CHASING THE FOX CHAPTER ONE

Chapter 1

Conner Clearwater sighed as he looked around at his new job at the Burger Binge. He smiled as he tied his apron on. Vinnie chuckled looking at his new employee. “First day chills?”

Conner grinned, “Yeah… Never had a job before. It feels like it did when school started.”

            Vinnie smiled and patted him on the back. “Don’t worry, kid. You are off to a good start.” He threw a look at the door. “For starters, you are actually on time. I swear since Razor and Willy became my roommates I haven’t once complained about Sammy and how quiet it is. They snore super loud.”

            Conner chuckled as Sammy, a red wolf and Vinnie’s brother, looked up from one of the booths with an adorable smile on his face.

            The bells hanging off the door jingled as Razor and Willy rushed in. “So very sorry we’re late. We got held up in traffic.”

            Vinnie gave them a look and nodded, “Yeah, sure you were.” He sighed, “Well at least you are here.” He turned to Conner. “You will be helping Willy out with taking orders serving drinks and such.”

            Conner nodded. “Anything else I need to know?

            Vinnie nodded, “Yes. Today is the last day of school for everyone else, so this place will be packed.”

            Conner smiled, “So glad I wasn’t required to go there today.”

            Willy chuckled, “I really think no one goes to school on the last day.”

            Conner shrugged, “Alex does. But he’s leaving around 11:15, so he can come see how everything is going.”

            Willy smiled and started showing how to do everything. “Sounds like you have a great friend.”

            Conner chuckled, “The best.”

            Willy chuckled, “So biased.” He took Conner around the restaurant. “Okay, so you know how to take orders. You are in charge of taking orders for anyone at the bar seats, and the back five tables. I’ll take care of the others. When you take the orders, you give the paper to Razor. Razor will fill the drinks and Vinnie will make the food and then you take the customers their food. Got it?”

            Conner nodded. “Piece of cake!”

            “Oh yeah and cake too.” Willy smirked and gave him an apron. “Put this on. It has

a pocket for straws in case people ask for one, which they will…”He chuckled.

            Conner chuckled, “People like their straws, I guess.” He put on the apron and tied it around his waist.

            Vinnie walked over to the door, then turned around. “You guys ready?”

            Willy nodded and moved to stand behind the counter gesturing for Conner to follow suit. “Yep.”

            Conner nodded. As Vinnie flipped the open sign around, Conner could feel himself wanting to run. Was the first day in a new job always like this? It felt like it did when he was about to get on stage for crying out loud! He didn’t say any of this out loud of course. Not while two or three customers were walking in. One of them, a dark grey wolf, came and sat at his counter. Conner recognized him as Frank, one of the guys that usually came in a lot. He smiled at Frank as he walked over. “Good morning sir! What can I get for you this morning?”

            Frank looked really distracted this morning and obviously didn’t notice that there was a new guy taking his order. “I’ll take my usual, Willy.”

            Conner cocked his head and was about to say something when Willy walked over. “Hey! Frank, this guy doesn’t know what your usual is. He just started work this morning.”

            Frank looked up with a surprised look. “Oh my goodness!” He frowned as he looked at Conner, “I am really sorry! I just got news today that I may lose my job.” He looked at his paws. “My usual is two over easy eggs, three strips of bacon, a stack of pancakes, and a coffee, black with two sugars.”

            Conner nodded and wrote it all down. “I am sorry, Frank. I hope you don’t lose your job.”

            Frank smiled a little. “Thanks kid.”

            Conner went and put the order on the counter that opened into the kitchen. Vinnie grabbed it and looked at it. “Oh! Frank’s here. Good.” He pointed out toward the end of the bar. “The coffee machine is over there. You know how to use one of those, right?”

            Conner nodded, “Yeah. Just pour the coffee and only put two cubes of sugar in.”

            Vinnie gave him a smirk. “Genius!”

            Conner chuckled and went to make Frank his coffee. As he filled the cup, he noticed an unfamiliar jaguar walk into the diner and take a seat next to Frank. He smiled at the newcomer. “I’ll be right over sir!” He plopped two sugar cubes into the cup and stirred it with a clean spoon. Then, he picked the cup up and carried it gently over to Frank. “Here’s your coffee sir.”

            Frank grinned, “Thanks again kid.”

            Conner turned to the stranger next to Frank. “What can I get you sir?”

            The jaguar looked at the menu a little uncertain. “I haven’t been here before… I usually just order take-out. But a friend suggested that I come and try this places food.” He sighed and put it down. “What is good here?”

            Conner shrugged then thought a little. “Hmm… Well, do you like omelets?”

            The jaguar smiled, “Yes! I do like omelets.”

            Frank grinned, “Oh! He’s probably gonna suggest The Omelet Burger. It’s basically an omelet made however you like, and then it’s served in between two waffles with a burger, hash browns, tomatoes, and a little bit of hot sauce. It’s absolutely delicious!”

            Conner smiled, “Yeah. That is exactly what I was going to suggest.”

            The jaguar grinned. “I like the sound of that.” He handed the menu back to Conner. “I’ll take that with a coffee, with two creams and two sugars.”

            Conner smiled and wrote that down. “Okay.” He took the order to the counter.”

            Vinnie picked it up. “Oh! One of my specialties. Good job Conner.”

            Conner smiled and went to go make the jaguar his coffee, and gave it to him. “Here you go, sir!”

            The jaguar took the drink. “Thanks…” He hesitated, then chuckled a little. “I am Charlie Benton. I work at the hospital as a nurse… I just moved here three months ago so, I am not familiar with the area yet. I am just trying to get a feel of the area.”

            Frank smiled, “Yeah? Well I work at the community center just a few blocks away. If you are looking for something to do, we usually hold a lot of events down there.”

            Charlie smiled, “Really? Like what?”

            Conner smiled as he watched them talk, and walked off to take more orders.

                                              ………………………………….

People were continuing to flow in, so Conner kept pretty busy for the next hour and a half. People came and left, Frank ended up leaving after two more cups of coffee. Business started to slow down at around 10:15, and Conner finally got to take a break.

Willy sighed, and made two cups of coffee and handed one to Conner. “How are you feeling, kid?”

Conner gave a fake sigh and took a sip, “Well. It’s work. It is actually a lot of fun though.”

Willy took a sip. “Yeah. This job can definitely be a lot of fun. You just gotta be on your toes if you want to catch everything.” He chuckled, “But you’re doing a good job, for your first day.”

Conner smiled, “You’re my co-worker. You kind of have to affirm the new guy so I don’t go quitting on you.”

Willy smirked, “Oh? Are you so sure?” He turned to Charlie, who was watching with a small smile. “What do you think? Is he good at this?”

Charlie gave him a thumbs up. “Yes. Although, you’d become super amazing if you’d fill me up one more time.”

Connor chuckled and took the cup from him. “Coming up, sir.”

Charlie chuckled and leaned back to stretch.

Conner made the jaguar his coffee and brought it back to him, as the bell on the door jingled. “Here you go, sir.”

Charlie smiled. “Sure.” He looked at the door and he stiffened slightly.

Conner followed his gaze and saw that five police officers and young teenager had walked into the restaurant. He recognized them as Sheriff Adrian Rivers and his son Marquez (both snow leopards), Deputy Sandy Brighton (a Bengal Tiger), Deputy Cameron Willis (A bull), Deputy David Denning (a German Sheppard), and Detective Bill Garrison (an otter). Conner had met most of them before. They had come visit the school a lot for presentation, and Marquez worked at the public library.

At this time other people had also started coming in to the restaurant.

Vinnie came out of the kitchen and had started talking to the Sheriff. Meanwhile, the deputies came to sit on the bench. Deputy Willis waved at Conner. “Hey Conner. How are you liking the new job?”

Conner smiled, “Loving it.”

Charlie abruptly stood up and put his phone to his ear. “Hello? …Oh! You need me right now?” He motioned as if asking for the bill. “Well… alright. I’ll be right there.” He hung up the phone. “Sorry I gotta go.”

Conner smiled, “Just go to Willy, he’ll ring you up.” As he said this he walked down to stand across from the deputies. “What can I get you guys today?”

They all ordered burgers to go and he gave the orders to Razor, who had taken over for Vinnie in the kitchen. He was about to go to take the orders from a group of girls at one of the back tables, Vinnie called him over.

Willy walked by him, “Don’t worry kid. I got this. Go see what he wants.”    

Conner sighed, “What if I wanted to take their orders?” Willy laughed as Conner walked over to Vinnie. “Yes sir?”

Vinnie gave him a look, “No calling me sir.” He turned to the Sheriff. “This is Conner. He is gonna be at the event helping Willy with the catering… If he wants to.”

Conner’s ears perked up. “Catering? For what?”

The Sheriff smiled. “The Tigerthorn Police Force is holding a charity dinner to benefit the homeless shelter, so we can help build additional space where more people can live.” The snow leopard chuckled, “We want to make sure we have the best BBQ in town.”

Vinnie turned to look at Conner. “You game? It’s next week and Willy will be there so you do everything right. So you don’t need to worry.”

Conner nodded, “Oh yeah. Sure! I can do that.”

Vinnie grinned, “Sweet.” He turned to the sheriff. “So they will have the stuff to the community center by 5:15. That okay with you sir?”

The sheriff nodded, “Yes. That works great.” He shot a look at his son. “You know, I have been thinking about Marquez getting a job like this. He loves working in the kitchen, but he always says he has a job already.”

Marquez gave his dad an annoyed look. “Daaaaad. I DO have a job. I work at the library.”

The sheriff rolled his eyes. “Come on, son, that’s not a well-paying job. I don’t even think you even get payed. What exactly do you even do?”

Marquez crossed his arms. “I work with the special needs program. I help children with disabilities learn to read. If you actually cared about my work life you would know that.”

The sheriff also crossed his arms and frowned. “I’m sorry son… I do care about your work. I am just saying that it is not a paying job.”

Marquez growled. “I don’t work for the money, dad.”

Vinnie awkwardly waved. “Umm… I hate to be interrupting this lovely family moment… But I kinda want to know what I need to make… and get paid.”

The sheriff chuckled dryly. “Well wasn’t that straight-forward!” He gave his son a side glance. “I am sorry about that. My son and I can settle this later.” He nudged his son. “Right, Marquez?”

Marquez nodded begrudgingly. “Sure…” He turned and went to sit in a booth by himself.

The sheriff gave Marquez a sad glance and reached into his wallet and pulled out ten dollars. “Uh… Conner right?” He gave Conner the ten bucks. “Um… Quez didn’t eat anything this morning so… take this and could you order him a Chili Bomb Burger…” He hesitated and gave Marquez another glance. “They’re his favorite…”

Conner nodded and wrote it down. “What does he like to drink?”

The sheriff smiled a little. “Root Beer…”

Conner smiled. “Coming right up, sir.”

Vinnie ushered the sheriff to a table so they could talk catering.

Conner walked to the window to the kitchen and handed Razor the order. Razor looked at the paper and nodded. So, Conner walked over to the soda machine and filled a glass up with root beer and took it out to Marquez. “One Root Beer.”

Marquez looked up from the table and sighed. “My dad pay you to bring me this?”

Conner nodded, “Yep.”

Marquez sighed, “Seriously…” He shrugged, “At least he cares a little bit, I guess.” He took a sip of the root beer, then looked up at Conner with a smile. “Enjoying the job?”

Conner smiled a little, “Of course! I really like it here.”

Razor shouted from the kitchen. “Order up. Chili Bomb Burger!”

Conner smiled as Marquez’s face lit up. “Is that for me too?” He grumbled a little. “Dad is trying to make up for not caring about my job isn’t he…”

Conner chuckled a little. “Um… I am gonna go get that.” He walked back behind the bar to get the plate. As he brought the dish back to Marquez’s table, students rushing in for good food after the last day of school ran in and almost ran him over. Luckily, Conner kept a good hold on the plate and was successfully able to get it to Marquez. “One very lucky Chili Bomb Burger.” He chuckled and put the plate on the table in front of Marquez.

Marquez giggled but stifled it and clapped. “Very fancy footwork there. You saved my burger.”

Conner did an exaggerated bow before walking to the other tables to take orders. After serving a younger wolf, a bulky husky, and three foxes sitting at the bar, he noticed his friend Alex was apart the crowd that almost ran him over and was now sitting smugly in his own booth.

                                        ………………………………….

Alex chuckled from his booth as Conner walked over to take his orders. “I saw your desperate dance to save that burger before. Did you get those moves from football practice or ballet class?”

Conner smirked, “Watch it buddy! There are other customers I could be helping.”

Alex grinned, “So you are enjoying the job?”

Conner sighed, “You aren’t the first that’s asked me that question.”

Alex smirked. “I’ll take that as a yes then.”

Conner rolled his eyes took out his pad. “What do you want, Alex?”

Alex took a long look at the menu. “Hmm… I dunno…”

Conner sighed, “You want the Black Bean Burgerito don’t you.”

Alex gave him a toothy grin. “Yeah, how’d you know?”

Conner smiled, “That’s the only vegetarian sandwich you like that we serve.”

Alex smiled, “You know me well, my friend. I’ll take that with fries and a chocolate milkshake.”

Conner smiled, “You better have money to pay for that.”

Alex stuck his tongue out at him. “Yes. Just because I don’t have a job doesn’t mean I don’t make money somehow.”

Conner smiled, “Just giving you a hard time.” He turned to walk away to take care of his order.

Alex laughed loudly. “When do you not give me a hard time?! Seriously, last week it was the glasses and this week it’s not having a job. Watch next? You gonna give me a hard time about tattoos?” He shook his head with a smile on his face as Conner faked laughing at him. He looked around and smiled, seeing several other people that he knew.

There were his friends Leo and Abel sitting at the bar with one of their friends, talking about wickedly awesome parties they frequented. Abel was a fox with orange fur and Leo was a mix of a white fox and a husky. He just called himself a fosky. Alex beamed as he watched them laugh and trade stories. Typical of those foxes. They loooooved their parties, but Alex had to admit, they were very good at throwing them. Abel was the organizer and decorator when it came to parties and Leo was a really good DJ.

Alex turned and saw his older friend Chill walk in the door and wave shyly before walking up to the counter. Alex was honestly fascinated by Chill. Chill was the towns butcher. But of course if you tried to sit down and have a conversation with him you wouldn’t believe it. Chill was a really soft spoken guy who was honestly really shy and mysterious sometimes. But despite that, he literally delivered the best quality meat in town.

Of course, Alex didn’t eat meat… much. There were times where Alex was hungry for a juicy burger and would sneak to the Burger Binge near closing time and order a burger from Vinnie. Of course he didn’t tell Conner because Conner would somehow find a way to playfully tease him about it and Alex wanted to have at least one secret to keep from Conner.

Then there was Jake and his partner Clay, sitting at a booth, right next to each other. Clay was a shorter wolf with grayish fur and Jake was a husky with dark brown and white fur. Clay was working on something, possibly a drawing, but Jake was messing with him all the while and he probably wasn’t getting much done.

Jake was trying to balance a mozzarella stick on Clay’s nose. “Clay, your mustache is so CHEESYYYYYY.” He giggled.

Clay groaned, and honestly Alex couldn’t blame him. That was a bad pun. “Jakey… I am trying to draw.”

Jake took out his cellphone and snapped a picture of Clay. “Oh come on… Lighten up. School’s over, you don’t need to work on that stuff now.” He poked Clay in the side.

Clay shifted in his seat and let out a giggle, but tried to keep his face serious. “Jake! I have to finish this for a friend.”

Jake chuckled, “Do that later. I am here, your friend isn’t. Hang out with meeeee.” He started to tickle Clay.

Clay started laughing. “NO! Jake. I am ticklish. Stahp it!” He tried to squirm away from Jake’s tickling grip. “Fine! You win! I can work on it later…”

Jake stopped tickling and gave Clay a triumphant grin. “Victory!” He gave Clay a big husky hug. “See? I am great company!”

Alex watched them and sighed a little. Being a Christian, Alex believed in the Bible and that being gay was against the word of God. But that didn’t stop Alex from wanting to be their friend. Because when he looked at Clay and Jake, he saw that they were just like him and he had no right to judge them because he was a sinner too. That made them easier to love and made his desire to share the gospel with them stronger. But they usually kept to themselves. The only time he really got to see them was when he was in biology class, where Clay was his lab partner, and when he was at the grocery store, where Jake usually shops for food.

As Alex watched them giggle and hug, he got the idea to actually go over and try to talk to them. As he stood up, Conner came back with his milkshake and handed it to him. “Here’s your milkshake.”

“Thanks Con.” He took the milkshake and walked over to Clay and Jake’s booth. “Hey Clay.” He smiled at his former lab-partner.

Clay looked up and jumped. “Alex! Hi! How are you doing?”

Alex smiled, “I am doing alright.” He waved to Jake who was giving him the once-over. “Hi.”

Clay looked at Jake, then back at Alex. “Oh! I am sorry… Alex this is Jake, he’s my boyfriend.” Alex noticed he scooted closer to Jake at that part. “Jake, this is Alex. He was my lab-partner in biology. I told you about him, remember? He was the only one to score higher than me on the finals?”

Jake’s face lit up. “Oh yeah!” He extended his arm. “Nice to meet you! Clay speaks very highly of you.”

Alex shook his paw. “Likewise! I have heard a bit about you too.”

Jake gave Clay a smirk, “Good things, I hope.”

Alex smiled a little. “Yeah. He always talks about how you are a good chef and baker and that your singing voice is just…” he chuckled “as Clay says it ‘a-MAAAAAZE-ing’”

Jake laughed, “That impression was spot on!” He hugged Clay, “Though not as amazing as the real deal.”

Clay beamed and he looked at his watch and yelped. “JAKE! We need to go! You’re late for your glee club thingee.” He went to get up, but accidentally tripped and ran into Alex, spilling his milkshake and sending some of the stuff in his back pack flying.

Conner ran over. “Alex! Are you alright?” He helped his friend up off the floor and handed him a rag to wipe up all the milkshake on his face and arms.

Alex gave Conner a look as he stood up. “I just fell on the ground Con. My backpack took most of the blow. I am fine.” He bent down to pick up his stuff that had fallen out of his bag.

Jake knelt down to help him pick up his stuff, but he froze when he saw Alex’s Bible on the ground. As Alex stood up, Jake picked up the Bible and handed it to Alex. “Here.” He shot Clay an uncomfortable and slightly annoyed look.

Alex smiled, regardless of Jake’s look. “Thanks Jake.”

Clay smiled nervously at Alex. “Well… we have to go so I guess we’ll see you around.”

Alex nodded, “Uh, okay. Yeah, see you around!” He smiled then had a thought. “Wait!” He took a piece of paper out of his bookbag and scribbled his phone number on it. “Here!” He handed the paper to Clay. “My number… if you ever want to hang out or talk.”

Clay threw an anxious glance up at Jake. “Um… Thanks Alex. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.” He turned and walked somewhat quickly towards the counter to pay.

Jake turned too, but then he turned back around. “Listen here, kid. I don’t want you anywhere near him. He’s already been hurt enough by your kind and I will not let you judge him or me.” Jake growled. “Got it?”

Alex raised his paws. “I wasn’t going to hurt him. And I have no right to judge either of you. But I am sorry you’ve been hurt by other Christians…” Alex smiled, “I am only looking to be his friend.”

Jake crossed his arms, “That’s all well and good, but he doesn’t need friends that believe in a God that will send them to hell just because he likes a guy. Okay? So just back off.” He turned and walked away with a huff.

Alex watched sadly as he walked off. Conner watched from beside him and put a paw on Alex’s shoulder. “You okay?”

Alex smiled a little. “Yeah…” He turned to watch as Clay and Jake. “But now I really want to give those two the gospel…”

Conner turned Alex so he was facing him. “What are you crazy?! That guy just threatened you to not even go near them!”

Alex gave Conner a look as he went to sit back at his table. “You heard what Jake said! Someone has been a poor example of the gospel.” He put his paws to his forehead. “He thinks that God’s going to send them to hell. Someone has got to tell them about Jesus!”

Conner crossed his arms and sat down across from Alex. “And that someone’s going to be you? Reality check Alex, Pastor Owen said not everyone is going to end up accepting Christianity.”

“So? Does that mean I am not supposed to say anything?” Alex gave Conner a look. “You honestly need to get your priorities straight, Conner. The fact that there are people that are going to be going to hell because they didn’t believe in God kills me even more than the Leukemia does.”

Conner tried to think of something to say back but he couldn’t. “I’m sorry Alex… I guess I do need to get my priorities straight. Will you forgive me? Is there anything I can do to help?”

Alex smiled, “Conner, I definitely forgive you buddy. And as far as what you can do… I would say prayer would be nice.”

Conner smiled, “Good. I will definitely…”

He was interrupted by a camera flash. “Aaaand here we have a slacking worker talking deep spiritual stuff with his best friend.” Mikey, a blonde furred wolf, smirked as he snapped several pictures of them.

“Mikey! Stop! The flash is super bright!” Alex covered his eyes.

Mikey chuckled and stopped taking pictures, and scooted into the seat next to Alex. “Wazzup my bros.” He high fived Alex and Conner. “Alejandro and Consuelo! How are you guys doing?”

Conner slid out of the bench. “I am gonna get Alex a replacement milkshake…” He chuckled. “Have fun.”

Mikey turned around. “Oh yeah, that’s not rude at all.” He turned back to Alex. “He’s so mean!”

Alex chuckled, “Yeah?”

Mikey lightly punched Alex. “You are too. You didn’t answer my question! How are you? I haven’t really seen you guys for a while.”

Alex smiled as Conner walked by placing another chocolate milkshake on the table. “Thanks Con!” He turned to Mikey. “I have been alright. Chemo-therapy has stopped for a while, so I am healthy at this point in time. Oh and I have been making money by selling my short stories online!”

Mikey smiled, “Sounds like you have had a good year this year. I can’t wait for you to be cancer free!” He gave Alex a hug.

“Thanks Mikey!” Alex hugged back. “It is really nice to see you again. Though you could have called sometime in the last six months. You have my number in your phone. I know because three months ago you spammed me with pictures of me, which kind of scared me.”

“How’d you know that was me?” Mikey shrugged sporting a small smirk.

Alex narrowed his eyes. “You’re the only one who can take really good pictures from afar off.”

Mikey chuckled, “Blast! My skills gave me away!”

Alex laughed, “So does your humility.”

Mikey winked but acted hurt and stood up. “Well that was rude. I will depart now…” He smiled and hugged Alex again. “See ya buddy!”

Mikey walked out the door just as Conner brought Alex’s food to the table. “One Triple B! Eat up buddy!” Conner smiled and moved along serving tables and stuff.

Alex chuckled and took a bite of his burger. “Delicious.”

                                        ………………………………….

Conner sighed and put his apron on the hook it belonged on and clocked out. “Okay Vinnie.” He shouted into the kitchen. “My shift is up. I can go now right?”

Vinnie gave him a look, “No we need you to stay here forever.”

Conner chuckled, “Gotcha, I’ll see you later then Vinnie.”

Vinnie smirked, “See ya!”

Conner waved and walked to Alex’s table. “Thanks for waiting man.”

Alex smiled and put his bible back in his book bag. “You’re welcome.”

Conner grinned, “My mom is coming in five minutes to pick us up. You want to catch a ride to youth with us?”

Alex gave him a look, “That was the plan.” He walked up to the register where Willy was and paid for his lunch.

Conner chuckled, “It was? I kinda forgot we had already established that…” He sighed, “Oh well.”

Alex chuckled. “That isn’t the first thing you’ve forgotten and I doubt it will be the last.”

Conner gave Alex a look. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, buddy.”

Alex shrugged, “Hey friendship is supposed to be honest.”

Conner whined as they walked outside. “But that wasn’t nice!”

Alex shrugged, “Brutal honesty?”

Conner smiled, “If you put it that way it sounds better.”

Alex chuckled. He craned his head, seeing Conner’s mom’s car coming. “Oh. Dude. Here comes mom.”

Conner gave him a look. “Why do you call her mom?”

Alex smirked, “Because whether I am her kid or not, she says I am her favorite child.”

Conner chuckled, “Yeah right. She told me that first.”

Conner’s mom pulled up and waved at them through the open window. “Hey boys! Hop in!”

Alex waved. “Hey mom!” He slid into the backseat of the car.

Conner got in the back seat. “Mom. Aren’t I your favorite?”

Alex giggled. “Nope because I am her favorite.”

Conner nudged Alex lightly. “No I am her favorite.”

Conner’s mom laughed. “Come on, you two. You know I love you both. Conner, you are my son. And I see Alex enough to think of him as like your brother.”

Alex smiled, “Thanks mom.”

Conner pouted, “But she’s miiiiiine. You have your own. You don’t see me stealing your mom.”

Alex crossed his arms. “Seven months ago, she took you to Comi-con. WITHOUT ME!”

Conner stuck his tongue out. “You were in Chemo! And it was my birthday!”

Alex glared, “Maybe I wanted to go to that too!”

Conner’s mom chuckled as she kept driving.

                                        ………………………………….

Alex walked up to the youth pastor Owen, who was also an otter, after the message. “Hey Owen. Great message today.”

Owen smiled as he helped the band put up the sound equipment. “Thanks Alex. Glad to see you still like them.”

Alex nodded, “I took notes again. But that isn’t the reason I am here… I wanted to talk to you about something.”

Owen nodded, “Hold on. We can talk in my office.” He finished helping the band pack up, then led Alex to his office and they sat down. “Okay buddy. What’s up?”

Alex sighed, “Growing up… did you have any gay friends?”

Owen cocked his head. “Well… I knew a few that identified themselves as part of that community. Why do you ask?”

“Well…” Alex sighed again. “There is this guy, Clay, who was my lab-partner in biology who is gay. And I really want to share the gospel with him and his boyfriend… but the boyfriend seems very defensive and just has a wrong view of Christ.” Alex looked at Owen. “And he doesn’t want me talking to neither him nor Clay. But for some reason, that makes me want to tell them even more. I need advice on where to start…”

Owen nodded, “Okay. Start by telling me what the guy said to you that made you think his views of God and Christ are wrong.”

Alex thought, “Well… he said that he and Clay had been hurt by Christians before and that he didn’t want Clay to have a friend that sends people to hell because they have feelings for someone…”

Owen nodded, “Yeah. Sounds like he is missing the saving grace part of the gospel.”

Alex nodded, “Yeah! I want to tell them so bad that there is hope. That someone saw past their sin and loved them so much that he died. That they don’t have to go to hell!” Alex sniffled. “Darnit… I am going to cry.”

Owen smiled, “Don’t be ashamed. It just means that your heart hurts for them. You want them to hear the gospel. Just show them love, and pray for them and that God would give you an opportunity to talk to them and give them the gospel.”

Alex looked down. “That may take a long time though… and they may try to actively avoid me…”

Owen smiled, “You just have to be patient Alex. God works on his own time.”

Alex smiled, “I wish that he would work a little faster.”

Owen chuckled, “Don’t we all… But we need to realize that his timing is precisely when he means it to be.”

Alex narrowed his eyes, “Did you get that from J.R.R. Tolkein?”

Owen gave a slyish grin. “He is a very inspirational writer.”

Alex chuckled, “You’re such a nerd, Owen.”

Owen nodded and laughed, “Most youth pastors are!”                   

Alex beamed, “So can you pray with me about this?”

Owen nodded, and they both bowed to pray.

                                        ………………………………….

Two shadowy figures met on a park bench at midnight and sat down on a bench. “I still don’t like your proposition.” One of them said, “I have come to deny my services to you. I am not going to shoot up a private event and kill someone for your personal gain. I only kill corrupt politicians… and I don’t even do that anymore.”

The other crossed their arms and replied in a disguised voice. “So you are telling me no?”

The first figure nodded. “I don’t this kind of thing anymore.”

The second figure shrugged then grabbed the first one by his collar. “Listen to me. I know you. I know all about you. Everything. I have your files of every person you’ve killed and every weapons dealer you’ve bought from.” The second person shoved the first to the ground. “The Fox will kill again. Or else all of your files will be leaked and I will make sure everyone knows about you and who you are.”

The first figure glared hard at him. “Fine. But if I find any one of those files or if you even put a whisker near anyone I care about. You are next.”

The second figure stood up and walked away chuckling. “We’ll see about that.”

Who do you think the Fox is? And who is the guy talking to them? Have any guesses? Drop a comment here or on the post on Facebook to share your suspicions.