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This is Part 9, and wraps up everything that has been building for the past 5 years, so if you've not read any of the previous chapters, please do so first. The story won't mean much to you otherwise, and you'll be spoiling everything that's been happening in the past 8 parts. ", "writing": "Disclaimer: This story is part of a series, entitled “Dangerous Games”. The series contains non-human anthropomorphic animal (“Furry”) characters of varying ages, adult and cub. While there are no overt sexual acts depicted in this series, the stories will contain adult themes, topics, and situations, which may not be legal in some jurisdictions. These include: frank discussions of sexual acts and character sexuality, alcohol and drug use, criminal acts, violence, adult language, weapons including guns and knives, bloodshed, grievous bodily harm, death, and events which depict underage characters in peril. \n\nIt is up to the reader to be aware of the laws regarding depictions of such material in their place of residence. If you are not allowed to read such material, due to age, religion, place of residence, or any other factor, do not continue.\n\nThis story and all characters are copyright Shryke. This is a work of fiction. All events and persons depicted are fictional, and any similarities with actual events or persons is purely coincidental. \n\nThis is Part 9, and wraps up everything that has been building for the past 5 years, so if you've not read any of the previous chapters, please do so first. The story won't mean much to you otherwise, and you'll be spoiling everything that's been happening in the past 8 parts. \n\n\n\nDANGEROUS GAMES\nby Shryke\nPart 9\n\n Jack jumped up from his seat as the door was opened by the clerk. Angelo stepped into the doorway, looking nervous yet curious. He wore the same type of blue sweats that he had in the hospital, and his arm was still in a sling, a large padded shoulder protector strapped over his left shoulder. \n It only took seconds before he and Jack locked eyes. The cub's face lit up. “Jack!” he cried and ran to the older fox who put both arms around him and hugged him tightly, taking care to avoid his wounded shoulder. \n “Ange,” Jack said, his voice choking and eyes watering. “I've missed you so much, buddy.” He nuzzled the boy's charcoal headfur, which he saw had been cut much shorter than he previously kept it. \n “Me too,” Angelo whispered, his face pressed hard against Jack's chest as he hugged with his good arm. The two stayed like this for several moments. Jack heard the cat lady clear her throat, but he ignored her and stayed locked in the hug with his friend, eyes closed, swaying ever so slightly. \n After another few moments, the judge gently said, “Please take your seats, gentlemen.”\n Jack opened his eyes to see Angelo looking up at him. “Better go,” Jack whispered, running a thumb over the top of his grey-furred muzzle. Angelo nodded and the pair slowly separated, holding paws until the last possible second. \n A rabbit lady who had accompanied Angelo guided him to the other side of the table, next to Ms. Somerset, the cat lady from Cub Protective Services, and sat next to both of them. She was younger than the cat was, and wore her hair long. She looked much more friendly than Ms. Somerset as well, Jack thought. He dabbed the remaining tears from his eyes, wanting everyone to see him do so. \n They were now all at the table, Max and Jack on one side, Angelo and the CPS furs on the other, with the judge and the stenographer at the head end. The judge spoke up once everyone was seated. “OK, resuming the consideration of the CPS motion for summary dismissal. Will our new arrivals state their names and affiliations for the record?” \n “Marie Baker, headmistress of Dole House, Cub Protective Services,” the rabbit lady said. \n “Angelo Justin Cole,” Angelo said nervously. “Umm... orphan I guess?” Jack smiled openly at this. \n The judge chuckled as well. “Very well, thank you,” he said. “Angelo, do you understand why you're here today?” \n “Yes,” the fox said, his eyes looking from person to person as he spoke. “Jack wants to be my guardian, and have me come live with him. But she,” he said, indicating the CPS cat, “doesn't think he's good enough, and would rather keep me locked up 'till I'm 18.” He looked to the judge with a smile as he finished. Jack knew that the kit had picked his words very deliberately, and forced himself to suppress a smile of his own. \n “Somewhat subjective, but you're essentially correct,” the bear said. “So now we're just talking it over to see why that is.” Angelo nodded. “Mr. Cartwright, I believe your previous question has been answered?”\n “It has, your honor,” Max said, throwing a wink to Angelo who smiled back at the otter. \n “Very well. Continue Ms. Somerset.”\n “Thank you, your honor,” she began. “As I was saying, despite the nolle pross, Mr. Archer is still barely out of high school. He's not demonstrated any meaningful responsibility – he doesn't even have a job.”\n “I have a job,” Jack interrupted. The cat lady looked annoyed at the interruption, and the judge put up a paw towards Jack to silence him. \n “He's far too young to be raising a cub,” Somerset continued, “even under normal circumstances, let alone special case we have here.” Another moment of silence followed. \n “Oh yeah, that's right,” Angelo chimed in, breaking the silence. “They've got me listed as... what was it again? Not “disturbed”.... what was it?” \n “Troubled?” the cat said slowly, eying Jack accusingly. “Who told you about that?”\n “You did,” Angelo said plainly. “Just now.” The cat looked irritated as she realized what Angelo had done. “Why do you think I'm troubled, miss?” Angelo asked pleasantly. \n “Well, you've been through a very traumatic experience,” she said, sounding surprisingly gentle.\n “So have I,” Jack said. \n “Yes, you killed someone,” she said, still gently and almost sadly. “And how many nightmares have you had since then?” Jack just stared back, his drooping ears answering her question. “Exactly,” she said. “Now imagine you're eleven.”\n “But how does that make Jack a bad guardian?” Angelo asked. \n “He doesn't have any cub-raising experience,” she said, “and our studies have shown that cubs who go through traumatic events like this will have... special problems.” \n “Like what?” Angelo asked. Jack couldn't tell if he was genuinely curious, or if he was trying to set her up as he had already done once. \n “Well,” she said, clearly not wanting to be in this position, but the expectant looks from Jack, Max, and even the judge, meant she had to explain to the group. “Things like trust issues with authority figures,” she said. \n “I trust Jack,” Angelo retorted, his voice still pleasant and conversational. “I trust him with my life. What else?”\n “We've seen them have difficulties forming relationships...”\n “I've formed one,” Angelo interrupted, looking at Jack with a smile. “In fact, the only fur I have a problem with... isn't a problem anymore. And if I'm really “troubled” like you think, how is it better to stuff me in with 50 other kits rather than letting me be part of a real family?”\n The cat was visibly flustered by this. “Let me reiterate,” she said, now looking at the judge rather than Angelo, who took note of this with an irritated smirk. “Mr. Archer has no cub rearing experience. He is barely out of high school and knows nothing about how to raise a cub. There is nothing to even suggest that he knows what he is doing.” \n “I know Angelo,” Jack said, his anger rising as he tried to keep a calm voice. “I know him better than you or your so-called studies do.” \n “Pfft,” the cat lady scoffed. \n “What's his greatest fear?” Jack asked confrontationally. “His greatest joy?” He saw Angelo furrow his brow at the question. \n The cat stared for a moment at him. “Do enlighten us,” she said, condescendingly. \n Jack was watching Angelo's face. The kit seemed uneasy; Jack knew why and wasn't going to betray the boy's confidence. “Well,” he began slowly, “if he hasn't told you, then... it's none of your business.” Angelo smiled at Jack, seeming appreciative of his evasiveness. \n Ms. Somerset scoffed again. “Hardly a convincing argument.”\n Jack leaned forward, locking eyes with the cat. “Ok then,” he said, audible irritation creeping into his voice. “When's his birthday?” he asked pointedly. The rabbit looked down to an open file. Jack answered before either could speak: “February 5th. What's his favorite drink?” A slight pause before he continued, his voice becoming louder and more intense. “Root beer! What's his favorite TV show? He doesn't have one! Favorite toy as a pup? Eye color? Lefty or righty? Boxers or briefs?” \n Jack was half standing out of his chair, and Max had to put a paw on his arm to hold him from rising further. He sat back down meekly, noting all the eyes on him. He only looked at Angelo who nodded approvingly back at him.\n “Maturity,” the cat lady muttered to the judge. “I understand your emotions,” she continued to Jack condescendingly once more, “but I assure you he will be well cared for.”\n “And that's the difference between us,” Jack said. “You'll care for him. I'll care about him.” \n “Your honor,” the cat said, seeming now to dismiss Jack. “The state has standards, as you well know. These standards are based in fact and precedent, not emotion. While we fully understand the emotion that pervades this case, the facts remain that Mr. Archer does not rise to the minimum standards we feel are appropriate.”\n “You haven't even given me a ch...” Jack began to say, which was met again by the judge holding up a paw to silence him. \n “We therefore respectfully request summary dismissal of his request, and remanding of the minor cub to CPS custody,” the cat lady said, sounding rehearsed and overly legal.\n A long silence followed, after which the judge said, “Unless anyone has anything further, I'm ready to rule on CPS's petition.” \n Jack looked at the judge expectantly, but just whimpered once softly. \n “Can I ask a question?” Angelo asked quietly. \n “Of course,” the judge said. \n The cub cleared his throat. “Let's say Jack got a girl pregnant and she had a pup. And he comes in here trying to get out of supporting it. “I'm too young,” he says. “I've got no experience, I'm right out of high school.” He says all that trying to dodge taking care of the pup. Would you agree that he's right and let him out of it? Or would you say “too bad, you're an adult now and have to take responsibility”?”\n The judge sat back in his chair and regarded the young fox. \n “So...” Angelo continued softly, “here he is, wanting to take on a responsibility when he doesn't have to. Isn't that the kind of person you want taking care of me?” There was a long pause. Jack's eyes began to water at Angelo's earnest statement. \n “This is... diff...” the cat lady started to say, then trailed off. \n “Well,” the judge said after a brief pause. “I've found over the years when dealing with issues as important as this, that further discussion can only help. Right now the boy is already in CPS custody, so there is little harm in letting that discussion happen. Request for dismissal is denied – Mr. Archer's request may proceed.” \n Jack's heart leaped, and he saw Angelo's reaction mirroring his own. Max gave his paw a tight squeeze in support. “Thank you sir,” he said, adding “your honor, I mean.” The cat lady looked angry, Jack noticed, but the rabbit looked almost happy with the ruling. \n “I'm going to fast-track this,” the judge said. “Being as young as you are, which I won't hold against you, it shouldn’t take too long to put together your proposal.”\n “Proposal?” Jack asked. \n “Yes,” the judge replied. “You're asking to take care of this boy, so show me how you plan to do it: everything you think I need to know. I'll set a hearing for a week from today. If you need more time, your counsel will know what to do.” \n “Thank you your honor,” Jack said again. “Can I... that is, will I be able to... take Angelo... to...” \n “What he means, your honor,” Max interrupted as Jack stammered, “is that part of what we will be proposing will require young Master Cole's presence.” He winked at the kit again. “Specifically housing and school arrangements. So we are inquiring how to accommodate these needs.” \n “I believe there is a protocol for day visits from Dole House, Miss Baker?” the bear asked. \n “There is, your honor,” the rabbit lady replied. “We support the Big Brother/Big Sister program, as well as several after-school events. I'll be glad to work with Mr. Archer on this.” She slid a business card across the table to Jack and Max. \n “You're won't do anything stupid, will you Mr. Archer?” the judge asked. “Like getting on a plane to Rio?”\n “No sir... your honor,” Jack said. “We both promised we would do this the right way, and we will,” he added, locking eyes with Angelo, who gave him a thumbs-up in response. \n “Very well,” the judge said, “this hearing is adjourned.” \n Everyone stood up, and Angelo ran back to Jack and embraced him again as the CPS ladies gathered their things. “I'll see you soon, buddy,” Jack whispered, nuzzling one of his black-furred ears. \n “Catch you later, Ange,” Max said, holding a fist out to the kit who bumped it with his own in response. \n “Seeya, Max,” Angelo said, breaking the hug as the CPS team loomed over him. “I love you, Jack,” he added. \n “I love you too, Angelo,” Jack said, kissing the grey-furred forehead. \n “Mister Cole,” the judge said as Angelo was about to be shooed out the door by the CPS entourage. The cub looked back to the bear. “You're a very insightful young fox,” the judge said. \n\n---\n\n Jack met with Miss Baker as they were leaving the judge's office. He was going to call her once he got back to work, but as they were both already there he figured he'd see what he could arrange. She called to her office and had them fax the forms over to the courthouse; Judge Sorensen's clerk offered his fax number for that purpose. \n Jack filled out the forms, which asked for much of his life history: jobs held, schools attended, even addresses where he'd lived. The final form was an authorization for them to do a financial and criminal background check on him, which explained the amount of detail they requested. \n When all that was completed, Miss Baker faxed them back to the office, and made copies for herself, Jack, and Max. The rabbit told him she would call him at work once all the checks were done. If there were no snags, she said, he could pick up Angelo the next morning, Saturday. \n By the time he and Max got back to the office, there was a message from Dole House saying he was clear for Saturday morning. The teen fox found it difficult to concentrate on his work following that. Max seemed to understand, and spent much of his time chatting with Jack in the workroom. \n “Man, I love how Angelo trapped that CPS loudmouth,” Max had said, laughing. \n “Yeah,” Jack agreed with a fond smile. “He's such a smart kid. Do you think he pulled us out of the fire there at the end?”\n “Meh,” Max said, “I don't know. I got the feeling that the judge was going to rule exactly how he did all along. That's why he didn't let you talk. He was there solely to see if their request to cut us off had any merit. As you saw, this judge likes to talk these things through, so...”\n “Oh, ok,” Jack said. It did make sense when the otter put it that way, and did make him feel better that the system was not automatically aligned against him. \n “That's not to take away anything from Angelo,” Max said, possibly misunderstanding Jack's subdued response. “That bit at the end was pure genius! And if it didn't change the judge's mind, it sure-as-shit shut down CPS's only real argument!” \n Jack contemplated this for a moment. Then: “So, what about this plan he wants to see?”\n “Easy,” Max replied, walking to the whiteboard in the workroom. “What does it take to raise a cub?” Jack stared blankly at the otter, who laughed and uncapped a marker. “Ok, what did it take to raise you? Start with the obvious.” \n “Parents?”\n “Of course,” Max said. “And that's you. What else?”\n “Umm... a house? Food, clothes?”\n “Yep,” the otter said, writing those on the board. “Next?”\n Jack sighed. “I dunno... a car? Money?”\n “Of course,” Max said, writing. “Money. From a paycheck, but what if something happens to you?” \n A light lit up in Jack's mind. “Insurance!”\n “Right! What else?”\n \n---\n\n When he got home that evening, he immediately called his parents to let them know that they could meet Angelo the next day. Whether or not they would be able to on short notice, Jack was still going to pick him up, if only to spend time with him. \n Fortunately, his parents were free and looking forward to meeting Angelo. They had not made their minds up still, as per their promise, and would not say which way they were leaning. His mother, however, did express a concern. \n “You need to remember,” she said on the phone, “that there's a young girl in the house. Bringing in a new boy could lead to... things happening.”\n “What do you mean?” Jack asked.\n “I mean,” she said, sounding hesitant, “that I don't want him... taking advantage of her.” \n Jack was shocked. “You mean, you think he'd try to rape her?”\n “Well... no, not when you put it like that,” she said. “But two kits, a boy and girl... they're not related and they're on the cusp of adolescence... cubs get curious, is all I'm saying. I don't want him satisfying his curiosity on her.” \n “Playing games, that sort of thing?”\n “Yes, but more than that,” she replied. “Things like peeping on her when she's getting changed, or in the tub, or who knows if she ever tries to climb into his bed when she's scared. You know how she is with storms.”\n Jessica, his sister, was eleven but still very scared of thunderstorms. Very often she would climb into her parents' bed when a storm passed through during the night. She had crawled into Jack's bed a few times as well for the same reasons. \n “I seriously doubt he would ever do something like that,”Jack said. “And you can always tell Jessica that his room is off-limits.” \n “I plan to do that, yes,” his mother replied. “But we can't be around all the time.” \n “Well, I can let him know how serious of an issue this is, if you want,” Jack suggested. \n “No, not yet,” she said. “Let's meet him first. I just wanted you to know where I'm coming from.” \n “That sounds good,” Jack said. “I will tell you something though: Like you said, cubs get curious. And if Jessica's curiosity kicks in, I would much rather she play “show me yours” with Angelo, and not some random boy in the woods somewhere... or on some Internet site.” His mother said nothing. After a moment Jack added, “Once you get to know him, you'll see what I mean. He really is a great kit, and I don't think you have anything to worry about.” \n “Ok then,” she said. “We'll see you tomorrow.” \n After hanging up, Jack ruminated on that last discourse. His mother was likely to always think of Jessica as a helpless innocent, but in truth her curiosity had already moved her to ask Jack to show himself to her, having never seen “boy parts” as she put it. Jack had obliged her for a brief view, eyes only of course, which seemed to quell her curiosity for the time being. \n Furthermore, he had seen how she acted and talked when their parents were not around. She possessed an impressive lexicon of profanity and sexual terminology for her age, even if she didn't understand much of it. He cringed to think that his plans with Angelo might be derailed due to his mother's view of the girl as a perfect little princess that needed protection from a horny new interloper.\n\n---\n\n Jack pulled up in front of Dole House just before 10:00 on Saturday. He walked through the front door and to the reception desk. “I'm Jack Archer,” he said to the receptionist, handing over his driver's license. “I'm here to pick up...oof!” \n He was interrupted by Angelo who appeared from behind and hugged him around the waist with his good arm. “Hi Jack,” the kit said innocently. \n “Him,” Jack said to the receptionist with a laugh. “Heya buddy,” he said, putting an arm around Angelo. He wore a similar dark blue shirt and pants as before, the uniform of CPS apparently, though these were shorts more suitable for being outside in late July. \n “Sign here,” the receptionist said. “Back by 5:00 please.” \n “Will do,” Jack said, handing the sheet back to her, and that was it. It was like checking out a library book, he mused. \n Once outside, Angelo ran to the car – as best as he could with his left shoulder still padded and his arm in a sling – and waited by his door, tail wagging furiously. Jack unlocked his door and walked around to get in the driver's side. \n As soon as he had shut his door, Angelo slid over on the bench seat, right up against Jack, and leaned into him. He couldn't hug with his left arm, so he reached his right paw over his head and scritched at Jack's face fur. \n Jack put his arm around the cub and leaned his head down onto the boy's. Instinctively he licked at one of the black-furred ears. It was a deeply paternal act, unplanned and intimate. Angelo seemed to take note of this and smiled broadly, closing his eyes. \n “Come on, put your seat belt on,” Jack said after a moment's embrace. \n “N... no,” Angelo said, “not yet.” He nuzzled his face deeper into Jack's side contentedly. \n Jack held the hug, gently scritching at the little fox's chest as he did. He checked his mirrors, and saw several cars now lined up behind him. “We gotta go, buddy,” he said, lifting his arm. “We're holding up traffic!”\n “Ok,” Angelo said, reluctantly but cheerfully. He slid back to his side of the seat and buckled in.\n “Let's go meet the parents,” Jack said as he pulled onto the street. “Nervous?” \n “Kinda,” Angelo said. \n “Just be yourself,” Jack said. “Don't try to say what you think they want to hear. Be the Angelo that they're going to see every day.” He paused for a minute, letting it sink in. He didn't want to scare him, but at the same time didn't want to understate the significance of what was hopefully going to happen. “This is a big deal for all of us,” he continued. “They just want to get to know you, to make sure you're not a nut or something.” \n “But I am a nut,” Angelo said playfully. \n Jack laughed. “Goofball,” he said as he fuzzled the boy's head. “Got a cut, I see,” he said, referring to his once longer and unkempt charcoal-colored headfur which was now cut and neatly combed. \n “Yeah,” the cub replied with irritation. “I look like a schnook now!”\n “It grows back, don't worry,” Jack said with a smile. “So how's life in the orphanage? You sleeping ok?” \n Angelo sighed. “Not really,” he said. “I keep seeing... him.” \n Jack sighed as well. “Yeah,” he said. “Me too.” He had relived the killing of Victor many times in his dreams. Sometimes it was just like it had been, other times it was much more brutal than reality. Occasionally, the turnout was completely different, with Victor actually killing both of them and Jack bolting upright in bed. \n “The orphanage is ok I guess,” Angelo continued. “Not as bad as I thought it was going to be. But like you said to the CPS lady: They're caring for me, but there's just too many of them... of us... for them to actually care about each kid.”\n “A lot of you, huh?”\n “Yeah,” Angelo said, thinking. “There's probably 50 all together. There's six boys in my room: there's me, two little kits, then two who're like 13 or 14, and one who's 16. That's Mike, he's in charge of the room – he makes sure the little kits do what they're supposed to, makes sure the lights go out when they're supposed to, that kind of thing.”\n “16, wow,” Jack said. \n “Yep, he's been there for a long time,” Angelo said. “He said that he wouldn't leave now, even if they found a family to take him, 'cause the cubs there are his only family.”\n “Sounds like a good guy,” Jack said with some admiration. \n “Yeah, he is, I guess.” Angelo thought for a minute. “I really don't want to live there 'till I'm 18, though.” \n Jack patted his knee. “That's what we're trying to fix now, bro. Max says we've got a bunch of options, even if this doesn't work out. And if none of them work out... well, I'll be signing you out every day they let me!”\n\n=\n\n Jack pulled his car into the driveway of his parents' house, the house he grew up in. He no longer called it “his house” since moving out, though if this worked out that would soon change. Shutting the engine off, he looked to Angelo, sitting in the passenger seat as he had so often done in the last few months. “Ready bud?” Jack asked. \n Angelo peered through the windshield and gazed at the house. He had not said much as they got nearer to the house, but otherwise if he was nervous he did not show it. The kit studied the house for a few more moments in silence. He had been here once before, back when their deliveries took a more dangerous turn; he had come by on Angelo's advice to pick up his hunting knife. That knife was now in an evidence locker most likely, Jack mused. \n “C'mon,” Jack said finally when no reply was forthcoming from his young friend. “They don't bite, I promise!”\n “Yeah,” Angelo finally said, sitting back in his seat and disconnecting the seat belt. Then with sudden enthusiasm, “Let's do this!”\n The pair opened their doors simultaneously and got out of the car. Jack, on the left side, was closer to the house's door, so he waited for Angelo to come around the car before walking side-by-side to the front door, his paw on the cub's shoulder.\n The door opened from within as they got near. A fox lady, Jack's mother, stood in the doorway. She was somewhat small of frame and shorter than Jack. Her fur was a golden color, and her dark brown headfur was long, below her shoulders. She smiled pleasantly at the two as they approached. \n “Welcome, Angelo,” she said, extending a paw. \n “Thanks,” the younger fox replied, shaking the paw.\n “I'm Mary, Jack's mom.” She hugged Jack in greeting. “But you probably figured that out already!”\n “Yeah,” the kit replied with a laugh. \n “Come on in and meet the gang,” she said, stepping back and motioning the two inside. “This is my husband John.” \n “Angelo,” Jack's father said, shaking the young paw, “pleased to meet you.” He was around Jack's height, around 5 and a half feet, with similar rusty-red fur as Jack. He was dressed like he was either about to go play golf, or had just returned. \n “And this is Jessica,” Jack's mother continued, indicating the young fox girl who stood well back from her parents by the stairs. Jack could tell she was nervous, coupled with some of her natural shyness. \n Jessica was shorter than Angelo, with fur that wasn't as golden as he mother's, yet not as red as her father's. Her headfur was dark red though, the color of bricks, and was pulled back into a ponytail which reached halfway down her back. She waved shyly at Angelo. Jack noted with some concern that she did not smile. \n “Hello,” Angelo said pleasantly, smiling at all three. \n Jack's mother gently laid a paw on Angelo's wounded shoulder. “How is your shoulder doing?” She worked as a physical therapist, and Jack suddenly put 2 and 2 together that she could help with the boy's recovery. \n “It's ok,” Angelo replied. “Still sore though.”\n “Yes, it will be for a while still,” Mary said, then turning to the group, continued, “Let's sit down in the dining room, shall we?” She beckoned for them all to follow, and walked into the dining room. It was wood paneled, with polished hardwood floors. The dining room table was an elaborate wooden table, reminiscent of the judge's desk from the Friday hearing. Several clocks hung on the wall, and a grandfather clock occupied a conspicuous spot. Jack could see Angelo's eyes widen as he took in the room. \n The Archer family was fairly well-off: upper-middle class, his father called them. His father worked as a real estate broker, and between the two parents their combined income afforded them the ability to live like they did. If Angelo was impressed by the dining room, Jack thought, he would be stunned by some of the other amenities. \n Jack took a seat at the table – the same seat he always used at dinner for as long as he could remember. Angelo sat in the seat next to him. The elder John Archer sat at the head of the table, while Jack's mother and sister sat directly across from Angelo and Jack. \n “So,” Jack's father began, “we all know why we're here, so no sense in rehashing things. We've talked it over a few times, and we'll do it again a few times after today.” He stopped, as if letting that sink in. Jack had already told Angelo that no decision would be made right there, to reassure him when no answer was forthcoming. “I'll let Mary take it from here.” \n All eyes turned to Jack's mother. “Well,” she said, “we just want to get to know you a little bit. Find out some things about you, and let you know what you can expect if you live here.” Angelo nodded, his eyes locked on her. \n “So,” she said, pausing briefly, as if not sure how to transition, but then just doing so. “Jack says you used to sell drugs.” She looked at the young grey-furred fox expectantly. \n “Yes,” Angelo said immediately. He looked between the two Archer vixens; Jack had told him that Jessica knew of all the schoolyard stories about him. \n “Yes? That's it, just 'yes'?” Jack's mother asked, her tone still conversational. \n “Well,” Angelo said, brow furrowing slightly, “yeah, I sold drugs. That was part of what I had to do, living with Victor.”\n “What sort of drugs?”\n “Pot, mainly,” the kit replied. “Marijuana, that is. Beer too. Sometimes coke... cocaine, but I didn't really sell that, I just delivered it. Ecstasy a couple of times.” \n “Ever try any of them?” she asked. \n “Yes,” Angelo said quietly after a brief hesitation. \n “Yes,” Mary repeated. “So... all of them?”\n Angelo shuffled in his seat. “Yeah, all,” he said plainly, ears drooping slightly. Jack looked sadly at his friend. \n “Did you like them?”\n Angelo took a deep breath. “Pot just made me hungry and stupid,” he said, at which both of Jack's parents smiled. “Coke... the first minute was good, but the rest of the day I thought my heart was going to explode. Not a fan of that. I did like beer though.” He looked plainly at Mrs. Archer. \n “Did Jack try any of those?” she asked. Jack's eyes narrowed at the question. \n “You'll have to ask him,” Angelo replied. This too got a smile out of Jack's parents. \n “Well,” Jack's mother said, “I suppose it goes without saying that it's not ok with us going forward. We will expect you not to touch drugs or alcohol, whether it's here or anywhere else. Is that understood?”\n “Yep,” Angelo replied, surprisingly cheerfully, “I already promised Jack that a while ago!”\n “You did?” Her eyes looked to Jack. \n “Yep,” the little fox repeated. “It wasn't ok with him either.” \n Jack's mother stared at her son, then smiled approvingly. “Ok,” she said after a moment. “What about sex?” \n Jack looked at Angelo, slightly nervously. He had told him to be himself, but now would not be the time for a flippant answer. He thought he saw that gleam in the young blue eyes, and Angelo looked about to say something, then pursed his lips for a moment. \n “What about it?” he finally asked softly. \n “Well,” Mary said, “have you?” \n Angelo took another deep breath before answering. “That's... personal,” he said. “I'd rather not talk about that.” \n Mrs. Archer nodded slowly. “So... that's a 'yes' then,” she said. \n Angelo cocked his head slightly. “No,” he said, “that's an I-don't-want-to-answer-that.” \n “You're, what, eleven?” \n “And a half,” Angelo said with a smile.\n “Ok,” Mary replied, also smiling. “So if the answer was no, you'd just say no, right? But if you thought I might not like the answer...” \n “No,” Angelo said, still pleasantly, “look at it like this. Let's say the answer is no... today. You ask me tomorrow, and it's still no. You ask me next year, still no. You ask me in five years... and then I don't want to answer. That's when I've answered the question by not answering.” He paused, as Jack's mother nodded. “I would just rather keep some things private, you know?”\n There was a moment of silence. Finally Jack's mother spoke. “We do take privacy seriously here, Angelo,” she said. “And you are certainly entitled to yours.” Angelo smiled. “Along both of those lines, though, there is something I have to say. We have a young girl in the house.” \n “Yes, I know, she's right there,” Angelo said, smiling happily to Jessica, who only fidgeted in her seat in response, not making eye contact. \n “My point is,” Mary said, raising her voice ever so slightly before returning to normal, “that whatever your... experience may be, I don't want it being brought into this house. Everyone is entitled to privacy here, and that includes privacy against, shall we say... unwelcome advances.” \n “What... what are you...” Angelo said with obvious surprise. He looked at Mrs. Archer who just returned his gaze as if saying “you know what I mean”. The kit looked to Jessica, who was staring at her mother with a look of embarrassed shock and irritation. \n Angelo closed his eyes and took a couple of breaths. “When I was delivering for Victor,” he began, eyes still closed, “there was this one customer: a doctor. He would order tiny amounts of whatever, so I would have to show up there a lot.” The cub opened his eyes. “He offered me 500 dollars if I let him take naked pictures of me.” Mary's eyes widened, and Jessica looked horrified. \n “He always asked if I needed to use the bathroom, too... probably had cameras set up in there. After a while, 500 became a thousand,” Angelo continued. “I wouldn't let him, of course, and the last time there, Jack got all up in his face – it was beautiful!” \n Everyone looked at Jack who smiled proudly as Angelo went on, his tone becoming more somber. “Then one time, Victor got mad at me for... something, and told me that this guy had offered him ten thousand dollars to have... me... for a night. And that he couldn't just let me walk away after that.”\n Everyone was looking down at this point, which surprised Jack, who has always found his parents to be unflappable. Angelo looked between all of them before concluding. “So... I know what an unwelcome advance feels like, believe me. And I would never even think of doing anything like that to someone else. Just the thought...” he trailed off. \n “Fair enough,” Jack's mother said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you for sharing that, Angelo,” she said, her voice back to normal. “I know that wasn't easy for you.” Angelo just nodded solemnly. “John?” she said, looking to her husband. \n “I'm curious,” Jack's father said. “What was it like living where you did?”\n “It was... lonely,” Angelo said frankly. Jack took one of his paws and gave it a squeeze. “I didn't go to school, so I couldn't go outside when school was in; furs would want to know why I wasn't there myself. And Victor didn't have the TV hooked up either. So I did a lot of reading. And you remember last Winter, how snowy it was?”\n “Oh sure,” Jack's father said. \n Angelo nodded. “Well, then I couldn't ride my bike because of all the ice, so even after school let out I still couldn't go anywhere. No kids lived in the complex, so nothing to do there, and making snowfoxes from dirty slush in the parking lot gets old fast.” \n Angelo's voice was getting quieter as he went on. “Victor left me alone a lot over the winter too. For days... I mean five, six days in a row. Fucker was probably in Florida too.” Jack heard Jessica gasp at the profanity, but kept his eyes on Angelo who was looking at the center of the table as he spoke. “It got real bad there, for a while,” he said softly. “Dull gray days... snow and ice.... delivery pizza for the fifth day in a row, breakfast lunch and dinner. More than once I thought...” He stopped for a moment, then cleared his throat. “Sorry,” he said sheepishly, looking around the table.\n “Thought?” Jack's mother prodded gently. \n “Well,” the cub replied, “what I meant was: I saw that as my life. That's what it was, that's all it was ever going to be. And... I didn't like what I saw.” He looked up at Jack's parents. “Let's just say, Jack saved me in more ways than one.” He smiled slightly, and had a look on his face that suggested he was done talking about that. \n As close as they were, Jack had never heard him talk like this. He always talked of how it was living with Victor, and mentioned almost as an aside that Victor would leave him alone for a day or two when he was meeting with the Russian. To think that Victor would leave him alone in the middle of Winter for extended periods only made him hate the ferret even more. And if he was indeed in Florida or some other warm place...\n “Well,” Jack's father said, sounding as if he wished he had not asked the question. “How about you: do you have questions for us?”\n Angelo nodded with a smile. “Sure. What's it like living here?”\n “I think you'll find it much better than you just described,” Jack's father said with a smile. \n “Jack said there's a lot of rules.”\n John Sr laughed at this. “Yes,” he said, “we have a set of house rules. A lot of common sense and common courtesy mostly, but anyone living here has to follow them.” He thought for a moment. “Jessica, would you go grab them off the fridge?” \n “Yep!” the girl said, and dashed out of the room. \n “It will be sort of a strange situation for you,” John continued. “Jack would be responsible for you, and you would have to do what he says of course.” Angelo looked at Jack and grinned as Jack's father continued. “And since both of you are living here, you both have to follow the house rules. So you, Angelo, would have a few people in charge of you.” \n “Here they are,” Jessica said, running back into the room and putting a laminated sheet of paper on the table.\n “Thank you, dear,” Jack's father said. “Here, have a look.” He slid the paper to Angelo. \n The kit looked over the rules: 25 of them. They were indeed heavily made up of common courtesies, as Jack's father said: “Never open a closed door without knocking and being invited into the room”, “If you receive a cell phone call in a room with others, leave the room”, and so on. There were also some that were restrictions on personal behavior: “Internet use is a privilege that can be suspended”. “Chores and homework must be complete before TV or non-homework Internet use”. \n “No friends allowed inside the house unless they've met the parents first”. Angelo remembered that one from the only other time he had been to Jack's house. \n The list included the expected prohibitions on cursing, lying, talking back, and so on. Yet there were also personal rights among them: “All house members have the right to be heard and their opinions given proper consideration”. \n One rule made Angelo's ears perk: “No use of the pool without an adult present.” \n “Pool?” the cub said incredulously. Both parents laughed. \n “Yes, we have a pool,” said Mr. Archer. \n “Wow,” Angelo said under his breath. “Yeah, this looks like common sense stuff though.” \n “I'm glad you think so,” Mr. Archer replied, taking the sheet back. “We won't dump all that on you on day-one... we'll give you a reasonable grace period.”\n “Thanks,” Angelo said pleasantly. \n “Well,” Mr. Archer said after a brief silence. “Anything else?” \n “Nope,” Angelo said. “Not now anyway. Jack's told me a lot about living here. I probably will have questions later on, but not right now.” \n “Ok. Mary, anything? Jessica?” Both shook their heads. “Ok then. Angelo, would you mind waiting outside? We need to discuss some things among ourselves.”\n Angelo nodded and stood up. He paused for a moment behind Jack's chair, then said. “I do have one thing I'd like to say.” All eyes focused on the grey-furred kit. “You guys did a great job raising Jack.” He put his paw on the older fox's shoulders. “I know what he's giving up to take care of me, and... well, you guys should be proud.” He smiled as Jack put his own paw on Angelo's. Jack's parents smiled broadly as well. \n “Jessica,” Mrs. Archer said, “Will you show our guest the door please, then go play so we can talk?” \n Jessica looked slightly annoyed. Jack knew this was because she was being dismissed from the “grown up” conversation. Nevertheless, she rose and wordlessly led Angelo out of the room. Jack heard the front door open then close, and Jessica's footfalls on the stairs. \n “Jessica,” Jack shouted. “C'mere.” The young girl came back down the stairs and stood in the doorway of the dining room. “Jessica, honey,” Jack said, “go out and talk to him.” \n The girl made a soft whimper in protest. “I swear,” Jack said, “he's not who you think he is. I promise... I JJ-Swear!” A JJ-Swear was a Jack-Jessica-Swear: their inter-sibling personal vow from growing up. It was always inviolate, sacred, and confidential. \n The kit whimpered slightly again, then said, “Ok,” and turned from the room. Again Jack heard the front door open and close. \n “Who does she think he is?” Mrs. Archer asked. \n Jack sighed. “When he was... selling in the schoolyard, these stories cropped up about him: he was violent, he killed someone in a bad drug deal, he'd break your legs if you owed him money, that kind of thing. It wasn't just about him, either. These sorts of stories cropped up for a lot of the other sellers and punks. Angelo said he encouraged those stories to grow, because it would make people less likely to try to double-cross him.”\n “But they're not true?” \n “100% absolutely not true,” Jack said emphatically. “Even Victor talked about how he told Ange to plant those stories. And it makes sense too: when I was with him, you could see that people respected him. Otherwise, you have an eleven-year-old with drugs and cash on him, and someone's going to pound him into the ground and take it.” \n “Ok,” Jack's father said, “I can see that. As long as you're sure.” \n “I'll put my life on it,” Jack said. He intentionally omitted the fact that Angelo actually had fought and hurt some people, figuring it was self-defense and not representative of the cub's normal personality. “I've seen him firsthand when he's playing that part and when he's not. He's really as far from that character as... I am!” \n “I do get that impression,” Mrs. Archer said. “He seems very nice.” She looked to Jack's father, who took a deep breath. \n “Well, Jack,” he began. “Let me say that I am very proud of you for what you're trying to do. He seems like a nice boy, and he obviously really likes you.” \n “But...” Jack said, sensing there was another shoe to drop. \n Jack's parents exchanged glances for a moment, then Jack's father leaned back in his seat. “I don't know that there is a “but”,” he said. “But,” he added with a laugh at his own contradiction, “you're his friend, right?” \n “At least that, yes,” Jack said emphatically. \n “My point,” said his father, “is that you are his friend. But are you prepared to be his parent and not his friend when the time calls for it?” Jack stared silently as the elder Archer went on. “You know as well as anyone that a parent will have to do what's best for the cub, even if the cub doesn't realize it. And that will lead to... hurt. Tears. Even hate.” \n Jack's ears drooped. His father was using Jack's own adolescent behavior as an example of what he might expect. It was how he phrased it that hit Jack the hardest, though. “There was... never any hate,” he said meekly. “I was just...” \n “I know,” his father replied as Jack trailed off. “And I knew then. But after being friends with this little cub for so long, I will say that it still hurt.” \n Jack's ears now went flat against the side of his head. That one sentence stung more than any rebuke he had gotten as a teenager. “I'm...” he started to say.\n “I'm not trying to dredge up the past,” his father continued after a moment's silence. “I just want you to think about what might come in the future, so you're thinking about how you might handle a similar situation. When you have to play Parent and not Friend to him.”\n Jack nodded silently, trying to still his quaking throat before he spoke. “Well,” he finally said, “I do have a very good role model in that area.” His father smiled. “Besides,” Jack continued, “Ange grew up different than me. He's not used to always getting his way or getting what he demanded like I was. In fact, he had to grow up a lot sooner than I did; he's probably more grown-up at 11 than I was at 16.” Indeed, Jack could not picture Angelo crying hysterically because he couldn't go to a movie or a concert, the way Jack had. \n “True, though that may present its own unique challenges,” his father said, sitting back in his chair and letting the silence take over for a moment. “We'll need to talk it over of course, as this is a drastic change for all of us. You're sacrificing a lot: the next seven to ten years of your life are basically on-hold. But you're also asking us to join in to an extent.”\n “I am,” Jack said somberly after a moment's reflection. \n “We're already raising one cub,” Mrs. Archer said. “We'll help out where we can, but you are the one who will be raising him. That means things like getting up extra early to make his lunch in the mornings. Sitting up all night with him when he's sick, and still going to work the next day.”\n Jack's father continued her thought. “Doing his laundry, helping him with homework... living your life completely for him, and settling for the smallest of windows for anything else that you wanted to do for yourself, or forgoing it altogether in favor of him.” \n Jack sighed at the tag-teaming, although they were completely correct. “Yes,” he said, “I've had a ton of time this past week to think about nothing else. And I'll tell you... thinking about all of those little details, makes me respect what you two did for me even more.” \n “Now you understand,” his father said gently. “So... on to more specific details, like: where will you two sleep?” \n “I was thinking my room for now,” he replied. “He can have my bed, and I'll get a cot or a mattress on the floor for now.”\n “For now,” his father repeated. “Then what?”\n “Well, maybe I can build out a little room in the basement?”\n “You would pay for that, of course?” \n “Definitely,” Jack said. “I plan to pay for everything.”\n “Ok, what about insurance?”\n “I get medical, dental, and life insurance through work now,” Jack replied. “I'll max out the life benefits.” \n “You'll probably want to build a trust fund too,” said John. “My accountant can work with you on that. Better for taxes than just paying benefits.” \n Jack nodded. “Max says I should take a cub CPR course too.” \n “I would encourage that,” his mother said. “If you do, maybe we can let the kits swim in the pool with just you there.” \n “You'll want to draft a will too,” Jack's father said. “So there will be no question of what would happen to him.” \n “Yes,” Jack said. “Max sort of mentioned that too. I can name... someone... to take over as his guardian. Would that... be...”\n Mr. Archer nodded solemnly. “If we do bring him into our house, we would accept that contingency as well.” \n Jack nodded appreciatively. “Anything else you can think of right now?” he asked his parents. “The judge wants to see a proposal of everything I plan to do for Ange. I figure the more stuff I can add now, the better it will look.”\n “Indeed,” Mr. Archer said. “I can't think of anything right now, but I'll be sure to call you. When do you need to give this to him?” \n “The hearing is Friday,” Jack said. “Max says I should file it on Wednesday at the latest, so he has time to look it over.” \n “Good, good,” his father said. “Well, I think that's all I have for today. Mary?” Jack's mother shook her head. “Ok then,” he said and stood up. \n Jack stood as well. “I want to give Angelo and Jessica some time, if that's ok.” \n “Sure,” Jack's mother replied. “Assuming they're actually talking.” \n “I really hope so,” Jack said, walking towards the kitchen. He would be able to see most of the front yard from the kitchen window, and hoped to get a covert view of the young foxes. The kitchen window blinds were open, and Jack slowly approached them so as not to present too visible of a silhouette to the foxes outside. \n Angelo was sitting on the fender of Jack's car, his right arm supporting him as he leaned back slightly. Jessica stood in front of him, and the two did seem to be talking. Angelo would make occasional gestures, as did the girl from time to time. \n “How are they doing?” Jack mother said, standing next to her son. \n “They seem to be ok,” he replied. “I just want to give them as much time as I can. I want her to be absolutely comfortable with this.” \n “We all have to be,” his mother replied. “If not, then... well, we can't do it.” \n Jack sighed. She didn't need to keep reminding him of this. “I know, I know,” he said. \n The two stood watching through the window for a few minutes. Jack soon became aware that his mother was watching him more than she was the kits outside. He looked back to her and smiled. \n “Look at you,” she said proudly. “Five years ago I would never have thought that you could care about someone else like this!” She looked back out the window at the conversing pair. “He does seem nice,” she said simply. \n “Yeah,” Jack said softly. “He's... he's my little angel.” He brushed a tear away as he watched Angelo, who seemed to be happily telling a story. \n After another long moment, Jack's mother said, “So tell me about your new job!”\n\n---\n\n After another fifteen minutes or so, Jack finally opened the front door. Angelo and Jessica looked like they were running out of things to talk about, as both fell silent for longer and longer periods of time. Jack noticed the girl's tail wagging, which encouraged him greatly.\n “Come on back inside, Jessica,” Jack's mother called to the young girl. She said another brief word to Angelo, then turned towards the house and took a step or two, then paused. To Jack's surprise and delight, she went back to Angelo and gave him a hug, then ran back to the front door. She held a tiny manila envelope in her paws. \n “You two seemed to get along,” Jack said happily. \n “He's great,” Jessica said. “I hope he can come live with us!”\n Jack looked to his mother who raised an eyebrow in surprise. “What do you have there, dear?” she asked the girl about the little packet she carried. \n “Angelo gave it to me!” She opened the envelope and poured the contents into her paw: 3 gold earrings and a black diamond stud. “Aren't they beautiful?” \n “Well, that's very...” Mrs. Archer said, seemingly unsure what to make of it, or perhaps uncomfortable with the gift, which Jack knew to be worth hundreds of dollars.” \n “And you know what this means, Jack?” she asked with a grin. “It means that he's given up that life for good!” \n “I told you,” Jack said, audibly moved by Angelo's gesture. He smiled at his mother, who smiled back, now seemingly understanding. “Ok, we're gonna go,” he said. “I've got him 'till 5, so we're going to go do stuff, while... while we can.” \n “We'll let you know as soon as we can,” his mother said, giving him a hug. \n “You be good, squirt,” Jack said to Jessica, hugging her as well. Then with a wave, he started towards his car. Angelo was still sitting on the fender of Jack's car watching the group at the front door. When Jack started towards him, he hopped off the fender and waved to the Archers then went around to his door and got in. \n “Ready, bud?” Jack asked as he opened his door. Angelo nodded but didn't say anything. Jack got in and backed the car out of the driveway, waving once more to his family before driving away. \n “That was a very nice thing to do, Ange,” Jack said. “Giving Jessica your earrings,” \n “Hmm?” Angelo asked, sounding distracted. “Oh... yeah, I figure she could use them. I sure as hell won't.” Jack smiled and patted the kit's head. “She's... nice,” Angelo added. He sounded sad. \n “What's wrong?” Jack asked. \n The kit sighed. “Your mother doesn't want me there,” he said. “She's afraid I'll molest your sister or something.” He threw his head back and shouted, “Why is everyone so concerned about my sex life?”\n Jack chuckled and put his paw on the grey-furred knee. “You're such a stud,” he said, giving the leg a squeeze. \n Angelo smirked and covered Jack's paw with his own. “No, I'm serious,” he said. “What are we gonna do? She doesn't want me there, and you said they all have to agree.” \n “I think she does want you there,” Jack said. Angelo looked at him, surprised. “She said that you said all the right things,” Jack said. “Even when you didn't answer – she said that it might not have been the answer she was wanting, but it was still the right answer.”\n “Really?” Angelo asked with a hopeful smile. \n “Yep,” Jack confirmed. “Though she didn't appreciate you dropping the F-bomb at the table.”\n “I know!” Angelo threw his head back again. “Jess said I did that too!” He sighed. \n Jack laughed. “But if I can still read my dad, I think he's on board with you too. To be honest, I was most worried about Jessica, but she definitely wants you to live there now.”\n “Yeah, she told me that too,” Angelo said. \n “I'm... well, I'm amazed, quite frankly,” Jack said. “She didn't even want to go outside to talk to you. But you turned her around nicely.”\n Angelo nodded. “I just told her the truth,” he said. “First thing I said to her was, “Jack says you've heard of me,” and she told me about the stories she'd heard. I explained why I let them grow like that, and she understood... especially when I told her about the early times when I got beaten up before those stories got me some respect.” \n Jack nodded. “I've tried to tell her that a bunch of times,” he said. “I guess she had to hear it first-paw though.” \n “Mmm-hmm,” the kit said. “Then she asked me what the worst thing I did do was.”\n “Gazz?” Jack asked. \n “I did mention Gazz, yes,” Angelo said, “but that wasn't the worst thing. It was way back when. Right after I got beat up one time, actually, and my bag got stolen. I called Victor and he yelled at me to do something about it, like he had been trying to get me to do for a while. \n “So...” the boy continued, with an embarrassed sort of smile. “I grabbed a girl's jump-rope, found the guy who hit me, and...” he chuckled, remembering, “came up behind him and looped the rope around his neck. Pulled it tight, and... held it.”\n “Whoa,” Jack said.\n “I held it 'till he passed out,” Angelo said. “Everyone who was with him scattered. I think that's where the “Angelo killed a guy” story came from, actually. I took my bag back, and left. He woke up a minute later.” He pondered wistfully. “He was a good buyer after that, actually. He never did mess with me again.” \n “So it worked,” Jack said. \n “I guess,” said Angelo. “I only had to do something like that a couple times, then people stopped trying to screw with me.” \n “Until Gazz,” Jack said, mentioning the lizard that tried to rob Angelo and Jack.\n “Yeah,” Angelo said sadly. “I told Jessica about him too. Of all the bad things I did, he's the one that I... still see his face in my mind.” He looked ahead for a moment. “But, I told her how him getting killed was kind of the thing that got us to get away from Victor. She said that “even bad things can have good results.” I kinda like her,” he concluded with a smile. \n “I saw that, yes,” Jack replied. “Nice hug you got, too!” \n The kit smiled. “Yeah,” he said shyly, then as if to shift the mood he added, “She wants me!”\n “Hey now,” Jack said, a cautioning yet friendly tone in his voice. \n “What? I'm just saying,” Angelo replied. “She wants my...”\n “Hey!” Jack exclaimed. “Seriously, knock that off!”\n “I'm just messing around, Jack,” he said, somewhat contritely. \n Jack sighed. “I know, I know.” He wanted to bring this matter up with the cub, and this seemed to present a likely opportunity. “It's just... well, you already know that my mom is a little concerned about... that.” \n Angelo nodded. “You know I'm not going to molest your sister, Jack,” he said. \n “Of course not,” Jack replied, “but... don't even joke about it. Seriously. If she even thinks it's in your mind, she'd... I don't even know what!” \n “Ok, ok, I got it,” Angelo said with another nod. He looked down at his feet for a moment, which made Jack feel bad; he had not intended it to be a rebuke. \n Angelo looked back up at him, with a twinkle in his young blue eyes. “So can I at least pee on her?” \n “WHAT?” Jack exclaimed loudly, which elicited a giggle from his friend. “No! No you can't!”\n “Ok,” Angelo said innocently. “Just making sure.” He paused for a moment as Jack looked at him incredulously. “Grab her butt?” \n Jack could only laugh. “No, no butt grabbing.” \n “No butt grabbing,” Angelo repeated. “Got it.” Another pause, then: “Ooh! I know: what about...” \n “No!” Jack said, cutting him off with faked outrage that made Angelo grin. “And let me help you out: What about.... No! There you go, What About Anything... No!” The boy nodded, pursing his lips. Jack knew something was coming, and he wasn't disappointed. \n “Ok, what if I just want to try on her underwear?” \n Jack groaned in exaggerated despair and banged his forehead on the steering wheel, bringing forth another happy giggle from the kit, who fell silent for a few moments. \n “Jack,” Angelo finally said. “Can I ask a serious question?” \n “I don't know, can you?” Jack replied, still with staged outrage. \n The younger fox smiled at this, then with a more serious yet gentle tone said, “What if she comes to me and wants to see... something?” \n Jack sighed again, staring at the road ahead as he drove. He knew that this scenario was probably the most likely one to occur between them. He could see Angelo watching him expectantly out of the corner of his eye. He put a paw on the younger fox's grey-furred knee. \n “Ange,” he said gently, “I think you know the kind of thing that my mother doesn't want any of. So, knowing that, just... just use your best judgment. I trust you.” \n Angelo put his paw over Jack's and gave a squeeze. He didn't say anything at first. “When we were talking, I promised her that I wouldn't ever do anything to hurt her,” he finally said. “And that includes anything that would hurt her if she found out about it later. And I won't.” \n “That's good enough for me,” Jack said, giving the furry knee a pat. “So where are we going, anyway?” Jack had been driving for a few minutes but had no real destination in mind. \n “I dunno,” Angelo said, “back to your place for now?”\n “You sure? Isn't it a little... close?” The crime scene tape was still on Victor's door when Jack had left this morning.\n The little fox huffed. “I guess,” he said, unsure. “Maybe. But I can remember the fun we had at your place and still forget what happened at Victor's.”\n “Do you think you can go in the pool with that brace on?” \n “No,” the kit replied sadly. “The doctors made a point to tell me not to go in the pool yet. That would have been really fun though. I do kinda' want to take a shower though.” He smiled at Jack expectantly. \n “A shower?” \n “Yeah,” Angelo replied. “Haven't had a real shower since... well, since that morning. At your place, actually!”\n “They don't have showers where you are?” \n “They do,” Angelo explained, “but they suck! Really small sort of stalls, and they have a push-button that only gives water for a minute or so, then you have to push it again. Plus, the doctors told me not to twist or bend or anything, so I can't really reach everywhere on me. All I can do is rinse.” \n Jack pondered this with mixed feelings. The decision, though, was obvious. “Bud,” he said gently, “I don't think that's a good idea.” \n “Why not?”\n “Well,” the older fox said, “we've got this hearing coming up, and I don't want to risk... anything. If I bring you back smelling like Doctor Todd's #7 Fox Wash, they might wonder why you're taking showers when you're out with me.”\n Angelo seemed to accept this, as his face sank a little, but he nodded and just said, “I guess.” \n “Well, we can go back to my place for now and hang out, then figure out what we want to do,” Jack said. “See a movie, maybe go have a nice lunch, maybe other stuff.” \n “Yeah,” agreed the younger fox. “Anything will be fun!” \n “Done and done,” Jack said. Indeed anything the two did that day would be enjoyable, he figured. He just wanted to spend time with the boy, especially given the uncertainty of the situation. He did have one more less-fun topic he needed to bring up from the discussion at his parents' house, and decided to get it out of the way so that nothing more would interfere with the day. \n “You know,” he began after a brief silence, “once you move in with me, it won't be like it was back in the apartment.” Angelo gave him a questioning look. “You aren't going to have all the freedom that you did, is what I mean. You'll have to go to bed at a certain time, do homework and chores... you can't come and go as you please without letting someone know. You're gonna be told “no” a lot, even by me, and it won't always make sense why. And it... might make you mad. At me.” \n Angelo thought about this for a moment. “Well,” he said, “if it means I can wake up in the morning and not have to wonder if I'll still be alive at bedtime, I think I can handle playing by the rules.” \n “Touche,” Jack said. Then after a moment, he changed the subject. “So what else did you and Jessica talk about?” \n “We talked about school,” the kit replied. “How I haven't been in a couple of years, and what it's like where she goes.” \n “Oh yeah? I'm actually trying to get you in the same school,” Jack said. “What did she say about it?” \n “She was mainly talking about the class bullies,” Angelo said. “You think I'll go to the same school?” \n “That's what I hope,” Jack said. “It's a good school, so it'll look good to the judge, and plus you and Jessica can work on homework together.” \n “Cool,” Angelo replied enthusiastically. “Now I kinda' want to meet these bullies too!”\n\n---\n\n As Jack pulled the car up to his apartment building, both he and Angelo looked across the parking lot to Victor's place. There were now two police cars parked in front of it, and the door was open. Jack had seen this several times in the last week as the police continued their investigation. \n Jack pulled his car into his parking space and shut it off. He looked to Angelo whose demeanor had sunken somewhat upon gazing into his former residence. \n He patted the kit's knee. “Come on, buddy,” he said reassuringly, “he can't hurt you or me or anyone anymore.” \n “Yeah,” was all Angelo replied. Jack opened his door and got out. As he did, a familiar form emerged from Victor's door. \n “Hey, Jack!” Officer MacAllister called out, and started a slow jog towards the car. \n Jack waved to the approaching policeman as Angelo opened his door and also got out. The little fox shot Jack a nervous glance. Jack nodded and held up a paw to the cub, trying to convey that it was ok as Angelo walked around the car to stand next to him. \n “Hi Jack,” the officer said as he stopped his jog and walked up to the pair. “And... Angelo,” he added with audible surprise. \n “Hi,” Jack replied. \n The tiger looked at Angelo for a moment, then back to Jack with a curious expression. “So,” he said at length, “what's... umm... what's up with you?” He looked back to Angelo again. \n Jack figured he knew why the tiger was behaving as he did, especially having not seen Angelo when he first called out to Jack. “It's ok,” Jack said, grabbing the CPS paperwork from his back pocket, “I've got him signed out from CPS for the day.” He showed the document to the officer who took it and quickly glanced over it.\n “Perfect,” the tiger said, handing the paper back to Jack. “Like I said, there's a lot you can do if you just do it legally.” \n Jack nodded. “I'm applying for his guardianship,” he said, fuzzling the kit's headfur. “Hearing is next Friday.” \n “Very nice,” Officer MacAllister said. “Good luck to both of you.” Jack nodded appreciatively as the tiger continued. “Well, since you're both here, I just thought I'd let you know: the investigation is pretty much done. We're still looking at leads we have on his contacts and suppliers, but your case anyway is closed. I know what it's like to have that hanging over your head, so... it's closed and done. Go on with your life!”\n “Thanks,” Jack said. “I really appreciate it.” \n The tiger nodded. “And since you're here,” he said to Angelo, “I got something for you too. The detectives are done in there,” he pointed back over his shoulder with his thumb towards Victor's apartment. “The landlord will be gutting the place and rebuilding it, so if you want anything of yours from inside, just let the landlord know.” \n Angelo nodded slowly, his eyes squinting slightly. He did not seem at ease with that suggestion. \n “You don't have to if you don't want to,” Jack said. \n The cub nodded again. “Maybe,” he said after a moment. “I... I dunno.” \n “I hear you,” the tiger said. “You've got a few days, probably. They'll be ripping up the living room first, which will take a while.” \n Jack nodded. The tiger didn't need to explain that one. Jack pictured the lake of blood on the carpet and the spray on the walls before closing his eyes tightly and shaking his head. “Yeah,” he finally said. “We'll figure something out,” he said to the tiger. \n “Sounds good,” Officer MacAllister said. “I'll let the landlord know that you might be coming to see him, and that you're allowed to take anything that belongs to the boy.” He seemed to hesitate for a moment. “There is one other thing,” he said, sounding uncomfortable.\n “Oh yeah?” Jack's ears perked hearing the tone of the tiger's voice. \n “Yeah,” he replied sadly. “The DNA tests all came back on our Jane Doe,” he said, meaning Angelo's mother, “and it's a perfect match. Even had the recessive gene that gave you your grey fur.” He put a paw on Angelo's good shoulder. Angelo's face sank slightly. Even though he had accepted that Victor did indeed kill his mother, bringing that thought back into his mind, and indeed confirming it, must have been unexpected, Jack figured. \n “So,” Angelo said somberly, “where... where is she?” \n “I'll find out and let your lawyer know,” the officer said. “If there is a bright side,” he added, “it does make the way clear for you to go live with Jack.” Angelo just nodded again. “Sorry to bring the news this way,” the officer said, seeing how the boy reacted. “I just... figured you'd want closure on that.” \n “Yeah,” Angelo said flatly. “I guess so.” \n “I should go,” Officer MacAllister said. \n “Thanks for everything,” Jack said, offering his paw.\n “Jack,” the tiger replied, shaking the paw vigorously, “it was good knowing you. Different circumstances would have been better, but you handled this better than some I've seen twice your age. In case I don't see you again, be good!” He winked at Angelo as he said this. \n “You too,” Jack replied, the pawshake turning into a wave as the tiger turned and walked back towards his patrol car. Jack watched him walk for a moment in silence, then turned back towards his own apartment. “After you,” he said to Angelo with a bow and a theatrical swing of his arm towards the apartment door, then followed the cub inside. \n\n---\n\n Jack pulled his car away from the Cub Protective Services home, not having to choke back tears as he was expecting, but with a renewed sense of hope and optimism for the forthcoming hearing that week. \n He and Angelo had hung around at his place for nearly an hour before leaving to get lunch. Jack drove them to the mall and they ate at a pizza shop in the food court. Afterward, they walked the mall for a little bit until they came across the theater which was showing the summer's latest comic-book superhero movie. Angelo commented that he had not been to a movie in years, so they decided on a whim to see it. What had been a summer blockbuster months ago had nearly played itself out, apparently, as there were few furs in the theater, so the two foxes had their pick of seating. \n Jack alternated his attention between the screen and the younger fox seated next to him. Angelo did seem to be enjoying it, as his attention stayed locked on the screen for the most part. Every so often he would look to Jack and smile happily, which got him an affectionate head fuzzle in return. \n As they left the theater at the conclusion of the film, Jack saw a photo booth kiosk ahead. It suddenly struck him that he had no photographs of his friend. Whatever the uncertain week ahead would bring, this much he could certainly do something about. He nudged Angelo and pointed to the booth. \n “C'mon,” Jack said, “Let's get a picture.”\n Angelo regarded the booth strangely for a moment, then said, “Yeah!” and practically ran to it, tail wagging happily. \n It seemed expensive to Jack as he fed cash into the money receiver slot, but quickly realized it would be worth it. The booth offered 4 photos for the money, and would email copies for an extra couple of dollars.\n Angelo clowned for the first couple photographs, lifting his shirt to “flash” the camera for the first one, then he and Jack made silly faces for the second. As the countdown to the third ticked down, Jack put his face right next to the boy's and smiled pleasantly. For the final photo, he stood behind Angelo so their heads lined up vertically, arms around the little fox. \n When the strip printed out, Jack was pleased to see that Angelo did not fool around for the last 2 pictures, but presented the cheerful smile that Jack had come to know over the summer. \n “Aww, look at you,” Jack said teasingly, “sooo cuuute!”\n “Hey,” Angelo replied with a grin, “cute is my middle name!” \n By then, time was getting short, so the pair left the mall and returned to Jack's apartment. Once inside, Angelo sat down on the couch, bouncing once or twice with a smile. Jack sat down next to him, and for a few moments, neither spoke. \n “So,” Jack said finally, unsure what to say, “Do you want to get your stuff from... the apartment?”\n “I dunno,” Angelo said quietly, leaning into Jack. “Just clothes there, really.”\n “Well,” Jack replied, “that will save me from having to buy them all over again.” This was true, and a pragmatic reason to visit Angelo's former residence. Angelo looked at Jack with a happy smile, as Jack realized the optimism of what he had just said: there was no “if” about it.\n “Yeah,” the grey-furred kit said. “And bed stuff, my clock... all that kind of stuff you won't need to buy!”\n “Great,” Jack said. “We'll do it then!” He checked the clock. “I don't think we have time today before I have to get you back, but we'll get it tomorrow.” \n But the kit shook his head. “I have to go to the hospital tomorrow,” he said sadly. “They need to check my shoulder. And since its not an emergency, they say I'll be there 4 or 5 hours. So...” \n “Oh,” was all Jack could muster, the word barely a whisper. \n Angelo stood up and faced the older fox. “This might be our last chance...” \n “Hey now,” Jack said, leaning forward in the couch. “Don't even think like that. Less than a week and we'll be together forever.” Angelo smiled faintly and nodded. “Don't think you're getting out of cutting the grass that easily,” Jack added with a grin which was met by one from the kit. \n Angelo stood in front of Jack silently, smiling faintly. Jack just looked back, soaking in every moment like he was trying to burn the cub's image into his brain. After a moment, Angelo moved to sit back down again. \n “No,” Jack said gently, “don't move. I just... want to look at you.” It sounded awkward to say, Jack noted. \n The eleven-year-old stood there, and the change to his face told Jack that he had realized what the older fox was doing. Despite what he had said, Jack was indeed faced with the possibility that these could indeed be their last moments together, at least for several months if what Max said about Foster Care training was correct. \n “Here,” Angelo said, reaching into his pocket, his voice barely above a mutter. He held his closed paw out to Jack. \n “What?” Jack asked, curious yet concerned. He held his paw under Angelo's and the boy dropped a small metal object into it. \n “My last worldly possession,” the kit declared solemnly. “Now that your sister has my earrings.” \n Jack looked at the little object: a copper-colored lump of metal, slightly deformed. He looked back to the little fox, understanding. “Is this the bullet that hit you?” \n Angelo nodded. “You hang onto it, so it doesn't get lost when... whatever... happens.” \n The red fox stood up without a word, and hugged his small friend. They held the hug for several minutes until the alarm clock that Jack had set went off, indicating that the time had arrived to return Angelo to the CPS house. \n The two parted the hug slowly as the alarm beeped. Jack's face was streaked with tears as he gazed into the blue eyes of the younger fox who looked more tired than sad. Reluctantly, but with the understanding that returning late to CPS would be very bad, the two exited the apartment and got in Jack's car. \n On the trip back to CPS, they discussed the coming week. Angelo asked Jack to be honest and estimate what the odds were that the judge would rule in their favor. Jack, who for days had been mentally compiling the items he was planning to present to the judge, proceeded to list them all off for the boy. \n When Jack finished his dissertation, both foxes were left with a positive feeling about the whole thing. As a contingency, though, Jack made sure Angelo had his email address, so if it did go badly this time, they could stay in touch while Max and Jack worked out their “Plan B”. \n Their actual parting when they reached CPS was difficult, though. The two embraced in the car as they waited their turn in line at the drop-off point. Apparently signing kits out for the day was a common thing for people to do, which gave Jack further contingency ideas. \n When it was their turn, Angelo didn't want to let go of Jack, as the CPS attendant came around to the driver's window to sign the paperwork confirming that Jack had returned Angelo on time. The thought hit him again that it was very much like returning a library book. \n Eventually, though, Angelo had to leave the car with the attendant. He had not cried that day, but his eyes were visibly wet as he looked back to Jack. “I love you,” he exclaimed as he was led back towards the building. \n A CPS attendant who was directing the flow of cars motioned insistently for Jack to depart, as he was holding up the line. He reluctantly put his car in gear. “I love you too, buddy,” he whispered with a hopeful smile, as he drove away.\n\n---\n\n The next morning, Sunday, Jack slept late. For the first time in a week he had nowhere to be, and had nothing pressing or planned to look forward to. He lay in bed staring at the ceiling for nearly an hour after awakening, thinking of the week to come and mentally sorting things out. Eventually the morning call of nature forced him to get out of bed, after which he took a long, lazy shower. \n Following his shower, he dressed and decided to go out and get breakfast, so he grabbed his wallet and keys and headed for the door. When he opened it, he saw Victor's apartment door was open, and there were some furs visible within. \n Jack left his own apartment and walked slowly towards his car, watching the far door as he did. Shortly, the apartment manager walked out from inside and lit a cigarette. Jack closed the car door he had just opened, and walked towards the manager, who waved a paw in recognition as Jack got closer. \n “Good morning,” the manager, a lynx, said. \n “Hi,” replied Jack nervously. “The, umm... the police said they talked to you about me getting the stuff that belonged to Ang... to the cub that lived here?” He was nervous because a thought had been brewing in his mind since Officer MacAllister told him he could clear out Angelo's possessions. \n “Yep,” said the lynx, drawing on his cigarette. He looked at Jack curiously. “So,” he continued slowly, “you did... all that in there?” He pointed back through the doorway with his thumb. \n Jack sighed. “Yeah... yeah I did. I really don't want to talk about it though.” \n The cat exhaled smoke strongly through his nose. “Sure, fine. Yeah they said you can take anything that was the kid's. Nothing else though, and I get the bedroom furniture.” \n “That's perfectly fine with me,” Jack said, trying to maintain a calm face. \n The lynx nodded, then stamped out his cigarette and turned towards the open door. “C'mon,” he said. “There are bags you can use to carry it all.”\n Jack walked back into the apartment for the first time since he had killed Victor. The carpet had mostly been removed from the living room and the walls had been sanded down to the drywall. Over where Victor had bled, the drywall and built-in bookcase had been completely removed, exposing the wooden sub-floor and the wall supports. Plastic tarps covered the floor in several layers, and sheets of plastic covered the carpet going down the hallway towards Victor's bedroom and Angelo's closet. \n The fox exhaled heavily as he took in the view of the room. His paws began to shake as memories of that day tried to creep back in, but he clenched them together and focused his mind on the tasks at hand. \n “Rough, I bet,” the manager said, noticing Jack's trembling. \n “Yeah,” Jack said, his voice unsteady. “Just give me a sec.” \n “Take your time,” the lynx replied. “There's big trash bags over in the kitchen next to all the tools.”\n Jack walked into the kitchen, which necessitated him walking over the spot where he had tackled Victor and ended his life. It took all of Jack's willpower not to look down as he stepped over that spot and on into the kitchen. He immediately saw the tool pile and the roll of black plastic trash bags. He looked back towards the living room to see the manager dialing his cell phone. \n The teenage fox felt a surge of adrenaline as he watched the manager. When he was sure the lynx was suitably distracted, he knelt down and opened the cabinet under the kitchen sink. Inside were several bottles of various cleaning products, spare soap, and the other typical things one would expect to find there. Jack carefully picked up each bottle briefly to see if they were indeed just bottles of cleanser – they all were, much to his dismay. \n “No, over there,” the manager said, which startled Jack as he finished surveying the cabinet. Jack looked up to see the manager looking at him from the living room, and pointing towards the tool pile. The cat was still on the phone. \n “Ok,” Jack said innocently: trash bags were often found under the sink, after all, Jack thought to himself. He stood up and pulled 2 trash bags off the roll and returned to the living room. “I'll just go...” he said, pointing down the hall towards the hall closet that had served as Angelo's bedroom. \n The lynx nodded, still talking on his phone, and followed Jack into the hall. When they reached Angelo's closet, Jack went inside, and the lynx continued down the hall to Victor's room. Jack chuckled under his breath that the manager was so concerned about the bedroom furniture, and hoped that would keep him distracted until his plan was complete. \n He stood in the doorway of Angelo's former bedroom, still in the state it was on the day he and Angelo were last there. The mattress on the floor had a large pile of clothes on it, where the cub had begun to clear out his room that morning, before Victor's unexpected appearance changed everything forever. \n Once again, Jack shook the returning memories out of his head before they got bad. He knelt down and unceremoniously scooped the clothing pile into the first of the bags he carried. They were of the large plastic type used for lawn debris, so they were quite spacious. \n When the pile on the bed was bagged, Jack stood up and began pulling down some of the clothes on hangers, while at the same time moving close to the door and listening to the lynx on the phone. The manager seemed to be having a discussion with one of the contractors gutting this apartment, and the conversation was getting somewhat heated. \n Figuring this was the best opportunity, Jack picked up the half-filled bag and went into the bathroom that was immediately across from the closet he was in. Leaving the light off, he knelt down and opened the cabinet under the bathroom sink, and repeated his check of the various bottles within. \n His heart-rate nearly doubled as he lifted one bottle of spray cleaner, only to find it weighed many times what it should have. Jack quickly removed it from the cabinet and looked at the bottom. There was a key lock built into the underside of the bottle: another of Victor's safes. \n Jack stood up abruptly and put the safe into the bag, hiding it under several layers of Angelo's clothes. At the same time, he heard the manager finish his call, followed by a swear at whomever he had been talking to. Jack immediately turned on the light as the lynx walked out of the bedroom. \n “How's it going?” He didn't seem to be suspicious at all. \n “Good,” Jack replied, “Just checking if there's anything in here.” he feigned looking around the bathroom. “Not really, I guess,” he concluded, and flipped the light back off. He hefted the clothes bag and spun the opening shut. “Back to it in here.” \n The manager nodded with a grunt and went back into Victor's bedroom. Jack felt like he was going to hyperventilate, so took a deep breath and went back into Angelo's room. He opened the bag back up, and for good measure threw in several more layers of clothes on top, then tied the bag shut. \n He then opened the second bag and loaded the rest of Angelo's meager belongings into it. The remainder of the clothes went in first, followed by the bedclothes, pillow, clock-radio, and the like. He inspected a small pile of books on the floor, to find they were stamped by the local library, so he picked them up as well. He might as well be a good citizen and return them, he figured. \n “I'm done,” Jack called out to the manager, as he hefted the bags and walked back out towards the living room. \n “OK,” the lynx shouted from the bedroom, then emerged and walked to where Jack was. “Got all you need?” He kicked gently at one of the bags, as if checking for what might be inside. His toe only hit the softness of cloth within, though. \n “Yep,” Jack confirmed, trying to calm his nervousness. “I think I'm all done in here.” He meant that in more ways than one: he truly was done in this apartment and never wanted to set foot inside again. \n “Right then,” the manager said, “I'll let the crews know they can tear up anything they need to. I think I'm just going to gut the whole place. Maybe make a game room, or a laundry room or something. I wouldn't want anyone to live here after... you know.” \n Jack nodded. “Sounds like a good idea,” he said honestly. He thought he could still smell blood, and wondered how it could ever be completely removed. Shaking off the imminent memory again, he thanked the manager and headed out through the still-open door, carrying a bag in each paw. \n When he reached the parking lot in front of the apartment, he began to chuckle giddily to himself at having found Victor's other safe, and walked back towards his own apartment trying not to burst out laughing. \n\n---\n\n Monday morning Jack returned to work at Max's office. As he had the previous Monday, he wondered how he was going to get through this week without focusing his entire attention on the coming Friday and the hearing with the judge. \n Fortunately, either due to Max anticipating the need for distraction, or just from a quirk of scheduling, there were going to be several people meeting with Jack over the course of the day. Max had arranged for them in order to check off another box on the list of things they would present the judge. \n The first meeting was with Max's banker and accountant. They were there to help Jack set up a trust for Angelo, as well as a savings plan for his college, and to establish a credit card in Jack's name. All of this mostly entailed a lot of paperwork since it was all pretty straight-forward. Jack asked, despite his vow to stay positive this week, about how this could all be canceled if things didn't go well. He was assured that this would not be a problem, as it would take longer than the week to have it all processed. \n Following on the heels of the bankers was a representative from the insurance company that served Max's firm. They went through the paperwork to set up a million-dollar life policy for Jack, to be payable to the trust he had just set up. At Jack's age, the premium was less than the price of a large pizza one time a month. \n It was then lunch time, but Max was not done yet. He had a tray of gourmet sandwiches delivered, at the same time as his mobile phone vendor stopped in. \n “Eighteen and without a mobile phone,” Max said with mock disgust. “We'll fix that right now!”\n The otter arranged for 2 of the latest smart-phones, in an account entirely in Jack's name. Since the fox had no credit yet, the vendor required a sizable deposit, which Max cheerfully paid himself.\n “They're all yours,” he told Jack. “As long as you pay the bills on time, I'll get the deposit back in a year or so.” The otter seemed unconcerned about that. “Just promise one thing: no dick pics!”\n Jack laughed out loud at this. “Not a problem,” he replied. \n “I'm serious,” Max said. “Since you've never had one before, you need to know that those kinds of things will get leaked onto the Internet, and will never go away.”\n “Personal experience?” Jack asked with a friendly wink. \n “Ha, no,” Max said, “but I know too many people who it did happen to! All it takes is an angry girlfriend, or a bunch of drunk friends off-cam while you think you're having a private chat, that kind of thing. Just treat everything you do on the phone as if it was in public, and you'll be fine.” He paused, then indicated the second phone box, still sealed. “Make sure Ange knows that too.”\n “Definitely,” Jack said. He would make sure the point was well understood. \n After lunch, and the parade of professionals had passed, Jack and Max sat in the conference room with a laptop, going to various sites and registering for things like Cub CPR, Swimming Survival, and the like. The otter also brought up a boilerplate Last Will and Testament, which he and Jack filled out. \n Max had apparently set the entire day aside for Jack, and the fox tried more than once to express his genuine thanks, but was always quickly yet politely interrupted. It was as if Max was embarrassed on some level to be appreciated. Towards the end of the day, the two just sat back in their chairs and talked. \n\n---\n\n Tuesday was the day that Max wanted to put everything together into a sort of Executive Summary to submit to the court, with copies of all the supporting paperwork. The goal was to have it filed by the end of the day, so the judge and CPS would have time to evaluate it before the hearing. Jack did not care to give Cub Protective Services any advance notice of their filing, but Max insisted. \n “The court will send them a copy anyway,” he said, “and this way it shows our good-faith and gives them time to check out your home.” \n “Check out... wait, what?”\n “Yeah,” Max confirmed, “they'll want to go visit your parents and check out the house we're proposing. You might want to let them know it's coming, actually. But I know that neighborhood, and once they see the place, I'm sure it will just shut down another of their objections.” \n Jack still was reluctant, until Max convinced him: “And,” the otter said, “since an evaluation is pretty much required, by telling them now we won't get delayed any more on Friday.” That settled it in Jack's mind. Eliminating delays was quite high on his priority list. \n He and Max again sat in the conference room and laid out all of their documents on the table. Max's secretary was also present, taking notes and organizing things, since she would be the one to type up and submit the filing. \n They laid out everything they had, and formatted it in a logical sequence. When it was all laid bare like that, it made Jack even more optimistic that he had a real chance on Friday. The order they settled on was: \n - The description of the home he and Angelo would reside in.\n - Jack's will, naming his parents as guardians.\n - The trust fund set up for Angelo. \n - Jack's life insurance, payable to the trust fund.\n - Angelo's college savings account.\n - Jack's establishment of a credit history. \n - Enrollment in the CPR course. \n - A note about Jack's plans for Angelo's schooling. \n\n This last part was cause for some consternation in the fox. He wanted to have Angelo attend Greenleaf Academy, the private school that his sister Jessica attended. However, they were closed for the summer, and would not start considering applications for another couple of weeks. His filing made note of this, with the implied default of the local public school system as a fall-back. \n “What do you think?” Jack asked, looking up from the pile of documents. \n “I think we've got this,” Max said enthusiastically. “They'd be fools not to see how great you are!” \n Jack chucked as Maggie, Max's secretary, gathered the papers up in a folder. “I'll get the pleading whipped up,” she said, “and attach copies of all these. Should be filed first thing tomorrow.”\n “You're the best, Mags,” Max said, as she exited the conference room. \n\n---\n \n True to her word, Maggie had the whole proposal filed the next morning. After that, there was truly nothing left for Jack to do until the hearing on Friday, so he dove back into the ever-present task of document sorting for one of Max's clients. \n The otter was busy most of the day, unlike the previous week, so Jack was alone in the workroom, and had to get his own lunch. He didn't mind, of course, though he had grown somewhat accustomed to random lengthy conversations with Max: something about the way he talked set the teen fox's mind at ease. \n When the end of the workday arrived, Max did stop in to the workroom on his way out. He apologized for his absence, but predicted that he would be equally occupied for the rest of the week until Jack's Friday hearing. Jack felt somewhat guilty for this, figuring that all the time the lawyer had spent with him on his filing had cause Max to otherwise neglect his other client duties. \n Wednesday went much the same for the fox. As predicted, Max was on phone calls or meeting with clients all day, while Jack tried to lose himself in his work to keep his mind from obsessing over the coming hearing. \n In the afternoon, though, his new cell phone rang, which surprised him as he was still not accustomed to carrying one. He recognized the calling number as his parents. \n “Hello,” he said cheerfully into the phone. \n “Hi Jack, it's Mom,” his mother said. \n “Hey,” he replied, “what's up?” \n “We just had a visit from Social Services,” she replied. \n Jack's ears spiked up straight. He had forgotten to warn them that this was coming. “Oh, crap,” he said, “I meant to tell you about that.” \n “That's ok,” she said, “I think they like the fact that it was a surprise, though I did have laundry all over the couch.” \n “Sorry,” Jack said again with a chuckle. “But, umm... how did it... I mean, what did they...”\n “They wanted to see the house,” his mother explained. “We showed them around, showed them the yard and your bedroom where he would be staying.” She paused briefly, then: “I did say I would make you clean it up before letting him live there!”\n Jack laughed. “Of course,” he promised. \n “Then they talked to us and explained the whole process,” she continued. “It was pretty much how you said it would be. They asked all of us to confirm that we were agreeing to this freely.” \n “All?” \n “Yes,” his mother replied with a laugh, “Jessica was very vocal on the subject.” A long silence followed. \n “And...” Jack said after what seemed like a minute. \n Another laugh from the phone. “Don't worry, she made it perfectly clear that she wants him to live here.” Jack let out a breath that he didn't know how long he had been holding, as his mother went on. “She said that his story was tragic and he was too nice for that to happen to. She got quite emotional, I'm actually impressed.”\n “Nice,” Jack said softly, practically a whisper. Then, more conversationally, “So did they say what they thought of... everything?”\n “No,” came the reply. “They thanked us for the tour and for our input, and said they would take it all into consideration.” Another silence followed, though Jack did not think he was being toyed with this time. His mother spoke after a moment. “I think that's typical though. I expect they'll write a report up and someone else will actually make the recommendation. So I wouldn't read too much into it.” \n “Yeah,” Jack said, somewhat dejected. “My paperwork is in,” he said, trying to bolster his mood. “Max says I've got a real shot at this, from all the stuff we gave them.” \n “We'll keep up good thoughts,” she said on the phone. \n “Yeah,” Jack said, again softly. “Me too...”\n\n---\n\n Friday finally came. Jack was up before the sun, and found it impossible to go back to sleep. He paced nervously in his apartment, now and again fiddling with the two safes, unsuccessfully trying to open them. \n When the sun did rise, he went outside and washed his car twice to help burn off his growing nervous energy. That task completed, he returned inside and took a long shower before dressing in his suit and driving to the courthouse. \n He was required to leave his phone in the car, which cost him a walk back to the parking lot as he was not aware of this. That was fine, he told himself, he was over an hour early and needed something to keep him occupied. \n Jack now stood in the main lobby of the courthouse where he had agreed to meet Max. He watched the passers-by and quickly realized that he could easily tell the court staff from those who were there as plaintiffs or defendants. The former walked casually, laughing and chatting with their co-workers, while the latter behaved more like Jack felt: nervous, looking around a lot, and just generally not wanting to be there. \n After what seemed like hours, Jack finally saw Max come through the security checkpoint, a cup of coffee in paw. He strolled casually like the rest of the courthouse regulars Jack had been watching. The otter walked slowly over to him.\n “Good morning, Jack,” he said amicably. “Ready to take someone into your life?” \n Jack smiled at Max's choice of words. “Yeah,” he said, “I just hope it happens.” \n Max patted him on the shoulder, at the same time turning him in the direction they needed to go. “Happy thoughts,” he said. “Have faith in the ol' ruddertail. I feel good about this.” He slapped his thick tail against Jack's leg as he said this. \n Jack chuckled, still nervous. “So what happens now?”\n “Well,” Max said as they walked, “the judge should have looked over our filing by now. He may have questions about that. And likewise, CPS will have filed their report on your family, so he'll probably discuss that. After that...” the otter paused, which made Jack stare intently at him. “Well, after that,” Max continued, “he'll most likely rule on our request.”\n “Most likely?”\n “Yeah,” Max replied, “there's a small chance he may want more detail on something, or a follow-up social worker visit, interview, or that kind of thing. If you hear him use the word “continuance” that means he does, and this all gets put on hold until he has what he needs.”\n Jack's heart sank. “Crap,” he muttered. A delay was the last thing he wanted, although he understood that a delay was better than an outright denial. “So what other legalese will he use? I'm not sure I'll know what is going on.” \n Max laughed. “I hear you,” he said cheerfully. “I think he'll try to keep it understandable, but the final rulings are usually spoken using specific legal terms.” He cleared his throat. “Ok, you are “petitioner”, and I am “petitioner's counsel”. Angelo is “minor cub” or maybe just “subject”. CPS will be “respondent” or just “state”. If he says “awarded”, that's good. “Remanded” is not so good.”\n Jack sighed loudly. “Just... tell me if we win?”\n Max nodded and patted the fox's shoulder again. “I tell you what, hold my paw and I'll squeeze it if... WHEN... we win, ok?” Jack nodded with a faint smile towards the otter. \n The pair got on the elevator with several others, and silently rode to their floor. Getting out, they made their way to the hallway where the judge's office was. There was nobody waiting outside the office this time, though the door was open. \n Jack and Max approached the door, when Jack stopped. Max turned and gave him a supportive smile. Jack took a deep breath and continued through the door into the judge's outer office. \n Max and the judge's clerk exchanged some sort of complex handshake before the clerk led them towards the door to the judge's actual chambers. The door was closed, and the clerk knocked twice, listening inside. Jack didn't hear anything, but the clerk opened the door wide and motioned them to go inside. \n Jack walked into the office and stopped just inside the doorway, doing a quick survey. The judge was not actually present but the stenographer sat at her spot next to his seat. Angelo sat next to Miss Baker, and Jack saw that the cat he disliked, Ms. Somerset, was not present either. \n Angelo jumped up from his seat as Jack entered and ran to the doorway, wrapping his good arm around the older fox. Jack returned the hug, taking care as always to avoid the cub's left shoulder. Angelo did not wear the heavy plastic padding over his shoulder anymore, Jack noticed, though his arm was still in a sling. \n “Jack...” Angelo said happily. Jack just nuzzled his cheek in response. \n “Seats please, gentlemen,” the clerk said gently from just outside the door. \n Jack and Angelo reluctantly parted, each moving to their respective side of the table. Max sat next to Jack and offered his paw, which Jack took nervously. \n “All rise,” the clerk said. Everyone stood. Jack found it quite amusing that the clerk wanted them to take their seats only to immediately tell them to rise. “This hearing is now in session, the honorable judge Walter Sorensen presiding.” \n A door opened in the other side of the room and the judge stepped through. The bear paused for a moment, noting all present, then went to his chair and sat down. “Be seated,” he said. \n “Now then,” the judge continued after all had re-taken their seats. “let's get right to it. This hearing is to rule on the petition for permanent guardianship of Angelo Cole by John Archer, Jr. Are all concerned present?”\n Jack just nodded, feeling foolish, but didn't know what to say, if anything. He still noted the absence of the CPS cat, but wasn't sure if he should bring it up due to her opposition. But, he thought, if that was somehow a technicality that could come back to bite them...\n “Miss Baker,” the judge said, interrupting Jack's thoughts. “Will CPS counsel be joining us?”\n “No your honor,” the rabbit lady said. “I've been advised that she has nothing to add.” \n The judge furrowed his brow for a moment. “I see,” he said flatly. \n Jack felt Max give his paw 2 quick squeezes, as if telling him that this was a good turn of events. \n “Well then,” the judge said, opening a manila folder and removing several stacks of papers. “Mr. Archer,” he said, looking to Jack. \n “Yes sir,” Jack said before catching himself, “your honor, I mean.” \n The judge chuckled at Jack's continuing inability to say the words. “Sir is fine.” He held up a stack of papers which Jack recognized as his filing. “I've read through your proposal.” \n “Yes sir,” Jack said, his throat feeling very dry all of a sudden. \n “I must say I'm impressed,” the judge said. “I can see that you're taking this very seriously.” \n “Yes, sir,” Jack repeated, barely feeling Max's paw-squeeze. \n The judge seemed to wait a moment before asking, “Do you have any final comments?” \n Jack cleared his throat. “Yes sir,” he said once again. “My folks and I talked about this a lot over the weekend. They helped me understand what I'm signing up for, and... helped me appreciate what they went through to raise me.” He looked to Angelo. “And... I'm ready to make those same sacrifices to give Angelo the same chances that I had.” He looked back to the judge. “I... I know I'm not perfect, and I'm sure I'll make mistakes, but with... the support I've got, I know I can do it.” He stopped as his voice started to choke up. \n The judge nodded, smiling slightly. “On that note,” he said, turning to the CPS rabbit, “Miss Baker, you visited Mr. Archer's home. I've read your report, but can you summarize your findings?”\n “Yes, your honor,” she began. “I and a colleague visited the home in question and interviewed the family members. They were unanimous in their support for Mr. Archer. We found nothing to indicate that the environment there would be detrimental.” Another paw-squeeze from Max. \n “Very well,” the judge said. “I must say, the documents I have seen paint a pretty clear picture, and I've heard from almost all concerned parties.” Jack was confused by that statement, as he just acknowledged that everyone had been interviewed. \n “Master Cole,” the judge said. \n Angelo's ears perked up. “Yes, your honor?”\n “I don't believe we've officially heard from you. Is it your wish to live with Mr. Archer under his guardianship?” \n The cub's face lit up. “Yes it is!” He grinned at Jack from across the table. \n “Very well,” the judge said again, as he placed the paperwork back in the folder and closed it. “The law gives us much latitude to determine suitability of potential parents – and all terminology aside, that is what is at the crux of this.\n “However,” the bear continued, the word weighing heavily on Jack's stomach, “the law is very specific with its goal, and poses one overarching test: is it in the best interests of the cub to be placed into Mr. Archer's custody? Or is it in his best interests to remain under the care of the state, pending further developments or advancements?” His eyes went around the room, making eye contact with each fur for a moment before moving on to the next. \n He sat back in his chair and removed his glasses. “It is the opinion of this court,” he said, his voice taking on the legalese that Jack knew meant a ruling, “that Angelo's interests are best served by the former.” \n A moment of silence followed which further confused Jack, who didn't hear anything sounding like a ruling. After a moment though, he felt an ache in his paw from Max squeezing it so tightly. He looked to Max who had a happy smile on his face, then to the judge who must have noticed the confused look on his face. \n “Therefore,” the judge said, “petitioner John Archer Jr is awarded permanent guardianship of the minor cub Angelo Justin Cole subject to the laws and statutes of this state. It is so ordered.” \n Jack wasn't sure when he had last breathed, but he exhaled deeply upon hearing this. Angelo jumped up from his seat and seemed like he was going to dive across the table. He just stood there, though, with one paw on the table and his tail wagging. \n “Well,” said the judge to Angelo, “what are you waiting for?” \n Angelo grinned and dashed around the table. Jack slid his chair back and turned to face the little fox who was practically charging at him. Jack tried to avoid impacting his shoulder as they collided into a tight hug. \n Jack closed his eyes tightly as he hugged Angelo. He felt Max pat him on the back robustly, but kept his eyes closed as he rocked slightly with the younger fox. \n After a moment, he heard the judge speaking, much softer than he had before. “You know, Mr. Archer,” the bear was saying, “the law typically uses very precise words in its rulings, and today is no exception. The ruling states that you have been “awarded” custody, and that word is most accurate.” Jack opened his eyes and looked at the judge as he continued speaking. “You've been given something precious here today, and I hope you will act accordingly.”\n Jack nodded to the judge. “You can bet your life on that,” he said softly as he continued to hug Angelo. \n\n---\n\n After the hearing in the judge's chambers adjourned, everyone rose with the judge. Jack turned to give Max a great bear-hug, which surprised and seemed to frazzle the otter. At the same time, Angelo gave a hug to Miss Baker. “Thank you for taking care of me,” he said to the rabbit who seemed extremely pleased with the outcome of the hearing. \n “It was my pleasure,” she said. “You go and have a great life!”\n “There is some paperwork you need to fill out,” the judge said to Jack and Angelo. “A lot of it, actually. You both will be getting documents sent to you in a couple of weeks: ID cards and the like, to prove that you're now legal and all.” He handed Jack a business card. “In the meantime, if anyone questions your status, have them call me directly.” \n Jack took the card with a sense of respect and awe. “Th- thank you sir,” he said to the judge, who extended his paw for Jack to shake. “I mean it,” Jack said, “thank you. Thank you for everything.”\n Angelo was slightly less formal, hugging the judge when he had released Jack's paw. The bear chuckled and patted the boy's black head-fur. \n “Now, I don't want to ever see you in my courtroom,” the bear said to Angelo, who grinned. \n “Oh, don't worry about that,” the little fox said cheerfully.\n As the group left the judge's chambers, the clerk motioned Jack to his desk, where the promised stack of papers awaited. As he filled them out, the clerk led Angelo to a bare part of the wall and took a photo of him for the identity card that was among the documents in front of Jack.\n Max and the clerk chatted about college days and their shared society membership as Jack filled out the paperwork, while Miss Baker excused herself and left. The judge, likewise, retired to his chambers and closed the door. \n Eventually the paperwork was complete. Jack was given copies: most were to be filed away while one he was to keep with him for the time being until the official identity documents arrived. Max took the for-file documents, telling jack he would file them for safe keeping. \n Their business concluded, the three took their leave of the clerk and returned to the hallways of the courthouse. Jack walked with his arm around Angelo, who seemed as cheerful as Jack had ever seen him. Max walked on the Jack's other side, and didn't say anything, as if he didn't want to ruin the moment. \n They approached the elevator to the parking garage. “Here's where I get off,” Max said. Jack was parked in the surface lot out front, so had a ways to walk still. \n “Max,” Jack said, the gratitude obvious in his voice, “Thank you so much.” \n “Any time,” the otter replied, still seeming uncomfortable being thanked this much. “We can discuss my fees on Monday.” \n Jack stared dumbfounded. “Wha... fees?” \n Max laughed. “Kidding, you dope!” Jack laughed with him. “Seriously though,” Max said, “you guys have a great weekend, and I'll see you, Jack, on Monday. Angelo.” He held his fist out to the cub, and was again surprised at being hugged by the little fox rather than the expected fist-bump. “Ok, ok,” Max said, laughing. “Take it easy you two,” he said as the elevator opened and he stepped inside with a wave.\n The pair continued on towards the main entrance, passing through the security checkpoint. Once outside, a sense of victory finally hit Jack. It was as if he thought that the court could still change its mind before he got out of the building. Jack stopped and laughed out loud, weeks of anxiety flowing out of him in a long happy catharsis. \n Angelo laughed as well, spurred on by Jack. The little grey-furred fox hugged his now-guardian. “We did it Jack!”\n “We did it, buddy,” Jack said, hugging the small fox again, nuzzling his face against the kit's. \n “So,” Angelo said, “do I call you “dad” now?” \n The word hit Jack unexpectedly, and made him grin. “Well, I don't really know,” he replied. “I mean, I'm not...” \n “Just one time?” There was some small emotion in the cub's voice. \n “Sure,” Jack said, staring earnestly into Angelo's blue eyes. \n “Dad...” \n Jack felt overwhelmed, and just hugged the boy again. He felt like he was going to cry, but this was a happy occasion, he thought. “Let's get going,” he said with choked voice, as the pair resumed their walk to his car. \n “Are we going to the house now?”\n “Well, not yet,” Jack replied. “We need to go by my place first. I've got all your stuff waiting there, and I guess I need to pack my stuff as well.”\n “Good!” the kit replied. “I'd love to take a real shower again, and then put on real clothes!”\n “Not a problem,” Jack said with a laugh. “But first: I don't know about you but I'm suddenly starving!”\n “Yes!” Angelo explained. “They had breakfast this morning but I was too nervous to eat any of it.” \n They arrived at Jack's car and climbed in. Jack started the car up, then immediately grabbed his new phone from the console and called home.\n “Oh, check you out!” Angelo said teasingly as he saw the shiny new phone. \n “You ain't seen nothing yet,” Jack said cryptically as he listened to the ringing. \n “Hello,” a voice answered on the phone. \n “Hi Dad,” Jack said. \n “So how'd it go?” \n Jack took a deep breath. “We won!” \n\n---\n\n They stopped by a pizza parlor for lunch on the way to Jack's apartment. Angelo was now an excited bundle of questions about his new life, and Jack tried his best to answer them all. There were still some aspects of their living arrangements that Jack was still uncertain about, so as he spoke he was also trying to work them out in his own mind. \n Mom and Dad would be the final word for anything relating to living in the house. This would include all the amenities the house had to offer, such as the pool, the video game system, Internet use, and the like. But it also would include things such as meal times, curfew and bedtime to an extent, and chores. They would also control what friends Angelo, and Jack for that matter, would be allowed to have over. \n Jack, on the other paw, would be the final word for things regarding Angelo himself. This would include things like making sure he did his homework, giving permission for him to go various places like concerts and sporting events, and discipline when required. Jack playfully punched his fist into his open palm as he described this part, which made Angelo giggle. \n The confusing part for both foxes was when these areas overlapped. Jack reckoned they would both figure it out as it happened. He did let Angelo know that when he wasn't around for whatever reason, that his parents would be allowed to make basic decisions that would normally be Jack's. He cautioned the boy not to “shop around” between Jack and his parents looking for one to overrule the other. \n Jack had a lingering concern about how Angelo would adapt to this sudden change in how he was accustomed to living. Whereas before he had come and gone as he pleased, essentially without restrictions, now he was moving into a household that had a long-standing set of very specific rules and restrictions. Angelo seemed to be fine with these however. \n After lunch, the pair drove to Jack's apartment. No sooner were they inside than Angelo shucked off the blue CPS sweatpants he had been wearing, and asked Jack to help him remove his shirt, which was not as straight-forward as it was for an uninjured fur.\n The cub explained the range of motion his wounded shoulder allowed, and how to put on and remove shirts without hurting it: essentially the shirt was pulled up from his waist and over his head, with his good arm being pulled inside at the same time. This left the shirt looped around his left shoulder, at which point he would detach the sling and gently slide the shirt down his arm. \n Jack paid close attention, as he knew he would be assisting in several areas like this until the boy's arm was healed. As Angelo had noted, it wasn't until you were unable to perform a basic motion that you realized how often you needed it. \n When he had his shirt successfully removed, he started towards the bathroom, tugging down on his boxers with his good paw as he walked. “Need... shower...” he said with a grin, beckoning for Jack to follow him. \n\n---\n\n Jack sat on the edge of his bed with Angelo standing in front of him. He was finishing up drying the cub off with a towel. He sat shirtless, his own having been soaked very quickly in the shower process. The older fox tossed the towel towards the doorway then picked up the fur-brush and began to brush Angelo's fur out.\n “Feel better now?” \n Angelo sighed contentedly. “Oh yeah,” he said, “I totally needed that.” He smiled at Jack as the red fox continued to brush the grey-furred fox. “I can't wait for this thing to heal!”\n “A couple more weeks, right?” \n “Yeah, that's what they say,” Angelo replied, looking at his bare shoulder, the fur only just starting to grow back in where the hospital had shaved it. “It's still sore, so I dunno.”\n “We'll get through it,” Jack said, reassuringly. He realized that it was now incumbent on him to take Angelo to the doctor for all the future follow-ups on his shoulder, and indeed everything else. \n Jack finished up his brushing with the cub's legs, then sat back and regarded the young fox. “There we go, all de-floofed!” Angelo grinned as Jack stood up and walked to the bags in the corner that contained all of the boy's belongings from Victor's place. He rooted through the bag as Angelo sat down on the bed, holding his left arm immobile as he had not yet put the sling back on. \n Jack came back over and dropped down a fresh outfit for him, to include a shirt, jeans, boxers, and socks. He knelt down in front of the kit and slid the boxers up his legs, followed by the jeans, before working the socks onto his foot-paws. \n Angelo stood up and Jack tugged the waistband of the boxers and jeans to seat them snugly, then fastened the tail-flap buttons in the back. Finally, he reversed the shirt-removal process and pulled the t-shirt down over the cub's head. \n “It's a lot faster when I have help,” Angelo noted happily as he was dressed. He looked to the bags in the corner. “So, what'd ya bring back?” \n “Pretty much everything that was in your room,” Jack said, walking over to them. “And one thing that wasn't,” he added cryptically, digging in the clothes bag. He looked back at Angelo, who had a puzzled yet cheerful smile on his face. Jack grinned back and revealed the can of “cleanser” that he had retrieved from under the sink. \n Angelo's eyes went wide, his smile expanding to a grin. “Is that...” \n Jack just smiled and shook the can, letting the sound of the gold coins within answer for him. Angelo made an excited giggle. \n “You know how much is in there?” \n “A lot,” Jack said, handing the can to the kit. “It's pretty heavy.” \n “Oh yeah,” Angelo said, hefting it with his good paw. “He... said that after buying that heroin, he was down to his last fifty or sixty grand. So if it's all in here... plus the one he gave you to keep...” \n “Then there's a little bit of payback for... some of what he took from you.” Jack didn't want to downplay the loss of the boy's mother. \n “Mmm,” Angelo said, nodding. “I'll take a Mercedes!”\n Jack laughed. “Some day,” he said with a smile. “For now, this is going to help me raise you.” Angelo nodded again, but didn't respond. “Don't worry though,” Jack added, seeing this, “there's definitely money for fun stuff in here!”\n “It's the least he owes me,” Angelo declared, not sadly but with a more hopeful tone. \n “Oh, and speaking of fun stuff,” Jack said, walking now to his dresser and opening the top drawer, “got you this, to start things off right!” He pulled out a smallish white box and handed it to Angelo. \n The kit seemed to recognize the box, as his eyes went wide again. “Is... is this a PhoxPhone?” \n “The very same,” Jack said triumphantly, picking his own phone off of the dresser and holding it up. \n “Wow! Thanks,” the kit said happily, taking the box and immediately opening it. \n “I got it all set up and charged and ready to go,” Jack said as Angelo picked up the phone and held it gingerly. “That's your number,” Jack said, indicating the service form in the box. “And that's mine. One number down from you!” \n “Wow,” Angelo said again, pushing the button on the device which brought it to glowing life. \n “One thing,” Jack said. Angelo looked up at him. “Just so you know... there is parental-control software on there.” Angelo's eyes narrowed slightly. “But,” Jack went on, “I didn't turn it on. I trust you.” Angelo smiled happily as Jack continued, “I know you're pretty new to the whole Internet thing, so please: ask me before installing stuff, or doing video chat, or anything like that. You know you can always ask me anything.”\n Angelo nodded appreciatively. “I will, Jack, I promise!”\n “That's my boy,” Jack said with a smile, then sat down next to the little fox. “Here, let me show you some stuff.” \n\n---\n\n They hung around Jack's apartment for a couple of hours: playing with the features on their new phones, trying unsuccessfully to hammer open one of the can-safes from Victor, and just generally spending time and enjoying each other's company.\n Pretty soon, Jack figured they should be starting towards his parents' house – indeed his own house once again. His parents would be getting home from work, as would Jessica from whatever after-school activity she had that day. He grabbed the suitcase from the closet that had contained all his clothes those short few months ago when he had left from home, and began to pack it full again for the return trip. \n Angelo helped a little, with things like Jack's alarm clock and other small sundry items, but mostly he just videoed Jack with his phone, having already mastered that aspect of the device. Jack chuckled as the kit narrated his recording in the style of a wildlife photographer recording dangerous animals. \n Once packed, he carted his suitcase and the bags containing Angelo's possessions out to Jack's car. They made sure to bring the two safes as well; their hammering had not been fruitful, but there was a hacksaw and a grinder back at the house, which should make short work of the containers. \n Jack then walked back to the apartment and shut down all the lights and locked up. There was still a fair amount of furniture in there, but he didn't know when he'd be back. Most likely it would be after he built his room in the basement, he reckoned, as then he would need these furnishings. He felt a twinge of sadness as he closed and locked the door – a feeling which turned to joy quickly as he approached the car and saw Angelo's eager face within. \n The red fox got in the driver's seat and slammed the door with a purpose. “You ready, bud?” \n “Yeah,” Angelo replied with enthusiasm. “Let's do this!”\n “Your wish is my command,” Jack said, starting up the car and backing away from his parking place. \n\n---\n\n The drive to the house was filled with a sort of electricity, Jack noted. Angelo was quite animated and asked dozens more questions about how things worked over there, as far as rules, chores, and other procedures went. \n Jack went over the list of house rules that he had memorized. Angelo had seen those once before, though him actually moving in must have seemed in the distant and unimaginable future. Now that it was a reality, he had Jack go over them again to brush up. \n As they got nearer to the house, Angelo seemed to settle down, and was watching the streets go by. As Jack made each turn, the little fox looked for the street name, as if he was mentally noting the route to the house. \n They eventually turned into the neighborhood itself. Angelo seemed to recognize the proximity, as he began to perk up again and look from one window to another, taking in the scenery. \n “Almost there, bud,” Jack said as he saw the younger fox's fidgeting. “Nervous?” \n “Maybe a little,” the little grey-furred fox replied. “This is... big.” \n Jack agreed, but didn't want it to be overwhelming. “Yeah, but you'll feel right at home in no time!” Angelo nodded with a smile, still watching the street signs as Jack navigated the neighborhood. \n Finally, they made the last turn onto the street, and slowed down as the car approached the driveway. He had always had to park on the street when he lived there, but now saw that the driveway was empty, with both parent's cars visible in the garage through its open door. \n This was unusual, as normally the garage was too filled with items to allow both cars to fit, and typically Jack's parents would leave both cars in the driveway. They had clearly made an effort to fit the cars in, presenting a welcoming spot for Jack to park, even if only for one time. \n Jack pulled into the driveway and up to the edge of the garage and shut down the car. The garage door began to close even before the two foxes could unbuckle. Jack reckoned that his parents just wanted to let him know they were home, which an empty driveway would normally belie. \n “Home sweet home,” Jack said to Angelo, who smiled nervously, then taking a deep breath, opened his door and got out. \n The pair walked up the walkway to the front door, which opened from within as they approached. Inside the doorway, Jack's parents and Jessica stood close together, smiling broadly. A colorful “Welcome Home” banner hung above them in the doorway. \n Jack and Angelo stopped just short of the entryway, and for a silent moment all stood there and took in what they were witnessing. Finally, Angelo walked to the stoop. \n “Welcome home, Angelo,” Jack's father said, stepping back to let the little fox enter. “You too, Jack,” his father said as Jack followed his young friend inside. \n “Thanks,” Jack said as the door shut behind him. There was another silent moment before Jack's mother hugged him wordlessly, her eyes visibly watering. \n “Thank you all,” Jack heard Angelo say. “Thank you for doing... all this... and for someone that you...” He trailed off as Jack's father patted the young fox on the head. \n “You're both very welcome,” the elder Archer said. \n “Welcome, new brother,” Jessica said to Angelo, which made Jack's ears perk up. He chuckled to himself as he saw the same reaction from the boy. \n “Umm, thanks... new sister?” Angelo said. Then he smiled broadly at the girl. “Hey, they look beautiful on you!”\n Jack noticed that Jessica was wearing one of Angelo's earrings in each ear. She giggled at the complement and wiggled her ears slightly to make the rings move. \n “Well don't just stand there,” Jack's mother said cheerfully after a moment. “You're home now, so come on in!”\n “C'mon,” Jack said. “I'll show you around.” \n “Me too!” Jessica exclaimed excitedly. \n Jack proceeded to show Angelo around the house, both inside and out, with Jessica close behind. They started with Jack's bedroom, which the two would share until Jack fixed up his own space in the basement.\n Angelo seemed a little overwhelmed by the furnishings in the home. The rooms were large as a rule, and well apportioned. The back yard was quite large, with a decent-sized swimming pool as the centerpiece, yet still plenty of room to play an impromptu game of football or lacrosse, for which purpose a goal net was currently deployed. \n The upstairs hall bathroom, which the kits normally used, was also a good size, and sported a large oval bathtub, easily double the volume of the ones in Jack's apartment. The master bath, off of Jack's parents' room, was quite large, and featured a “rainforest” type of shower, as Jack called it: it did not have the typical shower head, but rather numerous small spray heads in the ceiling and walls which gave a rainfall effect when activated. This fascinated Angelo as much as anything else he had seen in the house. \n The tour over, delivery pizza was ordered. Jack's mother had her Friday bridge game to go to, but promised everyone a proper Welcome-meal that weekend, as well as a bacon breakfast to start the morning. The remaining Archers decided to watch a movie and just relax that evening. \n After dinner, Jack and Angelo went out to unload their gear from the car. Jack made sure to not let Angelo over-exert his wounded arm, so brought the kit's clothes in first and carried them to his room. Angelo sat on the bed and began sorting through the contents as Jack returned to the car. He ended up making three trips to fully unload everything.\n “I'm gonna see what we got that can open these,” Jack said, removing the two small safes from the bag when the car unloading was complete.\n “Kay,” Angelo said, continuing his sorting of his clothes from the bag. Several piles were forming on the bed. \n Jack went down to the family room with one of the safes in paw. His father was sitting in his usual easy-chair reading the newspaper. “Hey Dad,” Jack said as he entered the room. \n “Hello,” the elder Archer said, looking over the top of his paper. He cocked an eyebrow as he saw the thing Jack carried. “What'cha got there?”\n “Well,” Jack began slowly, “I, umm... I need to get this open. Any ideas?” He handed the “can” to the older fox who seemed surprised at its weight. He rattled it gently.\n “This the cache of... things... you mentioned?” He seemed like he was trying to avoid knowledge of what was inside, even though Jack had told him. Perhaps this was still technically illegal, Jack pondered. \n “Yep,” Jack said. “I tried a hammer, but I think I just made it worse.” The end of the can where the key-lock was had been smashed somewhat flat, making it unlikely that the lock mechanism would ever work again. \n Jack's father rattled the can again gently and rolled it end-over-end. “Sounds like they're smaller than the can is, and there seems to be a bit of space at the ends...” He looked intently at the metal and seams of the can. “I think we could grind the end off – slowly, so we don't damage anything inside.” He handed the can back to Jack. “Let's give it a try tomorrow, ok?” \n “Sounds good,” said Jack. “I have... umm... two of them.” \n His father cocked an eyebrow again. “Two... Do you know how much you have?” \n “Nope,” Jack said honestly. “Not a clue. Hell, they could be silver dollars for all I know.”\n “Not weighing that, they're not,” Mr. Archer replied. He looked at Jack with what the younger fox felt was sadness. \n Again Jack wondered if this was still illegal. “It's all for Angelo,” he hurriedly explained. “After everything that got taken from him, you know... it's only...” He trailed off. \n “I know, I know,” his father said softly. “Let's just... not bring it up to anyone else. Fair or not, this is still... questionable money. The less anyone talks about it, the better.” Jack nodded as his father continued, “Have you worked out how you're going to convert these?” \n Jack had not, but said, “I think Max can help. I mean he's a lawyer, so...” \n “So he knows the most criminals?” His father laughed loudly as he spoke. \n Jack laughed as well, and found it felt good to laugh after everything. “Jeez,” he said, still laughing, “when you put it like that!”\n The two laughed for a few more moments. Jessica enter the room as Jack's father spoke. “We'll figure something out.” Then to Jessica, “Hi babe, want to pick out a movie?” \n “Ok,” the cub said with enthusiasm, dashing to the DVD cabinet by the television set. \n “Don't pick something girly,” Jack said with friendly taunting. A stuck-out tongue from the girl was his response, which made him laugh again. “I'll go see if Angelo wants to watch.”\n Jack went up the two flights of stairs to the bedroom level. As he turned the corner, he saw his mother standing at his bedroom door, looking inside with a motherly smile. She saw him approach and put a finger to her lips. \n “Shh,” she cautioned, still smiling. Jack looked into his bedroom. \n Angelo sat on the bed crossways with his back against the wall. He was asleep and surrounded by piles of his clothes. The half-empty clothes-bag was in his lap, and his paws were crossed over it. His head was down but rose and fell slightly with his breathing. Jack smiled widely at the scene. \n “I'm so proud of you,” his mother whispered, kissing his forehead. Jack smiled and went into the room. His mother watched for a moment then left for her game. \n The older fox went to the bed quietly and picked up the piles of clothes, placing them in an open dresser drawer, then placed Angelo's pillow that he had brought in the other bag at the head of the bed. \n Jack then carefully lifted the kit's paws off of the bag, making sure that the left arm was returned to its correct position in the sling. Angelo stirred at this, and opened his eyes slightly, and seeing Jack he smiled before closing them again. \n “Tired, buddy?” \n “Mmm-hmm,” came the wordless reply. \n “We were gonna watch a movie,” Jack said quietly, not trying to pressure the boy. He put one arm behind Angelo's back, and one under his knees and gently lifted and turned him to be properly aligned with the bed. “You don't have to, though,” he said, setting the cub back down and stretching his legs flat, positioning his tail between them. \n “Mmm,” Angelo muttered with what sounded like contentedness. \n Jack smiled again, and unbuttoned the cub's jeans and the tail-flap in back, then tugged at the cuffs to slide them down his legs. Angelo roused again at this, and assisted Jack slightly by wiggling his legs and feet as the jeans worked their way down. \n “I just...” Angelo started to say, then put an arm over his eyes. Jack patted his bare leg affectionately. “I just wanna sleep for a week,” he finally said, tiredly. \n “I don't blame you,” Jack said. “I could probably do the same.” He looked at the still-unassembled army cot on the floor next to the bed, which would be his own berth for the immediate future. It did not look comfortable. “Maybe...” \n “Jack!” Jessica shouted from downstairs. “Angelo! Movie time!” Angelo looked to Jack tiredly, yet smiled happily. Perhaps it was the sense of family, Jack reckoned. \n “You want me to come?” \n Jack shook his head. “Don't worry 'bout it,” he said moving close and brushing the cub's head-fur back. “Next time.” Angelo nodded. “I'll be up in a little while,” Jack added, giving the grey-furred forehead a kiss. \n “You can sleep here if you want,” Angelo said, indicating the double bed which would easily fit them both. \n “I dunno,” Jack said, considering his new situation. “I mean...” he paused as Angelo smiled at him. “Maybe.” As tired as Jack was, he didn't look forward to building his bed that evening.\n “Kay,” Angelo said as Jack started towards the doorway. “Jack,” Angelo said, stopping the older fox, who turned back towards him. Angelo looked back at him for a long silent moment, just smiling at Jack, with his bright blue eyes shining. “Thank you,” he finally said. \n Jack could only nod back and smile. His own eyes were watering and his throat was choked up such that he didn't think he could speak properly. Angelo smiled again and shut his eyes sleepily as Jack switched the light off and pulled the door closed. \n A happy smile decorated Jack's face as he went downstairs to the family room where his father and sister were waiting to start the movie. The elder archer was sitting on the couch, while Jessica lay on the floor watching the television. Jack sat on the couch next to his father. \n “Mary says he's sleeping,” Jack's father said.\n “Pfft,” Jessica said over her shoulder. “It's too early to sleep: the sun is still out!”\n “Yeah,” Jack replied. “These last few weeks have been... exhausting. For both of us. I'll probably be back up there pretty soon myself.” He looked at his father wistfully. “It's a good sign though – him falling asleep like that. It means he feels... safe here.” He smiled again as he felt his throat tighten up again. \n “I'm glad to hear it,” John Sr. replied. He patted his son's knee. “You'll be a fine parent.” \n “Guardian, technically,” Jack said. \n “Heh,” his father replied, “Whatever it says on the paperwork, I have news for you: you're now a parent.”\n “Parent,” Jack repeated. A smile crept across his face as he pondered the word and all it implied, until he let out a happy laugh. \n “Can I start it now?” The girl sounded impatient, as kits that age are wont to be. Most kits that age anyway, Jack thought to himself. \n “Sure,” Jack's father said with a chuckle. Jessica hit the button on the remote control and the DVD started. It was an animated film about talking feral polar bears that Jack had already seen dozens of times. \n Jack's face stared at the screen, but his mind was light-years away as a multitude of images flashed in his mind. He saw himself knocking on a stranger's door, his smoking car behind him, and seeing a small grey-furred face crack the door open. He saw that same cub smiling innocently at him, holding a lit cigarette lighted while a different, gasoline-soaked car sat well behind them. \n He saw himself and Angelo walking through the ball field at a local school, as Victor had put it, walking like “King Shit” with a backpack full of drugs. Then at a similar school field, swinging his arm in a broad arc inflicting a large slash to Gazz's chest. \n He saw the fear on Angelo's face as they drove through an alleyway in gang-land, then a happier vision of the two of them playing at the local swimming pool, followed by Angelo sleeping over at Jack's apartment. \n Jack saw Victor unleashing a tirade against the small form, whose face reflected the shock and surprise that this caused. Then the next day, holding the boy as he sobbed, a catharsis showing the extent to which he had kept himself hidden, accompanied by a gesture of pure trust in Jack. \n Then there was the fear and pain in the young face as he lay bleeding on the floor... the sadness as he was wheeled away from Jack by the state... and the sheer joy as the judge ruled in their favor that morning. \n These visions flashed quickly through Jack's mind, but the one that lingered in his mind was the happily snoozing boy upstairs. Whatever happened in the past, he reckoned, had all led them to be here, and that was the only important thing now. \n Jack kept picturing the sleeping cub in his mind, watching over him even from another room. His smile was obvious, as were the tears that fell unchecked from his eyes as he stared in the general direction of the TV without actually watching it. \n He felt a finger on his face, which brought him back to reality. He looked to his father, who had brushed Jack's tear away with his finger. \n “You'll do fine,” he said to his son. \n Jack nodded and again turned his face generally towards the TV, but summoned the happy visions back into his mind, smiling with a level of happiness he had never felt before. \n\nTHE END\n\n\n\nBUT WAIT!\nThe Dangerous Games may be over, but that doesn't mean the story is! Stay tuned for the continuing adventures of Jack and Angelo, complete with new friends, new enemies, and new situations. \n\nAFTERWORDS by the author: \n\nInteresting trivia, this story clocks in at 235 total pages, formatted like they are, and around 136,000 total words. This puts it well above the first 3 Harry Potter books (78,000, 84,000 and 106,000), all of the Hunger Games books (99,000, 101,000, 100,000), larger than Return of the King (134,000) and A Tale of two Cities (135,000, which interestingly Angelo was reading in the story), and just below 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (138,000). \n\nLastly, if you've read all of the story I would appreciate a quick note, PM or anything. The uploads of the parts usually get a couple hundred views, but apart from a couple of comments, I really don't know if anyone is actually reading it! I'm hardly a comment-whore, but it would be nice to know that I'm not just writing for the heck of it. I've got more stories cooking in my head if there's actually interest for them.\n\nThanks to all my readers, anonymous and otherwise!\nShryke\n4/24/2016\n\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Disclaimer: This story is part of a series, entitled “Dangerous Games”. The series contains non-human anthropomorphic animal (“Furry”) characters of varying ages, adult and cub. While there are no overt sexual acts depicted in this series, the stories will contain adult themes, topics, and situations, which may not be legal in some jurisdictions. These include: frank discussions of sexual acts and character sexuality, alcohol and drug use, criminal acts, violence, adult language, weapons including guns and knives, bloodshed, grievous bodily harm, death, and events which depict underage characters in peril.  

It is up to the reader to be aware of the laws regarding depictions of such material in their place of residence. If you are not allowed to read such material, due to age, religion, place of residence, or any other factor, do not continue.

This story and all characters are copyright Shryke. This is a work of fiction. All events and persons depicted are fictional, and any similarities with actual events or persons is purely coincidental.

This is Part 9, and wraps up everything that has been building for the past 5 years, so if you've not read any of the previous chapters, please do so first. The story won't mean much to you otherwise, and you'll be spoiling everything that's been happening in the past 8 parts.



DANGEROUS GAMES
by Shryke
Part 9

          Jack jumped up from his seat as the door was opened by the clerk. Angelo stepped into the doorway, looking nervous yet curious. He wore the same type of blue sweats that he had in the hospital, and his arm was still in a sling, a large padded shoulder protector strapped over his left shoulder.
          It only took seconds before he and Jack locked eyes. The cub's face lit up. “Jack!” he cried and ran to the older fox who put both arms around him and hugged him tightly, taking care to avoid his wounded shoulder.
          “Ange,” Jack said, his voice choking and eyes watering. “I've missed you so much, buddy.” He nuzzled the boy's charcoal headfur, which he saw had been cut much shorter than he previously kept it.
          “Me too,” Angelo whispered, his face pressed hard against Jack's chest as he hugged with his good arm. The two stayed like this for several moments. Jack heard the cat lady clear her throat, but he ignored her and stayed locked in the hug with his friend, eyes closed, swaying ever so slightly.
          After another few moments, the judge gently said, “Please take your seats, gentlemen.”
          Jack opened his eyes to see Angelo looking up at him. “Better go,” Jack whispered, running a thumb over the top of his grey-furred muzzle. Angelo nodded and the pair slowly separated, holding paws until the last possible second.
          A rabbit lady who had accompanied Angelo guided him to the other side of the table, next to Ms. Somerset, the cat lady from Cub Protective Services, and sat next to both of them. She was younger than the cat was, and wore her hair long. She looked much more friendly than Ms. Somerset as well, Jack thought. He dabbed the remaining tears from his eyes, wanting everyone to see him do so.
          They were now all at the table, Max and Jack on one side, Angelo and the CPS furs on the other, with the judge and the stenographer at the head end. The judge spoke up once everyone was seated. “OK, resuming the consideration of the CPS motion for summary dismissal. Will our new arrivals state their names and affiliations for the record?”
          “Marie Baker, headmistress of Dole House, Cub Protective Services,” the rabbit lady said.
          “Angelo Justin Cole,” Angelo said nervously. “Umm... orphan I guess?” Jack smiled openly at this.
          The judge chuckled as well. “Very well, thank you,” he said. “Angelo, do you understand why you're here today?”
          “Yes,” the fox said, his eyes looking from person to person as he spoke. “Jack wants to be my guardian, and have me come live with him. But she,” he said, indicating the CPS cat, “doesn't think he's good enough, and would rather keep me locked up 'till I'm 18.” He looked to the judge with a smile as he finished. Jack knew that the kit had picked his words very deliberately, and forced himself to suppress a smile of his own.
          “Somewhat subjective, but you're essentially correct,” the bear said. “So now we're just talking it over to see why that is.” Angelo nodded. “Mr. Cartwright, I believe your previous question has been answered?”
          “It has, your honor,” Max said, throwing a wink to Angelo who smiled back at the otter.
          “Very well. Continue Ms. Somerset.”
          “Thank you, your honor,” she began. “As I was saying, despite the nolle pross, Mr. Archer is still barely out of high school. He's not demonstrated any meaningful responsibility – he doesn't even have a job.”
          “I have a job,” Jack interrupted. The cat lady looked annoyed at the interruption, and the judge put up a paw towards Jack to silence him.
          “He's far too young to be raising a cub,” Somerset continued, “even under normal circumstances, let alone special case we have here.” Another moment of silence followed.
          “Oh yeah, that's right,” Angelo chimed in, breaking the silence. “They've got me listed as... what was it again? Not “disturbed”.... what was it?”
          “Troubled?” the cat said slowly, eying Jack accusingly. “Who told you about that?”
          “You did,” Angelo said plainly. “Just now.” The cat looked irritated as she realized what Angelo had done. “Why do you think I'm troubled, miss?” Angelo asked pleasantly.
          “Well, you've been through a very traumatic experience,” she said, sounding surprisingly gentle.
          “So have I,” Jack said.
          “Yes, you killed someone,” she said, still gently and almost sadly. “And how many nightmares have you had since then?” Jack just stared back, his drooping ears answering her question. “Exactly,” she said. “Now imagine you're eleven.”
          “But how does that make Jack a bad guardian?” Angelo asked.
          “He doesn't have any cub-raising experience,” she said, “and our studies have shown that cubs who go through traumatic events like this will have... special problems.”
          “Like what?” Angelo asked. Jack couldn't tell if he was genuinely curious, or if he was trying to set her up as he had already done once.
          “Well,” she said, clearly not wanting to be in this position, but the expectant looks from Jack, Max, and even the judge, meant she had to explain to the group. “Things like trust issues with authority figures,” she said.
          “I trust Jack,” Angelo retorted, his voice still pleasant and conversational. “I trust him with my life. What else?”
          “We've seen them have difficulties forming relationships...”
          “I've formed one,” Angelo interrupted, looking at Jack with a smile. “In fact, the only fur I have a problem with... isn't a problem anymore. And if I'm really “troubled” like you think, how is it better to stuff me in with 50 other kits rather than letting me be part of a real family?”
          The cat was visibly flustered by this. “Let me reiterate,” she said, now looking at the judge rather than Angelo, who took note of this with an irritated smirk. “Mr. Archer has no cub rearing experience. He is barely out of high school and knows nothing about how to raise a cub. There is nothing to even suggest that he knows what he is doing.”
          “I know Angelo,” Jack said, his anger rising as he tried to keep a calm voice. “I know him better than you or your so-called studies do.”
          “Pfft,” the cat lady scoffed.
          “What's his greatest fear?” Jack asked confrontationally. “His greatest joy?” He saw Angelo furrow his brow at the question.
          The cat stared for a moment at him. “Do enlighten us,” she said, condescendingly.
          Jack was watching Angelo's face. The kit seemed uneasy; Jack knew why and wasn't going to betray the boy's confidence. “Well,” he began slowly, “if he hasn't told you, then... it's none of your business.” Angelo smiled at Jack, seeming appreciative of his evasiveness.
           Ms. Somerset scoffed again. “Hardly a convincing argument.”
          Jack leaned forward, locking eyes with the cat. “Ok then,” he said, audible irritation creeping into his voice. “When's his birthday?” he asked pointedly. The rabbit looked down to an open file. Jack answered before either could speak: “February 5th. What's his favorite drink?” A slight pause before he continued, his voice becoming louder and more intense. “Root beer! What's his favorite TV show? He doesn't have one! Favorite toy as a pup? Eye color? Lefty or righty? Boxers or briefs?”
          Jack was half standing out of his chair, and Max had to put a paw on his arm to hold him from rising further. He sat back down meekly, noting all the eyes on him. He only looked at Angelo who nodded approvingly back at him.
          “Maturity,” the cat lady muttered to the judge. “I understand your emotions,” she continued to Jack condescendingly once more, “but I assure you he will be well cared for.”
          “And that's the difference between us,” Jack said. “You'll care for him. I'll care about him.”
          “Your honor,” the cat said, seeming now to dismiss Jack. “The state has standards, as you well know. These standards are based in fact and precedent, not emotion. While we fully understand the emotion that pervades this case, the facts remain that Mr. Archer does not rise to the minimum standards we feel are appropriate.”
          “You haven't even given me a ch...” Jack began to say, which was met again by the judge holding up a paw to silence him.
          “We therefore respectfully request summary dismissal of his request, and remanding of the minor cub to CPS custody,” the cat lady said, sounding rehearsed and overly legal.
          A long silence followed, after which the judge said, “Unless anyone has anything further, I'm ready to rule on CPS's petition.”
          Jack looked at the judge expectantly, but just whimpered once softly.
          “Can I ask a question?” Angelo asked quietly.
          “Of course,” the judge said.
          The cub cleared his throat. “Let's say Jack got a girl pregnant and she had a pup. And he comes in here trying to get out of supporting it. “I'm too young,” he says. “I've got no experience, I'm right out of high school.” He says all that trying to dodge taking care of the pup. Would you agree that he's right and let him out of it? Or would you say “too bad, you're an adult now and have to take responsibility”?”
          The judge sat back in his chair and regarded the young fox.
          “So...” Angelo continued softly, “here he is, wanting to take on a responsibility when he doesn't have to. Isn't that the kind of person you want taking care of me?”          There was a long pause. Jack's eyes began to water at Angelo's earnest statement.
          “This is... diff...” the cat lady started to say, then trailed off.
          “Well,” the judge said after a brief pause. “I've found over the years when dealing with issues as important as this, that further discussion can only help. Right now the boy is already in CPS custody, so there is little harm in letting that discussion happen. Request for dismissal is denied – Mr. Archer's request may proceed.”
          Jack's heart leaped, and he saw Angelo's reaction mirroring his own. Max gave his paw a tight squeeze in support. “Thank you sir,” he said, adding “your honor, I mean.” The cat lady looked angry, Jack noticed, but the rabbit looked almost happy with the ruling.
          “I'm going to fast-track this,” the judge said. “Being as young as you are, which I won't hold against you, it shouldn’t take too long to put together your proposal.”
          “Proposal?” Jack asked.
          “Yes,” the judge replied. “You're asking to take care of this boy, so show me how you plan to do it: everything you think I need to know. I'll set a hearing for a week from today. If you need more time, your counsel will know what to do.”
          “Thank you your honor,” Jack said again. “Can I... that is, will I be able to... take Angelo... to...”
          “What he means, your honor,” Max interrupted as Jack stammered, “is that part of what we will be proposing will require young Master Cole's presence.” He winked at the kit again. “Specifically housing and school arrangements. So we are inquiring how to accommodate these needs.”
          “I believe there is a protocol for day visits from Dole House, Miss Baker?” the bear asked.
          “There is, your honor,” the rabbit lady replied. “We support the Big Brother/Big Sister program, as well as several after-school events. I'll be glad to work with Mr. Archer on this.” She slid a business card across the table to Jack and Max.
          “You're won't do anything stupid, will you Mr. Archer?” the judge asked. “Like getting on a plane to Rio?”
          “No sir... your honor,” Jack said. “We both promised we would do this the right way, and we will,” he added, locking eyes with Angelo, who gave him a thumbs-up in response.
          “Very well,” the judge said, “this hearing is adjourned.”
          Everyone stood up, and Angelo ran back to Jack and embraced him again as the CPS ladies gathered their things. “I'll see you soon, buddy,” Jack whispered, nuzzling one of his black-furred ears.
          “Catch you later, Ange,” Max said, holding a fist out to the kit who bumped it with his own in response.
          “Seeya, Max,” Angelo said, breaking the hug as the CPS team loomed over him. “I love you, Jack,” he added.
          “I love you too, Angelo,” Jack said, kissing the grey-furred forehead.
          “Mister Cole,” the judge said as Angelo was about to be shooed out the door by the CPS entourage. The cub looked back to the bear. “You're a very insightful young fox,” the judge said.

---

          Jack met with Miss Baker as they were leaving the judge's office. He was going to call her once he got back to work, but as they were both already there he figured he'd see what he could arrange. She called to her office and had them fax the forms over to the courthouse; Judge Sorensen's clerk offered his fax number for that purpose.
          Jack filled out the forms, which asked for much of his life history: jobs held, schools attended, even addresses where he'd lived. The final form was an authorization for them to do a financial and criminal background check on him, which explained the amount of detail they requested.
          When all that was completed, Miss Baker faxed them back to the office, and made copies for herself, Jack, and Max. The rabbit told him she would call him at work once all the checks were done. If there were no snags, she said, he could pick up Angelo the next morning, Saturday.  
          By the time he and Max got back to the office, there was a message from Dole House saying he was clear for Saturday morning. The teen fox found it difficult to concentrate on his work following that. Max seemed to understand, and spent much of his time chatting with Jack in the workroom.
          “Man, I love how Angelo trapped that CPS loudmouth,” Max had said, laughing.
          “Yeah,” Jack agreed with a fond smile. “He's such a smart kid. Do you think he pulled us out of the fire there at the end?”
          “Meh,” Max said, “I don't know. I got the feeling that the judge was going to rule exactly how he did all along. That's why he didn't let you talk. He was there solely to see if their request to cut us off had any merit. As you saw, this judge likes to talk these things through, so...”
          “Oh, ok,” Jack said. It did make sense when the otter put it that way, and did make him feel better that the system was not automatically aligned against him.
          “That's not to take away anything from Angelo,” Max said, possibly misunderstanding Jack's subdued response. “That bit at the end was pure genius! And if it didn't change the judge's mind, it sure-as-shit shut down CPS's only real argument!”
          Jack contemplated this for a moment. Then: “So, what about this plan he wants to see?”
          “Easy,” Max replied, walking to the whiteboard in the workroom. “What does it take to raise a cub?” Jack stared blankly at the otter, who laughed and uncapped a marker. “Ok, what did it take to raise you? Start with the obvious.”
          “Parents?”
          “Of course,” Max said. “And that's you. What else?”
          “Umm... a house? Food, clothes?”
          “Yep,” the otter said, writing those on the board. “Next?”
          Jack sighed. “I dunno... a car? Money?”
          “Of course,” Max said, writing. “Money. From a paycheck, but what if something happens to you?”
          A light lit up in Jack's mind. “Insurance!”
          “Right! What else?”
          
---

          When he got home that evening, he immediately called his parents to let them know that they could meet Angelo the next day. Whether or not they would be able to on short notice, Jack was still going to pick him up, if only to spend time with him.
          Fortunately, his parents were free and looking forward to meeting Angelo. They had not made their minds up still, as per their promise, and would not say which way they were leaning. His mother, however, did express a concern.
          “You need to remember,” she said on the phone, “that there's a young girl in the house. Bringing in a new boy could lead to... things happening.”
          “What do you mean?” Jack asked.
          “I mean,” she said, sounding hesitant, “that I don't want him... taking advantage of her.”
          Jack was shocked. “You mean, you think he'd try to rape her?”
          “Well... no, not when you put it like that,” she said. “But two kits, a boy and girl... they're not related and they're on the cusp of adolescence... cubs get curious, is all I'm saying. I don't want him satisfying his curiosity on her.”
          “Playing games, that sort of thing?”
          “Yes, but more than that,” she replied. “Things like peeping on her when she's getting changed, or in the tub, or who knows if she ever tries to climb into his bed when she's scared. You know how she is with storms.”
          Jessica, his sister, was eleven but still very scared of thunderstorms. Very often she would climb into her parents' bed when a storm passed through during the night. She had crawled into Jack's bed a few times as well for the same reasons.
          “I seriously doubt he would ever do something like that,”Jack said. “And you can always tell Jessica that his room is off-limits.”
          “I plan to do that, yes,” his mother replied. “But we can't be around all the time.”
          “Well, I can let him know how serious of an issue this is, if you want,” Jack suggested.
          “No, not yet,” she said. “Let's meet him first. I just wanted you to know where I'm coming from.”
          “That sounds good,” Jack said. “I will tell you something though: Like you said, cubs get curious. And if Jessica's curiosity kicks in, I would much rather she play “show me yours” with Angelo, and not some random boy in the woods somewhere... or on some Internet site.” His mother said nothing. After a moment Jack added, “Once you get to know him, you'll see what I mean. He really is a great kit, and I don't think you have anything to worry about.”
          “Ok then,” she said. “We'll see you tomorrow.”
          After hanging up, Jack ruminated on that last discourse. His mother was likely to always think of Jessica as a helpless innocent, but in truth her curiosity had already moved her to ask Jack to show himself to her, having never seen “boy parts” as she put it. Jack had obliged her for a brief view, eyes only of course, which seemed to quell her curiosity for the time being.
          Furthermore, he had seen how she acted and talked when their parents were not around. She possessed an impressive lexicon of profanity and sexual terminology for her age, even if she didn't understand much of it. He cringed to think that his plans with Angelo might be derailed due to his mother's view of the girl as a perfect little princess that needed protection from a horny new interloper.

---

          Jack pulled up in front of Dole House just before 10:00 on Saturday. He walked through the front door and to the reception desk. “I'm Jack Archer,” he said to the receptionist, handing over his driver's license. “I'm here to pick up...oof!”
          He was interrupted by Angelo who appeared from behind and hugged him around the waist with his good arm. “Hi Jack,” the kit said innocently.
          “Him,” Jack said to the receptionist with a laugh. “Heya buddy,” he said, putting an arm around Angelo. He wore a similar dark blue shirt and pants as before, the uniform of CPS apparently, though these were shorts more suitable for being outside in late July.  
          “Sign here,” the receptionist said. “Back by 5:00 please.”
          “Will do,” Jack said, handing the sheet back to her, and that was it. It was like checking out a library book, he mused.
          Once outside, Angelo ran to the car – as best as he could with his left shoulder still padded and his arm in a sling – and waited by his door, tail wagging furiously. Jack unlocked his door and walked around to get in the driver's side.
          As soon as he had shut his door, Angelo slid over on the bench seat, right up against Jack, and leaned into him. He couldn't hug with his left arm, so he reached his right paw over his head and scritched at Jack's face fur.
          Jack put his arm around the cub and leaned his head down onto the boy's. Instinctively he licked at one of the black-furred ears. It was a deeply paternal act, unplanned and intimate. Angelo seemed to take note of this and smiled broadly, closing his eyes.
          “Come on, put your seat belt on,” Jack said after a moment's embrace.
          “N... no,” Angelo said, “not yet.” He nuzzled his face deeper into Jack's side contentedly.
          Jack held the hug, gently scritching at the little fox's chest as he did. He checked his mirrors, and saw several cars now lined up behind him. “We gotta go, buddy,” he said, lifting his arm. “We're holding up traffic!”
          “Ok,” Angelo said, reluctantly but cheerfully. He slid back to his side of the seat and buckled in.
          “Let's go meet the parents,” Jack said as he pulled onto the street. “Nervous?”
          “Kinda,” Angelo said.
          “Just be yourself,” Jack said. “Don't try to say what you think they want to hear. Be the Angelo that they're going to see every day.” He paused for a minute, letting it sink in. He didn't want to scare him, but at the same time didn't want to understate the significance of what was hopefully going to happen. “This is a big deal for all of us,” he continued. “They just want to get to know you, to make sure you're not a nut or something.”
          “But I am a nut,” Angelo said playfully.
          Jack laughed. “Goofball,” he said as he fuzzled the boy's head. “Got a cut, I see,” he said, referring to his once longer and unkempt charcoal-colored headfur which was now cut and neatly combed.
          “Yeah,” the cub replied with irritation. “I look like a schnook now!”
          “It grows back, don't worry,” Jack said with a smile. “So how's life in the orphanage? You sleeping ok?”
          Angelo sighed. “Not really,” he said. “I keep seeing... him.”
          Jack sighed as well. “Yeah,” he said. “Me too.” He had relived the killing of Victor many times in his dreams. Sometimes it was just like it had been, other times it was much more brutal than reality. Occasionally, the turnout was completely different, with Victor actually killing both of them and Jack bolting upright in bed.
          “The orphanage is ok I guess,” Angelo continued. “Not as bad as I thought it was going to be. But like you said to the CPS lady: They're caring for me, but there's just too many of them... of us... for them to actually care about each kid.”
          “A lot of you, huh?”
          “Yeah,” Angelo said, thinking. “There's probably 50 all together. There's six boys in my room: there's me, two little kits, then two who're like 13 or 14, and one who's 16. That's Mike, he's in charge of the room – he makes sure the little kits do what they're supposed to, makes sure the lights go out when they're supposed to, that kind of thing.”
          “16, wow,” Jack said.
          “Yep, he's been there for a long time,” Angelo said. “He said that he wouldn't leave now, even if they found a family to take him, 'cause the cubs there are his only family.”
          “Sounds like a good guy,” Jack said with some admiration.
          “Yeah, he is, I guess.” Angelo thought for a minute. “I really don't want to live there 'till I'm 18, though.”
          Jack patted his knee. “That's what we're trying to fix now, bro. Max says we've got a bunch of options, even if this doesn't work out. And if none of them work out... well, I'll be signing you out every day they let me!”

=

          Jack pulled his car into the driveway of his parents' house, the house he grew up in. He no longer called it “his house” since moving out, though if this worked out that would soon change. Shutting the engine off, he looked to Angelo, sitting in the passenger seat as he had so often done in the last few months. “Ready bud?” Jack asked.
          Angelo peered through the windshield and gazed at the house. He had not said much as they got nearer to the house, but otherwise if he was nervous he did not show it. The kit studied the house for a few more moments in silence. He had been here once before, back when their deliveries took a more dangerous turn; he had come by on Angelo's advice to pick up his hunting knife. That knife was now in an evidence locker most likely, Jack mused.
          “C'mon,” Jack said finally when no reply was forthcoming from his young friend. “They don't bite, I promise!”
          “Yeah,” Angelo finally said, sitting back in his seat and disconnecting the seat belt. Then with sudden enthusiasm, “Let's do this!”
          The pair opened their doors simultaneously and got out of the car. Jack, on the left side, was closer to the house's door, so he waited for Angelo to come around the car before walking side-by-side to the front door, his paw on the cub's shoulder.
          The door opened from within as they got near.  A fox lady, Jack's mother, stood in the doorway. She was somewhat small of frame and shorter than Jack. Her fur was a golden color, and her dark brown headfur was long, below her shoulders. She smiled pleasantly at the two as they approached.
          “Welcome, Angelo,” she said, extending a paw.
          “Thanks,” the younger fox replied, shaking the paw.
          “I'm Mary, Jack's mom.” She hugged Jack in greeting. “But you probably figured that out already!”
          “Yeah,” the kit replied with a laugh.
          “Come on in and meet the gang,” she said, stepping back and motioning the two inside. “This is my husband John.”
          “Angelo,” Jack's father said, shaking the young paw, “pleased to meet you.” He was around Jack's height, around 5 and a half feet, with similar rusty-red fur as Jack. He was dressed like he was either about to go play golf, or had just returned.
          “And this is Jessica,” Jack's mother continued, indicating the young fox girl who stood well back from her parents by the stairs. Jack could tell she was nervous, coupled with some of her natural shyness.
          Jessica was shorter than Angelo, with fur that wasn't as golden as he mother's, yet not as red as her father's. Her headfur was dark red though, the color of bricks, and was pulled back into a ponytail which reached halfway down her back. She waved shyly at Angelo. Jack noted with some concern that she did not smile.
          “Hello,” Angelo said pleasantly, smiling at all three.
          Jack's mother gently laid a paw on Angelo's wounded shoulder. “How is your shoulder doing?” She worked as a physical therapist, and Jack suddenly put 2 and 2 together that she could help with the boy's recovery.
          “It's ok,” Angelo replied. “Still sore though.”
          “Yes, it will be for a while still,” Mary said, then turning to the group, continued,  “Let's sit down in the dining room, shall we?” She beckoned for them all to follow, and walked into the dining room. It was wood paneled, with polished hardwood floors. The dining room table was an elaborate wooden table, reminiscent of the judge's desk from the Friday hearing. Several clocks hung on the wall, and a grandfather clock occupied a conspicuous spot. Jack could see Angelo's eyes widen as he took in the room.
          The Archer family was fairly well-off: upper-middle class, his father called them. His father worked as a real estate broker, and between the two parents their combined income afforded them the ability to live like they did. If Angelo was impressed by the dining room, Jack thought, he would be stunned by some of the other amenities.
          Jack took a seat at the table – the same seat he always used at dinner for as long as he could remember. Angelo sat in the seat next to him. The elder John Archer sat at the head of the table, while Jack's mother and sister sat directly across from Angelo and Jack.
          “So,” Jack's father began, “we all know why we're here, so no sense in rehashing things. We've talked it over a few times, and we'll do it again a few times after today.” He stopped, as if letting that sink in. Jack had already told Angelo that no decision would be made right there, to reassure him when no answer was forthcoming. “I'll let Mary take it from here.”
          All eyes turned to Jack's mother. “Well,” she said, “we just want to get to know you a little bit. Find out some things about you, and let you know what you can expect if you live here.” Angelo nodded, his eyes locked on her.
          “So,” she said, pausing briefly, as if not sure how to transition, but then just doing so. “Jack says you used to sell drugs.” She looked at the young grey-furred fox expectantly.
          “Yes,” Angelo said immediately. He looked between the two Archer vixens; Jack had told him that Jessica knew of all the schoolyard stories about him.
          “Yes? That's it, just 'yes'?” Jack's mother asked, her tone still conversational.
          “Well,” Angelo said, brow furrowing slightly, “yeah, I sold drugs. That was part of what I had to do, living with Victor.”
          “What sort of drugs?”
          “Pot, mainly,” the kit replied. “Marijuana, that is. Beer too. Sometimes coke... cocaine, but I didn't really sell that, I just delivered it. Ecstasy a couple of times.”
          “Ever try any of them?” she asked.
          “Yes,” Angelo said quietly after a brief hesitation.
          “Yes,” Mary repeated. “So... all of them?”
          Angelo shuffled in his seat. “Yeah, all,” he said plainly, ears drooping slightly. Jack looked sadly at his friend.
          “Did you like them?”
          Angelo took a deep breath. “Pot just made me hungry and stupid,” he said, at which both of Jack's parents smiled. “Coke... the first minute was good, but the rest of the day I thought my heart was going to explode. Not a fan of that. I did like beer though.” He looked plainly at Mrs. Archer.
          “Did Jack try any of those?” she asked. Jack's eyes narrowed at the question.
          “You'll have to ask him,” Angelo replied. This too got a smile out of Jack's parents.
          “Well,” Jack's mother said, “I suppose it goes without saying that it's not ok with us going forward. We will expect you not to touch drugs or alcohol, whether it's here or anywhere else. Is that understood?”
          “Yep,” Angelo replied, surprisingly cheerfully, “I already promised Jack that a while ago!”
          “You did?” Her eyes looked to Jack.
          “Yep,” the little fox repeated. “It wasn't ok with him either.”
          Jack's mother stared at her son, then smiled approvingly. “Ok,” she said after a moment. “What about sex?”
          Jack looked at Angelo, slightly nervously. He had told him to be himself, but now would not be the time for a flippant answer. He thought he saw that gleam in the young blue eyes, and Angelo looked about to say something, then pursed his lips for a moment.
          “What about it?” he finally asked softly.
          “Well,” Mary said, “have you?”
          Angelo took another deep breath before answering. “That's... personal,” he said. “I'd rather not talk about that.”
          Mrs. Archer nodded slowly. “So... that's a 'yes' then,” she said.
          Angelo cocked his head slightly. “No,” he said, “that's an I-don't-want-to-answer-that.”
          “You're, what, eleven?”
          “And a half,” Angelo said with a smile.
          “Ok,” Mary replied, also smiling. “So if the answer was no, you'd just say no, right? But if you thought I might not like the answer...”
          “No,” Angelo said, still pleasantly, “look at it like this. Let's say the answer is no... today. You ask me tomorrow, and it's still no. You ask me next year, still no. You ask me in five years... and then I don't want to answer. That's when I've answered the question by not answering.” He paused, as Jack's mother nodded. “I would just rather keep some things private, you know?”
          There was a moment of silence. Finally Jack's mother spoke. “We do take privacy seriously here, Angelo,” she said. “And you are certainly entitled to yours.” Angelo smiled. “Along both of those lines, though, there is something I have to say. We have a young girl in the house.”
          “Yes, I know, she's right there,” Angelo said, smiling happily to Jessica, who only fidgeted in her seat in response, not making eye contact.
          “My point is,” Mary said, raising her voice ever so slightly before returning to normal, “that whatever your... experience may be, I don't want it being brought into this house. Everyone is entitled to privacy here, and that includes privacy against, shall we say... unwelcome advances.”
          “What... what are you...” Angelo said with obvious surprise. He looked at Mrs. Archer who just returned his gaze as if saying “you know what I mean”. The kit looked to Jessica, who was staring at her mother with a look of embarrassed shock and irritation.
          Angelo closed his eyes and took a couple of breaths. “When I was delivering for Victor,” he began, eyes still closed, “there was this one customer: a doctor. He would order tiny amounts of whatever, so I would have to show up there a lot.” The cub opened his eyes. “He offered me 500 dollars if I let him take naked pictures of me.” Mary's eyes widened, and Jessica looked horrified.
          “He always asked if I needed to use the bathroom, too... probably had cameras set up in there. After a while, 500 became a thousand,” Angelo continued. “I wouldn't let him, of course, and the last time there, Jack got all up in his face – it was beautiful!”
          Everyone looked at Jack who smiled proudly as Angelo went on, his tone becoming more somber. “Then one time, Victor got mad at me for... something, and told me that this guy had offered him ten thousand dollars to have... me... for a night. And that he couldn't just let me walk away after that.”
          Everyone was looking down at this point, which surprised Jack, who has always found his parents to be unflappable. Angelo looked between all of them before concluding. “So... I know what an unwelcome advance feels like, believe me. And I would never even think of doing anything like that to someone else. Just the thought...” he trailed off.
          “Fair enough,” Jack's mother said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you for sharing that, Angelo,” she said, her voice back to normal. “I know that wasn't easy for you.” Angelo just nodded solemnly. “John?” she said, looking to her husband.
          “I'm curious,” Jack's father said. “What was it like living where you did?”
          “It was... lonely,” Angelo said frankly. Jack took one of his paws and gave it a squeeze. “I didn't go to school, so I couldn't go outside when school was in; furs would want to know why I wasn't there myself. And Victor didn't have the TV hooked up either. So I did a lot of reading. And you remember last Winter, how snowy it was?”
          “Oh sure,” Jack's father said.
          Angelo nodded. “Well, then I couldn't ride my bike because of all the ice, so even after school let out I still couldn't go anywhere. No kids lived in the complex, so nothing to do there, and making snowfoxes from dirty slush in the parking lot gets old fast.”
          Angelo's voice was getting quieter as he went on. “Victor left me alone a lot over the winter too. For days... I mean five, six days in a row. Fucker was probably in Florida too.” Jack heard Jessica gasp at the profanity, but kept his eyes on Angelo who was looking at the center of the table as he spoke. “It got real bad there, for a while,” he said softly. “Dull gray days... snow and ice.... delivery pizza for the fifth day in a row, breakfast lunch and dinner. More than once I thought...” He stopped for a moment, then cleared his throat. “Sorry,” he said sheepishly, looking around the table.
          “Thought?” Jack's mother prodded gently.
          “Well,” the cub replied, “what I meant was: I saw that as my life. That's what it was, that's all it was ever going to be. And... I didn't like what I saw.” He looked up at Jack's parents. “Let's just say, Jack saved me in more ways than one.” He smiled slightly, and had a look on his face that suggested he was done talking about that.
          As close as they were, Jack had never heard him talk like this. He always talked of how it was living with Victor, and mentioned almost as an aside that Victor would leave him alone for a day or two when he was meeting with the Russian. To think that Victor would leave him alone in the middle of Winter for extended periods only made him hate the ferret even more. And if he was indeed in Florida or some other warm place...
          “Well,” Jack's father said, sounding as if he wished he had not asked the question. “How about you: do you have questions for us?”
          Angelo nodded with a smile. “Sure. What's it like living here?”
          “I think you'll find it much better than you just described,” Jack's father said with a smile.
          “Jack said there's a lot of rules.”
          John Sr laughed at this. “Yes,” he said, “we have a set of house rules. A lot of common sense and common courtesy mostly, but anyone living here has to follow them.” He thought for a moment. “Jessica, would you go grab them off the fridge?”
          “Yep!” the girl said, and dashed out of the room.
          “It will be sort of a strange situation for you,” John continued. “Jack would be responsible for you, and you would have to do what he says of course.” Angelo looked at Jack and grinned as Jack's father continued. “And since both of you are living here, you both have to follow the house rules. So you, Angelo, would have a few people in charge of you.”
          “Here they are,” Jessica said, running back into the room and putting a laminated sheet of paper on the table.
          “Thank you, dear,” Jack's father said. “Here, have a look.” He slid the paper to Angelo.
          The kit looked over the rules: 25 of them. They were indeed heavily made up of common courtesies, as Jack's father said: “Never open a closed door without knocking and being invited into the room”, “If you receive a cell phone call in a room with others, leave the room”, and so on. There were also some that were restrictions on personal behavior: “Internet use is a privilege that can be suspended”. “Chores and homework must be complete before TV or non-homework Internet use”.
          “No friends allowed inside the house unless they've met the parents first”. Angelo remembered that one from the only other time he had been to Jack's house.
          The list included the expected prohibitions on cursing, lying, talking back, and so on. Yet there were also personal rights among them: “All house members have the right to be heard and their opinions given proper consideration”.
          One rule made Angelo's ears perk: “No use of the pool without an adult present.”
          “Pool?” the cub said incredulously. Both parents laughed.
          “Yes, we have a pool,” said Mr. Archer.
          “Wow,” Angelo said under his breath. “Yeah, this looks like common sense stuff though.”
          “I'm glad you think so,” Mr. Archer replied, taking the sheet back. “We won't dump all that on you on day-one... we'll give you a reasonable grace period.”
          “Thanks,” Angelo said pleasantly.
          “Well,” Mr. Archer said after a brief silence. “Anything else?”
          “Nope,” Angelo said. “Not now anyway. Jack's told me a lot about living here. I probably will have questions later on, but not right now.”
          “Ok. Mary, anything? Jessica?” Both shook their heads. “Ok then. Angelo, would you mind waiting outside? We need to discuss some things among ourselves.”
          Angelo nodded and stood up. He paused for a moment behind Jack's chair, then said. “I do have one thing I'd like to say.” All eyes focused on the grey-furred kit. “You guys did a great job raising Jack.” He put his paw on the older fox's shoulders. “I know what he's giving up to take care of me, and... well, you guys should be proud.” He smiled as Jack put his own paw on Angelo's. Jack's parents smiled broadly as well.
          “Jessica,” Mrs. Archer said, “Will you show our guest the door please, then go play so we can talk?”
          Jessica looked slightly annoyed. Jack knew this was because she was being dismissed from the “grown up” conversation. Nevertheless, she rose and wordlessly led Angelo out of the room. Jack heard the front door open then close, and Jessica's footfalls on the stairs.
          “Jessica,” Jack shouted. “C'mere.” The young girl came back down the stairs and stood in the doorway of the dining room. “Jessica, honey,” Jack said, “go out and talk to him.”
          The girl made a soft whimper in protest. “I swear,” Jack said, “he's not who you think he is. I promise... I JJ-Swear!” A JJ-Swear was a Jack-Jessica-Swear: their inter-sibling personal vow from growing up. It was always inviolate, sacred, and confidential.
          The kit whimpered slightly again, then said, “Ok,” and turned from the room. Again Jack heard the front door open and close.
          “Who does she think he is?” Mrs. Archer asked.
          Jack sighed. “When he was... selling in the schoolyard, these stories cropped up about him: he was violent, he killed someone in a bad drug deal, he'd break your legs if you owed him money, that kind of thing. It wasn't just about him, either. These sorts of stories cropped up for a lot of the other sellers and punks. Angelo said he encouraged those stories to grow, because it would make people less likely to try to double-cross him.”
          “But they're not true?”
          “100% absolutely not true,” Jack said emphatically. “Even Victor talked about how he told Ange to plant those stories. And it makes sense too: when I was with him, you could see that people respected him. Otherwise, you have an eleven-year-old with drugs and cash on him, and someone's going to pound him into the ground and take it.”
          “Ok,” Jack's father said, “I can see that. As long as you're sure.”
          “I'll put my life on it,” Jack said. He intentionally omitted the fact that Angelo actually had fought and hurt some people, figuring it was self-defense and not representative of the cub's normal personality. “I've seen him firsthand when he's playing that part and when he's not. He's really as far from that character as... I am!”
          “I do get that impression,” Mrs. Archer said. “He seems very nice.” She looked to Jack's father, who took a deep breath.
          “Well, Jack,” he began. “Let me say that I am very proud of you for what you're trying to do. He seems like a nice boy, and he obviously really likes you.”
          “But...” Jack said, sensing there was another shoe to drop.
          Jack's parents exchanged glances for a moment, then Jack's father leaned back in his seat. “I don't know that there is a “but”,” he said. “But,” he added with a laugh at his own contradiction, “you're his friend, right?”
          “At least that, yes,” Jack said emphatically.
          “My point,” said his father, “is that you are his friend. But are you prepared to be his parent and not his friend when the time calls for it?” Jack stared silently as the elder Archer went on. “You know as well as anyone that a parent will have to do what's best for the cub, even if the cub doesn't realize it. And that will lead to... hurt. Tears. Even hate.”
          Jack's ears drooped. His father was using Jack's own adolescent behavior as an example of what he might expect. It was how he phrased it that hit Jack the hardest, though. “There was... never any hate,” he said meekly. “I was just...”
          “I know,” his father replied as Jack trailed off. “And I knew then. But after being friends with this little cub for so long, I will say that it still hurt.”
          Jack's ears now went flat against the side of his head. That one sentence stung more than any rebuke he had gotten as a teenager. “I'm...” he started to say.
          “I'm not trying to dredge up the past,” his father continued after a moment's silence. “I just want you to think about what might come in the future, so you're thinking about how you might handle a similar situation. When you have to play Parent and not Friend to him.”
          Jack nodded silently, trying to still his quaking throat before he spoke. “Well,” he finally said, “I do have a very good role model in that area.” His father smiled. “Besides,” Jack continued, “Ange grew up different than me. He's not used to always getting his way or getting what he demanded like I was. In fact, he had to grow up a lot sooner than I did; he's probably more grown-up at 11 than I was at 16.” Indeed, Jack could not picture Angelo crying hysterically because he couldn't go to a movie or a concert, the way Jack had.
          “True, though that may present its own unique challenges,” his father said, sitting back in his chair and letting the silence take over for a moment. “We'll need to talk it over of course, as this is a drastic change for all of us. You're sacrificing a lot: the next seven to ten years of your life are basically on-hold. But you're also asking us to join in to an extent.”
          “I am,” Jack said somberly after a moment's reflection.
          “We're already raising one cub,” Mrs. Archer said. “We'll help out where we can, but you are the one who will be raising him. That means things like getting up extra early to make his lunch in the mornings. Sitting up all night with him when he's sick, and still going to work the next day.”
          Jack's father continued her thought. “Doing his laundry, helping him with homework... living your life completely for him, and settling for the smallest of windows for anything else that you wanted to do for yourself, or forgoing it altogether in favor of him.”
          Jack sighed at the tag-teaming, although they were completely correct. “Yes,” he said, “I've had a ton of time this past week to think about nothing else. And I'll tell you... thinking about all of those little details, makes me respect what you two did for me even more.”
          “Now you understand,” his father said gently. “So... on to more specific details, like: where will you two sleep?”
          “I was thinking my room for now,” he replied. “He can have my bed, and I'll get a cot or a mattress on the floor for now.”
          “For now,” his father repeated. “Then what?”
          “Well, maybe I can build out a little room in the basement?”
          “You would pay for that, of course?”
          “Definitely,” Jack said. “I plan to pay for everything.”
          “Ok, what about insurance?”
          “I get medical, dental, and life insurance through work now,” Jack replied. “I'll max out the life benefits.”
          “You'll probably want to build a trust fund too,” said John. “My accountant can work with you on that. Better for taxes than just paying benefits.”
          Jack nodded. “Max says I should take a cub CPR course too.”
          “I would encourage that,” his mother said. “If you do, maybe we can let the kits swim in the pool with just you there.”
          “You'll want to draft a will too,” Jack's father said. “So there will be no question of what would happen to him.”
          “Yes,” Jack said. “Max sort of mentioned that too. I can name... someone... to take over as his guardian. Would that... be...”
          Mr. Archer nodded solemnly. “If we do bring him into our house, we would accept that contingency as well.”
          Jack nodded appreciatively. “Anything else you can think of right now?” he asked his parents. “The judge wants to see a proposal of everything I plan to do for Ange. I figure the more stuff I can add now, the better it will look.”
          “Indeed,” Mr. Archer said. “I can't think of anything right now, but I'll be sure to call you. When do you need to give this to him?”
          “The hearing is Friday,” Jack said. “Max says I should file it on Wednesday at the latest, so he has time to look it over.”
          “Good, good,” his father said. “Well, I think that's all I have for today. Mary?” Jack's mother shook her head. “Ok then,” he said and stood up.
          Jack stood as well. “I want to give Angelo and Jessica some time, if that's ok.”
          “Sure,” Jack's mother replied. “Assuming they're actually talking.”
          “I really hope so,” Jack said, walking towards the kitchen. He would be able to see most of the front yard from the kitchen window, and hoped to get a covert view of the young foxes. The kitchen window blinds were open, and Jack slowly approached them so as not to present too visible of a silhouette to the foxes outside.
          Angelo was sitting on the fender of Jack's car, his right arm supporting him as he leaned back slightly. Jessica stood in front of him, and the two did seem to be talking. Angelo would make occasional gestures, as did the girl from time to time.
          “How are they doing?” Jack mother said, standing next to her son.
          “They seem to be ok,” he replied. “I just want to give them as much time as I can. I want her to be absolutely comfortable with this.”
          “We all have to be,” his mother replied. “If not, then... well, we can't do it.”
          Jack sighed. She didn't need to keep reminding him of this. “I know, I know,” he said.
          The two stood watching through the window for a few minutes. Jack soon became aware that his mother was watching him more than she was the kits outside. He looked back to her and smiled.
          “Look at you,” she said proudly. “Five years ago I would never have thought that you could care about someone else like this!” She looked back out the window at the conversing pair. “He does seem nice,” she said simply.
          “Yeah,” Jack said softly. “He's... he's my little angel.” He brushed a tear away as he watched Angelo, who seemed to be happily telling a story.
          After another long moment, Jack's mother said, “So tell me about your new job!”

---

          After another fifteen minutes or so, Jack finally opened the front door. Angelo and Jessica looked like they were running out of things to talk about, as both fell silent for longer and longer periods of time. Jack noticed the girl's tail wagging, which encouraged him greatly.
          “Come on back inside, Jessica,” Jack's mother called to the young girl. She said another brief word to Angelo, then turned towards the house and took a step or two, then paused. To Jack's surprise and delight, she went back to Angelo and gave him a hug, then ran back to the front door. She held a tiny manila envelope in her paws.
          “You two seemed to get along,” Jack said happily.
          “He's great,” Jessica said. “I hope he can come live with us!”
          Jack looked to his mother who raised an eyebrow in surprise. “What do you have there, dear?” she asked the girl about the little packet she carried.
          “Angelo gave it to me!” She opened the envelope and poured the contents into her paw: 3 gold earrings and a black diamond stud. “Aren't they beautiful?”
          “Well, that's very...” Mrs. Archer said, seemingly unsure what to make of it, or perhaps uncomfortable with the gift, which Jack knew to be worth hundreds of dollars.”
          “And you know what this means, Jack?” she asked with a grin. “It means that he's given up that life for good!”
          “I told you,” Jack said, audibly moved by Angelo's gesture. He smiled at his mother, who smiled back, now seemingly understanding. “Ok, we're gonna go,” he said. “I've got him 'till 5, so we're going to go do stuff, while... while we can.”
          “We'll let you know as soon as we can,” his mother said, giving him a hug.
          “You be good, squirt,” Jack said to Jessica, hugging her as well. Then with a wave, he started towards his car. Angelo was still sitting on the fender of Jack's car watching the group at the front door. When Jack started towards him, he hopped off the fender and waved to the Archers then went around to his door and got in.
          “Ready, bud?” Jack asked as he opened his door. Angelo nodded but didn't say anything. Jack got in and backed the car out of the driveway, waving once more to his family before driving away.
          “That was a very nice thing to do, Ange,” Jack said. “Giving Jessica your earrings,”
          “Hmm?” Angelo asked, sounding distracted. “Oh... yeah, I figure she could use them. I sure as hell won't.” Jack smiled and patted the kit's head. “She's... nice,” Angelo added. He sounded sad.
          “What's wrong?” Jack asked.
          The kit sighed. “Your mother doesn't want me there,” he said. “She's afraid I'll molest your sister or something.” He threw his head back and shouted, “Why is everyone so concerned about my sex life?”
          Jack chuckled and put his paw on the grey-furred knee. “You're such a stud,” he said, giving the leg a squeeze.
          Angelo smirked and covered Jack's paw with his own. “No, I'm serious,” he said. “What are we gonna do? She doesn't want me there, and you said they all have to agree.”
          “I think she does want you there,” Jack said. Angelo looked at him, surprised. “She said that you said all the right things,” Jack said. “Even when you didn't answer – she said that it might not have been the answer she was wanting, but it was still the right answer.”
          “Really?” Angelo asked with a hopeful smile.
          “Yep,” Jack confirmed. “Though she didn't appreciate you dropping the F-bomb at the table.”
          “I know!” Angelo threw his head back again. “Jess said I did that too!” He sighed.
          Jack laughed. “But if I can still read my dad, I think he's on board with you too. To be honest, I was most worried about Jessica, but she definitely wants you to live there now.”
          “Yeah, she told me that too,” Angelo said.
          “I'm... well, I'm amazed, quite frankly,” Jack said. “She didn't even want to go outside to talk to you. But you turned her around nicely.”
          Angelo nodded. “I just told her the truth,” he said. “First thing I said to her was, “Jack says you've heard of me,” and she told me about the stories she'd heard. I explained why I let them grow like that, and she understood... especially when I told her about the early times when I got beaten up before those stories got me some respect.”  
          Jack nodded. “I've tried to tell her that a bunch of times,” he said. “I guess she had to hear it first-paw though.”
          “Mmm-hmm,” the kit said. “Then she asked me what the worst thing I did do was.”
          “Gazz?” Jack asked.
          “I did mention Gazz, yes,” Angelo said, “but that wasn't the worst thing. It was way back when. Right after I got beat up one time, actually, and my bag got stolen. I called Victor and he yelled at me to do something about it, like he had been trying to get me to do for a while.
          “So...” the boy continued, with an embarrassed sort of smile. “I grabbed a girl's jump-rope, found the guy who hit me, and...” he chuckled, remembering, “came up behind him and looped the rope around his neck. Pulled it tight, and... held it.”
          “Whoa,” Jack said.
          “I held it 'till he passed out,” Angelo said. “Everyone who was with him scattered. I think that's where the “Angelo killed a guy” story came from, actually. I took my bag back, and left. He woke up a minute later.” He pondered wistfully. “He was a good buyer after that, actually. He never did mess with me again.”
          “So it worked,” Jack said.
          “I guess,” said Angelo. “I only had to do something like that a couple times, then people stopped trying to screw with me.”
          “Until Gazz,” Jack said, mentioning the lizard that tried to rob Angelo and Jack.
          “Yeah,” Angelo said sadly. “I told Jessica about him too. Of all the bad things I did, he's the one that I... still see his face in my mind.” He looked ahead for a moment. “But, I told her how him getting killed was kind of the thing that got us to get away from Victor. She said that “even bad things can have good results.” I kinda like her,” he concluded with a smile.
          “I saw that, yes,” Jack replied. “Nice hug you got, too!”
          The kit smiled. “Yeah,” he said shyly, then as if to shift the mood he added, “She wants me!”
          “Hey now,” Jack said, a cautioning yet friendly tone in his voice.
          “What? I'm just saying,” Angelo replied. “She wants my...”
          “Hey!” Jack exclaimed. “Seriously, knock that off!”
          “I'm just messing around, Jack,” he said, somewhat contritely.
          Jack sighed. “I know, I know.” He wanted to bring this matter up with the cub, and this seemed to present a likely opportunity. “It's just... well, you already know that my mom is a little concerned about... that.”
          Angelo nodded. “You know I'm not going to molest your sister, Jack,” he said.
          “Of course not,” Jack replied, “but... don't even joke about it. Seriously. If she even thinks it's in your mind, she'd... I don't even know what!”
          “Ok, ok, I got it,” Angelo said with another nod. He looked down at his feet for a moment, which made Jack feel bad; he had not intended it to be a rebuke.
          Angelo looked back up at him, with a twinkle in his young blue eyes. “So can I at least pee on her?”
          “WHAT?” Jack exclaimed loudly, which elicited a giggle from his friend. “No! No you can't!”
          “Ok,” Angelo said innocently. “Just making sure.” He paused for a moment as Jack looked at him incredulously. “Grab her butt?”
          Jack could only laugh. “No, no butt grabbing.”
          “No butt grabbing,” Angelo repeated. “Got it.” Another pause, then: “Ooh! I know: what about...”
          “No!” Jack said, cutting him off with faked outrage that made Angelo grin. “And let me help you out: What about.... No! There you go, What About Anything... No!” The boy nodded, pursing his lips. Jack knew something was coming, and he wasn't disappointed.
          “Ok, what if I just want to try on her underwear?”
          Jack groaned in exaggerated despair and banged his forehead on the steering wheel, bringing forth another happy giggle from the kit, who fell silent for a few moments.
          “Jack,” Angelo finally said. “Can I ask a serious question?”
          “I don't know, can you?” Jack replied, still with staged outrage.
          The younger fox smiled at this, then with a more serious yet gentle tone said, “What if she comes to me and wants to see... something?”
          Jack sighed again, staring at the road ahead as he drove. He knew that this scenario was probably the most likely one to occur between them. He could see Angelo watching him expectantly out of the corner of his eye. He put a paw on the younger fox's grey-furred knee.
          “Ange,” he said gently, “I think you know the kind of thing that my mother doesn't want any of. So, knowing that, just... just use your best judgment. I trust you.”
          Angelo put his paw over Jack's and gave a squeeze. He didn't say anything at first. “When we were talking, I promised her that I wouldn't ever do anything to hurt her,” he finally said. “And that includes anything that would hurt her if she found out about it later. And I won't.”
          “That's good enough for me,” Jack said, giving the furry knee a pat. “So where are we going, anyway?” Jack had been driving for a few minutes but had no real destination in mind.
          “I dunno,” Angelo said, “back to your place for now?”
          “You sure? Isn't it a little... close?” The crime scene tape was still on Victor's door when Jack had left this morning.
          The little fox huffed. “I guess,” he said, unsure. “Maybe. But I can remember the fun we had at your place and still forget what happened at Victor's.”
          “Do you think you can go in the pool with that brace on?”
          “No,” the kit replied sadly. “The doctors made a point to tell me not to go in the pool yet. That would have been really fun though. I do kinda' want to take a shower though.” He smiled at Jack expectantly.
          “A shower?”
          “Yeah,” Angelo replied. “Haven't had a real shower since... well, since that morning. At your place, actually!”
          “They don't have showers where you are?”
          “They do,” Angelo explained, “but they suck! Really small sort of stalls, and they have a push-button that only gives water for a minute or so, then you have to push it again. Plus, the doctors told me not to twist or bend or anything, so I can't really reach everywhere on me. All I can do is rinse.”
          Jack pondered this with mixed feelings. The decision, though, was obvious. “Bud,” he said gently, “I don't think that's a good idea.”
          “Why not?”
          “Well,” the older fox said, “we've got this hearing coming up, and I don't want to risk... anything. If I bring you back smelling like Doctor Todd's #7 Fox Wash, they might wonder why you're taking showers when you're out with me.”
          Angelo seemed to accept this, as his face sank a little, but he nodded and just said, “I guess.”
          “Well, we can go back to my place for now and hang out, then figure out what we want to do,” Jack said. “See a movie, maybe go have a nice lunch, maybe other stuff.”
          “Yeah,” agreed the younger fox. “Anything will be fun!”
          “Done and done,” Jack said. Indeed anything the two did that day would be enjoyable, he figured. He just wanted to spend time with the boy, especially given the uncertainty of the situation. He did have one more less-fun topic he needed to bring up from the discussion at his parents' house, and decided to get it out of the way so that nothing more would interfere with the day.
          “You know,” he began after a brief silence, “once you move in with me, it won't be like it was back in the apartment.” Angelo gave him a questioning look. “You aren't going to have all the freedom that you did, is what I mean. You'll have to go to bed at a certain time, do homework and chores... you can't come and go as you please without letting someone know. You're gonna be told “no” a lot, even by me, and it won't always make sense why. And it... might make you mad. At me.”
          Angelo thought about this for a moment. “Well,” he said, “if it means I can wake up in the morning and not have to wonder if I'll still be alive at bedtime, I think I can handle playing by the rules.”
          “Touche,” Jack said. Then after a moment, he changed the subject. “So what else did you and Jessica talk about?”
          “We talked about school,” the kit replied. “How I haven't been in a couple of years, and what it's like where she goes.”
          “Oh yeah? I'm actually trying to get you in the same school,” Jack said. “What did she say about it?”
          “She was mainly talking about the class bullies,” Angelo said. “You think I'll go to the same school?”
          “That's what I hope,” Jack said. “It's a good school, so it'll look good to the judge, and plus you and Jessica can work on homework together.”
          “Cool,” Angelo replied enthusiastically. “Now I kinda' want to meet these bullies too!”

---

          As Jack pulled the car up to his apartment building, both he and Angelo looked across the parking lot to Victor's place. There were now two police cars parked in front of it, and the door was open. Jack had seen this several times in the last week as the police continued their investigation.
          Jack pulled his car into his parking space and shut it off. He looked to Angelo whose demeanor had sunken somewhat upon gazing into his former residence.
          He patted the kit's knee. “Come on, buddy,” he said reassuringly, “he can't hurt you or me or anyone anymore.”
          “Yeah,” was all Angelo replied. Jack opened his door and got out. As he did, a familiar form emerged from Victor's door.
          “Hey, Jack!” Officer MacAllister called out, and started a slow jog towards the car.
          Jack waved to the approaching policeman as Angelo opened his door and also got out. The little fox shot Jack a nervous glance. Jack nodded and held up a paw to the cub, trying to convey that it was ok as Angelo walked around the car to stand next to him.
          “Hi Jack,” the officer said as he stopped his jog and walked up to the pair. “And... Angelo,” he added with audible surprise.
          “Hi,” Jack replied.
          The tiger looked at Angelo for a moment, then back to Jack with a curious expression. “So,” he said at length, “what's... umm... what's up with you?” He looked back to Angelo again.
          Jack figured he knew why the tiger was behaving as he did, especially having not seen Angelo when he first called out to Jack. “It's ok,” Jack said, grabbing the CPS paperwork from his back pocket, “I've got him signed out from CPS for the day.” He showed the document to the officer who took it and quickly glanced over it.
          “Perfect,” the tiger said, handing the paper back to Jack. “Like I said, there's a lot you can do if you just do it legally.”
          Jack nodded. “I'm applying for his guardianship,” he said, fuzzling the kit's headfur. “Hearing is next Friday.”          
          “Very nice,” Officer MacAllister said. “Good luck to both of you.” Jack nodded appreciatively as the tiger continued. “Well, since you're both here, I just thought I'd let you know: the investigation is pretty much done. We're still looking at leads we have on his contacts and suppliers, but your case anyway is closed. I know what it's like to have that hanging over your head, so... it's closed and done. Go on with your life!”
          “Thanks,” Jack said. “I really appreciate it.”
          The tiger nodded. “And since you're here,” he said to Angelo, “I got something for you too. The detectives are done in there,” he pointed back over his shoulder with his thumb towards Victor's apartment. “The landlord will be gutting the place and rebuilding it, so if you want anything of yours from inside, just let the landlord know.”
          Angelo nodded slowly, his eyes squinting slightly. He did not seem at ease with that suggestion.
          “You don't have to if you don't want to,” Jack said.
          The cub nodded again. “Maybe,” he said after a moment. “I... I dunno.”
          “I hear you,” the tiger said. “You've got a few days, probably. They'll be ripping up the living room first, which will take a while.”
          Jack nodded. The tiger didn't need to explain that one. Jack pictured the lake of blood on the carpet and the spray on the walls before closing his eyes tightly and shaking his head. “Yeah,” he finally said. “We'll figure something out,” he said to the tiger.
          “Sounds good,” Officer MacAllister said. “I'll let the landlord know that you might be coming to see him, and that you're allowed to take anything that belongs to the boy.” He seemed to hesitate for a moment. “There is one other thing,” he said, sounding uncomfortable.
          “Oh yeah?” Jack's ears perked hearing the tone of the tiger's voice.
          “Yeah,” he replied sadly. “The DNA tests all came back on our Jane Doe,” he said, meaning Angelo's mother, “and it's a perfect match. Even had the recessive gene that gave you your grey fur.” He put a paw on Angelo's good shoulder. Angelo's face sank slightly. Even though he had accepted that Victor did indeed kill his mother, bringing that thought back into his mind, and indeed confirming it, must have been unexpected, Jack figured.
          “So,” Angelo said somberly, “where... where is she?”
          “I'll find out and let your lawyer know,” the officer said. “If there is a bright side,” he added, “it does make the way clear for you to go live with Jack.” Angelo just nodded again. “Sorry to bring the news this way,” the officer said, seeing how the boy reacted. “I just... figured you'd want closure on that.”
          “Yeah,” Angelo said flatly. “I guess so.”
          “I should go,” Officer MacAllister said.
          “Thanks for everything,” Jack said, offering his paw.
          “Jack,” the tiger replied, shaking the paw vigorously, “it was good knowing you. Different circumstances would have been better, but you handled this better than some I've seen twice your age. In case I don't see you again, be good!” He winked at Angelo as he said this.
          “You too,” Jack replied, the pawshake turning into a wave as the tiger turned and walked back towards his patrol car. Jack watched him walk for a moment in silence, then turned back towards his own apartment. “After you,” he said to Angelo with a bow and a theatrical swing of his arm towards the apartment door, then followed the cub inside.

---

          Jack pulled his car away from the Cub Protective Services home, not having to choke back tears as he was expecting, but with a renewed sense of hope and optimism for the forthcoming hearing that week.
          He and Angelo had hung around at his place for nearly an hour before leaving to get lunch. Jack drove them to the mall and they ate at a pizza shop in the food court. Afterward, they walked the mall for a little bit until they came across the theater which was showing the summer's latest comic-book superhero movie. Angelo commented that he had not been to a movie in years, so they decided on a whim to see it. What had been a summer blockbuster months ago had nearly played itself out, apparently, as there were few furs in the theater, so the two foxes had their pick of seating.
          Jack alternated his attention between the screen and the younger fox seated next to him. Angelo did seem to be enjoying it, as his attention stayed locked on the screen for the most part. Every so often he would look to Jack and smile happily, which got him an affectionate head fuzzle in return.
          As they left the theater at the conclusion of the film, Jack saw a photo booth kiosk ahead. It suddenly struck him that he had no photographs of his friend. Whatever the uncertain week ahead would bring, this much he could certainly do something about. He nudged Angelo and pointed to the booth.
          “C'mon,” Jack said, “Let's get a picture.”
          Angelo regarded the booth strangely for a moment, then said, “Yeah!” and practically ran to it, tail wagging happily.
          It seemed expensive to Jack as he fed cash into the money receiver slot, but quickly realized it would be worth it. The booth offered 4 photos for the money, and would email copies for an extra couple of dollars.
          Angelo clowned for the first couple photographs, lifting his shirt to “flash” the camera for the first one, then he and Jack made silly faces for the second. As the countdown to the third ticked down, Jack put his face right next to the boy's and smiled pleasantly. For the final photo, he stood behind Angelo so their heads lined up vertically, arms around the little fox.
          When the strip printed out, Jack was pleased to see that Angelo did not fool around for the last 2 pictures, but presented the cheerful smile that Jack had come to know over the summer.
          “Aww, look at you,” Jack said teasingly, “sooo cuuute!”
          “Hey,” Angelo replied with a grin, “cute is my middle name!”
          By then, time was getting short, so the pair left the mall and returned to Jack's apartment. Once inside, Angelo sat down on the couch, bouncing once or twice with a smile. Jack sat down next to him, and for a few moments, neither spoke.
          “So,” Jack said finally, unsure what to say, “Do you want to get your stuff from... the apartment?”
          “I dunno,” Angelo said quietly, leaning into Jack. “Just clothes there, really.”
          “Well,” Jack replied, “that will save me from having to buy them all over again.” This was true, and a pragmatic reason to visit Angelo's former residence. Angelo looked at Jack with a happy smile, as Jack realized the optimism of what he had just said: there was no “if” about it.
          “Yeah,” the grey-furred kit said. “And bed stuff, my clock... all that kind of stuff you won't need to buy!”
          “Great,” Jack said. “We'll do it then!” He checked the clock. “I don't think we have time today before I have to get you back, but we'll get it tomorrow.”
          But the kit shook his head. “I have to go to the hospital tomorrow,” he said sadly. “They need to check my shoulder. And since its not an emergency, they say I'll be there 4 or 5 hours. So...”
          “Oh,” was all Jack could muster, the word barely a whisper.
          Angelo stood up and faced the older fox. “This might be our last chance...”
          “Hey now,” Jack said, leaning forward in the couch. “Don't even think like that. Less than a week and we'll be together forever.” Angelo smiled faintly and nodded. “Don't think you're getting out of cutting the grass that easily,” Jack added with a grin which was met by one from the kit.
          Angelo stood in front of Jack silently, smiling faintly. Jack just looked back, soaking in every moment like he was trying to burn the cub's image into his brain. After a moment, Angelo moved to sit back down again.
          “No,” Jack said gently, “don't move. I just... want to look at you.” It sounded awkward to say, Jack noted.
          The eleven-year-old stood there, and the change to his face told Jack that he had realized what the older fox was doing. Despite what he had said, Jack was indeed faced with the possibility that these could indeed be their last moments together, at least for several months if what Max said about Foster Care training was correct.
          “Here,” Angelo said, reaching into his pocket, his voice barely above a mutter. He held his closed paw out to Jack.
          “What?” Jack asked, curious yet concerned. He held his paw under Angelo's and the boy dropped a small metal object into it.
          “My last worldly possession,” the kit declared solemnly. “Now that your sister has my earrings.”
          Jack looked at the little object: a copper-colored lump of metal, slightly deformed. He looked back to the little fox, understanding. “Is this the bullet that hit you?”
          Angelo nodded. “You hang onto it, so it doesn't get lost when... whatever... happens.”
          The red fox stood up without a word, and hugged his small friend. They held the hug for several minutes until the alarm clock that Jack had set went off, indicating that the time had arrived to return Angelo to the CPS house.
          The two parted the hug slowly as the alarm beeped. Jack's face was streaked with tears as he gazed into the blue eyes of the younger fox who looked more tired than sad. Reluctantly, but with the understanding that returning late to CPS would be very bad, the two exited the apartment and got in Jack's car.
          On the trip back to CPS, they discussed the coming week. Angelo asked Jack to be honest and estimate what the odds were that the judge would rule in their favor. Jack, who for days had been mentally compiling the items he was planning to present to the judge, proceeded to list them all off for the boy.
          When Jack finished his dissertation, both foxes were left with a positive feeling about the whole thing. As a contingency, though, Jack made sure Angelo had his email address, so if it did go badly this time, they could stay in touch while Max and Jack worked out their “Plan B”.
          Their actual parting when they reached CPS was difficult, though. The two embraced in the car as they waited their turn in line at the drop-off point. Apparently signing kits out for the day was a common thing for people to do, which gave Jack further contingency ideas.
          When it was their turn, Angelo didn't want to let go of Jack, as the CPS attendant came around to the driver's window to sign the paperwork confirming that Jack had returned Angelo on time. The thought hit him again that it was very much like returning a library book.
          Eventually, though, Angelo had to leave the car with the attendant. He had not cried that day, but his eyes were visibly wet as he looked back to Jack. “I love you,” he exclaimed as he was led back towards the building.
          A CPS attendant who was directing the flow of cars motioned insistently for Jack to depart, as he was holding up the line. He reluctantly put his car in gear. “I love you too, buddy,” he whispered with a hopeful smile, as he drove away.

---

          The next morning, Sunday, Jack slept late. For the first time in a week he had nowhere to be, and had nothing pressing or planned to look forward to. He lay in bed staring at the ceiling for nearly an hour after awakening, thinking of the week to come and mentally sorting things out. Eventually the morning call of nature forced him to get out of bed, after which he took a long, lazy shower.
          Following his shower, he dressed and decided to go out and get breakfast, so he grabbed his wallet and keys and headed for the door. When he opened it, he saw Victor's apartment door was open, and there were some furs visible within.
          Jack left his own apartment and walked slowly towards his car, watching the far door as he did. Shortly, the apartment manager walked out from inside and lit a cigarette. Jack closed the car door he had just opened, and walked towards the manager, who waved a paw in recognition as Jack got closer.
          “Good morning,” the manager, a lynx, said.
          “Hi,” replied Jack nervously. “The, umm... the police said they talked to you about me getting the stuff that belonged to Ang... to the cub that lived here?” He was nervous because a thought had been brewing in his mind since Officer MacAllister told him he could clear out Angelo's possessions.
          “Yep,” said the lynx, drawing on his cigarette. He looked at Jack curiously. “So,” he continued slowly, “you did... all that in there?” He pointed back through the doorway with his thumb.
          Jack sighed. “Yeah... yeah I did. I really don't want to talk about it though.”
          The cat exhaled smoke strongly through his nose. “Sure, fine. Yeah they said you can take anything that was the kid's. Nothing else though, and I get the bedroom furniture.”
          “That's perfectly fine with me,” Jack said, trying to maintain a calm face.
          The lynx nodded, then stamped out his cigarette and turned towards the open door. “C'mon,” he said. “There are bags you can use to carry it all.”
          Jack walked back into the apartment for the first time since he had killed Victor. The carpet had mostly been removed from the living room and the walls had been sanded down to the drywall. Over where Victor had bled, the drywall and built-in bookcase had been completely removed, exposing the wooden sub-floor and the wall supports. Plastic tarps covered the floor in several layers, and sheets of plastic covered the carpet going down the hallway towards Victor's bedroom and Angelo's closet.
          The fox exhaled heavily as he took in the view of the room. His paws began to shake as memories of that day tried to creep back in, but he clenched them together and focused his mind on the tasks at hand.
          “Rough, I bet,” the manager said, noticing Jack's trembling.
          “Yeah,” Jack said, his voice unsteady. “Just give me a sec.”
          “Take your time,” the lynx replied. “There's big trash bags over in the kitchen next to all the tools.”
          Jack walked into the kitchen, which necessitated him walking over the spot where he had tackled Victor and ended his life. It took all of Jack's willpower not to look down as he stepped over that spot and on into the kitchen. He immediately saw the tool pile and the roll of black plastic trash bags. He looked back towards the living room to see the manager dialing his cell phone.
          The teenage fox felt a surge of adrenaline as he watched the manager. When he was sure the lynx was suitably distracted, he knelt down and opened the cabinet under the kitchen sink. Inside were several bottles of various cleaning products, spare soap, and the other typical things one would expect to find there. Jack carefully picked up each bottle briefly to see if they were indeed just bottles of cleanser – they all were, much to his dismay.
          “No, over there,” the manager said, which startled Jack as he finished surveying the cabinet. Jack looked up to see the manager looking at him from the living room, and pointing towards the tool pile. The cat was still on the phone.
          “Ok,” Jack said innocently: trash bags were often found under the sink, after all, Jack thought to himself. He stood up and pulled 2 trash bags off the roll and returned to the living room. “I'll just go...” he said, pointing down the hall towards the hall closet that had served as Angelo's bedroom.
          The lynx nodded, still talking on his phone, and followed Jack into the hall. When they reached Angelo's closet, Jack went inside, and the lynx continued down the hall to Victor's room. Jack chuckled under his breath that the manager was so concerned about the bedroom furniture, and hoped that would keep him distracted until his plan was complete.
          He stood in the doorway of Angelo's former bedroom, still in the state it was on the day he and Angelo were last there. The mattress on the floor had a large pile of clothes on it, where the cub had begun to clear out his room that morning, before Victor's unexpected appearance changed everything forever.
          Once again, Jack shook the returning memories out of his head before they got bad. He knelt down and unceremoniously scooped the clothing pile into the first of the bags he carried. They were of the large plastic type used for lawn debris, so they were quite spacious.
          When the pile on the bed was bagged, Jack stood up and began pulling down some of the clothes on hangers, while at the same time moving close to the door and listening to the lynx on the phone. The manager seemed to be having a discussion with one of the contractors gutting this apartment, and the conversation was getting somewhat heated.
          Figuring this was the best opportunity, Jack picked up the half-filled bag and went into the bathroom that was immediately across from the closet he was in. Leaving the light off, he knelt down and opened the cabinet under the bathroom sink, and repeated his check of the various bottles within.
          His heart-rate nearly doubled as he lifted one bottle of spray cleaner, only to find it weighed many times what it should have. Jack quickly removed it from the cabinet and looked at the bottom. There was a key lock built into the underside of the bottle: another of Victor's safes.
          Jack stood up abruptly and put the safe into the bag, hiding it under several layers of Angelo's clothes. At the same time, he heard the manager finish his call, followed by a swear at whomever he had been talking to. Jack immediately turned on the light as the lynx walked out of the bedroom.
          “How's it going?” He didn't seem to be suspicious at all.
          “Good,” Jack replied, “Just checking if there's anything in here.” he feigned looking around the bathroom. “Not really, I guess,” he concluded, and flipped the light back off. He hefted the clothes bag and spun the opening shut. “Back to it in here.”
          The manager nodded with a grunt and went back into Victor's bedroom. Jack felt like he was going to hyperventilate, so took a deep breath and went back into Angelo's room. He opened the bag back up, and for good measure threw in several more layers of clothes on top, then tied the bag shut.
          He then opened the second bag and loaded the rest of Angelo's meager belongings into it. The remainder of the clothes went in first, followed by the bedclothes, pillow, clock-radio, and the like. He inspected a small pile of books on the floor, to find they were stamped by the local library, so he picked them up as well. He might as well be a good citizen and return them, he figured.
          “I'm done,” Jack called out to the manager, as he hefted the bags and walked back out towards the living room.
          “OK,” the lynx shouted from the bedroom, then emerged and walked to where Jack was. “Got all you need?” He kicked gently at one of the bags, as if checking for what might be inside. His toe only hit the softness of cloth within, though.
          “Yep,” Jack confirmed, trying to calm his nervousness. “I think I'm all done in here.” He meant that in more ways than one: he truly was done in this apartment and never wanted to set foot inside again.
          “Right then,” the manager said, “I'll let the crews know they can tear up anything they need to. I think I'm just going to gut the whole place. Maybe make a game room, or a laundry room or something. I wouldn't want anyone to live here after... you know.”
          Jack nodded. “Sounds like a good idea,” he said honestly. He thought he could still smell blood, and wondered how it could ever be completely removed. Shaking off the imminent memory again, he thanked the manager and headed out through the still-open door, carrying a bag in each paw.
          When he reached the parking lot in front of the apartment, he began to chuckle giddily to himself at having found Victor's other safe, and walked back towards his own apartment trying not to burst out laughing.

---

          Monday morning Jack returned to work at Max's office. As he had the previous Monday, he wondered how he was going to get through this week without focusing his entire attention on the coming Friday and the hearing with the judge.
          Fortunately, either due to Max anticipating the need for distraction, or just from a quirk of scheduling, there were going to be several people meeting with Jack over the course of the day. Max had arranged for them in order to check off another box on the list of things they would present the judge.
          The first meeting was with Max's banker and accountant. They were there to help Jack set up a trust for Angelo, as well as a savings plan for his college, and to establish a credit card in Jack's name. All of this mostly entailed a lot of paperwork since it was all pretty straight-forward. Jack asked, despite his vow to stay positive this week, about how this could all be canceled if things didn't go well. He was assured that this would not be a problem, as it would take longer than the week to have it all processed.
          Following on the heels of the bankers was a representative from the insurance company that served Max's firm. They went through the paperwork to set up a million-dollar life policy for Jack, to be payable to the trust he had just set up. At Jack's age, the premium was less than the price of a large pizza one time a month.
          It was then lunch time, but Max was not done yet. He had a tray of gourmet sandwiches delivered, at the same time as his mobile phone vendor stopped in.
          “Eighteen and without a mobile phone,” Max said with mock disgust. “We'll fix that right now!”
          The otter arranged for 2 of the latest smart-phones, in an account entirely in Jack's name. Since the fox had no credit yet, the vendor required a sizable deposit, which Max cheerfully paid himself.
          “They're all yours,” he told Jack. “As long as you pay the bills on time, I'll get the deposit back in a year or so.” The otter seemed unconcerned about that. “Just promise one thing: no dick pics!”
          Jack laughed out loud at this. “Not a problem,” he replied.
          “I'm serious,” Max said. “Since you've never had one before, you need to know that those kinds of things will get leaked onto the Internet, and will never go away.”
          “Personal experience?” Jack asked with a friendly wink.
          “Ha, no,” Max said, “but I know too many people who it did happen to! All it takes is an angry girlfriend, or a bunch of drunk friends off-cam while you think you're having a private chat, that kind of thing. Just treat everything you do on the phone as if it was in public, and you'll be fine.” He paused, then indicated the second phone box, still sealed. “Make sure Ange knows that too.”
          “Definitely,” Jack said. He would make sure the point was well understood.
          After lunch, and the parade of professionals had passed, Jack and Max sat in the conference room with a laptop, going to various sites and registering for things like Cub CPR, Swimming Survival, and the like. The otter also brought up a boilerplate Last Will and Testament, which he and Jack filled out.
          Max had apparently set the entire day aside for Jack, and the fox tried more than once to express his genuine thanks, but was always quickly yet politely interrupted. It was as if Max was embarrassed on some level to be appreciated. Towards the end of the day, the two just sat back in their chairs and talked.

---

          Tuesday was the day that Max wanted to put everything together into a sort of Executive Summary to submit to the court, with copies of all the supporting paperwork. The goal was to have it filed by the end of the day, so the judge and CPS would have time to evaluate it before the hearing. Jack did not care to give Cub Protective Services any advance notice of their filing, but Max insisted.
          “The court will send them a copy anyway,” he said, “and this way it shows our good-faith and gives them time to check out your home.”
          “Check out... wait, what?”
          “Yeah,” Max confirmed, “they'll want to go visit your parents and check out the house we're proposing. You might want to let them know it's coming, actually. But I know that neighborhood, and once they see the place, I'm sure it will just shut down another of their objections.”
          Jack still was reluctant, until Max convinced him: “And,” the otter said, “since an evaluation is pretty much required, by telling them now we won't get delayed any more on Friday.” That settled it in Jack's mind. Eliminating delays was quite high on his priority list.
          He and Max again sat in the conference room and laid out all of their documents on the table. Max's secretary was also present, taking notes and organizing things, since she would be the one to type up and submit the filing.
          They laid out everything they had, and formatted it in a logical sequence. When it was all laid bare like that, it made Jack even more optimistic that he had a real chance on Friday. The order they settled on was:
          - The description of the home he and Angelo would reside in.
          - Jack's will, naming his parents as guardians.
          - The trust fund set up for Angelo.
          - Jack's life insurance, payable to the trust fund.
          - Angelo's college savings account.
          - Jack's establishment of a credit history.
          - Enrollment in the CPR course.
          - A note about Jack's plans for Angelo's schooling.

          This last part was cause for some consternation in the fox. He wanted to have Angelo attend Greenleaf Academy, the private school that his sister Jessica attended. However, they were closed for the summer, and would not start considering applications for another couple of weeks. His filing made note of this, with the implied default of the local public school system as a fall-back.
          “What do you think?” Jack asked, looking up from the pile of documents.
          “I think we've got this,” Max said enthusiastically. “They'd be fools not to see how great you are!”
          Jack chucked as Maggie, Max's secretary, gathered the papers up in a folder. “I'll get the pleading whipped up,” she said, “and attach copies of all these. Should be filed first thing tomorrow.”
          “You're the best, Mags,” Max said, as she exited the conference room.

---
          
          True to her word, Maggie had the whole proposal filed the next morning. After that, there was truly nothing left for Jack to do until the hearing on Friday, so he dove back into the ever-present task of document sorting for one of Max's clients.
          The otter was busy most of the day, unlike the previous week, so Jack was alone in the workroom, and had to get his own lunch. He didn't mind, of course, though he had grown somewhat accustomed to random lengthy conversations with Max: something about the way he talked set the teen fox's mind at ease.
          When the end of the workday arrived, Max did stop in to the workroom on his way out. He apologized for his absence, but predicted that he would be equally occupied for the rest of the week until Jack's Friday hearing. Jack felt somewhat guilty for this, figuring that all the time the lawyer had spent with him on his filing had cause Max to otherwise neglect his other client duties.
          Wednesday went much the same for the fox. As predicted, Max was on phone calls or meeting with clients all day, while Jack tried to lose himself in his work to keep his mind from obsessing over the coming hearing.
          In the afternoon, though, his new cell phone rang, which surprised him as he was still not accustomed to carrying one. He recognized the calling number as his parents.
          “Hello,” he said cheerfully into the phone.
          “Hi Jack, it's Mom,” his mother said.          
          “Hey,” he replied, “what's up?”
          “We just had a visit from Social Services,” she replied.
          Jack's ears spiked up straight. He had forgotten to warn them that this was coming. “Oh, crap,” he said, “I meant to tell you about that.”
          “That's ok,” she said, “I think they like the fact that it was a surprise, though I did have laundry all over the couch.”
          “Sorry,” Jack said again with a chuckle. “But, umm... how did it... I mean, what did they...”
          “They wanted to see the house,” his mother explained. “We showed them around, showed them the yard and your bedroom where he would be staying.” She paused briefly, then: “I did say I would make you clean it up before letting him live there!”
          Jack laughed. “Of course,” he promised.
          “Then they talked to us and explained the whole process,” she continued. “It was pretty much how you said it would be. They asked all of us to confirm that we were agreeing to this freely.”
          “All?”          
          “Yes,” his mother replied with a laugh, “Jessica was very vocal on the subject.” A long silence followed.
          “And...” Jack said after what seemed like a minute.
          Another laugh from the phone. “Don't worry, she made it perfectly clear that she wants him to live here.” Jack let out a breath that he didn't know how long he had been holding, as his mother went on. “She said that his story was tragic and he was too nice for that to happen to. She got quite emotional, I'm actually impressed.”
          “Nice,” Jack said softly, practically a whisper. Then, more conversationally, “So did they say what they thought of... everything?”
          “No,” came the reply. “They thanked us for the tour and for our input, and said they would take it all into consideration.” Another silence followed, though Jack did not think he was being toyed with this time. His mother spoke after a moment. “I think that's typical though. I expect they'll write a report up and someone else will actually make the recommendation. So I wouldn't read too much into it.”
          “Yeah,” Jack said, somewhat dejected. “My paperwork is in,” he said, trying to bolster his mood. “Max says I've got a real shot at this, from all the stuff we gave them.”
          “We'll keep up good thoughts,” she said on the phone.
          “Yeah,” Jack said, again softly. “Me too...”

---

          Friday finally came. Jack was up before the sun, and found it impossible to go back to sleep. He paced nervously in his apartment, now and again fiddling with the two safes, unsuccessfully trying to open them.
          When the sun did rise, he went outside and washed his car twice to help burn off his growing nervous energy. That task completed, he returned inside and took a long shower before dressing in his suit and driving to the courthouse.
          He was required to leave his phone in the car, which cost him a walk back to the parking lot as he was not aware of this. That was fine, he told himself, he was over an hour early and needed something to keep him occupied.
          Jack now stood in the main lobby of the courthouse where he had agreed to meet Max. He watched the passers-by and quickly realized that he could easily tell the court staff from those who were there as plaintiffs or defendants. The former walked casually, laughing and chatting with their co-workers, while the latter behaved more like Jack felt: nervous, looking around a lot, and just generally not wanting to be there.
          After what seemed like hours, Jack finally saw Max come through the security checkpoint, a cup of coffee in paw. He strolled casually like the rest of the courthouse regulars Jack had been watching. The otter walked slowly over to him.
          “Good morning, Jack,” he said amicably. “Ready to take someone into your life?”
          Jack smiled at Max's choice of words. “Yeah,” he said, “I just hope it happens.”
          Max patted him on the shoulder, at the same time turning him in the direction they needed to go. “Happy thoughts,” he said. “Have faith in the ol' ruddertail. I feel good about this.” He slapped his thick tail against Jack's leg as he said this.
          Jack chuckled, still nervous. “So what happens now?”
          “Well,” Max said as they walked, “the judge should have looked over our filing by now. He may have questions about that. And likewise, CPS will have filed their report on your family, so he'll probably discuss that. After that...” the otter paused, which made Jack stare intently at him. “Well, after that,” Max continued, “he'll most likely rule on our request.”
          “Most likely?”
          “Yeah,” Max replied, “there's a small chance he may want more detail on something, or a follow-up social worker visit, interview, or that kind of thing. If you hear him use the word “continuance” that means he does, and this all gets put on hold until he has what he needs.”
          Jack's heart sank. “Crap,” he muttered. A delay was the last thing he wanted, although he understood that a delay was better than an outright denial. “So what other legalese will he use? I'm not sure I'll know what is going on.”
          Max laughed. “I hear you,” he said cheerfully. “I think he'll try to keep it understandable, but the final rulings are usually spoken using specific legal terms.” He cleared his throat. “Ok, you are “petitioner”, and I am “petitioner's counsel”. Angelo is “minor cub” or maybe just “subject”. CPS will be “respondent” or just “state”. If he says “awarded”, that's good. “Remanded” is not so good.”
          Jack sighed loudly. “Just... tell me if we win?”
          Max nodded and patted the fox's shoulder again. “I tell you what, hold my paw and I'll squeeze it if... WHEN... we win, ok?” Jack nodded with a faint smile towards the otter.
          The pair got on the elevator with several others, and silently rode to their floor. Getting out, they made their way to the hallway where the judge's office was. There was nobody waiting outside the office this time, though the door was open.
          Jack and Max approached the door, when Jack stopped. Max turned and gave him a supportive smile. Jack took a deep breath and continued through the door into the judge's outer office.
          Max and the judge's clerk exchanged some sort of complex handshake before the clerk led them towards the door to the judge's actual chambers. The door was closed, and the clerk knocked twice, listening inside. Jack didn't hear anything, but the clerk opened the door wide and motioned them to go inside.
          Jack walked into the office and stopped just inside the doorway, doing a quick survey. The judge was not actually present but the stenographer sat at her spot next to his seat. Angelo sat next to Miss Baker, and Jack saw that the cat he disliked, Ms. Somerset, was not present either.
          Angelo jumped up from his seat as Jack entered and ran to the doorway, wrapping his good arm around the older fox. Jack returned the hug, taking care as always to avoid the cub's left shoulder. Angelo did not wear the heavy plastic padding over his shoulder anymore, Jack noticed, though his arm was still in a sling.
          “Jack...” Angelo said happily. Jack just nuzzled his cheek in response.
          “Seats please, gentlemen,” the clerk said gently from just outside the door.
          Jack and Angelo reluctantly parted, each moving to their respective side of the table. Max sat next to Jack and offered his paw, which Jack took nervously.
          “All rise,” the clerk said. Everyone stood. Jack found it quite amusing that the clerk wanted them to take their seats only to immediately tell them to rise. “This hearing is now in session, the honorable judge Walter Sorensen presiding.”
          A door opened in the other side of the room and the judge stepped through. The bear paused for a moment, noting all present, then went to his chair and sat down. “Be seated,” he said.
          “Now then,” the judge continued after all had re-taken their seats. “let's get right to it. This hearing is to rule on the petition for permanent guardianship of Angelo Cole by John Archer, Jr. Are all concerned present?”
          Jack just nodded, feeling foolish, but didn't know what to say, if anything. He still noted the absence of the CPS cat, but wasn't sure if he should bring it up due to her opposition. But, he thought, if that was somehow a technicality that could come back to bite them...
          “Miss Baker,” the judge said, interrupting Jack's thoughts. “Will CPS counsel be joining us?”
          “No your honor,” the rabbit lady said. “I've been advised that she has nothing to add.”
          The judge furrowed his brow for a moment. “I see,” he said flatly.
          Jack felt Max give his paw 2 quick squeezes, as if telling him that this was a good turn of events.
          “Well then,” the judge said, opening a manila folder and removing several stacks of papers. “Mr. Archer,” he said, looking to Jack.
          “Yes sir,” Jack said before catching himself, “your honor, I mean.”
          The judge chuckled at Jack's continuing inability to say the words. “Sir is fine.” He held up a stack of papers which Jack recognized as his filing. “I've read through your proposal.”
          “Yes sir,” Jack said, his throat feeling very dry all of a sudden.
          “I must say I'm impressed,” the judge said. “I can see that you're taking this very seriously.”
          “Yes, sir,” Jack repeated, barely feeling Max's paw-squeeze.
          The judge seemed to wait a moment before asking, “Do you have any final comments?”
          Jack cleared his throat. “Yes sir,” he said once again. “My folks and I talked about this a lot over the weekend. They helped me understand what I'm signing up for, and... helped me appreciate what they went through to raise me.” He looked to Angelo. “And... I'm ready to make those same sacrifices to give Angelo the same chances that I had.” He looked back to the judge. “I... I know I'm not perfect, and I'm sure I'll make mistakes, but with... the support I've got, I know I can do it.” He stopped as his voice started to choke up.
          The judge nodded, smiling slightly. “On that note,” he said, turning to the CPS rabbit, “Miss Baker, you visited Mr. Archer's home. I've read your report, but can you summarize your findings?”
          “Yes, your honor,” she began. “I and a colleague visited the home in question and interviewed the family members. They were unanimous in their support for Mr. Archer. We found nothing to indicate that the environment there would be detrimental.” Another paw-squeeze from Max.
          “Very well,” the judge said. “I must say, the documents I have seen paint a pretty clear picture, and I've heard from almost all concerned parties.” Jack was confused by that statement, as he just acknowledged that everyone had been interviewed.
          “Master Cole,” the judge said.
          Angelo's ears perked up. “Yes, your honor?”
          “I don't believe we've officially heard from you. Is it your wish to live with Mr. Archer under his guardianship?”
          The cub's face lit up. “Yes it is!” He grinned at Jack from across the table.
          “Very well,” the judge said again, as he placed the paperwork back in the folder and closed it. “The law gives us much latitude to determine suitability of potential parents – and all terminology aside, that is what is at the crux of this.
          “However,” the bear continued, the word weighing heavily on Jack's stomach, “the law is very specific with its goal, and poses one overarching test: is it in the best interests of the cub to be placed into Mr. Archer's custody? Or is it in his best interests to remain under the care of the state, pending further developments or advancements?” His eyes went around the room, making eye contact with each fur for a moment before moving on to the next.
          He sat back in his chair and removed his glasses. “It is the opinion of this court,” he said, his voice taking on the legalese that Jack knew meant a ruling, “that Angelo's interests are best served by the former.”
          A moment of silence followed which further confused Jack, who didn't hear anything sounding like a ruling. After a moment though, he felt an ache in his paw from Max squeezing it so tightly. He looked to Max who had a happy smile on his face, then to the judge who must have noticed the confused look on his face.
          “Therefore,” the judge said, “petitioner John Archer Jr is awarded permanent guardianship of the minor cub Angelo Justin Cole subject to the laws and statutes of this state. It is so ordered.”
          Jack wasn't sure when he had last breathed, but he exhaled deeply upon hearing this. Angelo jumped up from his seat and seemed like he was going to dive across the table. He just stood there, though, with one paw on the table and his tail wagging.
          “Well,” said the judge to Angelo, “what are you waiting for?”
          Angelo grinned and dashed around the table. Jack slid his chair back and turned to face the little fox who was practically charging at him. Jack tried to avoid impacting his shoulder as they collided into a tight hug.
          Jack closed his eyes tightly as he hugged Angelo. He felt Max pat him on the back robustly, but kept his eyes closed as he rocked slightly with the younger fox.
          After a moment, he heard the judge speaking, much softer than he had before. “You know, Mr. Archer,” the bear was saying, “the law typically uses very precise words in its rulings, and today is no exception. The ruling states that you have been “awarded” custody, and that word is most accurate.” Jack opened his eyes and looked at the judge as he continued speaking. “You've been given something precious here today, and I hope you will act accordingly.”
          Jack nodded to the judge. “You can bet your life on that,” he said softly as he continued to hug Angelo.

---

          After the hearing in the judge's chambers adjourned, everyone rose with the judge. Jack turned to give Max a great bear-hug, which surprised and seemed to frazzle the otter. At the same time, Angelo gave a hug to Miss Baker. “Thank you for taking care of me,” he said to the rabbit who seemed extremely pleased with the outcome of the hearing.
          “It was my pleasure,” she said. “You go and have a great life!”
          “There is some paperwork you need to fill out,” the judge said to Jack and Angelo. “A lot of it, actually. You both will be getting documents sent to you in a couple of weeks: ID cards and the like, to prove that you're now legal and all.” He handed Jack a business card. “In the meantime, if anyone questions your status, have them call me directly.”
          Jack took the card with a sense of respect and awe. “Th- thank you sir,” he said to the judge, who extended his paw for Jack to shake. “I mean it,” Jack said, “thank you. Thank you for everything.”
          Angelo was slightly less formal, hugging the judge when he had released Jack's paw. The bear chuckled and patted the boy's black head-fur.
          “Now, I don't want to ever see you in my courtroom,” the bear said to Angelo, who grinned.
          “Oh, don't worry about that,” the little fox said cheerfully.
          As the group left the judge's chambers, the clerk motioned Jack to his desk, where the promised stack of papers awaited. As he filled them out, the clerk led Angelo to a bare part of the wall and took a photo of him for the identity card that was among the documents in front of Jack.
          Max and the clerk chatted about college days and their shared society membership as Jack filled out the paperwork, while Miss Baker excused herself and left. The judge, likewise, retired to his chambers and closed the door.
          Eventually the paperwork was complete. Jack was given copies: most were to be filed away while one he was to keep with him for the time being until the official identity documents arrived. Max took the for-file documents, telling jack he would file them for safe keeping.
          Their business concluded, the three took their leave of the clerk and returned to the hallways of the courthouse. Jack walked with his arm around Angelo, who seemed as cheerful as Jack had ever seen him. Max walked on the Jack's other side, and didn't say anything, as if he didn't want to ruin the moment.
          They approached the elevator to the parking garage. “Here's where I get off,” Max said. Jack was parked in the surface lot out front, so had a ways to walk still.
          “Max,” Jack said, the gratitude obvious in his voice, “Thank you so much.”
          “Any time,” the otter replied, still seeming uncomfortable being thanked this much. “We can discuss my fees on Monday.”
          Jack stared dumbfounded. “Wha... fees?”
          Max laughed. “Kidding, you dope!” Jack laughed with him. “Seriously though,” Max said, “you guys have a great weekend, and I'll see you, Jack, on Monday. Angelo.” He held his fist out to the cub, and was again surprised at being hugged by the little fox rather than the expected fist-bump. “Ok, ok,” Max said, laughing. “Take it easy you two,” he said as the elevator opened and he stepped inside with a wave.
          The pair continued on towards the main entrance, passing through the security checkpoint. Once outside, a sense of victory finally hit Jack. It was as if he thought that the court could still change its mind before he got out of the building. Jack stopped and laughed out loud, weeks of anxiety flowing out of him in a long happy catharsis.
          Angelo laughed as well, spurred on by Jack. The little grey-furred fox hugged his now-guardian. “We did it Jack!”
          “We did it, buddy,” Jack said, hugging the small fox again, nuzzling his face against the kit's.
          “So,” Angelo said, “do I call you “dad” now?”
          The word hit Jack unexpectedly, and made him grin. “Well, I don't really know,” he replied. “I mean, I'm not...”
          “Just one time?” There was some small emotion in the cub's voice.
          “Sure,” Jack said, staring earnestly into Angelo's blue eyes.
          “Dad...”
          Jack felt overwhelmed, and just hugged the boy again. He felt like he was going to cry, but this was a happy occasion, he thought. “Let's get going,” he said with choked voice, as the pair resumed their walk to his car.
          “Are we going to the house now?”
          “Well, not yet,” Jack replied. “We need to go by my place first. I've got all your stuff waiting there, and I guess I need to pack my stuff as well.”
          “Good!” the kit replied. “I'd love to take a real shower again, and then put on real clothes!”
          “Not a problem,” Jack said with a laugh. “But first: I don't know about you but I'm suddenly starving!”
          “Yes!” Angelo explained. “They had breakfast this morning but I was too nervous to eat any of it.”
          They arrived at Jack's car and climbed in. Jack started the car up, then immediately grabbed his new phone from the console and called home.
          “Oh, check you out!” Angelo said teasingly as he saw the shiny new phone.
          “You ain't seen nothing yet,” Jack said cryptically as he listened to the ringing.
          “Hello,” a voice answered on the phone.
          “Hi Dad,” Jack said.
          “So how'd it go?”
          Jack took a deep breath. “We won!”

---

           They stopped by a pizza parlor for lunch on the way to Jack's apartment. Angelo was now an excited bundle of questions about his new life, and Jack tried his best to answer them all. There were still some aspects of their living arrangements that Jack was still uncertain about, so as he spoke he was also trying to work them out in his own mind.
          Mom and Dad would be the final word for anything relating to living in the house. This would include all the amenities the house had to offer, such as the pool, the video game system, Internet use, and the like. But it also would include things such as meal times, curfew and bedtime to an extent, and chores. They would also control what friends Angelo, and Jack for that matter, would be allowed to have over.
          Jack, on the other paw, would be the final word for things regarding Angelo himself. This would include things like making sure he did his homework, giving permission for him to go various places like concerts and sporting events, and discipline when required. Jack playfully punched his fist into his open palm as he described this part, which made Angelo giggle.
          The confusing part for both foxes was when these areas overlapped. Jack reckoned they would both figure it out as it happened. He did let Angelo know that when he wasn't around for whatever reason, that his parents would be allowed to make basic decisions that would normally be Jack's. He cautioned the boy not to “shop around” between Jack and his parents looking for one to overrule the other.
          Jack had a lingering concern about how Angelo would adapt to this sudden change in how he was accustomed to living. Whereas before he had come and gone as he pleased, essentially without restrictions, now he was moving into a household that had a long-standing set of very specific rules and restrictions. Angelo seemed to be fine with these however.
          After lunch, the pair drove to Jack's apartment. No sooner were they inside than Angelo shucked off the blue CPS sweatpants he had been wearing, and asked Jack to help him remove his shirt, which was not as straight-forward as it was for an uninjured fur.
          The cub explained the range of motion his wounded shoulder allowed, and how to put on and remove shirts without hurting it: essentially the shirt was pulled up from his waist and over his head, with his good arm being pulled inside at the same time. This left the shirt looped around his left shoulder, at which point he would detach the sling and gently slide the shirt down his arm.
          Jack paid close attention, as he knew he would be assisting in several areas like this until the boy's arm was healed. As Angelo had noted, it wasn't until you were unable to perform a basic motion that you realized how often you needed it.
          When he had his shirt successfully removed, he started towards the bathroom, tugging down on his boxers with his good paw as he walked. “Need... shower...” he said with a grin, beckoning for Jack to follow him.

---

          Jack sat on the edge of his bed with Angelo standing in front of him. He was finishing up drying the cub off with a towel. He sat shirtless, his own having been soaked very quickly in the shower process. The older fox tossed the towel towards the doorway then picked up the fur-brush and began to brush Angelo's fur out.
          “Feel better now?”
          Angelo sighed contentedly. “Oh yeah,” he said, “I totally needed that.” He smiled at Jack as the red fox continued to brush the grey-furred fox. “I can't wait for this thing to heal!”
          “A couple more weeks, right?”
          “Yeah, that's what they say,” Angelo replied, looking at his bare shoulder, the fur only just starting to grow back in where the hospital had shaved it. “It's still sore, so I dunno.”
          “We'll get through it,” Jack said, reassuringly. He realized that it was now incumbent on him to take Angelo to the doctor for all the future follow-ups on his shoulder, and indeed everything else.
          Jack finished up his brushing with the cub's legs, then sat back and regarded the young fox. “There we go, all de-floofed!” Angelo grinned as Jack stood up and walked to the bags in the corner that contained all of the boy's belongings from Victor's place. He rooted through the bag as Angelo sat down on the bed, holding his left arm immobile as he had not yet put the sling back on.
          Jack came back over and dropped down a fresh outfit for him, to include a shirt, jeans, boxers, and socks. He knelt down in front of the kit and slid the boxers up his legs, followed by the jeans, before working the socks onto his foot-paws.
          Angelo stood up and Jack tugged the waistband of the boxers and jeans to seat them snugly, then fastened the tail-flap buttons in the back. Finally, he reversed the shirt-removal process and pulled the t-shirt down over the cub's head.
          “It's a lot faster when I have help,” Angelo noted happily as he was dressed. He looked to the bags in the corner. “So, what'd ya bring back?”
          “Pretty much everything that was in your room,” Jack said, walking over to them. “And one thing that wasn't,” he added cryptically, digging in the clothes bag. He looked back at Angelo, who had a puzzled yet cheerful smile on his face. Jack grinned back and revealed the can of “cleanser” that he had retrieved from under the sink.
          Angelo's eyes went wide, his smile expanding to a grin. “Is that...”
          Jack just smiled and shook the can, letting the sound of the gold coins within answer for him. Angelo made an excited giggle.
          “You know how much is in there?”
          “A lot,” Jack said, handing the can to the kit. “It's pretty heavy.”
          “Oh yeah,” Angelo said, hefting it with his good paw. “He... said that after buying that heroin, he was down to his last fifty or sixty grand. So if it's all in here... plus the one he gave you to keep...”
          “Then there's a little bit of payback for... some of what he took from you.” Jack didn't want to downplay the loss of the boy's mother.
          “Mmm,” Angelo said, nodding. “I'll take a Mercedes!”
          Jack laughed. “Some day,” he said with a smile. “For now, this is going to help me raise you.” Angelo nodded again, but didn't respond. “Don't worry though,” Jack added, seeing this, “there's definitely money for fun stuff in here!”
          “It's the least he owes me,” Angelo declared, not sadly but with a more hopeful tone.
          “Oh, and speaking of fun stuff,” Jack said, walking now to his dresser and opening the top drawer, “got you this, to start things off right!” He pulled out a smallish white box and handed it to Angelo.
          The kit seemed to recognize the box, as his eyes went wide again. “Is... is this a PhoxPhone?”
          “The very same,” Jack said triumphantly, picking his own phone off of the dresser and holding it up.
          “Wow! Thanks,” the kit said happily, taking the box and immediately opening it.
          “I got it all set up and charged and ready to go,” Jack said as Angelo picked up the phone and held it gingerly. “That's your number,” Jack said, indicating the service form in the box. “And that's mine. One number down from you!”
          “Wow,” Angelo said again, pushing the button on the device which brought it to glowing life.
          “One thing,” Jack said. Angelo looked up at him. “Just so you know... there is parental-control software on there.” Angelo's eyes narrowed slightly. “But,” Jack went on, “I didn't turn it on. I trust you.” Angelo smiled happily as Jack continued, “I know you're pretty new to the whole Internet thing, so please: ask me before installing stuff, or doing video chat, or anything like that. You know you can always ask me anything.”
          Angelo nodded appreciatively. “I will, Jack, I promise!”
          “That's my boy,” Jack said with a smile, then sat down next to the little fox. “Here, let me show you some stuff.”

---

          They hung around Jack's apartment for a couple of hours: playing with the features on their new phones, trying unsuccessfully to hammer open one of the can-safes from Victor, and just generally spending time and enjoying each other's company.
          Pretty soon, Jack figured they should be starting towards his parents' house – indeed his own house once again. His parents would be getting home from work, as would Jessica from whatever after-school activity she had that day. He grabbed the suitcase from the closet that had contained all his clothes those short few months ago when he had left from home, and began to pack it full again for the return trip.
          Angelo helped a little, with things like Jack's alarm clock and other small sundry items, but mostly he just videoed Jack with his phone, having already mastered that aspect of the device. Jack chuckled as the kit narrated his recording in the style of a wildlife photographer recording dangerous animals.
          Once packed, he carted his suitcase and the bags containing Angelo's possessions out to Jack's car. They made sure to bring the two safes as well; their hammering had not been fruitful, but there was a hacksaw and a grinder back at the house, which should make short work of the containers.
          Jack then walked back to the apartment and shut down all the lights and locked up. There was still a fair amount of furniture in there, but he didn't know when he'd be back. Most likely it would be after he built his room in the basement, he reckoned, as then he would need these furnishings. He felt a twinge of sadness as he closed and locked the door – a feeling which turned to joy quickly as he approached the car and saw Angelo's eager face within.
          The red fox got in the driver's seat and slammed the door with a purpose. “You ready, bud?”
          “Yeah,” Angelo replied with enthusiasm. “Let's do this!”
          “Your wish is my command,” Jack said, starting up the car and backing away from his parking place.

---

          The drive to the house was filled with a sort of electricity, Jack noted. Angelo was quite animated and asked dozens more questions about how things worked over there, as far as rules, chores, and other procedures went.
          Jack went over the list of house rules that he had memorized. Angelo had seen those once before, though him actually moving in must have seemed in the distant and unimaginable future. Now that it was a reality, he had Jack go over them again to brush up.
          As they got nearer to the house, Angelo seemed to settle down, and was watching the streets go by. As Jack made each turn, the little fox looked for the street name, as if he was mentally noting the route to the house.
          They eventually turned into the neighborhood itself. Angelo seemed to recognize the proximity, as he began to perk up again and look from one window to another, taking in the scenery.
          “Almost there, bud,” Jack said as he saw the younger fox's fidgeting. “Nervous?”
          “Maybe a little,” the little grey-furred fox replied. “This is... big.”
          Jack agreed, but didn't want it to be overwhelming. “Yeah, but you'll feel right at home in no time!” Angelo nodded with a smile, still watching the street signs as Jack navigated the neighborhood.
          Finally, they made the last turn onto the street, and slowed down as the car approached the driveway. He had always had to park on the street when he lived there, but now saw that the driveway was empty, with both parent's cars visible in the garage through its open door.
          This was unusual, as normally the garage was too filled with items to allow both cars to fit, and typically Jack's parents would leave both cars in the driveway. They had clearly made an effort to fit the cars in, presenting a welcoming spot for Jack to park, even if only for one time.
          Jack pulled into the driveway and up to the edge of the garage and shut down the car. The garage door began to close even before the two foxes could unbuckle. Jack reckoned that his parents just wanted to let him know they were home, which an empty driveway would normally belie.
          “Home sweet home,” Jack said to Angelo, who smiled nervously, then taking a deep breath, opened his door and got out.
          The pair walked up the walkway to the front door, which opened from within as they approached. Inside the doorway, Jack's parents and Jessica stood close together, smiling broadly. A colorful “Welcome Home” banner hung above them in the doorway.
          Jack and Angelo stopped just short of the entryway, and for a silent moment all stood there and took in what they were witnessing. Finally, Angelo walked to the stoop.
          “Welcome home, Angelo,” Jack's father said, stepping back to let the little fox enter. “You too, Jack,” his father said as Jack followed his young friend inside.
          “Thanks,” Jack said as the door shut behind him. There was another silent moment before Jack's mother hugged him wordlessly, her eyes visibly watering.
          “Thank you all,” Jack heard Angelo say. “Thank you for doing... all this... and for someone that you...” He trailed off as Jack's father patted the young fox on the head.
          “You're both very welcome,” the elder Archer said.
          “Welcome, new brother,” Jessica said to Angelo, which made Jack's ears perk up. He chuckled to himself as he saw the same reaction from the boy.
          “Umm, thanks... new sister?” Angelo said. Then he smiled broadly at the girl. “Hey, they look beautiful on you!”
          Jack noticed that Jessica was wearing one of Angelo's earrings in each ear. She giggled at the complement and wiggled her ears slightly to make the rings move.
          “Well don't just stand there,” Jack's mother said cheerfully after a moment. “You're home now, so come on in!”
          “C'mon,” Jack said. “I'll show you around.”
          “Me too!” Jessica exclaimed excitedly.
          Jack proceeded to show Angelo around the house, both inside and out, with Jessica close behind. They started with Jack's bedroom, which the two would share until Jack fixed up his own space in the basement.
          Angelo seemed a little overwhelmed by the furnishings in the home. The rooms were large as a rule, and well apportioned. The back yard was quite large, with a decent-sized swimming pool as the centerpiece, yet still plenty of room to play an impromptu game of football or lacrosse, for which purpose a goal net was currently deployed.
          The upstairs hall bathroom, which the kits normally used, was also a good size, and sported a large oval bathtub, easily double the volume of the ones in Jack's apartment. The master bath, off of Jack's parents' room, was quite large, and featured a “rainforest” type of shower, as Jack called it: it did not have the typical shower head, but rather numerous small spray heads in the ceiling and walls which gave a rainfall effect when activated. This fascinated Angelo as much as anything else he had seen in the house.
          The tour over, delivery pizza was ordered. Jack's mother had her Friday bridge game to go to, but promised everyone a proper Welcome-meal that weekend, as well as a bacon breakfast to start the morning. The remaining Archers decided to watch a movie and just relax that evening.
          After dinner, Jack and Angelo went out to unload their gear from the car. Jack made sure to not let Angelo over-exert his wounded arm, so brought the kit's clothes in first and carried them to his room. Angelo sat on the bed and began sorting through the contents as Jack returned to the car. He ended up making three trips to fully unload everything.
          “I'm gonna see what we got that can open these,” Jack said, removing the two small safes from the bag when the car unloading was complete.
          “Kay,” Angelo said, continuing his sorting of his clothes from the bag. Several piles were forming on the bed.
          Jack went down to the family room with one of the safes in paw. His father was sitting in his usual easy-chair reading the newspaper. “Hey Dad,” Jack said as he entered the room.
          “Hello,” the elder Archer said, looking over the top of his paper. He cocked an eyebrow as he saw the thing Jack carried. “What'cha got there?”
          “Well,” Jack began slowly, “I, umm... I need to get this open. Any ideas?” He handed the “can” to the older fox who seemed surprised at its weight. He rattled it gently.
          “This the cache of... things... you mentioned?” He seemed like he was trying to avoid knowledge of what was inside, even though Jack had told him. Perhaps this was still technically illegal, Jack pondered.
          “Yep,” Jack said. “I tried a hammer, but I think I just made it worse.” The end of the can where the key-lock was had been smashed somewhat flat, making it unlikely that the lock mechanism would ever work again.
          Jack's father rattled the can again gently and rolled it end-over-end. “Sounds like they're smaller than the can is, and there seems to be a bit of space at the ends...” He looked intently at the metal and seams of the can. “I think we could grind the end off – slowly, so we don't damage anything inside.” He handed the can back to Jack. “Let's give it a try tomorrow, ok?”
          “Sounds good,” said Jack. “I have... umm... two of them.”
          His father cocked an eyebrow again. “Two... Do you know how much you have?”
          “Nope,” Jack said honestly. “Not a clue. Hell, they could be silver dollars for all I know.”
          “Not weighing that, they're not,” Mr. Archer replied. He looked at Jack with what the younger fox felt was sadness.
          Again Jack wondered if this was still illegal. “It's all for Angelo,” he hurriedly explained. “After everything that got taken from him, you know... it's only...” He trailed off.
          “I know, I know,” his father said softly. “Let's just... not bring it up to anyone else. Fair or not, this is still... questionable money. The less anyone talks about it, the better.” Jack nodded as his father continued, “Have you worked out how you're going to convert these?”
          Jack had not, but said, “I think Max can help. I mean he's a lawyer, so...”
          “So he knows the most criminals?” His father laughed loudly as he spoke.
          Jack laughed as well, and found it felt good to laugh after everything. “Jeez,” he said, still laughing, “when you put it like that!”
          The two laughed for a few more moments. Jessica enter the room as Jack's father spoke. “We'll figure something out.” Then to Jessica, “Hi babe, want to pick out a movie?”
          “Ok,” the cub said with enthusiasm, dashing to the DVD cabinet by the television set.
          “Don't pick something girly,” Jack said with friendly taunting. A stuck-out tongue from the girl was his response, which made him laugh again. “I'll go see if Angelo wants to watch.”
          Jack went up the two flights of stairs to the bedroom level. As he turned the corner, he saw his mother standing at his bedroom door, looking inside with a motherly smile. She saw him approach and put a finger to her lips.
          “Shh,” she cautioned, still smiling. Jack looked into his bedroom.
          Angelo sat on the bed crossways with his back against the wall. He was asleep and surrounded by piles of his clothes. The half-empty clothes-bag was in his lap, and his paws were crossed over it. His head was down but rose and fell slightly with his breathing. Jack smiled widely at the scene.
          “I'm so proud of you,” his mother whispered, kissing his forehead. Jack smiled and went into the room. His mother watched for a moment then left for her game.
          The older fox went to the bed quietly and picked up the piles of clothes, placing them in an open dresser drawer, then placed Angelo's pillow that he had brought in the other bag at the head of the bed.
          Jack then carefully lifted the kit's paws off of the bag, making sure that the left arm was returned to its correct position in the sling. Angelo stirred at this, and opened his eyes slightly, and seeing Jack he smiled before closing them again.
          “Tired, buddy?”
          “Mmm-hmm,” came the wordless reply.
          “We were gonna watch a movie,” Jack said quietly, not trying to pressure the boy. He put one arm behind Angelo's back, and one under his knees and gently lifted and turned him to be properly aligned with the bed. “You don't have to, though,” he said, setting the cub back down and stretching his legs flat, positioning his tail between them.
          “Mmm,” Angelo muttered with what sounded like contentedness.
          Jack smiled again, and unbuttoned the cub's jeans and the tail-flap in back, then tugged at the cuffs to slide them down his legs. Angelo roused again at this, and assisted Jack slightly by wiggling his legs and feet as the jeans worked their way down.
          “I just...” Angelo started to say, then put an arm over his eyes. Jack patted his bare leg affectionately. “I just wanna sleep for a week,” he finally said, tiredly.
          “I don't blame you,” Jack said. “I could probably do the same.” He looked at the still-unassembled army cot on the floor next to the bed, which would be his own berth for the immediate future. It did not look comfortable. “Maybe...”
          “Jack!” Jessica shouted from downstairs. “Angelo! Movie time!” Angelo looked to Jack tiredly, yet smiled happily. Perhaps it was the sense of family, Jack reckoned.
          “You want me to come?”
          Jack shook his head. “Don't worry 'bout it,” he said moving close and brushing the cub's head-fur back. “Next time.” Angelo nodded. “I'll be up in a little while,” Jack added, giving the grey-furred forehead a kiss.
          “You can sleep here if you want,” Angelo said, indicating the double bed which would easily fit them both.
          “I dunno,” Jack said, considering his new situation. “I mean...” he paused as Angelo smiled at him. “Maybe.” As tired as Jack was, he didn't look forward to building his bed that evening.
          “Kay,” Angelo said as Jack started towards the doorway. “Jack,” Angelo said, stopping the older fox, who turned back towards him. Angelo looked back at him for a long silent moment, just smiling at Jack, with his bright blue eyes shining. “Thank you,” he finally said.
          Jack could only nod back and smile. His own eyes were watering and his throat was choked up such that he didn't think he could speak properly. Angelo smiled again and shut his eyes sleepily as Jack switched the light off and pulled the door closed.
          A happy smile decorated Jack's face as he went downstairs to the family room where his father and sister were waiting to start the movie. The elder archer was sitting on the couch, while Jessica lay on the floor watching the television. Jack sat on the couch next to his father.
          “Mary says he's sleeping,” Jack's father said.
          “Pfft,” Jessica said over her shoulder. “It's too early to sleep: the sun is still out!”
          “Yeah,” Jack replied. “These last few weeks have been... exhausting. For both of us. I'll probably be back up there pretty soon myself.” He looked at his father wistfully. “It's a good sign though – him falling asleep like that. It means he feels... safe here.” He smiled again as he felt his throat tighten up again.
          “I'm glad to hear it,” John Sr. replied. He patted his son's knee. “You'll be a fine parent.”
          “Guardian, technically,” Jack said.
          “Heh,” his father replied, “Whatever it says on the paperwork, I have news for you: you're now a parent.”
          “Parent,” Jack repeated. A smile crept across his face as he pondered the word and all it implied, until he let out a happy laugh.
          “Can I start it now?” The girl sounded impatient, as kits that age are wont to be. Most kits that age anyway, Jack thought to himself.
          “Sure,” Jack's father said with a chuckle. Jessica hit the button on the remote control and the DVD started. It was an animated film about talking feral polar bears that Jack had already seen dozens of times.
          Jack's face stared at the screen, but his mind was light-years away as a multitude of images flashed in his mind. He saw himself knocking on a stranger's door, his smoking car behind him, and seeing a small grey-furred face crack the door open. He saw that same cub smiling innocently at him, holding a lit cigarette lighted while a different, gasoline-soaked car sat well behind them.
          He saw himself and Angelo walking through the ball field at a local school, as Victor had put it, walking like “King Shit” with a backpack full of drugs. Then at a similar school field, swinging his arm in a broad arc inflicting a large slash to Gazz's chest.
          He saw the fear on Angelo's face as they drove through an alleyway in gang-land, then a happier vision of the two of them playing at the local swimming pool, followed by Angelo sleeping over at Jack's apartment.
          Jack saw Victor unleashing a tirade against the small form, whose face reflected the shock and surprise that this caused. Then the next day, holding the boy as he sobbed, a catharsis showing the extent to which he had kept himself hidden, accompanied by a gesture of pure trust in Jack.
          Then there was the fear and pain in the young face as he lay bleeding on the floor... the sadness as he was wheeled away from Jack by the state... and the sheer joy as the judge ruled in their favor that morning.
          These visions flashed quickly through Jack's mind, but the one that lingered in his mind was the happily snoozing boy upstairs. Whatever happened in the past, he reckoned, had all led them to be here, and that was the only important thing now.
          Jack kept picturing the sleeping cub in his mind, watching over him even from another room. His smile was obvious, as were the tears that fell unchecked from his eyes as he stared in the general direction of the TV without actually watching it.
          He felt a finger on his face, which brought him back to reality. He looked to his father, who had brushed Jack's tear away with his finger.
          “You'll do fine,” he said to his son.
          Jack nodded and again turned his face generally towards the TV, but summoned the happy visions back into his mind, smiling with a level of happiness he had never felt before.

THE END



BUT WAIT!
The Dangerous Games may be over, but that doesn't mean the story is! Stay tuned for the continuing adventures of Jack and Angelo, complete with new friends, new enemies, and new situations.

AFTERWORDS by the author:

Interesting trivia, this story clocks in at 235 total pages, formatted like they are, and around 136,000 total words. This puts it well above the first 3 Harry Potter books (78,000, 84,000 and 106,000), all of the Hunger Games books (99,000, 101,000, 100,000), larger than Return of the King (134,000) and A Tale of two Cities (135,000, which interestingly Angelo was reading in the story), and just below 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (138,000).

Lastly, if you've read all of the story I would appreciate a quick note, PM or anything. The uploads of the parts usually get a couple hundred views, but apart from a couple of comments, I really don't know if anyone is actually reading it! I'm hardly a comment-whore, but it would be nice to know that I'm not just writing for the heck of it. I've got more stories cooking in my head if there's actually interest for them.

Thanks to all my readers, anonymous and otherwise!
Shryke
4/24/2016


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