FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

On Sunday morning, I woke at a much earlier than expected 6:07 AM. On Sundays, I usually try to sleep in a bit, knowing that I have to be rested for work in case something needs my attention and it has to be dealt with first thing. There were two things working against the usual plan: The first was the dull ache that called for ibuprofen and I didn’t like taking those on an empty stomach. The second was the fact that I might be hosting Kisa and Jenna in a week’s time. While we would be roughing it outside, there was no reason to forego use of the house completely. Sure it wasn’t the standard campground building, sporting a cement pad with cinder block walls for the shower and toilet stalls, but my home facilities were an upgrade, even if they lacked the urinal-cake scent.

I sat up, stretched a bit, then made my way to the cabinet and dresser. The upstairs flooring was pretty much finished, but except for the framework of the load bearing walls, it was still a wide open space. My attire for the day was a pair of denim cargo shorts and an older t-shirt, both pulled from the cabinet. I slipped on a pair of socks from the dresser and made my way downstairs to where I kept my somewhat ragged work-around-the-house shoes. The wiring could wait for another time, I wanted to make sure that the house was clean and I also had to make sure my camping gear was still in good order. I hadn’t used the tent or the sleeping bags in a few years, so getting everything out and inspected gave me the chance to replace anything that needed it.

After a quick breakfast, I started working in earnest. By noon I had gotten all the gear out and set up in the yard, moving with a slow and steady pace to keep from straining my knee. Anything that fit in one of the vacuum seal bags had been kept inside of one and stored in the downstairs closet. The rest of the gear I kept in what I called my storage room. I was a bachelor living in an older house that I was renovating in my spare time. It wasn’t exactly a situation that made for any sort of real decorating beyond a few coatings of paint. Clothing aside, most of my belongings were kept in wheeled shop cabinets or plastic bins, a utilitarian choice since I needed to move things back and forth between rooms while I worked on the house. Even with the downstairs renovations mostly complete, I didn’t have much of a reason to change from that setup. The cabinets and bins ended up staying in one room which, in turn, kept the other ones less cluttered.

I was checking over the tent when I heard the rumble of an old diesel motor and tires crunching along the gravel road. “Todd, you plannin’ on going somewhere?” My uncle’s voice sounded over the clacking of the Silverado’s valves.

“No, just making sure this stuff’s still good,” I called as I poked my head out from the tent. “I do have a favor to ask though.”

“Oh, need some help there?” Uncle James climbed out from the pickup’s cab, donning a well worn shirt, blue jeans, and work boots along with a green 7up ball cap. Like many farm vehicles, the truck had been well maintained mechanically, but it was a work vehicle first and foremost, so it had more than a few dings and dents. I could see my aunt in the passenger side as she gave me a wave hello through the dusty windshield.

“Huh?” It took a moment before I realized he thought I wanted help with the gear. I was walking with a bit more of a limp than usual, but that was due to the extended activity rather than anything in particular, and an extra set of hands wouldn’t have helped much by that point. “Oh, no. I just wanted to bring a friend and her daughter camping near the pond Friday, after the soccer practice.”

James rubbed his chin a bit, “That wouldn’t happen to be the one that fetched the part for Bess the other day, would it?” My uncle had the look of someone who thought they were in on a not too well kept secret.

“Yeah, actually it would.” I didn’t take the bait, thinking it best to just ignore the look. Friends and family had a way of making more of things than what was really there. Sure I was interested, and I thought Kisa was too, but that was about as far as things had gotten. I’d only known her for a week after all.

“Oh, honey, let it be,” Ann chided as she got out from the truck. My aunt didn’t pick too much on such subjects, at least not after what happened with Allison. “Anyway, it’s fine by us, just so long as you bring them by sometime. James may be picking now, but he’ll be on his best behavior come Friday.”

“Well, sure I will,” came his laughing reply. Giving me a bit of grief was one thing, but he’d do his best to make them feel welcome. “Just make sure you got your place cleaned in case the weather turns or somethin’ else comes up.”

“Already done on that part. I’ll make sure to bring them by before we get started, but there’s a few things I’d like to go over, maybe tonight or tomorrow evening.” James had a firm handshake, and I figured keeping him from getting pricked by Kisa’s claw tips was a good idea. I’d also review some of the other things I learned, like their tendency towards going barefoot.

Ann looked over the gear, “Been a while since you last used this. I was beginning to wonder when you’d start going out again.”

That was a fair point, I hadn’t gone camping since after the accident, or really out in general for that matter. Not that I couldn’t, I just didn’t really have any motivation to do so. With most of my time split between work and the house, I’d spent much of the past few years on the thin side regarding leisure activities that didn’t involve the computer or a movie. Part of the fun of camping is the company you spend it with. While I had friends who lived close by, most of them had families of their own so their time was rightfully spoken for.

I eventually shrugged, “Just needed a reason to, I guess.”

“Well sure, Todd, but I think Ann’s not talking just about the camping.” And right back on the uncomfortable side of things again. I think James noticed the look I was giving him which prompted just a bit more, “Now look, I’m not givin’ you a hard time here, nor is Ann. In fact, I’m sayin’ this is a good thing.”

My aunt just sighed. While I had a gift of saying more than what’s needed, the effects usually centered around me. James, though not intentionally so, had the opposite impact. He’d say more than needed, and it usually made someone else squirm a bit. His own somewhat blunt sense of humor only added to the effect.

“Anyway,” Ann said that with just a little more force than needed, “After we meet them, I know your folks will want to meet them too.”

By that she meant my parents, and in truth I was using my aunt and uncle as a dry run of sorts. “Well, let’s not go there quite yet. If things go well...”

“For heaven’s sake, James, wipe that grin off your face,” Ann knew her husband’s sense of humor all too well, managing to get it out just as the smirk began to form.

“Not in that way, sheesh.” Having finally gotten a rise out of me, maybe he’d let it go. “All I’m saying is to let it go a bit longer and see where things stand. I’ll introduce her to to the rest of the family if she decides to stay in Edison. It’s a big change coming from Atlanta. After the newness wears off, she may decide to move on.”

“Todd, let me be serious here for a moment,” his usual bantering tone was gone. “We know what happened back in Burke, hell they ran a story on it in the mornin’ news. Because a minor was involved, they kept any personal details out of it. You’re the only one I know that’d use his feet before his fists, and we knew you were out all day. That and when they released the photo of the two guys they also showed video footage of the incident. You and the demis were blurred out, but the unedited bit’ll be online soon enough.”

“Does it matter? It’s not the first time I’ve been on TV,” I’d been involved with a few of the demonstrations regarding demi rights in my later high school and college years.

“Well, yeah,” James took his ball cap off and scratched the back of his head, a nervous habit he had when discussing things he felt were important. “Back then you were in a group, hard to single someone out that way. I don’t expect anyone in Edison to give you, or them, a hard time. But out an’ about, I’m not so sure. I was gonna talk with you about it later, but now’s as good a time as any.”

I understood his point, but by the same token, if decent people never stand up, then the bigots win by default. “If you’re asking me to be careful, I already am. But I won’t distance myself from them because of some assholes.”

James nodded, “That’s what I thought you’d say, and glad you did.”

Ann rolled her eyes a bit, “We never thought you’d do otherwise, you weren’t raised that way. Now then,” she looked back towards the truck, “we gotta finish up a few things, but swing by around six for dinner and we can talk some more.”

“Sounds good. I’ll bring over some dessert.”

* * *

My gear inspection didn’t turn up anything too bad. A zipper on one of the sleeping bags had come loose around one of the bottom corners, but I could have sewn it back in place if I really felt like doing anything about it. In the end, I decided to just make that one my own and save both the time and hassle. The rest was in good condition, just well used from hiking and camping in years prior.

Dinner was always a bit of a treat at my aunt and uncle’s house since I got a great home cooked meal and a dose of good conversation. This time around, I provided a frozen lemon cake. The discussion centered around Kisa and Jenna, along with things about demis in general. I didn’t stay too late, they had an early morning with their farm work, and I had to call into the office to discuss some hardware upgrades the school board wanted done over the summer.

Monday morning and the early afternoon went pretty much as I expected. The telecon covered the basic plan and schedule of the upgrades, and the board also wanted to go over a few minor facility issues at the middle school that needed to be fixed on Thursday.

I managed to catch part of the story on the news after the call ended while I ate a late breakfast. The reporters were able to get security camera footage of us being stalked while in the store, and sure enough, the altercation in the parking lot with myself and the demis being blurred out. The newscasters seemed content to let the witnesses do most of the talking, while the anchors offered up some brief words about treating everyone decently at the end of the segment.

I arrived at the field a few minutes earlier than usual. Getting the pricing worked out for the upgrades didn’t require me leaving the house, so I worked remotely rather than making the drive into the office. The weather was still running hotter than normal and the local TV station’s website said to not expect a break until the next week. A line of storms would bring some relief from the heat late Sunday. Friday looked like perfect weather for evening camping, provided you had a few cold drinks.

I got the practice field in order, setting the goals out and making sure the cones were lined up and ready for the kids’ activities. The practice would be a bit of fun with some goal shots after the warm ups and a couple of laps around the field. First would be a few drills dribbling the ball up and taking a shot at the end of the cones. After that, we’d add in a pass before the shot so the kids would learn to keep their eyes open for more than the goal. I also wanted to run a series of small games, maybe three with rotating the teams around, then turn it loose with some sharks and minnows.

The Halls were the first family to arrive, with Josh piling out of the green crossover almost before the vehicle came to a complete stop. His parents fished around in the back of the car, pulling out a small cooler and two folding chairs. It wasn’t long before the rest of the families arrived, with Mrs Cole and her son Jason followed closely by the Harrison’s van pulling up with a minute to spare before practice started. I took a quick glance at the road, but there was no sign of the white sedan Kisa drove.

I waited for a couple of minutes, letting the parents get settled in before getting the session started. I hadn’t heard that the McAllisters would be late, but sometimes things come up, especially in IT work when taking on something the size of retooling an entire factory. After some good stretches and the usual combination of waybacks and jumping jacks, I sent the kids for a two lap jog around the field. I took a moment to check my phone and see if I missed any calls or messages, though nothing had come through.

“Everything alright?” Bess must have seen the worried look I was giving the phone.

I looked up, putting the device back in my pocket, “Yeah. Just checking to see if Kisa tried to call. She’s usually here early, but I haven’t heard anything.”

“I’ll see if I can reach her, you keep track of the kids,” she was already pulling her own phone out from her purse as she answered and waved me off towards the field.

I gave a quick nod in thanks and turned back to the kids, some of whom were already on their second lap. Putting my worries aside, I went to the center of the field and waited for everyone to finish their run, giving each a high five as they got back. Once the last kid came through I held my hand up, prompting a few other hands to go up until the group was focused, “Alright, today we’re going with some shooting drills. Dribble between the cones and at the end here, take a shot on the goal.” I went through the drill at a slow pace, ending with a short punt into the net. “Once everyone’s had a go, we’ll collect the balls and run it from the other side. Let’s get lined up.”

The shots went pretty well, but some of the younger kids paused at the end of the dribble to take a good run at the ball. Taking a shot while on the run was a learned skill and it’d take practice to iron out. Most of the older players retained what they learned during the last season or two, so they’d offer pointers while waiting for their turn. The passing went surprisingly well, with most of them getting pretty close to the receiver. At the end of the drills, I heard the sound of a car door shutting and looked up across the field. Jenna came streaking from the parking lot at a flat out run, ball in her arms and ears fully back. Kisa was just getting out of the car, still dressed in her work attire, though her shoes were absent as she shut the door and walked to the car’s trunk.

I gave a quick wave at the speeding feline, “Hey there. Glad you could make it.”

“Mr Coach!” Jenna skidded to a stop in front of me, breathing quickly from the sudden run and sending little bits of turf flying from her cleats.

I held my hand up getting the other kids’ attention, “Alright everyone quick five minutes for water.” This gave them a chance to hydrate and it’d give Jenna a few moments to stretch. I knelt down, hand out with my palm up. Jenna was still breathing hard but returned the gesture and her ears righted themselves when she realized I wasn’t mad at her for being late. “Alright, before you start, get some stretches in, the same ones we did last week. We’ll be playing a few mini games, and with you here it gets us even teams. Just in time.” The little demi nodded and began her toe touches on the sidelines with her ball on the grass beside her.

I waited for a moment while Kisa set her chair up beside Mrs Harrison’s spot. The blanket was occupied by her four kids and their gear, with Bess’s chair just behind them. Kisa’s normally immaculate attire was a bit dusty and the longer fur on the top her her head was also a bit disheveled. “Long day?”

After a deep breath and a long sigh, Kisa nodded, “If it means anything, this is the first time I’ve been able to sit since work started, apart from the drive.” She scowled a bit at the condition of her pants and tried to brush at least some of the dust off. What should have been nearly black was dusted to a light gray in more than one spot. It was the first time I’d seen her in anything other than a blue shade, but it complimented the spots of her fur nicely, or at least would have minus the dust.

Bess shot me a quick glance, “Todd, let the woman sit a spell before you go bothering her. Everything’s fine, we chatted on the phone, so you go do your coach thing.” Growing up with sisters I knew what she was getting at. Roughly translated, she was telling me to go away and let the two of them talk a bit.

“Sure thing,” I replied with my hands up, giving them their space. At Bess’s word, I knew things were fine, so I went back to the center of the field and held my hand high at the five minute mark. In short order, I had all twelve kids clustered around with one hand up and the other holding their ball. “OK, we’ll do one more run of the drills and then we’ll start up the games.”

* * *

I had the players line up oldest to youngest, then count off in ones and twos to divide the teams. The ones got loose fitting, bright green vests so it’d be easy to tell who was on each team. Then it was off to the races. All the drills, all the practice dribbling and passing turned into the expected free for all. The ball shot off in semi-random directions and the kids streamed after it. Some of the older ones knew to pass and at least be in a somewhat good position for passing to, but we’d work on it with the youngsters too. This was their first go, and as with all first things, it was a learning experience.

The adults had a few good chuckles at the on field antics, and I was able to watch the parents’ reactions. Out here in Edison, we thankfully didn’t get the obsessed soccer parents screaming at their kids. Most of our group was fairly laid back which kept the fun in the sport for the players. Sure, some parents worked with their kids on skills outside of practice, and a few would talk about things to help their kids play better. All in all, we kept things low key.

Kisa watched the game intently, offering a cheer when a goal happened and clapping for her daughter when she helped her team. She also clapped when a good play managed to emerge from the chaos, regardless of who was centered on the action. Both of these were signs of the type of attitude I appreciated as a coach.

At the end of the third game, I sent the kids back for more water and kept an ear out on the sidelines as I fetched a bit of water for myself. There was talk of the upcoming holiday, the county put on a fairly decent fireworks display for the 4th, and plans were being made for cook outs and the like. Kisa and Bess talked regularly, the two were becoming fast friends, so it came as no surprise that they were huddled together in conversation. Jenna shared the blanket with Kate, I think they were talking about one of the passes that happened in the last game, while a few of the kids quickly gulped some fluids down and made their way back on field.

We had a few rounds of sharks and minnows, and then called an end to the practice. It took about ten minutes or so, but the kids were rounded up and most of the families were in the process of leaving. Jenna helped me pick up the cones, and Kate helped with the goals while her siblings got their van packed up.

Bess finished getting the van’s back hatch closed with the blanket, cooler, and chairs all settled in the cargo space when she called to me, “So, any plans for tomorrow?”

“No, not really. Family stuff for lunch I guess, same as we always do.” I dusted my hands off against the side of my shorts, “You got any?”

Bess nodded with a bright smile, “As a matter of fact, I do. Well, George and me anyway. We’re getting your folks, James and Ann, Kisa and Jenna, and several others over to our place. We’ll fire up the pit for a late lunch along with a good light show once it gets dark. Interested?”

The Harrison’s house had a huge brick cooking pit which promised some of the best roast pork imaginable, “Sure, what should I bring?”

“Just you an hour or so early and your usual box of gizmos for dealing with computer troubles.” I chuckled a bit, some troubleshooting was a small price to pay for food and fireworks. “It’s the one downstairs. Beeps eight times but never comes on, just goes right back off.”

Kisa placed her hand on my shoulder, “I’ll give you a ride, it’s on the way for us.” Compared to when she first arrived, she seemed at ease, at the very least much less stressed. I hadn’t heard her walk up, the pads of her feet made far less sound than any shoes against the gravel.

“That works out great, ‘cause Ann and James will be over early morning to help mind the pig.” Bess had a conspiratorial look that just flashed across her features before she hid it behind the innocent smile.

I had a fair idea that my uncle and aunt played a role in all this, and well before the practice started too. I couldn’t really be mad though, there were far worse things to be set up for. I gave the demi a quick smile and patted her hand, “Sounds perfect.” It would mean having nearly the entire family over, so any dry runs went pretty much right out the window in terms of introductions.

* * *

I’m not sure when James and Ann left, it had to be nighttime still, so I was fast asleep. It takes a bit of time to prep a whole hog, and about twelve hours, give or take a few, to cook it. Either way, while they handled the preparations, I was still out cold.

At 9:00 I received a text from Kisa asking if them stopping by around 10:30 would be fine. That left plenty of time to fix the machine with room for socializing before the food would be ready. I sent a quick response confirming the time and then dragged myself out of bed. Thanks to a distinct lack of running the day before, and the help in getting the field gear put away, my knee wasn’t all that aggravated. A hot shower and a support brace would see me through the day’s activities.

My box of gizmos, as Bess called it, was really little more than a set of parts in static bags that I’d taken from other machines along with various screw drivers and some extra screws in a zip lock bag. I had a couple of spare power supplies, some extra RAM of various types, a spare drive in case something went bad with the storage, and a mouse and keyboard combo, the cheapest one I could find. These all went in a plastic bin that I could take with me whenever I was dealing with fixing older machines. If I couldn’t fix it with those, I’d probably need to order new parts anyway. I knew my way around the inside of a machine, but full on electronics repair was beyond what I had in terms of tooling and skill.

After a nearly scalding hot shower, I put on a decent red tee shirt and a pair of cargo shorts then slid the compression brace on. My sandals completed the outfit, not that it was any height of fashion, but it’d be cool enough for the weather and if things got a bit dirty it wouldn’t matter. I double checked the contents of the bin and headed out a few minutes early.

Kisa was prompt as usual, her ability to keep to a schedule far exceeded my own. It was something of a miracle that I hadn’t been late to one of the practices or for her picking me up. As the sedan came to a stop, she popped the trunk open for me to drop the bin inside. Once I was situated in the passenger’s seat, I was greeted by an excited “Hi, Mr Coach!”, courtesy of a rather boisterous Jenna.

“Well, hello to you too.” I flashed a smile in the rear view mirror, then quickly added, “And good morning.”

The McAllisters were dressed casually, Jenna sported a loose fitting retro Nintendo themed tee shirt with denim shorts, while Kisa had on a short sleeved, white button up shirt over a light blue tank top. These were combined with a matching pair of linen shorts. Kisa gave me a quick grin of her own as I buckled up, “And good morning to you, Mr Coach. Did we need to stop by anywhere along the way, or do you have everything needed in your box?”

I shrugged, “If it’s not in the box, then I’ll be making an order. My hope is it’s an easy fix, just something needing a reseat. I didn’t get the chance to ask yesterday, but everything alright at work?”

Kisa’s ears went back slightly and she chuckled briefly, it was the kind of laugh that took the place of other choice words when a child was present. “Well, it is now, but I have a few grievances regarding the work some contractors did.” After a deep breath, she put thoughts of the office behind, “But enough of that. Aside from a bit of repair work, today’s a holiday.” With the car in drive and moving off down the gravel road, we made our way to the Harrison farm.

* * *

By the time we pulled in, there were already several extra cars and trucks parked beside the main house. Like many farms, multiple buildings dotted the property, and I pointed out the purpose for each as we passed by, along with noting what buildings to stay out of. The property was large, and with the sheer amount of kids present there was a good chance Jenna would be making her way all over the place while they played.

In confirmation of my thoughts, Kate came bounding up shortly after we parked, waving to Jenna as we opened our doors. The first thing that hit my senses was the blissful aroma that drifted over from the pit in the back. I couldn’t help but smile as both of the demis scented the air. In much the same fashion as a cat, I could see their whiskers point forward and jostle slightly with each sniff.

“Smells good, doesn’t it?” Kate was grinning from ear to ear, “But it won’t be ready for another two hours. Oh, and hi, Mr Coach and Ms Kisa.” It was clear the adults were little more than a means of transporting the other kids for a play date. “Jenna, everyone’s over this way.”

Jenna looked back and gave a big smile of her own at Kisa’s slight nod. She was free to go off with Kate on adventures with the other kids, at least until it was time to eat. The two sprinted away without another word, heading around to the side of the house where the other youngsters were gathered, judging by the giggles and laughter coming from that general direction. With Jenna off, Kisa took a short breath and glanced in my direction. It wasn’t quite the same as when they arrived for the first practice, but there was a hint of concern in her features.

I gave my best reassuring smile, “She’ll be fine, Kisa. Kate’s far more responsible than I was at her age. There’s really nothing they can get into anyway, Bess and George keep the equipment sheds locked up. Mind popping the trunk?”

Kisa relaxed just a bit, giving herself a small shake, “Sure, but you probably want to keep the first names quiet, at least as far as Bess goes.”

I glanced up from the trunk and my box, “Let me guess, in the doorway?”

“Stepping off the porch just now,” Kisa made a subtle ear flick towards our rapidly approaching host.

“Oh, thank you both for coming. Todd didn’t give you any grief on the ride over, did he?” Mrs Harrison shot me a teasing glance. I just shook my head with a slight eye roll as I pulled the storage bin from the trunk.

“No, he’s been perfect the entire drive, but before we get too far into things, there’s a machine that needs fixing, yes?” The odd thing about most IT people is that when a server goes down at work, it’s a pain in the ass, but when you’re fixing a friend’s machine, it’s a fun puzzle to solve rather than a chore. I managed a quick glance at Kisa, glad to see she shared that same quirk based on the focused look in her crystal blue eyes and the forward tilt of her ears. “Oh, would you mind grabbing the small box in the back, the black one please?”

While I retrieved Kisa’s tool box and shut the trunk, Bess managed a mock look of annoyance and folded her arms across her chest, “God knows you two are exactly the same sometimes. Small wonder you get along so well.” She was one for pleasantries and chatting, which I didn’t mind, but the gizmo box had been pulled out already and that meant fixing the computer. She dropped the bad acting and waved us over, “Come on, the machine’s down this way, Kisa.”

* * *

I knew my way around the house by heart. Aside from family members, I spent more time with George and Bess than anyone else since I moved back to Edison. The house they live in is the same one that’s been used by generations of Harrison farmers. It has three floors, the basement had been finished out some where around thirty years ago by George’s parents, and was built for housing an extended family with plenty of spacious rooms. It dwarfs my own humble abode by a fair amount.

We worked our way through the living room and down the hallway past the dining room and kitchen. Family portraits and pictures lined the walls, with each generation that stayed on the farm itself adding to the collection. There was a heritage room upstairs where Bess had moved some of the older pictures and kept the hard copies of important records and family heirlooms.

At the end of the hall, we followed the stairs down and into the basement turned electronics room. It wasn’t a fancy setup, but if it was loud, had a screen, or needed a network connection, it found its way down there. The computer in question was on a table at the far end of the room and mainly used for light office duties with a bit of web browsing. It was too old to run the latest games, but it worked fine for keeping up with the inventory of farm supplies and getting invoices printed out for those customers that refused to forego the paper billing process.

Kisa’s spotted tail swayed slightly as she looked at the machine, the black tip giving a punctuated swish with each swing. The computer was nearing eight years old, I bought it second hand when a colleague was doing a major upgrade of his home system. The components were on the higher end, so with some new storage and an external enclosure for backups, it made a decent enough rig for its purpose. The reason for the desktop was simple enough; the kids wouldn’t be ferrying it all over the place, so the chances of an accident happening to the hardware was far less than with a mobile system.

I set my box down beside the table with Kisa’s toolbox still perched on the lid. The rubber feet kept her supplies from sliding around as we navigated the house. Bess just waved her hand in the computer’s general direction, “You two go and work your magic. I’ll go back up and keep an eye out on the kids and the men. Can’t leave either to themselves for too long, and Ann’s outnumbered up there.” Kisa grinned at the quip, the pearl tips of her canines showed just below her whiskers while Bess ascended the stairs.

I could only shrug in response. “Well, let’s see what’s up,” I said as I unplugged the power supply and peripherals. “It’s at least giving an error code.”

Kisa turned her focus back to me, “True, that helps narrow things down a bit. Do you know what motherboard it is?” She was already starting the browser up on her phone. The cell signal wasn’t great down in the basement, but there was enough to pull basic pages down without too much hassle, at least with my provider.

I had the case open in seconds and shined the light from my phone inside for a quick look to check if anything was obviously out of sorts. Another plus to it being a former gaming machine were the thumbscrews for pretty much everything. “Looks like an Asus, Marksman Elite III.” I looked back to see Kisa nodding as she typed in the model, her claw tips tapping against the tempered glass protector. While she looked up the diagnostics guide, I gave each component a quick examination along with a gentle press to make sure they were all snug.

“Hmm, when it’s powered on, three short beeps followed by the error code then it’ll power off. Sounds exactly like what was described, except for the short beeps.” Kisa set the phone down and picked through her box, eventually pulling a static guard from the case. I used them while on the clock, but usually didn’t bother with them when dealing with my own hardware or fixing small issues like this one. Kisa grinned, “It’s the fur, static is a bigger problem for us than an average human.”

I felt my face flush a bit, “Ah, I didn’t even think of that.”

“Most people don’t, Todd, so don’t worry.” I got a quick pat on my shoulder, “Now then, she said eight beeps.” It was a quick way to focus back on the task at hand.

“Right, but take off the three shorts, so probably five for the error code. Let’s just verify.” I plugged the power back in and reconnected the monitor, then hit the power button. The fans spun up normally, and in a couple of seconds, the stereotypical computer tone that had been in use since the 1980’s sounded. Three short bursts, followed by five slower beeps and an auto power off.

“According to the guide, it’s not detecting any graphics card. I can reseat it along with its power connectors, maybe it got jostled.” Kisa attached the guard’s clip to the case while I unplugged the power again.

If it wasn’t just a bad connection but rather a faulted card, I at least had a spare in my bin. While on the lower end, it would get the machine working again. I sorted through the static bags and found the right one. As I clipped the box’s lid shut, I heard the fans of the machine spinning back up again. Three short beeps, followed by the long beeps and a simultaneous sigh from Kisa.

“No luck. Well, if you want to try this one, we’ll know if the other’s bad.” I held the card out to her. “Might also be something on the power supply side too.”

Kisa turned it over in her hands, holding it by the edges to avoid touching any actual contacts. “From a workstation?”

I nodded, “The previous school admin had a fondness for workstation hardware in their office. He didn’t have a reason for a high-end card, but with a machine with enough memory and processing grunt, he could run a VM mockup of software upgrades or trial installs.” I motioned towards my supply box, “I bought the machine from the schools when it was refreshed by a newer model, several bits from it are in here.”

Kisa shrugged and set the replacement card down on the table, “This was an OEM only model. It should work though.”

“Pretty much enough power for desktop tasks and not much more.” I was beginning to learn Kisa’s memory was sharp, she memorized the error codes after only a quick glance at the guide, and knew that the non-descript card wasn’t sold through normal retail channels. After she removed the bad card and was busy with installing the new one, I picked up the old one and glanced over it. It was a bit too long for my static bag, but I’d keep it in there and try it at my home later.

In short order, Kisa was done and had the monitor reconnected. The computer was powered up, this time giving a healthy single beep followed by the Asus logo and post screen. “And there we have it, one now working desktop.” Kisa removed the static strap’s clip from the case and placed it back in her box. “All that’s left are the drivers and closing it back up.”

“Yeah, nice and easy.” I was glad for a quick repair without any issues. I probably needed to get a new spare, but a card of that age could be found for pretty cheap online. “Thanks for the help.”

Kisa gave me a warm smile, “Any time.” She flexed her hands, the claws at her fingertips just poking out briefly from beneath the fur, “I’ve been thinking about your offer, the camping trip I mean.”

I finished getting the side panel on the computer’s case and turned it back upright as I answered, “Oh?”

She gave me a slight nod, “Jenna’s excited for the chance to try something new. Given that we’ve only lived in the city until now, I think it’s an experience she’d like.”

I did a mental fist-pump, but outwardly kept things to a broad smile, “That’s great. I’ve already checked with James and Ann. They’re fine with the idea, so we’re all set.” I worked on reconnecting the rest of the peripherals and added, “They’re out back, and I’m pretty sure my folks will be there too.”

“I’m looking forward to finally meeting everyone.” Kisa was pleased by the prospect of adding a few more friends to her circle.

I had my own thoughts on the matter, hoping that the cookout would be a good counter to the end of the trip to Burke. “That’s good. The folks here are about as welcoming as you could imagine, and probably add a bit more on top of it. Just be warned, Bess isn’t the only hugger here.”

My little reference to the practice last week earned a bit of sidelong glance as she answered, “Is that so?”

“Mmm-Hmm.” I couldn’t hide the playful grin on my face even as she locked eyes with me, “It’s just how things are here...”

Before I managed to get another word out, she took two confident steps forward and threaded her arms around my waist. If I has ears that moved, I’m certain they’d have been pointed oddly. As it was, I had to deal with a rapidly flushing face when she gave me a tight hug with her chin rested against my shoulder.

I had managed, quite successfully, to avoid getting into anything even remotely resembling a relationship in the years after Allison walked away. I always found some way of keeping my own feelings squashed away in a corner, buried under a pile of work and more important things. Maybe there were times since then when someone did have interest, but my obliviousness managed to keep me from ever reciprocating until it was long lost. What was different, then? I had only scratched the surface in getting to know Kisa, but ever since I met her and Jenna, the demis occupied a significant portion of my thoughts. I still had reservations, what had happened after the accident kept me overly cautious, and years of that built up what measured to a pretty substantial wall. But I did feel a connection to them almost immediately, and that had only grown as we spent more time together, walls and corners be damned.

While my thoughts spun off in random directions, one thread forced it’s way to the front. In spite of the confidence she was projecting, I realized Kisa was nearly as tense as I was. Perhaps she was still getting over the loss of Mika, or maybe she wasn’t sure how I felt given my decision to wait for her to make the first move…

Whatever. I could overthink things later, but I had to give some sort of an immediate answer. I wrapped my arms around Kisa and returned the embrace tightly. Could things go horribly wrong? Sure, there was always a chance that could happen, but worrying would let the chance that things could go exceptionally well slip away.

At finally getting a response, I felt her tension ease off into a deep purr that reverberated through the both of us. In that moment my attention was focused solely on her. The warmth radiating from her fur against my neck and cheek, the softness of it and the and chamomile scent it carried; every detail of that moment etched into my memory. I don’t really know how long we stood in each others’ arms; the simple hug was something that I think we both needed, and I was happy to let it go on as long as she wanted.

Eventually Kisa pulled back, just enough to hold my gaze within the crystal blue pools of her eyes as her purr subsided. “You know,” there was a playful spark mixed into those depths, “I’m glad that’s how things are here.”

I could only chuckle, “There was a time where I’d have said otherwise, but right now, I am too.”

We both shared a small laugh at that, but we did need to finish off the computer work and head back outside to get the introductions taken care of.

* * *

With the boxes stored safely in the sedan’s trunk, we headed around to the back of the house. The kids, predictably, were nowhere to be seen or heard. Even with the short repair time, it was more than enough for them to have scampered off to the fields, or to go visit the dog pen, or any other number of things. With the boisterous giggles gone we could hear the radio. It was tuned to the local variety station, providing some music to go along with the lower volume conversations of the adults.

Kisa’s hearing probably picked up on everything being said, her ears being far more sensitive than my own. I didn’t have any illusions after what happened in Burke, but I knew everyone at the gathering and had no doubts about their character. Kisa paused at the edge of the corner, her ears forward and alert with a twitching tail tip.

I reached for her hand, giving the palm a very slight squeeze to avoid accidentally unsheathing her claws. “Ready?”

Kisa looked back at me with a warm smile, “Well, yes, but I usually take a moment to hear what’s going on when I’m meeting a group for the first time.” At my curious glance she continued, “Todd, you know the people here, but apart from Bess, I don’t. It’s not that I expect any problems, not here, but I’ve found it helpful to know what the general tone of the conversations are before walking in.” She finished by giving my own hand a small squeeze and then added with a shrug, “Lessons learned from being a demi.”

Yet another thing I hadn’t considered, but it made sense. Kisa’s position in the IT field would probably have her speaking in front of all kinds of people, from the techies through to the managers. Even apart from being a demi, knowing the mood of the room would help substantially in such circumstances, not to mention just dealing with day to day life in larger groups. “So, everything OK?”

“Hmm, well it’s pretty much just normal conversation at this point. The talk about us being here probably died down while we were fixing the machine. Right now, it’s centered around the food and the fireworks.” She gave a few sniffs with her whiskers pointed forward, “And I can easily understand why the cooking pit commands such attention.”

I grinned knowingly and nodded in agreement. My own stomach was gearing up for the meal with a few rumbles at the delectable, smoky aroma. “I don’t think I’ve ever had better pork than pit cooked, and the Harrisons are nearly famous for it, at least around here.”

“Well, I’m looking forward to it.” Kisa nodded to herself slightly, and within moments the air of confidence was back in full force as we rounded the corner.

The house really didn’t have a back yard per se, just a continuation of land that eventually met with an equipment shed and merged into the fields beyond. I looked over the familiar wooden patio and at the smiling faces of everyone lost in their own conversations. My aunt and uncle sat in standard green plastic lawn chairs you’d find in any home and garden shop around spring time, both relaxing in the shade offered by a huge lawn umbrella that was set through the middle of a patio table. My parents were across from them, making use of the same style of chair but theirs were white in color.

Bess was talking with the adults that had younger children of their own, no doubt discussing what random things the kids had gotten into since the last time everyone was over, while George stood at the end of the patio keeping an eye on the red bricks of the pit. There was a bit of smoke and steam rising from the cooker which carried the tempting scents that drifted along with the breeze. It didn’t take long before Bess spotted us, “Come on you two, we have some sodas and waters in the cooler, and a few types of beer if you’re up for that.”

I gave a quick wave, “Sprite for me if you have one.”

“And a water, thank you,” Kisa added as we came up the steps.

Bess handed us the requested drinks and gave us a semi serious look, “Everything go alright?”

“It’s back to working order, but we did have to replace the graphics card,” I answered as I popped the top of the sprite can open.

Much of the conversation had died down with our arrival, and I heard the sound of plastic legs shifting against the wooden deck. Just as Bess nodded, my uncle and aunt came over, “So, you plan on doin’ the introductions here, or lettin’ the lady fend for herself?”

Before I could answer, Ann gave her husband’s shoulder a small shove, “Oh for heaven’s sake, James. I’m sure he’ll get to it.”

I did my best to hide any reaction to their antics, “And, Kisa, this is my Uncle James and my Aunt Ann.”

“Well, it’s a pleasure.” James held his hand out, palm up as we’d discussed two days before. While Kisa rested her hand on top of his, James kept up his short narrative, “As my nephew said, I’m James, and this is my wife, Ann. Over there,” he nodded to where my parents were just getting up, “is my brother and his wife, Robert and Maxine.” James leaned in closer and added in an overly loud whisper, “She may look a bit on the mean side, but she’s nice enough once you know her. Rob’s a bit of a push-over, so no worries there.”

Kisa’s eyes went wide for a moment, but she recovered her poise in a fraction of a second. My mother and James had known each other for years, well before my parents were married, and they traded barbs on just about every occasion they happened to be in the same room. I think there was a sorted past between them, but no one ever really discussed it, and the subject was quickly changed every time I asked about it. I could only stand there with my mouth slightly open before shrugging. I was used to the banter, none of it was meant to be taken seriously, but I hadn’t thought about how Kisa would view it.

“Don’t listen to a single word of what this old coot has to say, Kisa.” Mom gave him a none too gentle shove before she continued, “Not that he won’t talk your ear off, but best not to listen to any of his nonsense. I’m sure Todd would get to everything as Ann said, but he won’t hold that goofball at bay.” She started guiding Kisa towards the folks standing on the deck with a hand on the small of her back as she shot James a glare, “Now then let’s get you to know everyone...”

* * *

Kisa sat beside me, rolling the half full water bottle between her hands while wearing an amused grin. My mother was somewhat of a social whirlwind all by herself, and she had a definite stern side when she thought someone was stepping outside of certain bounds. James loved to dance around those edges which caused a fair amount of their pseudo arguments and remained a staple of their banter. I could see the humor in it and Kisa was taking it all in stride.

In spite of the continued back and forth between my mother and uncle, Kisa was introduced to many of the people I counted as friends and family that still lived in Edison. I didn’t know all of the seasonal workers that stayed at the Harrison’s farm by name, especially with my being terrible at remembering names to begin with, but my mother had them all memorized and even knew a bit about each of them which she passed on as the introductions progressed. Two of my sisters had dropped their kids off before we arrived and would be back later in the evening.

With the general introductions done, we had a chance to sit down beside each other at one of the empty tables in the yard that sat a short ways from the patio. “So, having a good time?”

Kisa’s grin broadened. “Well, yes. This,” she motioned over the entirety of the gathering, “was what I was hoping to find, Todd. But honestly I was worried when we left Atlanta.”

I prompted her for more, “Oh?”

“Well, a small community with good people that is.” The grin faded from her face, “What we had in Atlanta, I’m grateful for that, especially knowing how things can be elsewhere.” She continued rolling the clear plastic bottle between her hands, “It’s not like what I see here though. We, the older demis that made the initial move, didn’t, and still don’t, have what I see here. Sure we have friends, and who we think of in terms of immediate family, but that’s usually it. Jenna’s roots start with Mika and I, and it’s the same for nearly all of the demis her age. Maybe a few know their line back a generation earlier, but...” Kisa left the rest of her thoughts unspoken, choosing the focus on the water bottle instead.

My own family had immigrated generations ago, and we could trace things back pretty far. A lineage and family history; these were things I’d taken for granted. More than that, Edison was a place I knew I could return to. It was a safe haven for when my own venture into the world had taken me into some pretty bad times. For Kisa, there wasn’t such a refuge. Atlanta was a temporary home at best; the place she was moved to by the government in absence of anywhere else to house the demis.

I reached over and gave the back of her shoulders a gentle rub. I was glad she was opening up to me, as it showed that the trust between us was building. She took a short breath and forced her ears upright, “But the past isn’t something to dwell on. What matters is what’s before us, right?”

“True,” I replied as she turned her crystal blue gaze to meet my own. “And like you said, there’s good people in a good community...” George lifted the lid on the pit cooker, and my stomach responded with a slight growl. Playing to my stomach’s reaction, I took a few sniffs at the new aroma flooding my senses. “And great food,” I added with a bit of a laugh.

Kisa gave a slight chuckle of her own, “So it seems.”

* * *

We spent the next hour doing much of nothing. The heat wasn’t overly oppressive, but the umbrellas at each table provided welcome shade from the sun’s rays as we talked with everyone. Between family talk, discussions on what was happening on the farms, and a fair amount of banter between my uncle and mother, the time had passed fairly quickly.

The current topic of conversation was what the kids were up to. We’d see them split off into smaller groups, laughing and running. I think they were playing something like fox and hounds. It was similar to sharks and minnows, only minus the soccer ball. One kid would go by scanning the area after the others had run off to hide. Eventually you’d see groups chasing down the remaining foxes as the game went on until there was only one fox left. Jenna managed to do fairly well from what we could see. Her fur coloring stood out a bit which made hiding difficult, but she made up for it in pure speed and agility.

James gave a small whistle, “There was a time we ran around like that.”

My dad just laughed, “Yeah, but I wouldn’t want to try it now.”

I gave a slight nod as one of the current hounds sent a group of foxes scattering, “It’s like this every practice, only there’s much more room out here.” The energy of youth was a truly amazing thing. I couldn’t dream of keeping up with that kind of pace, even taking my knee out of the equation.

Kisa was watching the kids as well, and I saw a smile slowly spread across her features. I had assumed, like many other times, that she was enjoying the free spirited antics of the kids. That may have played into it, but one of her ears was turned back a bit and I pondered at this for a moment before I was nearly tackled out of my chair from behind.

“Hi, Mr Coach.” At my more than slight startle, I got an exaggerated shushing followed by “I don’t want them to find me.” Jenna’s face peered over my shoulder for a moment while I tried to swallow my heart back down. Someone had their mother’s uncanny ability to sneak up on me without really meaning to.

I did my best to cover my surprised state by masking it with a drink from my soda. After a few seconds, and a few none too suppressed laughs from the other adults, I leaned back a bit in mock stealth, “So, you’re the last one?”

“Mmm-Hmm. I think so,” she said as she peered around from behind my chair with her ears held back. There were kids actively looking around the area, but they were focused away from the adults, checking around the buildings and over other hiding spots.

Kisa had managed to hold back any sort of acknowledgment of her daughter’s presence, keeping the boring adult area as unremarkable as always to the kids. The one thing that didn’t change though, was her partial focus was still behind us. I scanned over the searching kids, eventually noticing Kate wasn’t among them. I finally put two and two together just a moment before Jenna’s squeal hit my ears.

“Found you!” Kate had done an admirable job of sneaking up behind us and catching Jenna off guard.

With Jenna caught, the rest of the kids came bounding over, no doubt ready to move onto another round or maybe even something new. Bess interrupted their fun though, “Before you start up again, food’s ready in 10 minutes. Go get washed up.” After a few sounds of protest, Bess gave them the look that all mothers mastered, “Go on now.”

George looked as the kids began their slow march to the house, “Well, that’s fine if they’re not hungry. More for us.” He lifted the lid allowing a billow of steam and smoke to rise from the cooking pit. It didn’t completely quell the protests, but the kids hurried along anyway.

* * *

“Well, I’d like to thank everyone for coming out today. It’s been a while since we fired things up. About two years ago, I think.” At Bess’s nod George continued, “But we’ve also had good reason to this year. First of all, as most of you know, Mark’s going to be a dad. Seems I need to get used to the title of uncle.”

We all clapped our congratulations. With both Bess and George being the eldest of their siblings by several years, it had taken quite a while. Mark was grinning widely, while his wife, Jessica, was trying to keep from blushing with the attention.

“We also have several new folks on for the season along with some returning from years past, and we want to thank you all for the help; it keeps the farm runnin’ while our kids are busy with school and the like.” Another round of applause went up. “And last, but not least, I’d like to take a moment and welcome Kisa and her daughter Jenna to Edison properly. Hope you find this place to be one worth stayin’ in. We’re glad to have you.” George took a deep breath and quickly glanced over the gathered people, “But I think I speak for everyone here when I say that’s enough with the talkin’, it’s time to dig in.” With that George raised his glass and everyone joined in on the cheer.

It didn’t take long for people to gravitate towards the food, hours of delicious smells had primed more than a few appetites, mine included. After making our way through the line, we headed back to the same table that Kisa and I had used previously, each carrying a plate with a bun stuffed full of perfectly roasted pork, sides of potato salad and coleslaw, and a couple of deviled eggs. I added a fair amount of hot sauce to my sandwich while Kisa and Jenna kept it to just a dash for the flavor. While the kids were getting washed up and the final preparations for the meal were made, I had grabbed three water bottles so the drinks were already at the table when we sat down.

Jenna beamed at her plate, taking the sandwich in hand after a long sniff. The chatter had died down, replaced with the sounds of contented munching. Not to be outdone, the little demi took an enormous bite, her blue and gold flecked eyes lighting up with pure bliss at the flavor. I glanced at Kisa, and we both shared a smile at the cuteness on full display before turning our attention to our own food. I could only grin like an idiot, it’d been too long since the last time I had the pleasure of Harrison roasted pork, and my grin only deepened at Kisa’s half uttered ‘wow’ in reaction to her own sandwich. I began eating in earnest after that, there was an abundance of food and I was determined to make as large a dent in it as possible.

* * *

The evening sky was growing darker, and the kids had pretty much ran themselves ragged by the time everyone settled in. The adults elected to chat while their food digested, taking a leisurely pace in setting things up for the upcoming fireworks. The kids were forced to wait an hour before running off after lunch. We had some enlisted to help with cleanup and sorting out the recyclable, while others were put to packing up leftovers. It ensured they had something to keep them busy which wouldn’t amount to too much running right after eating.

It was a nice walk from the house down to the pond; the later hours of the day had finally taken the edge off of the heat. Kisa and I walked side by side, just chatting about whatever came to mind. Between work and the recent meal, there wasn’t a lack of subjects for smalltalk. Jenna stayed ahead of us, packed in a group with the other kids. Their conversation was a bit more boisterous than our own with fits of laughter and giggles thrown into the mix.

George kept an area by the pond mowed regularly, so the grass was soft and well maintained. We picked a spot about twenty yards from the water’s edge where we spread out Kisa’s quilt. The opposite side of the pond was surrounded by trees, and the view was pretty picturesque with the fading orange and pink streaks of dusk reflecting off the water’s surface.

The kids dispersed back to their own families after everyone had their spot more or less set up. Jenna piled onto the blanket just in front of Kisa, and we all sat back while George and Bess headed further out along the bank’s edge; about a quarter of the way around the pond. Kisa shuffled herself just a bit to the left, leaning against me while we waited. I leaned into her as well, enjoying the contact as a slight purr rose from her.

The setup was something George had worked on over the years, making sure the stand was a safe distance away from where we’d all be watching and ensuring the fireworks couldn’t launch off at too odd an angle. I think he was inspired by some of the barge based shows he’d observed on TV, and the hobby had developed into something of an obsession. After a few minutes, he moved far away from the stand and gave us a thumbs up gesture. “It’ll be just a bit loud...”

The rest of my statement was drowned out by the deep thud of the first launch that everyone could feel in their chest. A moment later, a sphere of sparkling white lights flared into existence accompanied by a loud boom and crackles as the sparks danced downward while burning out. A few seconds later, two more thuds went off nearly simultaneously. Blue and red rings expanded far above the pond with brightly lit clusters in the center of each. It was the start to a show that rivaled anything for miles around.

About midway through, I nudged Kisa’s arm and nodded at Jenna. The show had transitioned to smaller items; whistling rockets that popped with a sharp crack at the end of their flight, streams of sparkling colors shooting in lower arcs that fizzled out just a few yards above the water, and pieces that shot off making zig zag patterns at the apex of their flight. The little demi was transfixed, eyes wide and ears swiveling at the array of sights and sounds. Kisa flashed me a warm smile before turning her attention back to the main show.

At the end, the sky was lit by multiple hues as everything culminated in a thunderous finale. I couldn’t hear anything but the explosions overhead and the constant thumps from the platform. Reds, greens, yellows, oranges, and nearly everything in between reflected off the water in a dazzling display of pyrotechnics. It all died down suddenly, and a single loud beat reverberated from the platform. High overhead, a much larger version of the initial firework went off; the bright white sphere, easily twice the size of the first, expanded with a final boom that would have set off car alarms back in the city for at least a mile. The smaller flares popped and fizzed as they streamed back down, eventually burning out and leaving the sky dark and quiet, and more a bit smokey.

James gave a whistle and began clapping, which brought cheers and applause from the other families gathered there. Kisa and I joined in too, while Jenna gave an excited bounce and clapped with full gusto. George gave us all a wide grin as he waved at everyone. He stayed back for a while, the platform had to cool down and he wanted to make sure there weren’t any fireworks that didn’t ignite. He’d installed pumps to douse the thing after the show, or in case something malfunctioned he could put an end to it quickly. The man may be obsessed with putting on the best show possible, but he’s also notoriously careful.

Bess made her way over to us while her husband was occupied. “So, like it?”

Kisa gave a small chuckle, “A late lunch and light show was a bit of an understatement, but yes.”

Jenna attached herself to Bess’s waist, staring up as she gave the woman a hug. “Mmm-Hmm! Thank you!”

I smiled as well, “I think it’s the best one yet. Both of you, between the hog and the fireworks, have outdone yourselves.”

Bess patted Jenna’s head before gently extracting herself, “Well thanks, and I’ll pass it along to George. He’ll be a while though.”

“Need any help?” I offered.

Mrs Harrison waved me off, “No, now you’ve got work tomorrow, and besides, the two of you already fixed the computer. That’s enough.” She made a small shooing motion, “Now go on home. Don’t want you out too late. Most people have enough sense not to get plastered and take off, but you never know.”

Kisa nodded, “Alright, then we’ll see you tomorrow at practice. Jenna, can you fold up the blanket please?”

Jenna nodded and made short work of getting the quilt folded into mostly a square, dusting off the side that had laid on the grass as she went about her task. Once she was done, she held it out to Kisa, still smiling broadly at the events of the day with her tail twitching in excitement.

* * *

As we walked back to the house and Kisa’s car, Jenna skipped ahead a bit, twirling with her arms held wide while she made the kid version of a firework noise. With all the rest of the activity during the day, I was surprised she still had the energy.

“I think someone had a good time,” I said as we rounded the corner of the house.

Kisa nodded, “Oh, beyond a doubt. But she’ll be asleep five minutes into the ride, Todd. It’s just the excitement that’s keeping her going.” Her car lights flashed as she unlocked the doors so her daughter could get in.

“So, did you?”

“Naturally,” Kisa grinned at me before she popped the trunk on the car and set the quilt in. “Between the food and the fireworks, as you said, Bess and George outdid themselves.” She shut the trunk then glanced back at the car where Jenna was getting her seat belt on. “The company wasn’t bad either,” she added before stepping over and giving me a quick kiss on my cheek. I could feel her nose and the whiskers at the edge of her muzzle as her lips made their brief contact. It was unlike any kiss I ever had, entirely pleasant, and it left me with a rapidly warming face.

She trailed her hand down my chest, her crystal blue eyes locked with mine, before turning back to the car.

I couldn’t help but smile as my heart’s pace quickened at the show of affection. I always had a great time at these things, but true enough, the company made this particular time one to remember.