Chapter 10.

With a pensive look across his face, James stared out his office window, his green eyes peering from beneath his sunglasses and staring at the billowing clouds in the sky. Along the cityline in the distance, ominous black wisps streamed down from the darkest clouds, and fleeting flashes of lightning jumped from one skyscraper to the other.

God, I wish I could forget that night, he spoke in thought. Even after Vixy and I got married, we shared that regret. I remember--eight years ago, Vixy and I had a talk--one that ended up being our last. It was a long talk--leading from one thing to another, like long talks always did--and, at one point, I asked her, 'Do you have any regrets?' Those bright green eyes--they had a twinkle when she said, 'Not a one, James.' But, then--that twinkle faded. She turned away from me and said, 'Except one.' Immediately, I knew what it was--the night she and I spent together. I know I'm forgiven, but--I still wonder if I can forgive myself enough for it. Then again, God--none of this is news. You know everything about me.

A soft knock snapped James to attention. "Come in," he said, a sudden tone of confidence in his voice. On cue, a stout, long-eared figure entered the office, a pair of thick spectacles balanced upon his muzzle.

"Hi, Peppy," James greeted, turning from the window. "How are things going?"

"Well. Very well. We're just a few weeks into the fall semester, and our whole Academy is packed." With a chuckle, Peppy added, "You should hear all the students chattering about you, Jim. They keep wanting to talk with you and ask you what it was like on Zoness. So, old friend, how are things with you?"

With a heavy sigh, James added, "Same as earlier," as a strong hand grasped the tapered edge of a wooden picture frame, the engraved words "June 1982" immortalized into its lower right hand corner. The photo encased showed James in a cliché tuxedo and Vixy in an overflowing bride's dress. The twosome flashed an eternal smile, their eyes twinkling and arms wrapped around each other. A rare situation resided in the image--James without his ever-present sunglasses.

"This picture made me think about the mistake she and I made earlier that year."

"Hmm. So I noticed," Peppy said. "Tell me something, old friend: Are you disciplining Fox so that you can try to redeem yourself after a mistake that God doesn't hold you responsible for anymore?"

James paused. "Hmm. Now there's something I didn't expect to hear."

"Jim, you are a good father and a strong Christian, and your morals are without question--but that doesn't mean you can earn your own forgiveness. God has already given it to you, and He doesn't remember what you did."

With a meditative nod, James replied, "You're right, old friend. It's not just about having a hard time forgiving myself. I also have to think about Fox and his situation. He's feeling what I did when I was in his shoes--loss, regret, and confusion. I did and felt the same things, and instead of being loving and patient, I clamp down on him without giving him a chance to talk. Now, it's three months after that night, and he won't come near me."

Peppy gave a compassionate nod and geared up to reply as James's desk phone gave a monotonous twitter. On cue, James pressed a button on the console and spoke, "Yes, Alicia?"

"Uncle Jim, someone just called the Aviation Sciences lab, and they left a message on extension 114."

"Oh, that's right," Peppy piped. "Fox used to have an extension there, but he gave it up when he graduated. We haven't invalidated it yet."

"Ah. All right, Alicia. Thanks. I'll get the message from here."

"Sure thing, Uncle Jim."

The phone clicked off, and Peppy gave a kind chuckle. "I'm glad your niece volunteers here. She has some great manners, Jim."

"Yeah. She gets them from being a McCloud," James replied, punching in a series of numbers. "Now, on to the main catch. Let's see who left Fox a message."

With the push of a button, a distorted male voice spoke, "Hey, uh, Fox--it's me, Jay. I wanted to be sure you were going to our meeting place. Bring your stash, too--you'll get a lot more than you have right now. Bye."

Once the line fell silent, Peppy and James exchanged suspicious glances.

"Who in the world is that?" Peppy mumbled, his eyebrows rising.

"I don't know. Strange thing is, that voice sounded familiar. Listen, my friend--before we look into this, maybe we should do some praying. We all need to be praying a lot more these days."

With an affirmative nod, Peppy replied, "I agree."