour at most."
"That's like... Months in doggy years."
"Oh, fine." I tried the quick technique. Nope. Li caught me by the collar and yanked me into a big smooch that involved tongue and sensual moaning on her part. The people and furs passing us on the street watched the exchange. Some of the males even cheered.
Li looked around and let go.
"You taste like apples." She giggled. I was flushed, no doubt.
"And you taste like pancakes."
"Don't keep me waiting."
Li rode off, making me aware of the commotion she'd caused down in the boxer department. Carefully, I placed my helmet over my crotch and walked as quickly as was possible into the flower shop, being complimented along the way for my choice of partner.
The flower shop was large as a room, but felt cramped with the amount of flowers and decorations all around. Tulips, roses, daffodils, primroses, daisies, orchids. You name it, they had it.
Behind the counter stood a human lady in her sixties, coincidentally also one of my regular patients. She had silvery hair, tied into a bun on the back of her head. Despite her tired look, she was still very active - an embodiment of resistance to age.
"Hello, Doctor! What can I do for you?" She asked, putting on a cheerful expression.
"Hey, Mrs Hadley."
"Oh, stop it. I'm Mathilda, no reason to remind me of my age."
"Sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry for. Now, what do you need?"
I glanced around the shop. Just taking in the sights - I already knew what I wanted.
"I wonder if you could do me a favour and pull out the biggest flower basket you have."
"Ooo, someone special?"
I decided not to keep unnecessary secrets. If she knew what the occasion was, she'd also know the feeling the flowers would need to convey. "Judy, from reception. She's been flirting with me for a long time, and I've only just noticed."
"So you want to show your love for her?" Mathilda asked, walking to the back room.
"Actually, I want to apologise. I have someone else, and I can't betray her, but I don't want to make Judy think that I dislike her."
"Ah, so it's an apology?"
"Kind of." I agreed. The issue down below was gone, so I felt safe with putting my helmet on the counter.
Madildtha returned with a very big basket, about a metre across. She put it down on the counter and walked around to my side, beginning to pick out flowers. After a healthy dose of looking over, she pruned them and arranged them very gently.
"You mentioned this someone you already have. Would that happen to be the very attractive wolf that dropped you off?"
"Uh... Yes. Leanne."
Mathilda sighed. "Beautiful name. When I saw her with you, I almost saw myself with Alfred." She stopped in place, wiping moisture from her eye. I put my hand on hers.
"I'm sorry. I wish I could've done more."
Alfred had been one of my constant patients (like Mathilda) over the years. I was the only doctor they trusted. Regular health checkups, regular invitations for dinner. Alfred was in the hospital when he had a heart attack. Initially, I was the one to save his life, but said life didn't last long.
There was enough time for his wife to say goodbye before his heart stopped for good. Phil, a friend of mine working in Cardiology, rushed in with a portable defibrillator. I didn't let him in, simply shaking my head. It was enough for him to understand that Mathilda didn't want her husband to suffer.
"No. You did all you could." Mathilda turned. "My friends tell me how badly you feel whenever you lose a patient." My eyes were locked with hers. "Do. Not. Feel that way. You're the best damn doctor I know, and the last thing you should be doing is blaming yourself for what nature does."
"So I've been told." I sighed.
"Then accept what happens as due course and continue doing what you do. You're no use to anyone sitting in your office with a bottle of Scotch."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Now, let's get that basket done."
Mathilda put together exactly what I wanted. I took out my wallet to pay, but she refused the money, saying that I did enough for her to last a lifetime. Seeing that I wouldn't be able to convince her, I said 'Thank you' and left.
Outside, the sun was shining in the cold October morning. It made my trip to the Hospital enjoyable.
Chapter 3
The Hospital's lobby was empty, side from two male patients - one a fur, the other not - there for a checkup. I say checkup because there were no immediate signs of pain or discomfort, and they even smiled subconsciously.
Judy was behind the reception desk, looking bored and tired. Not the way a fox fur as pretty as her should look. I put the basket down in front of her, obscuring myself in the process.
"Uh... Visiting hours are still open, Sir. Do you need directions?" She asked.
I made my voice deeper and added an Aussie accent. "I was toahd to delivah this package to ah certahn fox fur. Bah the name of Judith?"
Judy stood from her seat and saw me. Instantly, her expression changed and she was in joy.
"Richard! You remembered my birthday!" She yipped, almost hopping around the desk to hug me.
"How could I forget?" I chuckled. "You're the prettiest fox I know, after all."
"Was that... Laughter? What happened?" Happiness changed to concern.
"Nothing. My ex and I made up and we're back together."
"Oh." She looked away. "That's... Great... Really... I-"
I kissed her on the muzzle, albeit without tongue play. It was the least I could do. When we separated again, she was panting, eyes wide.
"That was... Unexpected."
"Judy, I'm sorry I didn't respond to the signals. I guess I was too miserable to see them. Despite what's happened, I really hope we can stay friends."
"Yes... Of course."
"You know... I think Roger from Radiology has the hots for you."
Judy was surprised. "Really?"
"Yeah. He doesn't look half as bad as me, either."
"You don't-"
I put my finger on her muzzle to shush her. "Stop thinking about me and go enjoy your life. I mean, there's a lot of fun to be had with a horse fur like Roger, right?"
Judy smiled. "I suppose."
"Okay. Happy birthday."
"Thank you."
Leanne walked in at that point. Judy let go of me and studied her.
"Heh, no wonder you picked her." She laughed, nervously.
"It's nice to meet you, Judy. And don't worry. I bet Richard's already said so, but with your looks, all you have to do is flutter your eyelashes and you'll have men on all sides."
"That's awfully kind of you to say."
"It's true."
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a figure approaching. Short, skinny, dark hair, small eyes, small bust. Alarm bells went off in my head.
"Now, what is this?" The voice asked, as shrill as a Harpy's and hard on the ears as fingernails on a blackboard. "You are supposed to be working!" Jo pointed at Judy. "And throw those flowers out, lest you kill someone with Hayfever!"
"Yes, Ma'am." Judy muttered.
"Don't you move a muscle, Judith." I ordered. Override went through, making Judy freeze. Jo's attention turned to me.
"What are you doing here? Want to leech off me again?"
"Overtime is still work, Jo, however you put it."
Jo knew me well. She knew her attacks wouldn't work. She turned on Leanne.
"Prostitutes are not welcome in hospitals. Get out." She quipped.
"You do not want to go down that road, Jo." I snarled.
"You mean the road you took? Can't you see you're dating an animal?"
Don't say it.
"Furs are filthy, disgusting and against nature. They're wrong - freaks."
Don't even think about it.
"If you're with one, Richard, then you've lost all sense of pride and self-respect."
Don't. You. Dare.
"Can't you see you're screwing a dog? It's disgu-"
There was a small snap in my head.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" I roared. The joints in my knuckles cracked. Utter silence filled the lobby. I put one accusing finger on Jo's collarbone, poking her as I growled. "You are an intolerant, racist, sadistic, unpleasant bitch. You insult everyone around you because you think it makes them respect you."
Jo backed away, eyes wide with utter terror. If I looked at myself in the mirror, I wouldn't have been able to describe the pure fury on my face.
"In fact, it makes them hate you even more. You're forty-five years old and still have not even held a man's hand. Want to know why? You're repulsive in every... Single... Way. I've put up with your shit for well over five years, every kind of insult and jeer imaginable."
She stopped at the wall, nevertheless still trying to move back.
"But when you insult and call out the most beautiful woman I know, the one I'd lay down life and limb for, you better be ready for me to destroy your reputation and everything you have going for you."
Jo slid down into a sitting position on the wall.
"I am going to ruin you. No job, no home, no life, no chance for redemption."
I sighed, calming myself, and took two steps back. "I've already alerted the authorities to what you've been doing. Given evidence of your harassment. Expect your world to crumble within a week."
I turned and walked towards the exit, but couldn't resist kicking her while she was down (verbally).
"Jo?"
She looked up, eyeshadow smudged with tears.
"Fuck you."
And I left.
Once outside, I walked to the park and sat down under an oak tree. Soft wind blew my hair about. The cool temperature helped to calm me down.
Li trudged over and sat down next to me.
"The cops arrived just as you left." She said. "They took Jo away on several accounts of harassment."
"Good. The hospital will be a better place without her."
"Do you really have the evidence?"
"Yes. I collected it up over the years. There's a copy in my desk, the original is already with the Jury."
"You did a good thing." Li's hand found mine. "I'm proud of you."
"When she insulted you like that, I felt something break."
"And you roared at her like a lion." Leanne leaned her head on my shoulder, whispering into my ear. "Do that when we're having sex, and watch how fast I cum."
All of the sudden, I needed to get this wolf back home. To bed.