Chapter 6 - Cuddle in the Crow's NestA Chapter by The Kafkaesque Poltergeistmajor plot event
Valerie high-tailed it out of the neighborhood, not sure where she was going. All she knew was that she had to scram to not get caught by the cops.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she failed to notice who was in her path. A high, nasal yip brought her back to Earth. “Who was that?” she thought.
She looked up ahead to see Misha silhouetted against the evening sky. The angle of the sun in the sky created a soft, beautiful light that went perfectly with the hues above, illuminating everything with an almost surreally gorgeous flair, which photographers call “sweet light”. Valerie silently complimented God on his artistry before bringing her attention back to Misha. “Hi,” she said quietly.
“ ‘ello,” said Misha. “How goes it?”
“Well, thanks. Beautiful evening. Care for a stroll?” she asked.
“Erm, ok..” he replied.
Valerie felt an exhilaration as their eyes met. “You know, ever since I first saw you give that speech in front of the courthouse …” she started.
“Yes?” he asked.
Valerie held the pause a little longer before continuing. “…I’ve been unable to think of anything but you.”
“Oh, I see,” he thought aloud. “So that’s why you’re so shy. I understand.” he gave her a little wink.
Valerie took Misha’s paw as they trotted down the grassy knoll to the beach, and then onto an old sailing ship in the harbor. She hopped onto the rigging with the words, “Come follow me.”
Laughing, the two quickly made their ways to the top before meeting up in the crow’s nest. Looking off into the sunset, Valerie whispered, “This is the most beautiful moment of my life…” before grabbing Misha and giving him a big kiss.
Misha’s eyes became huge. Woah, he thought, Hey, this isn’t so bad. He licked her back.
The two of them continued to cuddle in the crow’s nest for quite some time before they heard another voice calling, “Misha! Misha! Where are you? Come home!”
“Uh-oh,” said Misha. “That’s my wife.”
“Misha! I hear you. Come down from there!”
“Crud,” said Misha.
“I’ll handle this,” said Valerie. She started to descend so she could address Mrs. Misha. “Ma’am, I’m sorry for…”
Mrs. Misha’s ears pulled back at the sight of Valerie emerging from the crow’s nest. “Where is my husband?” she demanded.
“I’m right here,” he said with trepidation as he and Valerie descended.
“Mikeil! Were you cuddling with that tramp?”
“I’m not a tramp!” barked Valerie.
“She’s not a tramp, just an acquaintance,” said Misha.
“I’m only an acquaintance? I thought I was more than that to you,” she said to Misha and began to sniffle.
“It’s ok, Valerie,” he said as he pulled Valerie to his side, trying to comfort her.
“It’s not ok, Mikeil! I’m at home trying to raise a sick son while you’re off snuggling with other vixens!” barked Mrs. Misha. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
“It’s my fault, not his,” said Valerie, shaking.
“What?!” yelled Mrs. Misha.
“I started this, he’s not to blame.” Valerie hung her head.
“How dare you go after my husband! You little …” she threw Valerie to the ground. Valerie got back up and grabbed a long stick, as did Mrs. Misha. The two started to spar with Mrs. Misha was on the offense and Valerie on the defense. Valerie was able to block almost all of her attacks but just once Mrs. Misha’s stick flew right into Valerie’s left eye. Valerie howled in pain before passing out.
“Valerie!” cried Misha as he ran to her side. “Valerie! Say something!”
In the meantime someone had seen the fight and called the cops. They took Mrs. Misha into custody and an ambulance arrived for Valerie.
As the crew loaded Valerie into the ambulance, Misha fought back tears. He pleaded for the crew to let him ride by her side but they wouldn’t allow it. Misha got into his car and followed the ambulance to the hospital. As soon as he was allowed he went to visit her.
Valerie was asleep when Misha arrived. He knew he probably shouldn’t, but he softly woke her. “Valerie, I’m so sorry, this is all my fault..”
“No it’s not, Misha. I was wrong to go between you and your wife.”
“At least you’re ok. I was scared when you didn’t answer me,” said Misha. What have the doctors said?”
“I’m probably not going to be able to use my eye much any more,” she answered. “They said I would need surgery but could leave in a week.”
“Poor baby,” he said and licked the top of her head.
“It’s ok Misha, I’ll be fine.” She took his paw in hers and relished the fact that she was getting so much attention from her love.
She fell back asleep, smiling despite the pain.
Valerie found herself in a beautiful garden. She was wearing a long, elegant white dress. Several dozen other animals sat nearby on either side of a long aisle. At the end of the aisle she saw Pastor Chip and another Fox.
Valerie’s father stood next to her and prepared to walk her down the aisle. Valerie could not help but notice how bright, airy, and happy everything seemed as the violins played Pachelbel’s Canon in D.
Finally, Valerie and her father were at the end of the aisle. She stepped away from him and towards the other Fox with the words, “Misha, you’ve made me the luckiest vixen alive,” before closing her eyes and giving the other Fox the kiss of a lifetime.
She opened her eyes, but to her horror, she saw that the other Fox was not Misha.
It was Mishiko.
“Ahhh!” she cried. “Eeew! Not Mishiko of all creatures!” She emerged from the dream and opened her eye to see Misha sitting by the bed while holding her paw.
“What’s wrong?” asked Misha.
“Just a freaky dream, that’s all,” Valerie said.
A tall vulture in a white coat knocked on the door. Misha got up to answer it. “’ello,” he said.
“Hi. It’s time for Valerie to go into surgery,” said the vulture.
Misha gave Valerie’s paw a tight squeeze. “Good luck,” he told her as she was wheeled away.
Now left all alone, he had time to think about the two vixens in his life. “Of course I still love my wife, but Valerie has wormed her way into my heart as well,” he said to himself. “And both of them are in trouble - Valerie’s in surgery and my wife is in custody, plus I have a sick son I’m raising on my own at the moment.” He put his head in his paws. Perhaps it’s time I talk to someone, he thought.
That Sunday, Misha spent two hours on the bus going to church. Even though he didn’t go often, he felt the need to this morning. Misha arrived and took a seat. As he watched the altar server he couldn’t help but think of Valerie - she had told him about her position there and how much she loved it.
He started to sniffle as Pastor Chip lead the confession but was comforted by his words, “In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit“…
What magical words! All his sin gone in an instant because of just one belief - that Jesus already took his sins. Misha thought there was nothing more valuable or beautiful than those few words and what they meant.
The sermon that morning was about marital faithfulness. It was hard for Misha to listen to. He had never felt so dirty and worthless as he heard the words of that sermon.
After the service, Misha approached Pastor Chip feeling like he had an apple in his throat. “Pastor, I have something I need to confess,” he said.
“What is it, son?” replied the Pastor.
“Well, … the other day I snuggled with another vixen instead of my wife, and they were fighting over me and one of them is in surgery because of it and the other is being held by the police and I feel like a t**d because it’s all my fault! I don’t know what to do and I feel like the worst sinner in the world.” By this time he was sniffling again.
“Son, you’re not responsible for other creatures’ actions. You did not force them to do that, they chose to act that way on their own,” said Chip looking up at him.
“But if it wasn’t for me they wouldn’t have chosen to act that way in the first place,” said Misha with a conscientious look on his face.
“It’s still not your fault,” said Chip. “Everyone is accountable for their own actions and no one else’s.” said Chip as he gently touched Misha’s paw.
“There’s still the fact that I paid attention to someone other than my wife…”
“Well, there is a commandment against adultery, but not against snuggling with someone,” answered Chip. “If the two of you had been more intimate than there would be a problem, but it’s fine to be close to other creatures as long as you don’t take it too far.”
Misha took a second to wrap his brain around this. “Well, Valerie and I weren’t too intimate, but all the same my wife was furious,” he said, looking down.
“Understandably. It wasn’t a good idea for you to snuggle with someone else and she probably feels jealous of Valerie.”
“Oh yes. That’s what lead to the duel, which was how Valerie got her eye knocked out by my wife and why she is in the hospital right now…”
“I’m sorry to hear that, “ Chip said softly. “But don’t beat yourself up over it.”
“I feel particularly bad for Valerie because it took a lot of guts for her to confess to my wife’s face that she was with me and this mess is what she gets for it,” Misha sighed.
“That’s how it is sometimes. But suffering for doing the right thing is what pleases God. The more you take now, especially when you are not to blame, the better off you’ll be in the next life.” Chip cracked a smile as he said this.
“That makes sense,” said Misha as he looked down at the wise little minister.
“ My point in all this is that you are responsible for your own load - no more, no less. You have to account for your actions, but not for anyone else’s. While snuggling with Valerie was not a good idea it doesn’t condemn you because you didn’t go too far with it.”
“I feel like I’ve torn my relationship with my wife by doing this and I need to put it back together,” stated Misha.
“Maybe you do. But she also needs to learn not to be so jealous,” said Chip.
“How do I win back my wife?”
“Just tell her what you just told me - that you care about your relationship with her and you want things to be right again. Doing something nice for her would help, too.”
“Thanks, Pastor Chip. I appreciate your help,” said Misha as he shook the Chipmunk’s paw.
“No problem,” he answered.
A week later Misha went back to the hospital to check on Valerie. When he arrived she was awake, reading a book. The room was full of flowers and balloons, and cards lined the table. “ ‘ello,” said Misha as he peaked in.
“Hi Misha. How goes it?”
“Well, thanks. How are you feeling?”
“Ok, except my eye is still sore. I can’t see very well out of it any more,” she said while gently rubbing it.
“Bummer. How was the surgery?” He came further into the room, taking a seat at the side of the bed.
“It went ok except it didn’t restore my sight all the way. I can see light and colors out my injured eye, but I can’t make anything out.”
“You can still read. That’s good,” said Misha in an attempt to stay positive.
“Yes, the book’s pretty good. It’s about a monk on a journey to regain his faith after losing all he has after his monastery collapses into the ocean.”
“I talked to Pastor Chip,” said Misha. “He said that we don’t have much to feel guilty about,” smiled Misha.
“You sure are in good spirits today, aren’t you?” noticed Valerie.
“I just feel relieved and happy that you are ok now,” he replied. “I wish I could restore your eye.”
“It’s ok, I still have another one. Good thing God gave us two, isn’t it?” chuckled Valerie.
“So, when do you think you’ll be able to come home?” asked Misha.
“The doctors said I could be discharged tomorrow,” Valerie answered. “The only question is how I’ll get home…”
“I can walk you home,” said Misha. “You don’t live too far away.”
“You’re right. I’d like that,” said Valerie.
At 10 the next morning Valerie finished filling out her discharge papers when Misha arrived to take her home. It was a sunny day, she was out of the hospital, and she got to take another walk with her love. She couldn’t have been happier.
© 2009 The Kafkaesque PoltergeistAuthor's Note
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Added on January 26, 2009 AuthorThe Kafkaesque PoltergeistAboutThe Kafkaesque Poltergeist is an author/illustrator who is fascinated by the supernatural and also has stories on www.writing.com. When not writing or illustrating, KP enjoys theatre and playing the p.. more..Writing
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