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There was a horrible harsh burning in my nose that seemed to be creeping back into my throat. I fought to paw at what was in front of me struggling to sit or roll away.

"BEN, Stay still!" It was a command coming from a voice that I recognized that seem to bring up many things including my cooperation. "Now open your eyes." I did blinking back watery tears as my nose still seem to burn but I did now have a paw at my muzzle that could rub and try to clear out the scent. The taste seemed to be in my mouth too, like an acid that lingered on my tongue.

"Lea there is no answer do I need to call the ambulance?" Asked a voice outside the range of my current vision.

"No I don't think that's necessary at the moment. There is no temperature and he's awake." Lea or to students Mrs. Lea Hoepins the school's Nurse, guidance counselor, therapist, and mother figure. She was ready for all the roles and was as likely to bandage a cut as to tell you how foolishly stupid you were being. "Don't sit up yet." She removed the strong reptilian hand that had been at my chest preventing me from rising.

Giving me another minute she asked, "Can you tell me where you are?"

Still blinking away a little extra water I answered, "The health and wellness rooms." Actually it was an entire building several dozen room able to handle most things like a full out rip apart fight, an unexpected heat, or total mental meltdown. Mrs. Hoepins had a five well trained staff that could easily have second jobs at hospital or heath institutions.

"Water?" I asked.

She moved away speaking, "Mr. Lenord said you came to school when you shouldn't have simply because you didn't want to repeat a tier." It wasn't a question more like a statement of conviction, guilt, and sentencing. Having been with her through several therapy sessions I closed my eyes and tried to think out better answers than I had given my teacher. "Sit up slowly."

I sat up opening my eyes and reached out to grab a hold of the water glass as my stomach decided to give a small rumble. It was a stern eyeridge lowering scowl she gave as she pulled a metal stool over the bed and sat down. "Just a few sips only." She instructed keeping a tight hold on the glass as I moved it to my lips. The first sip was to wash out the remaining bitter taste and the second was two large gulps I got in before she pulled the glass away. "So what exactly is going on."

I shook my head in answer that was way to broad of a question. Mrs. Hoepins snapped her jaw shut making a very audible popping noise that had most students jump but since I had heard it many, many times before I didn't react. "Very well from the beginning." I shook my head again.

We had played this round about game several times before when I was asked to see her for some therapy/counseling. She wanted me to just spill it all out but I was only going to give her pieces to the right questions she asked.

"Lea is everything okay?" I was surprised by another voice and more so to see the school director.

"For the moment I am working out what is wrong. Now Ben..... Aahhh," my stomach had gurgled again as she began talking. "Ben when was the last time you ate?"

A simple question that fell with in our made up rules that meant I had to answer. "This morning."

"And you had....?" "A piece of toast and one piece of bacon." I answered keeping my voice bland. She waited for a moment expecting more but that had been all I had eaten.

"I see, and was no one making anything for breakfast this morning?" I almost shuddered. She was good with instincts that could ferret out the truth usually in a few questions.

"I was making pancakes." I stated.

"Really?" her tone was actually surprised, "What happened?" To big, I shook my head to which she popped her jaw closed again firing like a small cap gun. The director I assume had maybe seen something like this before had stepped into the room and stood near the end of the bed letting his bulky goat body take a strong stance.

"Son if someone is abusing you or hurting you speak up now!" He didn't know the rules but that question I could not let hang. "No, no and NO!"

"Ben what did you have for dinner last night?" See I told you she was good. "Apple!"

"I see and what was supposed to be for dinner." I gave just the slightest twitch at the thought, "...Pizza."

Mrs. Hoepins sat for a moment considering, "Ben look at me please." I turned staring at her, "Is something wrong?" Big, but I nodded. "Very wrong?" Nod. "When was the last time you ate a full meal."

"Yesterday morning. Dad and I had breakfast together, Bacon and eggs with lots of bacon. Jam and toast." I replied

"Was there any lunch?" I could see she was working things out and next she would be hammering out what the details were.

"Sandwiches that Dad made and pizzas that I made."

"And you didn't eat any?" Again there seemed to be a surprised tone to her voice.

I couldn't help the fact my anger got the better of me and answered with more than I should, "There wasn't any Pizza!... or sandwiches to eat! They ate it all!"

"Hmmm." With that she stood and moved out into the hall. The director was still staring at me picking fluff off his brown suit and giving a little head bob that had his large curled horns move the shadows at the end of the bed. After a few seconds started, "You know that..."

"Let him be." Mrs. Hoepins voice came from the hall, "This is about way more than food." I simply nodded. "Ben there is no answer at your house any idea why?" She was breaking the rules deliberately or otherwise. From where she was she couldn't see me shake my head yes or no as we had agreed upon.

I looked at the clock seeing the time I knew why there was likely no answer at my house, unless some one had done some quick shopping there was no way my house could feed everyone again. Deciding to answer I spoke. "Lunch maybe."

"Ahh and were is your lunch I wonder?" She asked walking back in the door.

"I left with out one." It would sort of be a wasted effort if I tried to keep that fact hidden she already knew I hadn't eaten.

"You left the house with out a real breakfast or taking a lunch with you." I nodded, "And you haven't eaten a real meal since yesterday morning." Again I nodded. She approached with a plate which had half a sandwich a piece of granola bar and two slices of apple. "EAT!" I started with the sandwich with out a thought of argument. Just a simple cheese and lettuce on wheat dry but I was hungry. After two bites she saw my glance at the glass and picked it up as she sat down.

"Mr. Lenord said you were sick..." Nod, "Hospital sick..." Nod, "Short and simple tell me what happened and you get the glass." I put out my hand for the glass and she passed it over, nothing wrong with a little deal especially since we had made a few before.

"Thursday, I collapsed, ambulance took me to the hospital." I chewed a bit more. "Had a temp of hundred and eight so ice baths. I was unconscious till Saturday............... Sunday I went home. Monday I drank a lot and rested." We both knew that I wasn't telling the whole story but she had asked about me being hospital sick so that was what I stuck with.

"Woah kid you were lucky." Said one of the male staff from the door. "There's still no answer at the house."

"It's fine it seems they might be out to lunch, maybe." She stated. I could still see her working out details especially with her stress on word they she had obviously picked out something.

"So he collapsed from not eating and being sick." The director stated seeming like the whole thing was clear now.

"Nope more than that. He's upset because he might not pass the tier." Mrs. Hoepins said catching another of the clues and linking it in. I had even shook my head slightly which she also caught. "Ben you want to talk about school?" Our fifth rule total subject change which meant all previous questions and answers were to be dropped or ignored.

"Okay."

"Are you worried about failing the tier?" she asked simply.

"Yes, I am." Her looked changed slightly to puzzlement likely thinking back to what she could remember of my past grade evaluations. "Why? Are you failing your classes?"

"Maybe math a little but I don't think so." I answered.

"Then why would you fail?" I almost shook my head since that answer would require more than something simple but after a few seconds went forward.

"Dad said I wouldn't be allowed to pass if I missed any more school days." It was a set up but there was no way to stop it.

"You're here today and with a good meal and rest you can be here tomorrow." I strongly shook my head taking the last bite of apple feeling a creeping sense of sadness that seemed to slowly rise up my back. "You can't be here tomorrow?" I had already finished the sandwich and apples but dropped the granola piece I had just picked up pushing the plate away. There was a lump in my throat now and the few sips of water I had left couldn't clear it.

She had me tagged, she hadn't realized it yet but I knew she did. The clock on the wall gave a slight hum drawing everyone but my attention fourth class had ended and lunch was beginning. Looking back at me she asked, "Are you going to miss other days?" I nodded. "And next week?" just a shrug although that was against the rules.

I was feeling sort of tingly again and flush as Mrs. Hoepins took the glass away and guided me to lay down. "You know there are other ways of passing tiers, are you sure you're not failing any classes?" I didn't answer.

Instead the director spoke. "If there are good reasons for you to be absent we can make up time even get you over to Borddon school, you can make up the time or lessons during break."

"I think being in the hospital for a few days counts." Mrs. Hoepins added

"Yes that would, but why is he going to be missing more days?" The director not even playing our game had picked up on the conversation.

"Why indeed?" this was it..... "Ben why will you miss classes tomorrow?" Laying down had done nothing to ease the lump in my throat and as I opened my mouth it suddenly felt like a balloon. What I had tried to say came out as nothing but a gurgle.

"Ben you said something was wrong, very wrong?" a weak nod, "Something at home is very wrong?" nod and eyes squeezed shut trying to keep the water out. "Something is wrong with your family."

She had it we both knew she did and I tried to keep from crying, "Dad.... Mom.." Nod. "Is she in the hospital?" Shake. "Is it wor..." Nod nod nod. I was crying now still squeezing my eyes shut but the tears were leaking out the edges. "Oh Ben I am sorry." She had sat back down and grabbed my muzzle turning my head. "Ben I need you to look at me and answer one question." I opened my eyes to a blurry world and tried to focus on the form in front of me. "Are you starving yourself on purpose. Are you trying to injure or harm yourself?" I tried to shake my head but she had such a tight grip that I couldn't even twitch with out moving my body instead. "Ben this is very serious you need to say it."

With that she let go and my head seemed to flop to the pillow. "No" I croaked. "No what Ben?" She prompted. "No I wasn't trying to hurt myself." She looked me over again taking careful note on exactly how I looked.

"It is very important, as important if someone were actually hurting you. If you are not trying to cause yourself harm by not eating then why exactly didn't you eat?" Her voice had changed to one of those commanding modes again dropping the gentle prodding of the therapist and stepping into the motherly mode which required the truth.

"They ate it all." The admission still drew anger forth even with tears in my eyes in fact it only seemed to make it worse. "They?" The answer came out as a hiss to her question, "MY Family!"

"So they ate all the pancakes." I shook my head which seemed to be starting to pound slightly.

"No, I made the batter and two big pancakes for myself. When my back was turned she took them and I got mad!" I explained.

"You started an argument yelling and screaming." I shook my head which really made her pause, "Really??" She said shocked.

"I left." I stated simply.

"What else?" She asked. "They ate pancakes I stayed outside." I replied.

"Where was your Dad?" I shrugged, against the rules or not it was the best answer. "Tell me about the Pizza."

I had tried to growl but it came out as more of a groan as it seemed much of my anger drained away leaving me feeling weak. "They ate it, it was supposed to be a family meal and they ate it." I finally got out.

"Why where were you?" She had a hand on my arm gently rubbing down as I just laid there.

"In my room. I came out and they were all eating. I went to the kitchen and there was none left."

"They didn't get enough?" She asked the question that probably should have gotten me a little riled but there seemed to be nothing left.

"Four pizzas." "How many people?" "Eleven well twelve with me."

"Two to three each," I nodded. "Did you say anything?" Shake. "Why not?"

"It doesn't matter they didn't care." I told her.

"That Ben I find hard to believe." She told me.

"Really? They scarfed down everything at lunch and didn't even bother to save me a slice. No one apologized or even offered me something else to eat. Besides I wasn't allowed to even touch it because it was going to be a family meal. I was better off with the apple in my room. There wasn't even really a spot at the table anyway." I had gotten it all out in several rushes taking deep breaths in between. She gave a sigh and followed it with her jaw pop. I tried to figure out what did she was upset about but it seemed that Mrs. Hoepins simply didn't approve of how I spoke.

"Miss your not allowed in here step out." I could hear the directors voice but it was the second voice of, "BEN!" That had me jerk and sit up fast.

"Shelly?" She was standing just inside the doorway looking at me. "Miss out now." the director said getting in between us.

"No wait." I called out. He barely glanced my way before looking to Lea who nodded causing the director to step aside.

"Are you okay?" She asked and I just shook my head. She seemed to have a great deal of confidence walking across the room and stepping next to Mrs Hoepins leaning over the bed to give me a hug which I quickly returned.

"Here sit." She said grabbing Shelly's shoulders and moving her onto the stool. "Are you two related some how?"

I only sat there as Shelly answered, "No were neighbors." She had moved her hands down the blanket pulling it aside and getting a hand into my pants.

"MISS!" the director was moving forward immediately seeing the seriously inappropriate interaction as Shelly yanked the blue kerchief from my pocket and began wiping the tears out of my wet fur. "Shelly that is not something you should be doing." He stated firmly.

She stopped and turned looking at the school's director, "Dad says it's okay."

"Your father??" He sounded incredulous.

"I'm allowed to hug or help so long as some adult is present. He's been having a hard time and I know what it's like. I'll stop if you tell me to." She added.

"So then your mother died?" Shelly nodded to Mrs. Hoepins question handing me the kerchief and returning her hands to her lap. "Is your father home now?" With another nod the nurse had gone to the phone at the door asking for the phone number to her house.

As she pressed in the numbers she gave off a pop that had Shelly jump as she had reached out a hand to place on my arm quickly pulling it back. "Your last name?" She demanded suddenly. "Thaner." Shelly answered.

We both listened as Lea began speaking, "Hello yes, Mr. Thaner? This is Lea Hoepins the nurse at the school. First your daughter is just fine... well this is actually about Ben.... Well he collapsed in class today. Evidently he hasn't been eating anything but bits in more than twenty-four hours..... Yes well it seems he hasn't, he is also exhausted, I'm guessing he hasn't slept well... Yes I just found that out. I needed to ask a favor of you. We haven't been able to reach the Kalson residence and I can only assume they are out. I am asking you if you can take Ben home give him a good meal and have him rest till his father comes home.... Yes well.... Of course we will see you shortly."

She returned the receiver to the cradle, "Now Shelly." She jumped, while Mrs. Hoepins had been talking I had laid down and closed my eyes and Shelly had grabbed my paw. "I want to know what happened, Ben hasn't told me much except he was sick and that his mom died." Shelly squeezed my hand and I returned it as best as possible. She gave another squeeze with a little tug making me open my eyes and look over. Her gaze was intense gripping my paw and I guessed trying to get my permission so I nodded and squeezed back getting a small nod and a smile in return.

She kept my hand and turned ready to speak when the nurse interrupted. "Simple, quick, and easy. We don't need the entire story just let us know what happened."

With a nod Shelly started, "Well Mrs. Kalson collapsed on Wednesday and they took her to the hospital. Ben wasn't at school Thursday and I was gonna just stop and check if there was news but he never answered the door. I went inside and I couldn't wake Ben up at first. I mean I tried and it.."

"Shelly." She was interrupted, "Short, simple." It took Shelly a few breaths but after that she began outlining the simple details and was interrupted on Monday after noon when it was reveled my mother had cancer.

"Cancer. You just don't die from that it take a while before.." The director had started but I had croaked out. "Two years."

The room was silent. "Two years Ben. You've been fighting with her all this time." Mrs Hoepins started.

"Ben didn't know till Monday." Shelly stated again. "Ben's mother and father knew but they didn't tell him."

"But that's crazy she could have put you in home school and you could have spent more time together as a family. Two years is a long time." The director stated.

"She wanted a normal family." Shelly explained, "She wanted Ben to have a normal life and not worry about her or anything."

"Two years." Mrs. Hoepins stated again. Making even more connections. "That's when your fights started. Your mother was quite the lady but she should have told me I could have helped out and maybe even prepared you for this." She gave a little grimace as more things seemed to catch and fall in place. "Your aunt took your pancakes."

I sat up slightly on an elbow wondering where that had come from while nodding a confirmation. "You mother once told me that she could be just a bit vane but it was a mild case compared to her sisters selfishness. I'm surprised she didn't have you butter them as well the way your mother tells it." I had kept nodding the whole time she made her assumptions only adding in, "I left."

*Pop * "So tomorrow the funeral?" Nod, "and Friday."

"Friday is a family day everyone is going to stick around." I said sitting up fully and seeing Mrs. Hoepins make a motion for me to sit up I did now seeming to feel a bit better. Shelly stood up as well and before I realized what was happening she sat next to me on the bed giving me a hug. I could hear the director shuffle at the end of the bed but he said nothing as the nurse moved the stool back a bit and sat down.

"Ben we will check with your teachers today and see what we can do about your classes and final testing weeks." As the director finished he stepped to the doorway pausing to ask Lea a final question. "Are you sure its going to be alright sending him to another house?"

"It's right next door and I know the family some so it would be alright. Also Mr. Thaner did sound rather upset to hear Ben had collapsed. I'm sure its fine." She stated again watching as the ram gave a firm nod before exiting.

Mr. Thaner seemed to arrive quickly. Although it was just a twenty minute walk or short drive to the school it felt like only a couple of minutes before I was hustled into the back seat with Shelly still holding my hand. Mrs. Hoepins final instructions had been simple, 'Food then rest.' to which the large canine grunted and affirmative.

I watched out the window as the familiar streets and corners went by until the last corner pulling in at the third house instead of the fourth. I took my time getting out and going in Shelly waiting at the door patiently till I was finally inside and watching as I sat on the couch in their front room. Whether by some quietly spoken word or just her fathers knowledge Shelly had stood near the couch and we waited a few minutes till he returned to the room carrying a bowl with left over casserole inside.

As I started digging in Mr. Thaner asked, "What's this about you not eating?" I just grunted but before I could take another bite his arm had reached out and stopped me. "Ben you are in my house, eating my food, sitting on my couch. The least you could do is tell me why."

Although it was considered rude of course I kept eating while talking explaining how lunch had gone the day before. "We heard you slam the door." Shelly put in as I got to that part.

"The first time or the second?" She shrugged at my question and I explained how I had slammed not once but twice and how my father had just stood there. I received a huge scowl a few second later when I had told them that I made my father leave my room that night but when I was finished talking about the evening and it seemed the food was too.

As I stared down at an empty bowl Shelly reached out and took it stepping back only to say that it was really wrong to be mean to my dad since he was probably feeling worse than I was. "Well like he said sometimes we hurt others when we hurt." I told her retreating back as she went to the kitchen.

"And the pancakes?" Mr Thaner prompted while she was gone. I told him how I snuck out the window and everything that had happened until I knocked on his door. "You have a temper worse than your mother. And at times you are as foolishly kind as your father." He gave the simple assessment as I stared at him. "But neither of them would have been as utterly stupid as you were this morning!" I didn't now why but I felt ashamed at his words. Shelly had come back from the kitchen and was just watching hearing her fathers rough tone.

"Lay down, try to get some sleep and Ben don't ever come to my back door being stupid. You should have told me everything this morning. If you can't... or won't talk with your father you need to find someone else." With that he walked out leaving me staring at Shelly until she left the room too.

She came back a few minutes later to toss a blanket on me and left again leaving me laying there to think. At least that was what I had planned. For the second time, the first being the few hours before my father broke into my room I slept soundly with no real dreams or disruptions I was woke again by my father shaking me. I took my time stretching out and slowly sitting up while he waited.

My Dad rarely ever had trouble showing his feelings no matter were we were but as we looked at each other he very carefully reached out a hand and pat my head once before pulling it back. With a sorta half smile he said, "Let's go home okay."

I stood up and Shelly jumped forward giving me a hug which I gladly returned squeezing her as tight as I could for just a moment before letting go even though I could hear her fathers grunt. When we were almost out the door I heard Mr. Thaner call out to me, "Don't be stupid Ben." The walk back was of course quick and gave me no time to think so I just quickly passed the bodies in the living room and headed for my bedroom.

Only when I opened the door to my room it wasn't solitude I found. James along with Lisa's youngest twins Mitchell and Mathew, who were ten, were all in my room. Sleeping bags and several toys were scattered on the floor and the boys were gathered around a monopoly board that was also on the carpet.

"Guess what, Guess what!" The twins chimed together while one continued, "We're all gonna sleep here." and the other added, "We can stay up all night!"

"No your not, grab your stuff and get out." Probably not the best way to say it but James was the first to react rather quickly.

"Heck no." He said, "You can share. NO way am I sleeping in the living room with everyone else again."

"You can have the garage." I told him firmly while the twins looked seriously upset. I pulled my door open all the way and yelled out into the house. "DAAADD!"

Mit and Mat were both frowning but James had made a motion to keep them both seated while he mutter out, "Dream on."

My father was quick to the summons and with a glance around the room spoke, "James I already told you not to put your stuff in here." There were several other bodies that had moved into the hallway brought by my shout. "Mitchell and Mathew please gather your stuff we'll move my car and set up the garage. We have cots and.."

"What? Why the heck doesn't he have to share? A whole room all to himself and we get shoved in the garage?" James was at a near whine upset with the injustice.

"He's right Allen even you are sharing." One of the voices in the hall spoke.

"NO!" Dad's voice was loud and firm enough to be heard by all. "Ben asked for one thing when Lucy died but to be allowed his room for his own space. If you wanted other people staying in your room when your mother died watching you cry or being upset than that would be your choice. Ben gets his own room." The words were final and got no response but James who muttered throwing his sleeping bag over his shoulder and kicking monopoly pieces as he pushed his way out into the hall. Mat and Mit both gathered their stuff and quietly followed behind. I nodded to my father as he took the door handle and closed the door leaving me to myself.

Turning around I took a step and heard the crunch of a plastic hotel being crushed under my shoe. I spent the next twenty minutes or so cleaning up monopoly pieces, putting toys away, and cleaning up my room in general. I was feeling a little bad about Mit and Mat who seemed really upset at having to leave my room so I pulled out my football and headed into the hall.

As soon as I stepped out of my room I realized Dad and aunt Lisa were arguing at the end of the hall. "It's just like you. You don't need both!" She spoke loudly.

"Lisa the Suburban is barely running and the car is much easier to drive." Dad spoke back.

"Right so we can fix your truck and I'll have Lucy's car." I was shocked but only for a few seconds before I started feeling angry.

"Lisa its not..." "Don't try to get out of it this time!" She spoke out loudly interrupting him, "We are going to settle this now." Maybe it was the way she had raised her voice or maybe the fact that I did kinda hear a little bit of mom in her voice but either way it totally set me off.

"Then the answer is no, Hell no!" Both adults looked down the hall at me. "You think you can come here and take my mom's car. That's probably the one place where its easiest to see her."

"Ben this is an Adult conversation. You can't even drive so mind you manners." She told me making a shooing motion towards my room.

It was fury plain and simple, I held nothing back as I dropped the ball and stormed down the hall. "Listen Bitch!" Even I shocked myself when the word came out but there were still several more following behind it, "My mother funeral isn't eve over and your trying to take what's not even yours!"

"Ben that is Enough!" My father said actually raising his voice some.

I looked over at him, "Quiet DAD!" For the first time ever I watched as he closed his mouth and took a step back standing against the wall. I felt power, heat surging through me over the fact out little exchanged ended just like that, I had Won!!

I turned back to Lisa as she started saying, "You obviously don't KNOW or CARE what family is about you can't...."

"SHUT UP!" I roared, "It's because your family that I don't grab you and toss you out the front door!." I had been watching her tail flick back and forth behind her as it kept drawing my attention. I had timed it perfectly snatching it out of the air and gripping it hard.

*Hissss * "HOW DARE..." She had raised her arm flexing her fingers spreading them out. Not claws but still strong nails that could tear fur and gouge out skin sometimes even muscle.

My voice felt like steel as I lowered the volume and spoke firmly, "Do it and I _will_put you in the same hospital bed my mom was in." It wasn't a dare but and outright promise to which she spat out again not lowering her arm. "You get Nothing! All you can do is take and I've given you enough." I released her tail and turned to storm away before I really did do something that might require stitches or worse.

I stopped dead after a full pace realizing the entire living room was full with every seat taken including some of the dining chairs and a few bodies that stood in my way. "Allen, you control your child! Lucy would never have allowed him to act this way." I started moving again as people quickly stepped aside and out of my way.

"You're right. But maybe you should apologize to Ben first." I heard Dad say.

Somehow it seemed like forever trying to get across the living room, "You.... WHAT?" She said in a shocked surprise.

"Yes, you just upset the sole inheritor of Lucy's estate." I had stopped a few feet into the dining room realizing what my father had just said. "You can't mean..." I heard her quiet gasp clear across the dead silent room.

"Yes." My father said again, "Lucy wanted to make sure Ben was fully taken care of everything she owned is his, Everything." It was too much, I ran for the back door and fled outside. I dropped to my hands and knees when I made it to the grass panting. I was shaking and numb and tingly and flush and more all at the same time.

The argument had been a thrill I had felt such power even though I was afraid I might actually hurt her but realizing everyone saw had been a shock that I felt I needed to deal with but had not really cooled the fire inside nor the rush of adrenalin. The problem was my fathers words had been like a double bucket of ice water being dumped on me leaving me frozen now I wasn't sure what to do as the sudden horrifying thought that I now needed to take care of all of my mothers possessions.

"Ben." I didn't answer. I had no clue who it even was. "Ben take a seat I want you to meet Jewel."

"Jewel?" I asked flopping to my side rolling to sit. It was Amber my cousin who gently placed a near one year old into my lap. "Ben this is Jewel, you haven't seen her yet." This was another shock piled on top but an entirely different type.

She had some toy jammed in her mouth and was blinking in the outside sunlight as I let my hands steady her on my legs. She reached up and grabbed a hold of my arm while the other hand suddenly latched on to my muzzle. "Hey." I muttered as she started pulling the fur on my lips. I tried to use my hands to turn her and she leaned in pressing herself against my chest. "Umm, Jewel."

"Its fine she loves being cuddled no matter who it is, well as long as its feline." She informed me with a little chuckle. I could tell she was trying to purr or grumble in her throat as she rubbed her face and muzzle against my chest and under my chin. "Just like your dad. If your not careful she will latch onto you and we'll have to pry her off." That didn't matter at the moment as I hugged Jewel and gently rocked us back and forth wishing I could squeeze tighter.

"Noma" I heard something like that as the toy dropped out of her mouth when I moved to scritch her head and she snuggled up right under my chin.

"By the way Ben good job." I sat there puzzled, ya Jewel seemed content but was it that good? She continued helping me figure it out, "Telling mother off like that... it was just what was needed and probably something your mother would have done. Although she would have done it in private and you did take it just a tad to far." I stared at Jewel's ears watching them flick occasionally as I slowly scritched and pet her head. It wasn't like I could say much in my defense.

"She's right Ben." I hadn't even noticed my father till he spoke. "I want to say that in my house, or I should say our home, I never want to hear you ever use language like that again."

"Even if they really deserve it?" I mumbled loud enough to be heard. Amber gave a half snicker smiling obviously still enjoying what I had done while my father placed a solid hand on my head.

"Never. Your mother and I never let you speak like that before." Actually I had spoken the 'word' twice before the first time I had ended up with a scolding and apologizing the second well I probably deserved more than what I got. "I don't care how angry you are you need to keep such language out of our home."

"Okay." Jewel had shifted looking over my shoulder while my father was speaking and she was beginning to struggle some. "Uppa Uppa pa pa pa." Chuckling my dad reached down and scooped up Jewel lifting her into the air and spinning once amidst squeals of laughter that seemed to fill the backyard as he continued to bounce her up and down.

"Here," he spoke passing the kitten to Amber who had stood up. "Ben I need to see you in the kitchen for a moment."

As I went back in there were several buckets of chicken along with other things were waiting on the dining table that I now noticed along with the smell of food that seemed to reignite my hunger. There were also several more people in the house both family, as I guessed from the felines, and others who I didn't know or recognize. I stood in the bustle of the kitchen as several people were working together getting a meal ready, baking biscuits, washing the few dishes, and pealing apart the cheap paper plates making it easier to take one.

Dad had nudged the floor scale into the middle of the walkway of the kitchen as I entered. "Stand on it." I ended up kicking off both my shoes before I placed my feet onto the scale. "92." He announced, "That means you lost five more pounds since Sunday. You were 97 when we left the hospital Sunday and the doctor believes you weight might be better near 110." I stepped off the scale shrugging only to have my Dad grab my arm. "This is serious Ben it's not good for you to not eat. Everyone here now is going to be watching to make sure you get a full meal each time."

I started to turn away only to have him grip my arm painfully causing me to look over to him. "Ben I.. I almost..." There were tears in his eyes as he choked on the words making my own heart thump hard in reaction, "almost lost both of you." he got it out but that wasn't all he did. With a yank he was crushing me in an embrace and I could feel the shaking of his body as he cried. I hugged back and in seconds we were both sobbing against each other or maybe I was Dad didn't seem to be making much noise as I choked and whimpered against his chest.

I had no clue who had separated us and guided us both back to our rooms. I cried into my pillow as someone rubbed my back and petted the back of my head. After a long time I was told, "Come on try and dry up dinner's ready." I rolled over and a warm damp wash cloth was immediately pressed to my muzzle. I took the cloth and wiped my eyes and nose still sniffing. I worked to clean the saltwater out from my fur as a second dry soft cloth was tapped against my shoulder which I used to dry my fur with.