Meetings & Reunions
It had been two nights since any of them had slept inside the cabin. The nights were spent by the bonfire in the clearing, as they talked about happenings over the years, shared stories past and present, and laughed at each other's exploits. Cecily sat in amazement at the antics of this strange, small clan. That Saturday morning was filled with training and practicing clutch and shifting in the Camaro. The afternoon held the most excitement Cecily could have imagined for herself. The vacant weekend mountain roads and logging trails turned into a driver's ed course. Lilliana sat in the passenger seat and talked her through everything; Braking, Uphill starts, Downshifting to slow faster, and always the rule of neutral. "If you're ever scared, or have any issue, always put it in neutral. That disengages the engine from the transmission. If the accelerator is stuck it will just burn out the engine, otherwise you will roll to a stop." Lilliana told her over and over. Cecily felt so free, something she was told again and again she might never be able to do because of her size was suddenly a reality. They spent hours driving the deserted mountain passses before they returned to the cabin and base camp well after dark. The excitement of the day took its toll on her and Cecily fell asleep, stretched out on the ground in front of the fire. For the first time she could remember, she felt safe and happy; she had not been haunted by the bad dreams in days, always waking to Lilliana at her side, and now Hank and Susan. This must be what a family is like. She thought to herself as the darkness of sleep overpowered her. (June 16, 06:00, Hank's Cabin) Cecily awoke to the sound of an engine and the smell of bacon cooking. The hood of the old Chevy truck was up. Hank worked with tongs and tinfoil on the engine block to cook them breakfast. She pulled the blanket covering her off; the cool morning breeze chilled her body. She was wearing only one of Hank's overalls with a sports bra. The straps were tied in several knots to shorten their length and the legs were rolled up almost half way. Cecily sprang up with the sudden excitement of remembering tomorrow's plans. She reached over to the log next to her and grabbed the driver's manual. In the morning to come she and Hank would be going into town to take the driver's written test, and Hank to renew his license. Susan and Lilliana had left with plans much earlier that morning. Another event she looked forward to was tonight. She would meet the rest of the... DARK RIDERS... If they were like Lilliana, Susan and Hank, she could only imagine what kind of people they might be. As if to answer her unspoken question, the sound of a melodic custom horn rang through the trees. A yellow Corvette zr1 rolled into the clearing and pulled alongside the Chevy truck. A five-foot-nine bald eagle stepped out. She brushed down her white head feathers that had been ruffled by the wind. Her dark brown body feathers almost blended into the
business suit she wore. She looked at Hank and said, "Long time no see, Mr Wiggles. And sober fer once I see. Where can I change outa dis monkey suit inta somethin more suitin da atmosphere?" Hank looked over at her and replied, "There's no one in the cabin, but you should at least say hi to Squeaky first." He tilted his head toward the smoldering fire pit. The eagle walked over and sat on the log near Cecily who still sat on the ground. "You mus be Cecily. I've erd alot about'cha, and about what we're trying ta do fer ya. My name's Alexis Hawkins, but you can call me Boomer if ya want." She said as she looked down at the mouse with her big golden eyes and as much of a smile as any bird can manage. "So, what'cha got there, Squeaky?" Cecily looked up at her and sheepishly said, "Oregon Driver's Manual, Miss Hawkins." "You call me Miss Hawkins again and I might have'ta slap'da squeak ou'da'ya. It's either Alex or Boomer to'ya. I've already put too much time and effort inta dis for you to treat me like a stranger." Alex said. She looked to either side, and leaning down to Cecily, she whispered, "You wana drive a real car?" Cecily looked up at her slightly confused. "Look, I know Longshot mus be teachin ya in her custom rust bucket, how would ya like to try the Corvette." She said with a smile. As Cecily looked up at her wide eyed, she could see the shine of Alex's polished, manicured beak, and lost herself in the deep, black pools in the center of the Golden rings of her eyes. Caught in the gaze of the predatory bird, Cecily's heart raced, but the look in her eyes told her not to run. She shook her head to clear the thoughts like an Etch-a-sketch, and jumped to her feet with a smile that stretched from ear to ear, "Yes, please." She said in an uncharacteristically normal tone. Alex fell backward off the log as she saw Cecily at her full three foot stature, "Jesus you're small." She looked the mouse up and down, "How can we do this?" Hank shouted over at them from his makeshift stove, "You can do it after breakfast. Eggs and bacon are ready." He spun on his paws with three paper plates in hand. As he handed each of them a plate, he said, "Breakfast of champions, powdered eggs and rehydrated bacon." Alex looked down at the plate, "Oh... My... God! What da'fuck ya feedin dis kid? No wonder she's only knee high to a grasshopper." She tossed the plate, eggs, bacon and all into the ashes of the fire, and grabbed Cecily's hand, "Come on, Squeaky. We're goin ta get some real food." She flung her flip phone open and pressed some number before putting it to her ear, "Ok, Fluffy Muffins, I am not eatin da slop Hank jus handed me... Meet us at da Roadrunner cafe... What'cha mean bring Hank, he's not gettin in my car dressed like dat... I know she's wearin the same thin, but she can get away wit it, she' cute... Fuckit..." She slapped the flip phone shut and looked over her shoulder, "Hank, we're taking your truck. You get in da back. And where da fuck are your towels? I can't sit in dat dusty thing in dis suit." Hank scooped the food he made into his mouth and said out one side, "Just go get changed into your country bumpkin outfit, Boomer, otherwise you will stand out like a sore thumb. For Christ's sake you're on vacation this weekend, you can look all lawyer-like next week." "Guh! Fine den, come on Squeaky, we'll dress ya more like the hot stuff ya are while we're at it." Alex pulled Cecily to the cabin and slammed the door behind them. As she looked down at the mouse, she said, "I forgot my bag in da car." then started to laugh. She pressed a button on her key and said, "Can ya run out and get it fer me? It's in da passenger seat." Cecily went out to the Corvette and saw the same military duffel she was now used to Lilliana carrying. She hefted the large bag over her shoulder and returned to the cabin where Alex had already removed most of her cloths. Alex looked down at her and said, "Ok, sweetie, let's get ya into somethin dat'll knock da boys on deir asses, and I think I've got just da thin fer ya." She knelt down by the bag, unhooked the top and pulled out two rather small sleeveless plaid button-up shirts. She handed one to Cecily and slipped the other on herself. The shirt was just the right size for Cecily, but several sizes too small for Alex. "No, done button it up, show off some fur. Tie it like dis." She said as she took hold of the loose shirt tails and pulled them together over her breasts and tied them in a knot forming a makeshift bra-shirt. "Now fer da shorts." She dug deep into the bag and pulled out a large teddy bear dressed in daisy duke shorts
and a top similar to what they had on now. "I was goin'ta give dis to ya, but I thin da shorts on it are just your size." She pulled them off the bear and handed them to Cecily. She pulled a similar pair out of her bag for herself, slipped them on and wiggled to get them over her hips. She zipped them up and looked down at Cecily. "Come on hot stuff, I'm hungry." Cecily Followed Alex's lead and put the shorts on. Together the outfit showed off their slim tummies and a fair amount of cleavage. Cecily's skinny frame had put on some weight over the past two weeks. Her ribs no longer showed as prominently through her short fur. Her fur and hair now had the shine of health. Not having a mirror to see her reflection, Cecily felt naked and ashamed of her appearance. Alex looked down at her, her dark brown feathers a sharp contrast to the cutoff blue denim shorts and white gray plaid shirt. She said to Cecily, "Now dere is da mose sexy mouse I've ever seen. You should show off dose legs more, it'll drive da guys wild. Den you jus walk past like they don't even exist." With as big of a smile as her beak would allow she added, "Now let's go knock dat otter off his feet." The stepped out of the cabin and watched as Hank looked over his shoulder at them. Alex stood with her hands on her hips proudly displaying her feathered body with her white tail feathers fanned. The dark brown feathers of her thighs stood out brushed back and down, her golden orange shins and feet shown in the sunlight, her talons painted red. Every inch of her was cleaned and proudly maintained. Cecily stood slightly behind her shyly. She looked at the ground with her arms crossed over her abdomen. As he looked at the two, Hank fell off the log nearly choking on the food he had in his mouth. He
stood spitting out what he could and said, "Wow, now there are some girls to die for. You think you could get Susan in that get up?" Alex laughed at him, "Fluffy Muffins would die before she would let me put dis on her." She pushed Cecily to the front, "But look at dis, God I wish I had dose legs. She could make Longshot jealous." Hank just shook his head, mouth agape. Underneath that shy, genetically clad exterior was hidden a beautiful kangaroo mouse. "Ok guy, 'ank in the back of da truck, Cecily and I get the bench. We're headed to the Roadrunner. Everyone's goin ta meet dere." (08:00 Roadrunner Cafe) The small cafe had full wood shingle siding and roof. The inside was not much more than a small kitchen and several randomly selected tables and chairs in the dining room. Alex, Hank, and Cecily sat at the large table in the center of the dining room and looked out the window as they waited for their fellow unit members to arrive. The first to show was Lilliana in her candy apple red Camaro with the General, Detlev Helfgrad, in the passenger seat. The liger and badger got out of the car and walked into the cafe. Liliana was wearing her usual faded jeans and rock concert T. Detlev was dressed in an old army slogan polo shirt with khaki pants. His graying hair and fur were all that
showed his age. He walked straight and proud as any soldier would. As they entered the dining room. Alex jumped out of her seat and ran to Lilliana's open arms, and screeched, "Longshot" Lilliana returned the call of "Boomer!" The two crashed together in an audible thud of power. They held each other tight for several moments before the general walked in. "Break up zee PDA ladies. You're goink to make Hank pass out." He sat in front of Cecily, lay his head on the table, and closed one eye, "So zis is zee Squeaky you're all vorking so hard to get out of the system." He opened both eyes again, he leaned back in the chair, and asked, "Do you know who I am, Little one?" Cecily, too intimidated to speak to the old badger, just shook her head. "I am General Detlev Helfgrad, former commander of zee Dark Riders, and apparently still part of zee team even in my old age. You can just call me General, I'm not sure if I vould answer to my proper name anymore." he said with a smile. As Cecily sat in silence looking at her hands, the general looked over at Hank, "Ok, how do you get kits to like you zese days, candy?" "I'm not sure, but I do know to avoid the topic of skinny dipping with this one." Hank replied. Alex swiftly took a seat opposite Hank next to the General and said, "Shit, I ani't erd dat one yet. Spillit Mr. Wiggles." Lilliana snickered as she took the seat next to Alex, "Yeh, Hank, tell them what Sisy did to get you to stop drinking." She glanced over at Alex, "Susan should have done it years ago." As Hank began to recount his first encounter with Cecily and the S.T.R.I.K.E.R. his story was interrupted by the bell above the door demanding their attention. Seeing the chinchilla walk in, Alex jumped up again and throws her wings around her, "Fluffy Muffins!" She leaned back a bit before continuing, "I saved ya seat next ta Mr. Wiggles." she said with a wink. Susan sighed and looked Alex in the eyes, "When will you drop the Muffins like everyone else?"
With a look of mock shock, and a wing to her chest, Alex said, "Drop da Muffins? Never, I love da muffins." With that she pushed Susan over to the seat by Hank. Wide eyed, Alex looked over at Cecily, "ooOOooo, Ya'll gots to see dis hot man magnet Lilly found. Stan up girl, show off dem legs." Sheepishly Cecily stood, everyone gasping as she did. Lilliana spoke up first, "Now that is a beautiful mouse. So much better than the scrawny thing I found. Where did you get her?" "Dis pervy otter add er." Alex replied. Susan looked up at Alex, "That's enough of that for now, Boomer. Leave the poor girl alone, she's not your personal Barbie doll." She then fished a file out of her bag and dropped it on the table in front of Lilliana. "I need you to sign these." she said. Alex's smile melted from her face as she sat down and folded her hands with her elbows on the table, "Susan, do I need to leave the room for this? I do have to setup court hearings for the expedited custody, and don't want to be part of anything that might hinder that." "Damn girl, calm down. This is all above board. It is only a Living Situation investigation that was conducted over the past two years." Susan said as she looked at Alex with as stern of a face as she could manage. "These were started when she first thought about adoption and an option..." Lilliana began to interrupt, "But, I..."Susan cut her off and said, "Shut up and listen." Then looked back at Alex, "I had them sent out here from D.C. for this occasion. You are free to look them over if you wish. You will find all the information is accurate and
dated properly." Alex looked at Lilliana then back to Susan, snatched the paperwork up and pulled a set of glasses from her purse. She looked over each page, rereading some portions several times before she tossed it back on the table, "Okay then." She looked at Susan as she said, "I just hope you are all on the same page for the court appearance." She shoved the glasses back into her purse, then she looked back to Hank, "Now where were ya in da story? Ya jus said skinnydippin, den wha?" As she asked as the smile returned to her face. Lilliana looked through the papers Susan had brought in. From the corner of her eye she saw Cecily as she fidgeted in her seat and looked at the floor. "Hey there, Sisy. Is everything Ok?" Cecily just continued to fidget as if trying not to be noticed. "Look guys, I'm going to take Squeaky back to the cabin. See you guys when you get there." She stood up from the table and took the papers with her, "Come on short stack. Let's head out, I'll let you drive when we get out of town." Cecily got up from the chair and followed Lilliana out of the cafe to the car and climbed in silently. Lilliana looked over at her with a smile as she started the Camaro, "Alex can be a bit overwhelming at times, and pushy. If you don't like what she is doing just tell her to stop, Ok. And if you don't like wearing something, don't do it. You are free to say no to any of us if you are uncomfortable or scared, ok. If you don't, Alex will have you dressing like that all the time. But to tell you the truth, I think you look awesome, Cecily." --- "Wha was dat about?" Alex asked as she looked over at Susan as the three looked over their menus. Susan looked back and said, "That little girl has been through a lot, Alex. You might need to move slower with her." "Damnit, Fluffy, why ya notell me dat? Now I feel bad. An jew 'ank, Why ja not said notin?" Goddammit, jew guys, I gotta fix dis." Alex said as she jumped up and ran to the old Chevy truck to leave. The general, still looked at the menu as he said, "Does zis mean lunch is ofer, or can we still order? Airline foot is for zee birds." Hank sat back and put his hand on Susan's, "Eat to your heart's content, Old man. We got all day." Susan smiled at him as she saw a look in his eye she had longed for over the past six years. A smile rolled across her face, I'm not sure how, but that mouse is a miracle worker.