Michael looked at Amanda and said, “Because of my upbringing, it will be difficult for me to be
anything more than a friend. I know you have strong feelings for me and I wish that I could
accept your feelings. I’m going to tell you something that I haven’t told anyone else. On the first
day that we ate lunch together, after you left my office, I said that, if things were different, I
could easily fall in love with you. It isn’t easy for me to admit this. After all, I’m over 20,000
years old and, as all of you know, the Humanimals didn’t exist back then. Because of this, it’s
difficult for me to overlook your ancestry. I’ve always been fond of foxes and tigers; I’ll admit
that. However, I never considered one as a potential wife; that would have been ridiculous and
downright ludicrous back then. Foxes and tigers were four-legged animals that I would have
gladly had as a pet, even though they are/were wild animals that only acted on instinct.
“I never wanted to hurt you, Amanda. I want you to remain my friend and, if I can overcome my
upbringing and accept that, despite your outward appearances, you’re just as human as I am, I
would be more than willing to pursue something stronger. But, I don’t know when, or even if,
that might possibly occur.”
Amanda smiled, reached over, took Michael’s hand, and said, “That’s better than nothing. It even
keeps the possibility open. So, would it upset you if I kissed you once in a while?”
She leaned over, kissed Michael on the cheek, laid her head on his shoulder, and said, “I’m sorry
I got upset with you earlier today, Michael. I should have known that you didn’t say what you
said to hurt me. After all, you had helped me forgive my mother for being so mean to you and
“I’m glad you understand. You are a very attractive and sweet young woman. As I said a minute
ago, growing up, I always thought that foxes and cats, especially lions and tigers, were beautiful
animals. You combine two of those three which makes you all the more attractive to me. With all
due respect to the other ladies present, if I can overcome my upbringing, you would be the one
that I can see me falling for.” Michael had laid his head on top of Amanda’s as he had spoken.
