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Please comment and enjoy

Characters and original story belong to Kyle Gold.", "writing": "Samaki did not tell Kory or Nick about the events at the protest because he was afraid. He feared he would be opening up old wounds that had taken years to start to heal. Samaki truly hated holding something back from the people he cared for most, and he was beating himself up over it for weeks because of it. While his physical wounds had healed, his emotional ones had not. Kory's mother was angry that he was there, but she seemed to change into a completely different person afterwards. He had gotten used to her looking past him as if he was a non-sequential part of her son's life, but at the park, when he looked into her eyes, they were much different. He wasn't able to describe it, but he was certain they just weren't the same eyes she showed before. \n\nSamaki spent weeks in turmoil about keeping it from Kory and Nick. After several sleepless nights he finally called Jerry and met him at the Coffee house, telling him everything that happened and asked for his advice.\n\n``I honestly think telling Kory and Nick exactly what happened would be best in this case.'' Jerry said to Samaki. ``If you do not tell them, it may do more harm than good to your relationship with them, I am sure they will forgive you for holding this in for so long, provided you explain that you thought it was in their best interests.''\n\nSamaki looked down at his paws and pondered. ``I am just worried that Kory will become so angry at his mother that he may do something irrational, destroying all chances of forgiveness between them. I can't let that happen, regardless of anything that has happened in the past.''\n\n``I understand your fears and they are rational ones, but this is something that really needs to be done, otherwise it will poison your relationship.'' Jerry said. ``It will allow you all to heal together. I know it's hard, but you must do this.'' \n\nSamaki nodded in understanding. ``I know, it just scares me. I love Kory and Nick and don't want them to be hurt by the news, or to lose them because I withheld what happened from them.''\n\nJerry reached over the table and held Samaki's paw to comfort the fox. ``You have to tell them.''\n\n``I know in my heart you're right, but it doesn't ease my fears.'' Samaki said while looking down at the table. ``There was one other thing also, I can't describe it accurately and I may just be imagining it, but in the park there was something very different about Mrs. Hedley's eyes.'' \n\nJerry looked at Samaki inquisitively. ``Please Samaki, think back to that day and try and describe them to me. It may be important.''\n\nSamaki sat back in the chair and closed his eyes, thinking about that day in the park. He replayed the meeting over and over again in his mind, trying to concentrate on the details of her eyes as she looked at him. Suddenly his eyes snapped open. ``That's it.'' He said. ``It was the way she looked at me. Her eyes were always distant and hollow when she looked at me before. It seemed she could only look past me, like I didn't seem to matter, I was so insignificant to her that she never even registered how important I was to her son. This time however, she looked at me with compassion and caring in her eyes.''\n\nJerry nodded and pondered for a while before speaking. ``Samaki, I think that maybe she has come to the realization that you really are an important part of her son's life, and that she may be starting to accept Kory's life choices as his own. Perhaps she may even be willing to forgive him instead of shutting him out like she has, she just may not know how to come back into Kory's life.''\n\nSamaki looked at Jerry with an incredulous look on his face. ``I'm not sure Jerry. She was so hard on him and Nick, could it really be that my being attacked by that bigoted coyote could have made her realize that we're just normal people, like anyone else?''\n\nJerry nodded. ``It could have been just the thing that she needed, seeing the violent tendencies committed by members of that group with her own eyes, may have snapped her back into a sense of reality and made her think about the decisions she has made.''\n\n``I really don't know Jerry.'' Said Samaki ``But she really seemed like a totally different person at the park. Could it really be that simple?''\n\nJerry smiled. `` There is only one way to know for certain. Ask Nick to call her and set up a meeting with all of you. If anything goes wrong, call me and I'll come running.''\n\n``Thanks Jerry.'' Said Samaki. ``I owe you a lot.''\n\n``Forget it.'' Jerry said smiling at the fox. ``Just remember me when I open my practice.''\n\nSamaki left the coffee shop and started walking back towards the dorm. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out his cell phone and called Nick.\n\n``Nick. I need to see you right away.'' Samaki told the young otter. ``Can you come over tonight?''\n\nAfter a couple of hours Nick arrived at the dorm and knocked on the door. Kory opened the door and was surprised to see his little brother. ``Nick? What are you doing here?'' Kory asked.\n\n``Hi Kory.'' Nick said as he hugged his brother tightly. ``Samaki said he needed me to come over. He didn't say why but it sounded important. \n\nSamaki emerged from the bedroom and smiled at Nick. ``Thanks for coming over Nick. It's good to see you.''\n\n``it's good seeing you also Sami. What is so important?'' Asked Nick as he sat on the couch with Kory.\n\n``I have a confession to make to you both.'' Samaki said as the otters looked at each other with a puzzled look. Samaki paused a long while, trying to think of the right words.\n\n``Samaki, you're getting us worried here.'' Kory said, ``Please tell us what's wrong.''\n\nSamaki took a deep breath and told the brothers exactly what happened, as well as explaining why it took so long for him to tell them about these events. \n\nSamaki looked at Kory and Nick with a pained expression on his face, the fox reading from their expressions that his actions may have hurt his relationship with them. His emotions welled in his throat as he started to talk, but he was unable to get the words to come out. Samaki started shaking then retreated into the bedroom, where he sat on the edge of the bed and started sobbing. The otters followed Samaki into the bedroom and sat on either side of him, comforting the fox and caressing him lovingly while he cried his eyes out. \n\n``Samaki.'' Kory said. ``I understand why you didn't want to tell us about this, but I promise you that I'm not angry or upset with you. If nothing else, I'm glad you had the chance to confront my mother and tell her how you feel. That alone couldn't have been easy.'' \n\nSamaki kept his eyes closed as tears streamed freely down his face, matting his fur. \n\n``Mom can be really stubborn and set in her ways, but I honestly don't know what I would have said to her if I was in the same position.'' Nick said as he put his paw on Samaki's shoulder. ``I'm sure it was a hard decision but holding it in must have been very painful too. We don't want you to be in pain.''\n\nSamaki slowly started to compose himself. ``I was just scared that you both would be hurt by hearing what happened, but then I was afraid you'd both be upset with me for not telling you. I just couldn't figure out what to do, so I went to speak with Jerry. He helped me realize that it was better to tell you both what happened. I'm sorry.''\n\nKory cleared his throat and wiped the tears away from Samaki's cheeks with his paw. ``Samaki, I love you more than anything. Knowing that someone I love was hurt because of my own Mother really upsets me.'' Kory stared deeply into the fox's violet eyes. ``I know that you were concerned about us, and we both understand and appreciate you for considering our well-being, even at the sacrifice of your own.''\n\n``Yeah Sami.'' Said Nick. ``You know we both love and care about you a lot.''\n\n``Thanks guys.'' Samaki said as he wiped his cheeks. ``I'm just glad that you both can forgive me.''\n\nKory shushed the fox. ``There's nothing to forgive hon. You did what you thought was best for everyone involved. After everything that my mother has done to us, you still kept your composure and stayed rational when she confronted you, caused that coyote to attack you, and then at the park when you found her waiting for you. I can't say I'd have been so calm.''\n\nNick nodded. ``Yeah Sami, I don't think I could have kept my feelings in check either. I would have blown up in her face.''\n\nSamaki looked at the floor, ears flattened and a look of sadness on his face. ``Kory, I was really afraid you....'' Samaki's voice cracked. ``That you might... might leave me. That you would be so upset that you wouldn't want to be with me any longer.'' Tears ran down the fox's face once again.\n\n``Oh Samaki.'' Said Kory as he held his fox tightly. ``After everything we have gone through with one another, it would take much more that this to make me even think about leaving you.'' Kory wiped the tears away from Samaki's cheeks and kissed him. ``I love you dearly and want to spend the rest of my life with you.''\n\nSamaki wrapped his arms around Kory. ``I love you too hon. I wanted to say so many things to her. I wanted to know why she treated her own children so badly, to the point of disowning them completely. Who would do such a thing?''\n\nKory sighed. ``I don't have an answer to that I'm afraid. Everyone has their own ideas and opinions about things. Perhaps they just blurred her sense of reality when everything between us happened.''\n\nNick nodded in agreement. ``It still hurts knowing that there is something inside our own mother that would push her to a breaking point. Something that would cause so much hatred to boil over and blind her own natural instincts to protect her cubs.''\n\nSamaki tried to dry the tears from his face as he spoke. ``There is one more thing I need to tell you.'' Samaki took a deep breath and began to speak. ``Your mother's eyes were very different when she looked at me in the park. I couldn't understand what it was or why, but it bothered me, so I spoke with Jerry about it. He feels that your mother may have been snapped back into reality from witnessing me getting beat up. He strongly feels she may be willing to extend an olive branch and try and redeem herself.''\n\nKory had a look of anger on his face as he stared at Samaki. ``Redeem herself? How could she possibly redeem herself after everything that she put us through? She practically destroyed our lives with her decisions. Am I just supposed to forgive her like nothing happened?''\n\nNick looked at his brother with a look of sadness on his face and placed a paw on his brother's shoulder. ``Kory, please, calm down and listen. If Jerry is right, then maybe you should at least try and listen to her. She is our mother after all.''\n\nSamaki nodded. ``I know it may be hard to imagine right now, and I know your still emotionally hurt by everything that happened, but you have come a long way in life now and you did it all by yourself. You really have nothing to fear from her anymore. Maybe just listening would be a good thing at this point.''\n\nKory stared at Samaki, thinking about what he just said to him and processing it in his head. ``Could it really be true?'' He thought. ``Could she finally have realized that what she did was wrong and wants to have us back in her lives, just like that?''\n\nSamaki continued. ``I know you can't forget what happened, but maybe you can find it in your heart to forgive. Isn't that what Father Joe said to you a few years ago? Maybe it's time.''\n\nKory sat back, closed his eyes, and sat there in thought for what seemed like a long time. He took a heavy sigh, opened his eyes and faced Samaki. ``Father Joe has been right about so many things already. Maybe it is time I at least tried. I can't promise it will have a storybook ending, but I'll try.''\n\nSamaki and Nick both hugged Kory tightly as he hugged them both back lovingly.\n\nKory nuzzled Samaki lovingly. ``You were wrong about one thing though. I didn't do everything all by myself. I succeeded because I had lots of help from my friends and family. I couldn't have done any of it without you guys.''\n\nNick smiled and pointed up. ``He helped too.''\n\nKory smiled at his little brother. ``Yes Nick, he helped in his own ways as well.''\n\nOver the next several weeks it took several phone calls between Nick and his mother to convince her to meet with Kory and Samaki to try and work out their differences, Nick was at his wits end several times during the conversations simply trying to get his mother to listen to him at all. Once she finally heard what Nick was trying to say she took more interest in the idea of burying the hatchet, however she was still adamant about keeping family issues private. Kory and Samaki thought it would have been a bad idea to try and have any kind of a meeting at school or in their mother's house since either place could have repercussions from outside influences. The idea to meet at Father Joe's office was entertained by Kory and after calling him to arrange a schedule of dates and times that were available, Nick was able to finalize the date and time with his mother. Kory was nervous about the whole event as it approached closer, but Samaki was able to keep Kory's mind focused on the positive aspects of trying to settle their differences with his mother. \n\nThree weeks passed as the day finally arrived. Kory and Samaki stayed at the apartment with Nick and Malaya the night before, in order to make the burden of travelling easier on them all. Kory had some trouble sleeping but after a long discussion with Malaya, Nick, and Samaki over dinner, he was able to settle his nerves enough to fall asleep. \n\nMorning came too soon for Kory as he woke to find everyone else was already awake and deciding on where to go for breakfast. Samaki was in the kitchen wearing a towel around his waist while his fur dried from his shower, while Malaya and Nick were already dressed and sitting on the couch watching TV. Kory yawned and came out of the bedroom, smiling at Samaki he put his arms around him and gave him a loving kiss. \n\n``Good morning my love.'' Said Samaki. \n\n``Good morning hon. I hope you slept well.'' Said Kory sleepily. \n\n``Not too bad I suppose. Are you ready for today?'' Asked Samaki.\n\nKory shrugged his shoulders. ``I suppose so. At least after today I can say I tried.''\n\nSamaki put his paws on Kory's shoulders and looked him in his eyes. ``Now now Kory, you have to keep an open mind and a positive attitude for this to work out well for everyone involved. Remember that this is for your mother's benefit also.''\n\nKory sighed and conceded. ``I know hon, I know. I promise I'll try my best.''\n\nMalaya called out from the couch. ``Get your shower Kory, we're all eager for some coffee and breakfast. Mostly coffee.''\n\nKory rolled his eyes and groaned softly as he headed into the bathroom and closed the door. \n\nKory's mind raced as he stood under the hot water, thinking of many different possibilities that could develop today. His nervousness and anxiety only subdued by the fact that Samaki and Father Joe will be there with them. Kory shut the water off, stepped out of the shower, and reached for a towel that was not there, making Kory grumble to himself. Opening the door he called out for someone to pass him a clean towel from the closet but did not get an answer. \n\n``Did they all leave already?'' he thought to himself as he poked his head out into the small living room to find no one there. The otter sighed and walked naked into the bedroom where he knew he could get a clean towel from the closet, dry himself off, and get dressed quickly to meet everyone for breakfast. Kory pushed the door open and found Samaki sitting on the bed, completely nude, with Nick and Malaya brushing his fur. Kory stopped in his tracks as the trio looked over at him standing there naked and dripping wet, a blush forming on his ears and cheeks. \n\nMalaya smiled at Kory. ``About time nature boy. Blackie is having some problem with his fur getting tangled.'' \n\nNick giggled and tossed a towel at his brother. ``Hurry up and get dressed. It'd be better to get there a bit early so we can speak with Father Joe before mom arrives.''\n\nKory dried himself off and tossed the damp towel onto Malaya's head. ``You could've replied when I asked for a towel. Unless you planned on seeing me nude today.''\n\nMalaya snorted as she pulled the towel off her head and smiled at Kory. ``Don't be jealous, We've seen you nude before and Blackie has got you beat in size anyway, if I was interested.''\n\nNick and Samaki snickered as Kory groaned and turned to his overnight bag to retrieve his clothes. \n\nThe group walked the short distance to the cafe where everyone chatted over breakfast. Malaya assured Kory that she was only joking with him to try and cheer him up, and even paid for breakfast to show there were no hard feelings. The group split up after breakfast with Malaya heading in to work, and the trio heading to Samaki's car to make it to the church on time.\n\nThe drive was quiet as they each ran several thoughts through their heads about what could happen today, some thoughts good and some bad. Samaki pulled the car into the parking lot of the small church and turned the engine off. He noted they were there about forty minutes before the meeting was scheduled. He turned to the otters and heaved a heavy breath. ``Are you guys ready for this?'' \n\nNick looked at Samaki and then to Kory, who was already looking back at Nick. ``I think we are both as ready as we can be.'' Nick said. \n\nKory nodded and opened the car door, stepping out into the familiar gravel parking lot and looking around quietly. Nick joined Kory by his side and squeezed his brother's shoulder reassuringly. ``It's going to be all right Kory. We have to try to make things right again. This is the right thing to do.''\n\nKory sighed and placed his paw on his brother's paw. ``I know Nick. I just hope things go well.'' \n\nNick Smiled. ``It's in God's hands now Kory. We'll know soon enough.''\n\nSamaki joined the otters on the short pathway to the Church's office, approached the doorway, and rang the bell.\n\nFather Joe opened the door and greeted the trio with his usual friendly smile. ``Good morning boys. I'm very glad to see you all again. Please, come in.''\n\nKory addressed the father cordially. Good morning Father, it's good seeing you as well. Thank you for allowing us to use your conference room for this.''\n\n``it's my pleasure to offer whatever assistance I can.'' Father Joe said. ``You're a bit early though. I suppose your mother won't arrive for at least another thirty minutes.''\n\nKory nodded. ``I was hoping we could have a few moments of your time before she arrives.''\n\nFather Joe smiled and led the trip into the conference room. The conference room was small, with two tables pushed together to make one rectangular table, and there were 8 plush seats around the table. A small TV and VCR were in the corner and a Crucifix hung on the wall, overlooking the room. \n\nThe Dall Sheep took a seat at the table and motioned for the group to do the same. ``Kory, I know you must be feeling rather apprehensive about this meeting, but I can assure you that with everything that Nick has told me, that this is the right course of action in order to resolve things with your mother. Even if she does not meet your expectations today, it will open a door for more opportunities to open a dialogue with your mother again.''\n\nSamaki nodded to Father Joe. ``Father, with everything that has happened, I honestly hope that she will be willing to listen to what Kory has to say, and at least have the incentive to open her heart and her mind to us.''\n\n``Samaki, we all know the lord works in mysterious ways.'' Said Father Joe. ``If he has chosen you to suffer in order to allow Mrs. Headly to reunite herself with her children, then I hope that you will be rewarded with the outcome you expect.'' \n\nFather Joe then looked over to Kory. ``Kory, I want you to remember that you and Nick have both suffered also, but do not look upon it as a punishment, instead you should look at it as an opportunity to see what each of you are capable of. You should also remember that there is much love for you in this room, and in your mother also. Even if she may not be able to show it, it is still in there, you may just need to help her find it again.''\n\nKory nodded. ``I know that my suffering may be considered minimal to most, but it sure wasn't minimal to me. I'm just hopeful that it will not get any worse, I don't think I could take any more.''\n\nFather Joe smiled and nodded. ``Amen to that Kory.''\n\nThe doorbell rang and everyone gasped slightly as Father Joe stood, smiled at everyone momentarily, and headed out of the room to answer the front door.\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Samaki did not tell Kory or Nick about the events at the protest because he was afraid. He feared he would be opening up old wounds that had taken years to start to heal. Samaki truly hated holding something back from the people he cared for most, and he was beating himself up over it for weeks because of it. While his physical wounds had healed, his emotional ones had not. Kory's mother was angry that he was there, but she seemed to change into a completely different person afterwards. He had gotten used to her looking past him as if he was a non-sequential part of her son's life, but at the park, when he looked into her eyes, they were much different. He wasn't able to describe it,  but he was certain they just weren't the same eyes she showed before.

Samaki spent weeks in turmoil about keeping it from Kory and Nick. After several sleepless nights he finally called Jerry and met him at the Coffee house, telling him everything that happened and asked for his advice.

``I honestly think telling Kory and Nick exactly what happened would be best in this case.'' Jerry said to Samaki. ``If you do not tell them, it may do more harm than good to your relationship with them, I am sure they will forgive you for holding this in for so long, provided you explain that you thought it was in their best interests.''

Samaki looked down at his paws and pondered. ``I am just worried that Kory will become so angry at his mother that he may do something irrational, destroying all chances of forgiveness between them. I can't let that happen, regardless of anything that has happened in the past.''

``I understand your fears and they are rational ones, but this is something that really needs to be done, otherwise it will poison your relationship.'' Jerry said. ``It will allow you all to heal together. I know it's hard, but you must do this.''

Samaki nodded in understanding. ``I know, it just scares me. I love Kory and Nick and don't want them to be hurt by the news, or to lose them because I withheld what happened from them.''

Jerry reached over the table and held Samaki's paw to comfort the fox. ``You have to tell them.''

``I know in my heart you're right, but it doesn't ease my fears.'' Samaki said while looking down at the table. ``There was one other thing also, I can't describe it accurately and I may just be imagining it,  but in the park there was something very different about Mrs. Hedley's eyes.''

Jerry looked at Samaki inquisitively. ``Please Samaki, think back to that day and try and describe them to me. It may be important.''

Samaki sat back in the chair and closed his eyes, thinking about that day in the park. He replayed the meeting over and over again in his mind, trying to concentrate on the details of her eyes as she looked at him. Suddenly his eyes snapped open. ``That's it.'' He said. ``It was the way she looked at me. Her eyes were always distant and hollow when she looked at me before. It seemed she could only look past me, like I didn't seem to matter, I was so insignificant to her that she never even registered how important I was to her son. This time however, she looked at me with compassion and caring in her eyes.''

Jerry nodded and pondered for a while before speaking. ``Samaki, I think that maybe she has come to the realization that you really are an important part of her son's life, and that she may be starting to accept Kory's life choices as his own. Perhaps she may even be willing to forgive him instead of shutting him out like she has, she just may not know how to come back into Kory's life.''

Samaki looked at Jerry with an incredulous look on his face. ``I'm not sure Jerry. She was so hard on him and Nick, could it really be that my being attacked by that bigoted coyote could have made her realize that we're just normal people, like anyone else?''

Jerry nodded. ``It could have been just the thing that she needed, seeing the violent tendencies committed by members of that group with her own eyes, may have snapped her back into a sense of reality and made her think about the decisions she has made.''

``I really don't know Jerry.'' Said Samaki ``But she really seemed like a totally different person at the park. Could it really be that simple?''

Jerry smiled. `` There is only one way to know for certain. Ask Nick to call her and set up a meeting with all of you. If anything goes wrong, call me and I'll come running.''

``Thanks Jerry.'' Said Samaki. ``I owe you a lot.''

``Forget it.'' Jerry said smiling at the fox. ``Just remember me when I open my practice.''

Samaki left the coffee shop and started walking back towards the dorm. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out his cell phone and called Nick.

``Nick. I need to see you right away.'' Samaki told the young otter. ``Can you come over tonight?''

After a couple of hours Nick arrived at the dorm and knocked on the door. Kory opened the door and was surprised to see his little brother. ``Nick? What are you doing here?'' Kory asked.

``Hi Kory.'' Nick said as he hugged his brother tightly. ``Samaki said he needed me to come over. He didn't say why but it sounded important.

Samaki emerged from the bedroom and smiled at Nick. ``Thanks for coming over Nick. It's good to see you.''

``it's good seeing you also Sami. What is so important?'' Asked Nick as he sat on the couch with Kory.

``I have a confession to make to you both.'' Samaki said as the otters looked at each other with a puzzled look. Samaki paused a long while, trying to think of the right words.

``Samaki, you're getting us worried here.'' Kory said,  ``Please tell us what's wrong.''

Samaki took a deep breath and told the brothers exactly what happened, as well as explaining why it took so long for him to tell them about these events.

Samaki looked at Kory and Nick with a pained expression on his face, the fox reading from their expressions that his actions may have hurt his relationship with them. His emotions welled in his throat as he started to talk, but he was unable to get the words to come out. Samaki started shaking then retreated into the bedroom, where he sat on the edge of the bed and started sobbing. The otters followed Samaki into the bedroom and sat on either side of him, comforting the fox and caressing him lovingly while he cried his eyes out.

``Samaki.'' Kory said. ``I understand why you didn't want to tell us about this, but I promise you that I'm not angry or upset with you. If nothing else, I'm glad you had the chance to confront my mother and tell her how you feel. That alone couldn't have been easy.''

Samaki kept his eyes closed as tears streamed freely down his face, matting his fur.

``Mom can be really stubborn and set in her ways, but I honestly don't know what I would have said to her if I was in the same position.'' Nick said as he put his paw on Samaki's shoulder. ``I'm sure it was a hard decision but holding it in must have been very painful too. We don't want you to be in pain.''

Samaki slowly started to compose himself. ``I was just scared that you both would be hurt by hearing what happened, but then I was afraid you'd both be upset with me for not telling you. I just couldn't figure out what to do, so I went to speak with Jerry. He helped me realize that it was better to tell you both what happened. I'm sorry.''

Kory cleared his throat and wiped the tears away from Samaki's cheeks with his paw. ``Samaki, I love you more than anything. Knowing that someone I love was hurt because of my own Mother really upsets me.'' Kory stared deeply into the fox's violet eyes. ``I know that you were concerned about us, and we both understand and appreciate you for considering our well-being, even at the sacrifice of your own.''

``Yeah Sami.'' Said Nick. ``You know we both love and care about you a lot.''

``Thanks guys.'' Samaki said as he wiped his cheeks. ``I'm just glad that you both can forgive me.''

Kory shushed the fox. ``There's nothing to forgive hon. You did what you thought was best for everyone involved. After everything that my mother has done to us, you still kept your composure and stayed rational when she confronted you, caused that coyote to attack you, and then at the park when you found her waiting for you. I can't say I'd have been so calm.''

Nick nodded. ``Yeah Sami, I don't think I could have kept my feelings in check either. I would have blown up in her face.''

Samaki looked at the floor, ears flattened and a look of sadness on his face. ``Kory, I was really afraid you....'' Samaki's voice cracked. ``That you might... might leave me. That you would be so upset that you wouldn't want to be with me any longer.'' Tears ran down the fox's face once again.

``Oh Samaki.'' Said Kory as he held his fox tightly. ``After everything we have gone through with one another, it would take much more that this to make me even think about leaving you.'' Kory wiped the tears away from Samaki's cheeks and kissed him. ``I love you dearly and want to spend the rest of my life with you.''

Samaki wrapped his arms around Kory. ``I love you too hon. I wanted to say so many things to her. I wanted to know why she treated her own children so badly, to the point of disowning them completely. Who would do such a thing?''

Kory sighed. ``I don't have an answer to that I'm afraid. Everyone has their own ideas and opinions about things. Perhaps they just blurred her sense of reality when everything between us happened.''

Nick nodded in agreement. ``It still hurts knowing that there is something inside our own mother that would push her to a breaking point. Something that would cause so much hatred to boil over and blind her own natural instincts to protect her cubs.''

Samaki tried to dry the tears from his face as he spoke. ``There is one more thing I need to tell you.'' Samaki took a deep breath and began to speak. ``Your mother's eyes were very different when she looked at me in the park. I couldn't understand what it was or why, but it bothered me, so I spoke with Jerry about it. He feels that your mother may have been snapped back into reality from witnessing me getting beat up. He strongly feels she may be willing to extend an olive branch and try and redeem herself.''

Kory had a look of anger on his face as he stared at Samaki. ``Redeem herself? How could she possibly redeem herself after everything that she put us through? She practically destroyed our lives with her decisions. Am I just supposed to forgive her like nothing happened?''

Nick looked at his brother with a look of sadness on his face and placed a paw on his brother's shoulder. ``Kory, please, calm down and listen. If Jerry is right, then maybe you should at least try and listen to her. She is our mother after all.''

Samaki nodded. ``I know it may be hard to imagine right now, and I know your still emotionally hurt by everything that happened, but you have come a long way in life now and you did it all by yourself. You really have nothing to fear from her anymore. Maybe just listening would be a good thing at this point.''

Kory stared at Samaki, thinking about what he just said to him and processing it in his head. ``Could it really be true?'' He thought. ``Could she finally have realized that what she did was wrong and wants to have us back in her lives, just like that?''

Samaki continued. ``I know you can't forget what happened, but maybe you can find it in your heart to forgive. Isn't that what Father Joe said to you a few years ago? Maybe it's time.''

Kory sat back, closed his eyes, and sat there in thought for what seemed like a long time. He took a heavy sigh, opened his eyes and faced Samaki. ``Father Joe has been right about so many things already. Maybe it is time I at least tried. I can't promise it will have a storybook ending, but I'll try.''

Samaki and Nick both hugged Kory tightly as he hugged them both back lovingly.

Kory nuzzled Samaki lovingly. ``You were wrong about one thing though. I didn't do everything all by myself. I succeeded because I had lots of help from my friends and family. I couldn't have done any of it without you guys.''

Nick smiled and pointed up. ``He helped too.''

Kory smiled at his little brother. ``Yes Nick, he helped in his own ways as well.''

Over the next several weeks it took several phone calls between Nick and his mother to convince her to meet with Kory and Samaki to try and work out their differences, Nick was at his wits end several times during the conversations simply trying to get his mother to listen to him at all. Once she finally heard what Nick was trying to say she took more interest in the idea of burying the hatchet, however she was still adamant about keeping family issues private. Kory and Samaki thought it would have been a bad idea to try and have any kind of a meeting at school or in their mother's house since either place could have repercussions from outside influences. The idea to meet at Father Joe's office was entertained by Kory and after calling him to arrange a schedule of dates and times that were available, Nick was able to finalize the date and time with his mother. Kory was nervous about the whole event as it approached closer, but Samaki was able to keep Kory's mind focused on the positive aspects of trying to settle their differences with his mother.

Three weeks passed as the day finally arrived. Kory and Samaki stayed at the apartment with Nick and Malaya the night before, in order to make the burden of travelling easier on them all. Kory had some trouble sleeping but after a long discussion with Malaya, Nick, and Samaki over dinner, he was able to settle his nerves enough to fall asleep.

Morning came too soon for Kory as he woke to find everyone else was already awake and deciding on where to go for breakfast. Samaki was in the kitchen wearing a towel around his waist while his fur dried from his shower, while Malaya and Nick were already dressed and sitting on the couch watching TV. Kory yawned and came out of the bedroom, smiling at Samaki he put his arms around him and gave him a loving kiss.

``Good morning my love.'' Said Samaki.

``Good morning hon. I hope you slept well.'' Said Kory sleepily.

``Not too bad I suppose. Are you ready for today?'' Asked Samaki.

Kory shrugged his shoulders. ``I suppose so. At least after today I can say I tried.''

Samaki put his paws on Kory's shoulders and looked him in his eyes. ``Now now Kory, you have to keep an open mind and a positive attitude for this to work out well for everyone involved. Remember that this is for your mother's benefit also.''

Kory sighed and conceded. ``I know hon, I know. I promise I'll try my best.''

Malaya called out from the couch. ``Get your shower Kory, we're all eager for some coffee and breakfast. Mostly coffee.''

Kory rolled his eyes and groaned softly as he headed into the bathroom and closed the door.

Kory's mind raced as he stood under the hot water, thinking of many different possibilities that could develop today. His nervousness and anxiety only subdued by the fact that Samaki and Father Joe will be there with them. Kory shut the water off, stepped out of the shower, and reached for a towel that was not there, making Kory grumble to himself. Opening the door he called out for someone to pass him a clean towel from the closet but did not get an answer.

``Did they all leave already?'' he thought to himself as he poked his head out into the small living room to find no one there. The otter sighed and walked naked into the bedroom where he knew he could get a clean towel from the closet, dry himself off, and get dressed quickly to meet everyone for breakfast. Kory pushed the door open and found Samaki sitting on the bed, completely nude, with Nick and Malaya brushing his fur. Kory stopped in his tracks as the trio looked over at him standing there naked and dripping wet, a blush forming on his ears and cheeks.

Malaya smiled at Kory. ``About time nature boy. Blackie is having some problem with his fur getting tangled.''

Nick giggled and tossed a towel at his brother. ``Hurry up and get dressed. It'd be better to get there a bit early so we can speak with Father Joe before mom arrives.''

Kory dried himself off and tossed the damp towel onto Malaya's head. ``You could've replied when I asked for a towel. Unless you planned on seeing me nude today.''

Malaya snorted as she pulled the towel off her head and smiled at Kory. ``Don't be jealous, We've seen you nude before and Blackie has got you beat in size anyway, if I was interested.''

Nick and Samaki snickered as Kory groaned and turned to his overnight bag to retrieve his clothes.

The group walked the short distance to the cafe where everyone chatted over breakfast. Malaya assured Kory that she was only joking with him to try and cheer him up, and even paid for breakfast to show there were no hard feelings.  The group split up after breakfast with Malaya heading in to work, and the trio heading to Samaki's car to make it to the church on time.

The drive was quiet as they each ran several thoughts through their heads about what could happen today, some thoughts good and some bad. Samaki pulled the car into the parking lot of the small church and turned the engine off. He noted they were there about forty minutes before the meeting was scheduled. He turned to the otters and heaved a heavy breath. ``Are you guys ready for this?''

Nick looked at Samaki and then to Kory, who was already looking back at Nick. ``I think we are both as ready as we can be.'' Nick said.

Kory nodded and opened the car door, stepping out into the familiar gravel parking lot and looking around quietly. Nick joined Kory by his side and squeezed his brother's shoulder reassuringly. ``It's going to be all right Kory. We have to try to make things right again. This is the right thing to do.''

Kory sighed and placed his paw on his brother's paw. ``I know Nick. I just hope things go well.''

Nick Smiled. ``It's in God's hands now Kory. We'll know soon enough.''

Samaki joined the otters on the short pathway to the Church's office, approached the doorway, and rang the bell.

Father Joe opened the door and greeted the trio with his usual friendly smile. ``Good morning boys. I'm very glad to see you all again. Please, come in.''

Kory addressed the father cordially. Good morning Father, it's good seeing you as well. Thank you for allowing us to use your conference room for this.''

``it's my pleasure to offer whatever assistance I can.'' Father Joe said. ``You're a bit early though. I suppose your mother won't arrive for at least another thirty minutes.''

Kory nodded. ``I was hoping we could have a few moments of your time before she arrives.''

Father Joe smiled and led the trip into the conference room. The conference room was small, with two tables pushed together to make one rectangular table, and there were 8 plush seats around the table. A small TV and VCR were in the corner and a Crucifix hung on the wall, overlooking the room.

The Dall Sheep took a seat at the table and motioned for the group to do the same. ``Kory, I know you must be feeling rather apprehensive about this meeting, but I can assure you that with everything that Nick has told me, that this is the right course of action in order to resolve things with your mother. Even if she does not meet your expectations today, it will open a door for more opportunities to open a dialogue with your mother again.''

Samaki nodded to Father Joe. ``Father, with everything that has happened, I honestly hope that she will be willing to listen to what Kory has to say, and at least have the incentive to open her heart and her  mind to us.''

``Samaki, we all know the lord works in mysterious ways.'' Said Father Joe. ``If he has chosen you to suffer in order to allow Mrs. Headly to reunite herself with her children, then I hope that you will be rewarded with the outcome you expect.''

Father Joe then looked over to Kory. ``Kory, I want you to remember that you and Nick have both suffered also, but do not look upon it as a punishment, instead you should look at it as an opportunity to see what each of you are capable of. You should also remember that there is much love for you in this room, and in your mother also. Even if she may not be able to show it, it is still in there, you may just need to help her find it again.''

Kory nodded. ``I know that my suffering may be considered minimal to most, but it sure wasn't minimal to me. I'm just hopeful that it will not get any worse, I don't think I could take any more.''

Father Joe smiled and nodded. ``Amen to that Kory.''

The doorbell rang and everyone gasped slightly as Father Joe stood, smiled at everyone momentarily, and headed out of the room to answer the front door.

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