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Something For Everyone

Part Two

Chapter One

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

22nd April 2023

All Rights Reserved.

Spencer reached up with his dark furred paws, then nervously tugged at his kangaroo like ears, pulling them down – his short, well manicured claws scratching through the fine ash-grey fur.

“Urgh, he's so hard to buy for...” Spencer moaned. “I got to get him something special for our anniversary...”

Frustrated, the young wolf/kangaroo hybrid went from shop to shop along the busy boulevard, trying to find that one perfect gift for his beloved Adrian. Just thinking about that muscled, toned hunk of anthropomorphic red kangaroo nearly set Spencer to jelly. A smile crept across his pale lips and a tremble ran from the back of his neck to his fluffy tail – which wagged back and forth.

As if like a moth to an open flame, Spencer found himself outside a shop he'd never seen before! Outside, hanging over the door, a beautiful velvet marquee shaded the store door, and GRAND OPENING banners hung in the windows. In beautiful ornate script, an old fashioned sign swung back and forth from the enamelled arm, reading “Something For Everyone”

With a kangaroo like squeal of pleasure, Spencer clapped his paws together before his chest and quivered in anticipation. His claws curled around the door handle and he pushed it open, walking inside. As the door closed behind him, he heard a musical tinkling of a bell and from behind the counter, to the left behind a old velvet curtain, a voice called out.

“Just be with you in a moment...” It was as thin as paper, reedy and to Spencer's ears, positively ancient...

As he trailed a claw lightly over the assorted items, he began to sense a pattern – nothing was marked with a price...usually places that did not display such, well, he wouldn't have been allowed through the door – let alone inside the...

With a startled squeal, Spencer jumped and spun about, feeling someone touch his shoulder, a chill running down his back. He barely caught an antique jar, setting it to right with a quiet clink, before he panted and shuddered.

“A wolf-roo - “ Spoke the old lady, staring wide eyed. “I've never seen your kind in many an age...”

Staring through his dark brown eyes, Spencer fought to bring his heart back out of his throat, before he smiled nervously and tipped his head in a courteous bow.

“Aye, my kind are quite rare – My dad was a Grey kangaroo – my mother a Grey Wolfess, Dad emigrated here in '53... Oh, forgive me Mrs...”

“Miss - “ Smiled the old woman. “I'm a crotchety old spinster! Never married, never found a man who would please me...so...”

Spencer flattened his ears in embarrassment, again, that chill ran up his back and he shrugged it off. “Forgive me, I meant no disrespect, Miss - “

“Blackwood - “ Smiled the old woman. “Now, Something For Everyone – its a speciality – of mine... Hmm, a handsome young Wolf-roo like yourself, I see that wedding ring on your finger...”

Spencer blushed again, he couldn't help it. “My beloved, my love of my life, my dear husband Adrian - “

“Ah, young love - “ Smiled the old spinster. “Now my sweet one, indulge an old lady, please – what are you looking for? Hmm?”

“Oh, um - “ Spencer moaned, looking around. “I don't have a lot of money, and everything here – well - “

“Something For Everyone - “ Cackled the lady. “That's my motto and I stand by it – oh, I know, how about something like this – “

Seemingly from thin air, she produced an ornate box, then set it down on the counter.

“Go ahead, tell me what you think?”

Spencer timidly clicked his claws on the box, then blinked, feeling a warmth in his paws. Shaking them slightly, he frowned and unlatched the box, then opened it – his eyes doubling, then tripling, in size as he looked down at the beautiful silver bracelets and matching ankle bracelets. Each had a small stone with a white center.

“Oh – may I? Please?” Spencer gasped, his muzzle falling open.

With a smile, the old woman grinned, her sunken lips puckering. “Please! It's almost like they were made for you...”

Timidly, Spencer plucked one out and held it, his eyes enraptured by the stone which almost seemed to glow brighter and brighter the longer he stared.

“Try it on – go ahead - “

Spencer turned the bracelet over, then undone the clasp at the back and placed it over his dark furred wrist, his free hand cinching it shut with a quiet click.

“It...feels amazing - “ Spencer murmured, transfixed. “Almost like it was made for me, it's a perfect fit...”

Placing her liver-spotted, wrinkled hands behind her back, she smiled and nodded. “It looks perfect on you, compliments you're beautiful fur colours!”

Spencer moved to unclasp it, and she suddenly placed her bony fingers on his hand and stopped him.

“Your story touched my old heart, they're yours – enjoy them in good health young one, may they bring you and your's many years of pleasure...”

“I - “ Spencer swallowed the lump in his throat. “I couldn't, possibly! They must be worth...”

With a smile, the old woman nodded. “The cost of ones very soul?”

Spencer's eyes went wide and he stared at her, his muzzle dropping open.

“I joke, young one - “ Her laugh was as faint and whispery as her voice. “One last thing...”

“Anything - “ Spencer blushed, gazing down at the beautiful moonstone, absorbed and oblivious.

“Something For Everyone - “ Spoke the old woman, as she reached out and tapped Spencer right between the eyes. “A deal struck and a connection made...”

Spencer's eyes rolled back in his head and he crumpled to the floor like someone had switched him off...

*

“Spencer!” Come an quiet, but insistent voice. “Spencer – can you hear me? Come on, wake up...”

Spencer fought the darkness, clawing his way back, before he woke with a startled gasp, feeling strong hands on him and something on his muzzle. As he reached up, giddy and reeling, he felt cool oxygen, rich and almost pure, filling the muzzle mask.

“Wha...” Spencer murmured, then blinked and come fully awake.

He found himself laying on an ambulance gurney, a large crowd surrounding him looking on in concern, two EMT's checking his vitals and one gently holding him down.

“Woah, easy!” Come the human voice. “Easy – we got to check you out still, you had a bad fall, do you feel nauseous? Anything hurt? No dizziness or headache?”

“What? No...” Spencer blinked, laying his head back down. “I – fell?”

“Yes, according to witnesses, now, we can...”

“No, I'm alright, honestly!” Spencer spoke, clearly and succinctly. “I haven't got the best medical insurance and... I'm okay, I promise! Please, please don't take me to a hospital...”

One looked at the other, then left, returning with a clipboard.

“Sir? If you'd sign here, its a standard indemnity form and...”

Taking the pen, Spencer signed on the indicated line, before handing it back.

“If you suffer any symptoms, headache, nausea, dizziness – you get yourself to a hospital, right away...” Spoke the EMT, as he slipped the mask off and turned off the oxygen.

“Yes, sir - “ Spencer nodded, feeling embarrassed and cowed.

Carefully, they helped him off the gurney, then watched as he stood up and shivered like a wet dog, shaking himself from ears to foot-paws. Suddenly, he began patting himself down, before he blinked and looked down – seeing the bracelet and ankle bracelets locked around him.

I don't remember putting them on... Spencer thought to himself.

“Sir? Are you absolutely certain - “ Asked the EMT.

“What? Oh, sorry, yes, I'm one hundred percent certain, I do not wish to go to hospital, thank you – truly! I appreciate your assistance, but I'm – fine, really!” Spencer laughed nervously, scratching at the back of his head near his right ear. “I'll go to hospital if I feel anything, I promise!”

Wheeling away the gurney and carrying their bags, the EMT's left. With nothing better to do, the crowd slowly began to disperse. Spencer felt himself, patting his shirt, shorts and even down his legs, nothing hurt, so with a shrug, he took three steps, then stopped, a frown spreading across his muzzle. Turning one hundred and eighty degrees, he walked back the way he was going originally, then stopped. Staring at the shop front, he saw the dust and old newspaper that had been spread across the windows.

Leaning forwards, placing his paws on the glass, he squinted at the date on the old, yellowed newsprint.

“1937?” Spencer frowned, then pushed off the glass and stepped back. “That..that can't be right, I was...”

Looking up, he saw the old style wooden sign, barely legible and looking like a single leaf would snap the chains that were so encrusted with rust and ages.

“S m i g F r Ev r o e” He read out aloud.

“Pardon?” Asked a man, as he was walking past.

“Uh, sorry, just thinking out loud...” Spencer laughed nervously, doing his adorable head scratch again.

“Oh, okay - “ Spoke the man, hurrying on down the street.

Spencer turned about, his eyes confused and distant, as he shook his head, his long tubular ears slapping from side to side. Out of curiosity, he looked up, then his muzzle fell open and he stared at the town clock.

5:34

“EEEK!” Spencer exhaled in a startled blast from his lungs. “I promised I'd be home by lunchtime, at the latest! Adrian must be worried sick!”

Hurriedly, Spencer ran to the nearest taxi rank and hailed a cab, breathlessly rattling off his address across town, he slumped back in his seat and trembled with nervousness.

*

“Spencer!” Adrian yelped, then wrapped his arms around the Wolf-roo and nearly crushed the breath from him. “Where have you been? You...”

Spencer shuddered, barely able to breathe, feeling his beloved mate's trembling and thudding heart. “I went...shopping, I wanted to get something...”

“What's that?” Adrian asked as he pushed Spencer backward's, then lifted his paws and stared at the two beautiful silver and moonstone bracelets.

“They're your - “ Spencer blushed, then hung his head sheepishly. “They were meant to be a surprise my love – for our anniversary – which I remind you, is tonight...”

“It...oh...oh my god...” Adrian moaned, his beautiful russet ears slapping down.

Spencer stared, wide eyed, his muzzle open. “You forgot?”

Adrian burst into laughter, then effortlessly, he slipped his paws down Spencer's back and lifted the wolf-roo up off the floor.

“Eeek!” Spencer squeaked, wrapping his arms around his kangaroo lovers neck, his hind legs around his hips.

Pressing his lips against Spencer, Adrian's tongue probed and tangled with the hybrid, their saliva mingling and joining in Spencer's muzzle.

“Mpphh!” Spencer gurgled, his eyes rolling upwards and his body going limp.

For a few minutes, Adrian ground his hips against Spencer's, finally pulling his head back and panting, a smirk from ear to ear.

“You...bastard - “ Spencer gurgled. “You tricked me!”

With a grin, then a playful nibble to Spencer's pale neck, Adrian snickered.

“I did, now my sweet, adorable little joey...”

“I'm not a joey - “ Spencer protested meekly.

“I got a surprise for you...”

Turning about, carrying Spencer, whose tail wagged back and forth, Adrian carefully carried the trembling wolf-roo down the hallway and he pushed Spencer against the door.

“Ooh, I like it when my Buck gets aggressive...” Spencer teasingly poked his narrow muzzle into Adrian's right ear cup and nuzzled. “Right here, against the bedroom door? Oh my...”

With a grunt and a snort, Spencer's back was pressed harder and the door slammed back with a loud slap and Adrian carried him into the bedroom. Setting him down, Adrian held Spencer by the chin, before he grinned and turned him about. Spencer's eyes went wide, he stared open muzzled, and just took it in. Beautifully scented candles, caramel – Spencer's favorite – burned in glass holders around the room, and the queen-sized bed was littered with plucked fresh rose petals from the Papa Meland rose.

“Happy anniversary my love...” Adrian smiled, sliding his paws around Spencer's hips and then pulling him backward, giving the startled Wolf-roo a good feel at the large solid lump that pressed against his tail.

“Oh...” Spencer gasped, his ears going flat.

“Want your present now – or do you want to shower first?”

Looking down at himself, Spencer smiled nervously then twisted his head to the side and grinned with a barely perceptible flick of one ear.

“My present in the shower?” Spencer murmured seductively, wagging his tail slowly from side to side.

With a snort, then a chuckle, Adrian turned him back around and again, carried him across the room, shoving open the en-suite door and carrying his beloved hybrid into the bathroom.

TO BE CONTINUED...