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Chapter 39

Consuelo Lobo-Rojo

As Mrs. Impisi led Raul back to her office, they, once again, passed Michael's office. This time, he stopped and asked if he could speak with Michael. Mrs. Impisi knocked on Michael's door and, after receiving an invitation to enter, she opened the door and, accompanied by Raul, entered. Michael stood up and walked toward them, smiling.

“Hello Raul. I'm glad to see you again." Michael held out his hand as he approached Raul.

Raul looked at Michael, took his hand, shook it, and, as Michael was guiding him to a chair, said, “Do I know you?"

“In a way, you do. We met last Friday at Bruno's."

Mrs. Impisi interrupted and said, “Michael, do you mind escorting him to the front door when you are through talking? I've got some paperwork I need to finish."

“No problem, Mrs. Impisi. I'm sure he wants a lot of questions answered."

“Thank you, Michael." She left Michael's office and returned to her own.

Raul said, “I seem to recall you saying we knew each other in Basic Training but, I do not remember seeing a human in my Basic Training platoon. So, how do you know me?"

Michael laughed and said, “As I said, we met for the first time Friday night; however, I had to think of something to get you away from Eve, the waitress you were harassing."

“Why?"

“Because her brother is a Marine and Special Forces. He could have broken you in half and wouldn't have hesitated for a second to defend his sister. I met him some time back; he assured me that he cared a lot for his twin sister and he wouldn't allow anybody to hurt her. If Eve had gotten the chance to call him, he would have been at Bruno's in less time than it takes to tell it."

“I must have been drunk."

“Oh, yeah. You were well past three sheets to the wind. You were so drunk that I could fast-talk you and keep you from thinking and, as a result, allowing you to figure out that what I was saying wasn't true. I had to do that to guide you away from Eve and over to my table. I introduced you to my friends and my fiancee, Amanda Fuchs. I was fortunate in that they knew me well enough to know to go along with anything I said because they knew that I wouldn't say or do anything that might cause them or you harm."

“Why would you want to do that for a complete stranger?"

“Raul, when I was growing up 20,000 years ago . . ."

“Wait. 20,000 years ago?"

“Yeah. I'm the oldest living thing on the planet."

Raul thought for a few seconds before what Michael had said caused a light to go on. “Wait a minute. You are that Michael Thomson?"

“Yep. Anyway, when I was growing up 20,000 years ago, my parents chose to bring me up with a bit of religious training. One of the things that was drilled into my head was what we knew as 'The Golden Rule', 'Do to others what you would want them to do to you.' In other words, think about what you are doing to someone and ask yourself, 'Would I want that person to do that to me if the roles were reversed?" As I thought about what was going on, I decided that I'd like someone to save my bacon if I was bothering a woman and her brother could do irreparable harm to me."

Raul laid his head back onto the back of the chair he was sitting in and asked, “Did I say anything to you that would cause you to be so willing to help me get a job here?"

“Yes, you did. You told me about being considered for promotion to supervisor in the shop where you formerly worked. You and your wife, Consuelo, were invited to a party. After Consuelo was guided away to meet some of the wives, you were introduced to a porn actress, a very attractive young brown rat woman with Irish red hair, green eyes, big breasts, and named Kiernan Francach. You said that you believed that someone was messing with your drink and got you drunk because the next thing you knew, you were waking up and saw that you and Kiernan were naked in a bed. You were on your back and she was straddling you at your hips. When you realized what was going on, you started to push her off of you when you heard the door to the bedroom opening. You looked toward the door and saw Consuelo looking at you in shock. One of your co-workers was standing beside her. Is that what you remember?"

“Yeah. That is what happened. It did not register with me for a while but, my co-worker was the guy that, the following Monday, was bragging about what he did to me."

“Well Raul, you've got a new, hopefully better, job. Now, we need to get your wife to forgive you and give you another chance. Do you know how to contact her?"

“No, but I do know her parents' telephone number."

Michael turned his telephone around so Raul could access it and said, “Here, use my telephone and call them. Your wife may have told them what happened and they may not wish to talk to you so let me talk to them."

“All right, Michael."

Raul dialed 10 numbers and handed the telephone to Michael. He listened and, after about 5 rings, a male voice with a mild Hispanic accent said, “Hello."

“Ah, do I have the pleasure of speaking with the father of Consuelo Lobo-Rojo?"

“Yes, you do. Who are you?"

“My name is Michael Thomson and before you ask, yes, like the gazelle." Michael replied with a smile in his voice.

The male laughed lightly and said, “I guess you have been asked that a time or two."

“Yes, sir, once or twice."

“What can I do for you, Michael Thomson. How do you know my daughter and, I might add, she is a married woman and a mother?"

“Well, sir, I don't actually know your daughter but, I do know her husband."

Michael heard a small snort of derision before the gentleman said, “I do not know if I want to talk to you if you know him."

“Please sir. It's very important. Please hear me out."

“All right. What do you want to say?"

“First of all, I want to officially introduce myself. My name is Michael Thomson."

“Oh, I am very sorry, Mr. Thomson. My name is Mateo Zorro."

“Zorro? You're a fox?"

Once again, the man laughed lightly. “No, a long time about, about 350 years ago, I guess. One of my ancestors married a fox. Since women of Mexico normally take the husband's family, my ancestor took Zorro as her family name. After that, every male direct ancestor of mine married a Mexican red wolf. You speak Spanish?"

“A little, sir. Anyway, I met Raul last Friday. He was . . . inebriated and starting to cause trouble at the pub where I was with my fiance. I managed to steer him away from where he was and got him to talking. He told me that his wife had left him because of a trick that one of his co-workers had played on him. As a result of that trick, Raul lost his job and had been out of work for the previous 6 months."

“Yes, I know about all of that. My Consuelo was very upset with Raul."

“Well, sir, I'd like to talk to Consuelo and try to get her to understand that what happened that night wasn't Raul's fault. Could I talk you into giving me her telephone number?"

After thinking for a few seconds, Mateo said, “Well, Raul and Consuelo have been friends for over 20 years and I know they have loved each other almost that long." There was a short pause as Mr. Zorro considered Michael's request. “All right. Here is her telephone number. It is 7784-268-944." Michael wrote the telephone number down. “Michael, I do hope my Consuelo forgives Raul. Even though I am upset with him, I could not love him more if he was my own son by birth and I know he would do anything he could to make Consuelo happy. I know I sounded angry when you first mentioned his name but, I was more upset that he has not contacted me or my wife and told us what happened that night."

“Thank you, Mr. Zorro. I can understand your being upset. I'll do everything in my power to convince her to talk to Raul."

Michael hung up the telephone and, almost immediately dialed the 10 digits that Mateo had given him. After a few rings, Michael heard a female voice with a mild Hispanic accent saying, “Hello."

“Hello, is this Consuelo Lobo-Rojo?"

“Si. Who are you?"

“Consuelo, my name is Michael Thomson and before you ask, yes, like the gazelle."

Consuelo laughed and said, “What can I do for you, Mr. Thomson?"

“Consuelo, please don't be angry but, I've got your husband sitting in front of me. I met him last Friday night and he told me about what happened to him 6 months ago. He lost his job as a result and, for the last 6 months, he's been looking for a job. Today, he got a good paying job with a very good company. He hopes you'll give him another chance to prove to you that you're the only woman he wants in his life. Will you talk to him?"

With a tearful voice, Consuelo said, “Yes, but I would prefer to speak to him face-to-face."

Michael replied, “Really? Just a second."

Turning to Raul, Michael said, “She wants to talk to you but in person."

Raul said, “Yes! Would you and your fiance accompany me?"

Michael smiled and said, “Of course, Raul. You don't think I'd let you go into the lion's den alone do you?"

Michael turned back to the telephone, “He says he'd be happy to meet you in person. However, he wants me and my fiance to accompany him. Would that be acceptable to you?"

“Yes, I was going to suggest the same thing."

“Good. Do you have a favorite restaurant?"

Consuelo thought for a second before saying, “Raul and I used to go to Juanita's Cantina when we were dating. We can meet there."

“Fantastic! I'll tell him and we'll meet you there Friday at, oh, 1300. Is that acceptable?"

“Yes. Thank you, Michael. Tell Raul that I am looking forward to seeing him again."

“I'll do that, Consuelo."

Michael hung up the telephone and looked at Raul. Just as he started to say something, he looked out of the glass window in his door and saw Amanda just about to knock. “Come on in, Amanda. I've got a visitor I'm sure would love to meet you."

Amanda walked into Michael's office, saw Raul, smiled warmly, and said, “Raul, I'm glad to see you again so soon."

Raul, who, along with Michael had stood when Amanda entered the office, looked at her for a second, and offered her his hand before saying, “Thank you, Amanda. I barely remember seeing you last Friday night but, I do remember you agreeing with almost everything Michael said to me. You and the others had me convinced that I had known Michael in Army basic training and, as a result, that my memory was faulty."

“I'm sorry, Raul. I could tell that Michael needed us to corroborate his story and, even though I hate to lie, I knew it was important."

“It is all right, Amanda. It turned out for the best so far. Maybe by Friday evening, it will be even better."

Amanda looked at Michael questioningly and he said, “I called Consuelo and she wants to see him Friday evening. However, they both would like us to be there. Would you like to go to a Mexican cantina Friday evening?"

“That sounds fun."

Raul said, “Thank you, Michael, Amanda. I wonder what Consuelo wants to talk about."

Michael shrugged and said, “Well, we are to meet her there at 1300 Friday evening, Raul. That should give all three of us plenty of time to get cleaned up, dressed, and arrive at Juanita's."

Michael took Amanda's right hand in his left and put his right arm around Raul's shoulders and the three of them left SoGa.

**********

Friday afternoon, Raul knocked on Michael's office door and, after receiving an invitation to enter, walked in. “Michael, I am nervous." He said.

“Nervous? Why are you nervous, Raul?"

“I do not know what Consuelo wants to say to me. What if she is going to demand a divorce?"

“Raul, mi amigo, she didn't sound like she wanted a divorce. As a matter of fact, she sounded absolutely ecstatic that she was going to see you again. So, don't cross any bridges until you reach them."

“All right, Michael. I guess I am just absolutely terrified at what might happen."

“Well, you go on home, get ready, and Amanda and I will pick you up at 1200. Then, we'll all go to Juanita's Cantina together."

“Thank you again, Michael. I will see you in a couple of hours."

As Raul was leaving Michael's office, he passed Amanda and smiled at her. Amanda walked into Michael's office and gave him a hug. “Raul, looked nervous, Michael. Do you think he's going to be able to speak to his wife tonight?"

“That I couldn't tell you, Princess. But, I'll be doing my best to convince them to get back together. But, I have a sneaky feeling that Consuelo will have some interesting news to give Raul."

“Really? What kind of news?"

“You'll see later tonight."

Michael winked at her, took her arm, and the two of them walked out of SoGa Industries. He walked her to her car, the two of them hugged and kissed briefly before they parted ways and each headed to their apartments. Michael was smiling broadly as he thought about a telephone conversation he'd had Saturday morning, a conversation he wasn't about to tell anybody about until later that night.

**********

After picking Raul up, Michael and Amanda followed Raul's directions to Juanita's Cantina. Michael found a decent parking space and the three of them walked into the Cantina. As they entered, they were greeted warmly by a matronly Jaguar woman in her early to middle 40s. When she saw, Raul, she walked very quickly up to him, grabbed him in a hug, and said with a thick Mexican accent, “Raul, mi hijo! How are you doing!? I have not seen you in so long, I thought you had fallen off of the earth. Where have you been?"

Raul held the hug and said, “Juanita, mi madre! I am doing fine. I have had some problems for the last 6 months. I lost my job and I could not find another one." A note of sadness filled his voice as he added, “Consuelo left me. I did a bad thing and she left me."

“Raul, what could you have done to make Consuelo leave you? She loves you so much it almost hurts me to see it."

“I cheated on her, Juanita. Oh, I did not intend to do it. I got drunk and woke up with a rat woman in bed with me. Unfortunately, Consuelo saw us and she left. She look Felipe and left me."

“Ah, mi hijo, I doubt she blames you for what happened. She loves you too much to do that."

During this conversation, Michael and Amanda stood back a bit and allowed Raul and Juanita to reacquaint themselves. Finally, after a few more moments of conversation, Juanita seemed to finally notice them. “And who is this handsome human, Raul?"

“He is a new friend, Juanita. He helped me get my new job. This is Michael Thomson."

Michael interjected, “Like the gazelle, Senora Juanita."

Juanita laughed uproariously and said, “I would guess you have heard that question before, Miguel."

“Yes, ma'am."

Raul said, “Michael, this is Juanita Gato-Manchado."

“I'm pleased to meet you Senora Gato-Manchado."

Juanita smiled broadly and said, “Please. Just call me, Juanita. Everyone else does.

“Oh, and who is this beautiful tigress?"

Raul said, “She is no tigress, her name is Amanda Fuchs."

“Fuchs? Surely she is no fox."

Michael said, “It's a long story, Juanita."

Raul asked, “Is Consuelo here?"

Pointing with her head, Juanita said, “Yes, she is. She is at your favorite table, Raul. She is waiting for you."

“Muchas gracias, Juanita. You do not need to take us. I know the way."

“Suit yourself, Raul. She has been waiting for you. She even brought little Felipe. He has been so excited that he is going to get to see his papa again."

“Thank you again, Juanita."

**********

Michael, Amanda, and Raul wound their way through the cantina's tables with Raul leading them. Michael was watching Raul and saw how he was looking toward a certain table. He noticed how the closer they got to the table the broader the grin on Raul's face grew. Michael knew without asking how happy Raul was to be seeing his wife and son again after almost half-a-year.

They reached the table and Consuelo stood up to greet them. Raul grabbed her in a bear hug with tears streaming down his face. Tearfully, Raul said, “Consuelo, mi amor. I am so, so sorry for what you witnessed. Please believe me when I say I did not know that I had cheated on you. I had been drugged or something."

Consuelo said, “I know, Raul. The woman I saw you with contacted me this past weekend. She said she wanted to clear the air about the incident. She said that she had been hired to seduce a wolf and that the wolf would be a willing participant. She said that she told the people that she did not play with married men unless the wife told her that she was okay with it. When she found out that she had been duped, she became angry and demanded more money to keep her mouth shut."

Michael said, “So, she blackmailed them."

“I do not know what this blackmail means, Senor, but if it is about forcing someone to pay more money to make someone else keep their mouth shut, that is what she did.

“She also told me that her boss in Molehio found out about what she did and threatened to fire her unless she told me the truth." Michael smiled as he heard this.

Amanda whispered to Michael, “What are you smiling about?"

“I'll tell you and them in a few minutes. Just let Consuelo talk right now."

“All right."

Consuelo was saying, “She did not know how her boss found out but, she told her boss that if she could find me, she would admit to what happened. She also told me that you never consummated the relationship. She said that you, um, released before she could get you inside of her and despite her best efforts, she just could not get you ready again. She also said that you called my name the whole time the two of you were alone together."

Raul looked at Consuelo dumbfounded. He said, weakly, “Really?"

“That is what she told me, my dear."

Raul smiled slightly despite himself. “Does that mean you'll forgive me for what happened?"

“Yes, my love, you never did anything. The actress told me that when she got you alone, all you did was call my name and could not perform properly. She said that when she got ready for you, you, uh, finished before she could start and, no matter what she tried, you just called my name and you could not get ready for her. It was while she was trying her best to excite you that your co-worker brought me to the room so I could see what was going on. Raul, my female pride was shattered and all I could think of was to leave you there with her."

Raul said, “Is that true, Consuelo? Is that truly what happened? I do not remember because I had blacked out."

“Yes, my dear. When the actress told me that, she said that she was so, so sorry because she had been lied to as well."

Michael could see from the way that his shoulders were shaking that Raul was crying on his wife's shoulder. He could also see that Consuelo was crying as well.

After a few moments, Raul let his wife go and sat down. He said, “Consuelo, I should introduce my friends." Pointing at Michael, he said, “This is Michael Thomson. You spoke with him Monday afternoon." Consuelo held her hand out to Michael, who took it and gave it a slight squeeze. Raul then turned to Amanda and said, “This is Michael's fiance, Amanda Fuchs." Consuelo gave Amanda her hand and Amanda gave it a gentle shake.

Just as Raul finished the introductions, the waiter arrived and took their orders. Raul and Consuelo gave him their order and he turned to Michael. Michael looked at Amanda and said, “Have you ever eaten Mexican food?"

“No, I can't say as I have."

“You don't have a high tolerance for spicy foods either, do you?"

“No. Why?"

“Do you mind if I order for you?"

“Sure."

“Just don't be upset when I tell you what it is I'm ordering for you because I'm ordering it for me, too."

Looking a little dubiously at Michael, Amanda said, “All-l-l right."

Michael turned to the waiter and said, “Dos órdenes de enchilada con pollo, por favor."

The waiter smiled and said, “I'm sorry, sir. I don't speak Mexican."

Michael laughed quietly and said, “Two orders of enchiladas with chicken, please."

“Ah, very good. Refried beans, too?"

“Yes, that'll be good."

The waiter left them and Michael looked at Consuelo. “Consuelo, you mentioned that the porn actress had contacted you and said that someone had called her boss. She also told you that her boss had demanded that she get ahold of you and make amends. Right?"

“Yes."

“She also said that she had no idea who it was that called her boss?"

“Yes."

“Well, I know who called her boss."

“Who?"

“Me."

“You? Do you know that porn actress?"

“No. But, I do know someone in the business. Her name is Zig Zag."

“Oh, I know of her. She is that white skunk with the tiger stripes. Yes?"

“That's her."

Consuelo looked suspiciously at Michael and asked, “How do you know her?"

“Amanda and I were in Jaguarville about 4 weeks ago at a computer show. On the last day of the show, Amanda's cousin, who works for Zig Zag, saw her and we met Zig Zag as a result. When I heard that the woman that got you upset with Raul was a porn actress, I called Zig Zag and asked her if she knew of a brown rat with Irish red hair, green eyes, and big breasts. Zig Zag said she not only knew of her, she said the actress worked for her. She told me that the actress used the stage name of Kiernan Francach. When I told Zig why I wanted to know, she got more than a little upset and said that she would make sure that Kiernan made proper amends with you."

Consuelo smiled at Michael and said, “Thank you, Michael. I am glad that Kiernan cleared things up for me. I have truly missed having Raul in bed with me for the last 6 months."

Consuelo turned her attention back to Raul and asked, “Raul, how is Rosa doing?"

A sad look crossed Raul's face. “She is not doing so well, Consuelo. It is difficult for her to raised her son." Angrily, he added, “If I could get my hands on that guy, I would kill him."

Michael said, “Raul, I do hope that's just an idle threat."

Raul looked at Michael for a couple of seconds before he continued, “Yes, Michael. I do not know if you know but, a Mexican red wolf clan is very close knit. Every pup is precious to the parents and the siblings. The guy I am referring to got my sister, Rosa, pregnant and then denied being the pup's father. He even bribed a judge to say there was no evidence that he was Antonio's father despite the blood test proving undoubtedly that he was."

Amanda asked, “What happened? Was Rosa raped?"

“No, Amanda. My family has always been less than wealthy. In fact, we are what you might call lower middle-class. We have the necessities of life but very few luxuries. That is why I left for the Army when I turned 18. I was hoping to learn a trade that I could use to earn a decent living after I got out. I intended to help my parents as well as my own family. When my aptitude test showed I had a strong aptitude for mechanical work, I chose to be an automotive mechanic. I knew that automotive mechanics can make above average wages and they're always in demand.

“Anyway, when Rosa was 14, over the objections of everyone in the family, she quit school and found a job with a very wealthy family. The son took an instant liking to Rosa. He was seventeen and quite popular at his private school, especially with the girls. Rosa told us that he would regularly interrupt her work just to talk to her. He told her that he loved listening to her accent. He never got too familiar with Rosa but he would occasionally hug her in a friendly way which Rosa reciprocated. It was not uncommon for him to be in his bedroom when Rosa would go in to clean it. According to Rosa, sometimes he would not be fully dressed as he lay on his bed and there were times he was completely naked which bothered Rosa although she never said anything about it.

“Shortly after Rosa's 15th birthday, she entered his bedroom and found him lying on his bed watching her as she entered. He rose up on one elbow and asked her if she would like a birthday gift from him. Even though she said it was not necessary, he insisted on giving her a gift. His gift was a kiss. She admitted that she should have stopped him but, she had started to feel good around him, happy even. So, she returned the kiss. About two weeks later, when she entered his room, he was completely naked but, unlike previous times, he was excited, physically, if you know what I mean."

Michael nodded his head and said, “Did he force himself on Rosa?"

“No, Michael. Quite the contrary. Although he made no attempt to cover himself or even get dressed, he continued to lay there as Rosa cleaned his room. After several minutes, he said, 'Rosa, please come over here and sit by me.'

“'Sir,' she said, 'I really should not. You are not wearing any clothes and, if someone walked into the room, they might think that we are doing we should not be doing.'

“He got up and locked the bedroom door and asked her to sit by him again. She hesitated but did as he asked. After she sat down, he kissed her again and as they kissed he moved her hand to touch him and, even though she started to draw her hand back, he gently held her hand in place until she kept it there. He reached over and undid her maid uniform and started to caress her. Even though she knew she should not do it, she let him caress her because she had started to care for him. Rosa did not go into details as to what occurred but, suffice it to say that by the time she left his room about an hour later, she was no longer a virgin.

“They continued to meet and make love about once a week. About a month and a half later, they were making love and just as he finished, the door to his bedroom burst open and an older male stormed in. He glared at Rosa but spoke to the young male and said, 'What in the Hell do you think you are doing, Grandson!'

“The son said, 'Grandpa, I was making love with Rosa. I love her, sir.'"

“'I do not care if you love her or not, I will not allow you to dirty our family by allowing you to mate with a Mexican red wolf.'

“'But, Grandpa, she's a good girl and I love her.'

“'I do not care. You will marry the girl I choose for you and it will not be a damned Mexican red wolf.'

“The grandfather turned toward the door and shouted, 'Edgar! Ryan! Take this bitch and throw her out of the house.'

“Rosa reached for her clothes with tears welling up in her eyes and the old man slapped her and said, 'No! You will not take anything that is not yours! That uniform belongs to my family and it will stay here!'

“He turned to the two bodyguards and said, 'What are you waiting for!? I told you to throw her out and do not be gentle about it!'

“Edgar was an American gray wolf and Ryan was a kodiak bear. They had little trouble taking a naked 15-year-old Mexican red wolf girl to the front door and tossing her out of the door.

“Rosa begged them to let her have something to wear so she didn't have to walk home naked but the grandfather only yelled at her and told her to leave because in 30 seconds he was going to call the police and have her arrested for trespassing and public nudity."

Michael just listened to the story with his mouth agape. Finally, he said, “Damn! What a sumbitch. What happened to Rosa?"

“Rosa managed to get next door and asked the daughter if she could borrow some clothes. She explained what had happened. The daughter nodded knowingly and allowed Rosa to come in the house and loaned her some clothes. After Rosa got home, after walking for 3 hours, she changed into her own clothes, washed the clothes she had borrowed, and returned them.

“About a week later, Rosa woke up sick on her stomach. Our mother recognized the symptoms and had her tested. Rosa was pregnant. After she gave birth to Antonio, she sued to receive child support from her son's father. She did not want much, just a thousand Yenars a month. However, when the case went to court, the judge said there was no evidence that the man she claimed was the father actually was the father even though there was plenty of blood tests and DNA tests proving it. The judge said it was all circumstantial and the blood work could have been from anybody."

Amanda said, “I guess that Rosa became very depressed."

“Yes, she did, Amanda. She even talked about suicide because she was no longer a virgin and she refused to believe that anybody would have her."

“So, she's all right, though?"

“Yes, Consuelo and I visited my parents and we talked with Rosa at length. We told her that any man would be proud to be her man. After a week, Rosa finally started feeling better. I think that she is past the worst of her depression."

Michael replied, “Good. I hope I get to meet her one of these days."

“You and Amanda will, Michael. I told my mother about what you did for me and she has said that she is going to invite you two over for dinner one evening."

Michael looked at Amanda who smiled happily before saying, “I'm looking forward to that invitation, Raul."

**********

During this conversation, a scent had been gently assailing Michael's nostrils. It wasn't an unpleasant scent but it wasn't one that he enjoyed. The best way for him to describe it was that it reminded him of gardenias and gardenias gave him a bit of a headache. It took him several minutes before he remembered something that Wanda had said the first time that Michael had visited Bruno's.

Michael covered his mouth with his cupped hand and said to Amanda, “Amanda, do you smell something?"

Amanda surreptitiously sniffed before she leaned over and said, “Yes. It's a scent that isn't unpleasant but isn't a scent that I enjoy." As she spoke she was looking at Consuelo and noticed how she was looking wistfully at Raul. Then, she said, “Oh, my. Michael, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

“I believe so, Sweetie. Perhaps, we should make our excuses and leave these two alone."

“I agree."

Michael cleared his throat and got Consuelo's attention. “I'm sorry, Consuelo, but I just remembered that I need to visit my baby sister. I haven't seen her in a week and she gets rather upset if I don't visit her at least once a week. Do you mind giving Raul a ride home later?"

Consuelo looked lovingly at Raul and said, “I don't mind, Michael. I don't mind at all."

“Thank you, Consuelo." Looking at Raul who seemed enamored with everything that Consuelo said or did, he added, “I'll see you Monday, Raul."

Raul said, “Yes, Michael. Monday. Adios."

Michael smiled knowingly, took Amanda's hand, and, after paying for everyone's meal, left.

**********

Michael arrived at his office at his normal time of 0230 the following Monday. Just as he got settled into his chair, he heard someone knock on his door. He looked up and saw Raul looking through the glass. He motioned Raul to come in and looked at him with a knowing smile on his face.

Raul saw the smile and said, “What?"

“Did Consuelo get you home Friday night?"

“Yes, she did. Only it wasn't Friday night. It was Sunday afternoon and then it was only long enough for me to pack some clothes."

In an impish voice, Michael said, “Really? Why did she want you to pack some clothes?"

Raul half closed his eyes and said, “What are you implying, Michael? Out with it."

“I noticed a scent at the table Friday night. Was it what I think it was?"

Raul took a deep breath and smiled happily. “Yes. Consuelo was, is, in heat. She took Filipe to my parents home and asked them to keep him for the weekend. Then, she took me to her home and we made love until about 2200. We slept for about 4 hours; we got up and ate breakfast; then, we made love again for another 4 hours. Michael, I cannot remember ever making love with my beautiful Consuelo that many times in a weekend since our wedding weekend."

“Well, I'm happy for you, Raul. I guess that proves that she's forgiven you."

“Oh, yes. She definitely has. By the way, I have a feeling that, in 8 months, I am going to be a papa again."

“Really!? I didn't think that Humanimal women were more fertile during their heat period."

“They are not but, they are more receptive to sexual relations. Meaning they will have sex more often thereby making the possibility of getting pregnant greater during their heat than any other time of the year."

“Is having another pup something you and she want, Raul?"

“We had been talking about it before the incident at the party. After all, Felipe is 3 years old and he has just been weaned.

“Michael, I need to ask you a very important question."

“What's that?"

“If Consuelo is pregnant and if the pup is a boy, we would like to name him after you."

“Me? Why?"

“It is tradition among Mexican red wolves to name their pups after someone who made an important impact on their life around the time of a pregnancy. You got me my job here and got me and Consuelo back together. I believe you could call both of those things important. So, what is your answer?"

“I'd be honored, Raul. But, what if it's a girl?"

“Consuelo suggested Amanda since she's your fiance."

Michael placed his elbow on his desk, lay his cheek against his fist and looked at Raul. Finally, he said, “I can't answer for her, Raul. But, I'm pretty sure she'll be honored as well."

Michael looked through the window and saw Amanda about to knock on the door. He waved her in. As she entered his office, Michael said, “Amanda, Raul has a question for you."

She looked at Raul and he said, “Amanda, I believe Consuelo got pregnant this past weekend. If she is, and if the pup is a girl, we want to name her Amanda. Is that all right with you?"

Amanda smiled and said, “I'd be honored, Raul, but why did you ask?"

“It is tradition with Mexican red wolves. We name our pups after someone who had an important impact on our lives before a pup is born and we always ask before we name a pup after that person. Consuelo suggested naming a girl after you. You made a big impact on her, Amanda."

“Thank you, Raul, and thank Consuelo, too."

“I will. I must get to work Michael. Thank you again for helping me the way you did."

“You're quite welcome, Raul."

After Raul left, Michael pulled Amanda into his lap, put his arms around her, hugged her, and said, “It looks like we've done a great good deed a couple of weekends ago."

Amanda lay her head on Michael's shoulder and said, “It certainly looks like it."