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Slow on the Uptake II

Venti, his father, and Art were seated at a table. There weren't many people in the restaurant, even though it was during the lunch hour.

"I think I'll order us an appetizer," Earl said, glancing up from his study of the menu. "How many should we order?"

"Well, sir, I know I can eat one all by myself, and I'll wager Art hasn't eaten anything since breakfast."

"Four then. One for each of us."

Venti tilted his head. "Wait, you're going to buy Sam an appetizer?"

Earl returned his eyes on the menu. "It's more than he deserves."

"I mean, sure, that's nice, but I wasn't expecting that from you."

"It's more than he deserves," Earl repeated.

Venti and Art shared a look, then both quietly studied their menus. When the server returned, they all placed their orders, though a minute later, Venti couldn't recall what he'd ordered. His brain was a maelstrom of confusion. Something was still bothering him about the whole situation, and he sensed it was right on the forefront of his awareness. Though when he tried to grasp it, he came up with nothing but emptiness.

"Are you alright, son?" Earl said.

"No sir," Venti said, shaking his head. "I'm honestly not okay with this."

Earl nodded gravely. "You've only been saying that every five minutes or so."

"That's good to know I'm reliable like a clock," Venti said hotly.

"Venti," Art murmured, placing a hand on the jackal's forearm.

"I know, babe," Venti said, briefly looking at Art before returning his attentions to his father. "I can't help but think you're not telling me the full reason why you're here."

"I'm here to confront your biological father," Earl said. "I told you as much."

"Yes sir," Venti said, growing quiet once all four of the appetizers arrived. Once the server left, he continued speaking. "But why did you order an appetizer for someone you consider a deadbeat? And how do you know he'd even like..." He looked at the food ordered specifically for his biological father. "Mozzarella sticks? How do you..."

Venti's words trailed off as Art's gasp reached his ears. He followed Art's gaze to the front doors, where Sam entered the restaurant. The elder jackal had to duck his head to enter, just like Venti had done.

"Wow." Art said. "When you said you looked like him, I didn't think you would look like a younger version of him. It's almost like looking in a mirror."

"Or an evil twin," Venti muttered, looking over at Earl, and almost choking at the expression on the hyena's face.

Earl was smiling. Not the smile of someone who was about to catch someone in a web of lies, or in a trap, but a friendly smile. He stood up and waved, catching the elder jackal's attention.

The reaction was nothing Venti could have expected. Sam's eyes widened, and as he walked over to the group, his jaw was agape. "Earl?"

Venti blinked. How did Sam know Earl's name? He never mentioned it to Sam.

Then the realization caught up with him like a sledgehammer to the chest.

He never mentioned Sam's name to Earl, and yet the hyena knew it.

Venti stood up halfway, glaring at Sam, then Earl. "How long have you two known each other, Dad?" he growled.

Earl gave Venti a sheepish look. "Since the tenth grade, son."