01: The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men.
"Brothers are meant to irritate!"
Any sister, Any time.
"Jen, wait up!"
Jennifer turned around to see a chipmunk running after her. He was about her size, wearing a black bomber jacket, and a backpack slung over his shoulder. He looked just like his father except for his blue eyes, witch stood out against his brown fur. She was a different matter. She was a spitting image of her mother, except for her fathers deep brown eyes, that clashed with her white fur and golden blond hair.
"What is it Gee, I'm late for class." She yelled at the winded chipmunk.
He had finally caught up, but was still panting hard. "Meet me (pant) in the (pant) coffee shop after (pant) class. It's important." At that her brother turned and ran off to get to his class.
Their scheduled meeting haunted her all the way to her class. 'What could be so important that Gee would risk being late for class. He's already five points away from taking that class over.'
"Earth to Jen. Cool your thrusters and prepare for reentry."
Jen was startled by the mysterious voice. She shook her head to clear it, then turned to face who ever it was, dropping her books in the presses.
"Jen, calm down, it's only me. You look like you've seen a ghost."
Jennifer found a pair of big deep violet eyes. The eyes stared back, trying unsuccessfully to hide their worry.
Jennifer started to pick up her books. The bat at her side bent down to help, her brown wings gently lifting the books form their fallen position.
"I'm sorry Maggie," Jennifer began "you startled me. I was thinking about something and lost track of my surroundings."
"That's an understatement. I was yelling at you to slow down for a good five minuets, you're not THAT late for class, are you?" Magnolia sensed Jens apprehension, but decided to push on. "Why don't you tell me what's on you're mind while we walk to class."
Jen could see that the bat wasn't going to except no for an answer. With a sigh, she started to place the fallen books into her backpack, and to recreate her encounter.
* * * *
Chip was sitting at his desk in his classroom grading papers. Spring break was coming up, and he had just administered the last big test before the break. "Now comes the monotonous part", he mumbled to him self. He acknowledged his task and started in on the stack of papers as tall as he was when a knock interrupted him.
"Come in."
Chip watched as the door opened, and the figure walked in. "Gee, what brings you here, is this about the test? You know that I don't even grade your class papers."
"No dad, it's not about that." His son mumbled.
"Then what is it, you look worried."
"Moms birthday is coming up, and I want to do something special." Geegaw had a glint in his eyes that Chip recognized first hand.
He looked at his son and thought for a moment. "What did you have in mind?"
"Well," Gee squirmed in his seat trying to find a tactful way to put it but not finding a way, he just blurted it out. "I want to do something that will stick with her, not something that will be forgotten, or tossed aside."
"Like?" Chip prompted.
Geegaw thought for a moment. "Well, is there anything Mom regretted not doing?"
Chip had to think about this question. "No, she doesn't relive the past to often." Chip delved deeper into his memories. "Now that I think about it, she regrets leaving your grandfathers plane behind, but that's in the Arctic Circle and was scavenged for parts to make the Ranger Wing. No way it could be salvaged. Sorry I couldn't help more."
Geegaw looked at his feet. "That's ok, it was a long shot." He looked at his watch, and slapped his forehead. "Shoot, I was supposed to meet Jen at the Café five minuets ago."
* * * *
The 'Café de Jazz' was small, even by mouse standards, a true 'hole in the wall.' The room was long and narrow. The tables were small, big enough for three rodents to be seated uncomfortably, but not much more. In the far corner was a stage were bands would come and play on the weekends. Over all, it was small and dark, just the way it should be, and Jennifer liked it. It was the only coffee shop in the area. Sure there was the school cafeteria, but that didn't count.
The place was surprisingly empty, only a few patrons sparsely littering its floor. Jen could only recognize two of the customers. They were brother and sister, easily the tallest mammals on campus. They had befriended her and her brother, the second day of their freshmen year. Both of them had full athletic scholarships. That wasn't surprising because they were the only two mercats in the schools division.
The female specialized in track and field, her brother in football and soccer. They were known as 'Charlie's Angels'. Charlie, the male, didn't mind this nickname as much as Samantha did. She hated the pet name 'Angel', and had been known to answer the call with a fist to the antagonizers nose. They were tough, but loyal to their friends and wouldn't hurt a fly, unless the fly started it, of course, then they felt obligated to finish what was started.
Jennifer was sitting in the corner, waiting for Magnolia to come back with their drinks. Jen needed something to calm her nerves. She was rattled by her brother wanting to meet her here, but was unsure why. It was common to come here after class to relax, yet something told her that it was big.
Magnolia had returned to the table by now and had stated to pass out their drinks, a decaf espresso for Jennifer, and a special banana mix that was high in protein for her self. It was hard for her, being a bat, to go out each night looking for insects, and this mix that she had found one night at the zoo was the next best thing. She eyed Jenifer as she absently stirred her espresso, but could do nothing to alleviate her anxiety.
Geegaw walked in, taking a moment to let his eyes readjust to the dark room.
"Gee, Over here!" Jen shook a hand above her head to get her brothers attention. Geegaw proceeded over to the table and sat down.
"Maggie can you keep a secret?" Geegaw asked, leaning over the table
"It depends, what kind of secret." The bat shot back.
"A good one, one you'll want to keep."
"So it's not gossip, I can deal with that." Magnolia said matter-of-factly.
Geegaw looked at her for a moment, not sure if she was joking or not. She wasn't known as a gossiper, but she does pass on a story now and then. She winked an eye in his direction putting all his concerns to rest. With a sign, he proceeded.
"I want to do something special for Mom and I'll need your help Jen."
"What, you never considered me to help you, Gee? I'm hurt. I want to surprise Auntie-Gadget just as much as Jen would." Magnolia declared quietly in a sarcastic tone.
Geegaw continued, ignoring the attempted joke from his cousin. "Jen, remember how Mom would talk about grandpas old plane?"
Jen stared at her brother, not following his train of thought. "She'd mumble about it in her sleep. I think it hurt her to think about it. What's your point?"
"I talked to dad. He said she had regretted leaving the plane behind. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense." Geegaw could tell that both Maggie and Jen were lost. "I want to salvage the plane as a birthday present."
"WHAT?" Jennifer yelled, startled at how loud her voice had raised. The café fell into a hush. She could see that he was serious. She recomposed her self, but Maggie spoke first, beating her to the punch.
"But it's in the arctic, Glassier Bay if I remember the story correctly."
"So you two in?" Geegaw said with a smirk.
"Brothers are meant to irritate!"
Any sister, Any time.
"Jen, wait up!"
Jennifer turned around to see a chipmunk running after her. He was about her size, wearing a black bomber jacket, and a backpack slung over his shoulder. He looked just like his father except for his blue eyes, witch stood out against his brown fur. She was a different matter. She was a spitting image of her mother, except for her fathers deep brown eyes, that clashed with her white fur and golden blond hair.
"What is it Gee, I'm late for class." She yelled at the winded chipmunk.
He had finally caught up, but was still panting hard. "Meet me (pant) in the (pant) coffee shop after (pant) class. It's important." At that her brother turned and ran off to get to his class.
Their scheduled meeting haunted her all the way to her class. 'What could be so important that Gee would risk being late for class. He's already five points away from taking that class over.'
"Earth to Jen. Cool your thrusters and prepare for reentry."
Jen was startled by the mysterious voice. She shook her head to clear it, then turned to face who ever it was, dropping her books in the presses.
"Jen, calm down, it's only me. You look like you've seen a ghost."
Jennifer found a pair of big deep violet eyes. The eyes stared back, trying unsuccessfully to hide their worry.
Jennifer started to pick up her books. The bat at her side bent down to help, her brown wings gently lifting the books form their fallen position.
"I'm sorry Maggie," Jennifer began "you startled me. I was thinking about something and lost track of my surroundings."
"That's an understatement. I was yelling at you to slow down for a good five minuets, you're not THAT late for class, are you?" Magnolia sensed Jens apprehension, but decided to push on. "Why don't you tell me what's on you're mind while we walk to class."
Jen could see that the bat wasn't going to except no for an answer. With a sigh, she started to place the fallen books into her backpack, and to recreate her encounter.
* * * *
Chip was sitting at his desk in his classroom grading papers. Spring break was coming up, and he had just administered the last big test before the break. "Now comes the monotonous part", he mumbled to him self. He acknowledged his task and started in on the stack of papers as tall as he was when a knock interrupted him.
"Come in."
Chip watched as the door opened, and the figure walked in. "Gee, what brings you here, is this about the test? You know that I don't even grade your class papers."
"No dad, it's not about that." His son mumbled.
"Then what is it, you look worried."
"Moms birthday is coming up, and I want to do something special." Geegaw had a glint in his eyes that Chip recognized first hand.
He looked at his son and thought for a moment. "What did you have in mind?"
"Well," Gee squirmed in his seat trying to find a tactful way to put it but not finding a way, he just blurted it out. "I want to do something that will stick with her, not something that will be forgotten, or tossed aside."
"Like?" Chip prompted.
Geegaw thought for a moment. "Well, is there anything Mom regretted not doing?"
Chip had to think about this question. "No, she doesn't relive the past to often." Chip delved deeper into his memories. "Now that I think about it, she regrets leaving your grandfathers plane behind, but that's in the Arctic Circle and was scavenged for parts to make the Ranger Wing. No way it could be salvaged. Sorry I couldn't help more."
Geegaw looked at his feet. "That's ok, it was a long shot." He looked at his watch, and slapped his forehead. "Shoot, I was supposed to meet Jen at the Café five minuets ago."
* * * *
The 'Café de Jazz' was small, even by mouse standards, a true 'hole in the wall.' The room was long and narrow. The tables were small, big enough for three rodents to be seated uncomfortably, but not much more. In the far corner was a stage were bands would come and play on the weekends. Over all, it was small and dark, just the way it should be, and Jennifer liked it. It was the only coffee shop in the area. Sure there was the school cafeteria, but that didn't count.
The place was surprisingly empty, only a few patrons sparsely littering its floor. Jen could only recognize two of the customers. They were brother and sister, easily the tallest mammals on campus. They had befriended her and her brother, the second day of their freshmen year. Both of them had full athletic scholarships. That wasn't surprising because they were the only two mercats in the schools division.
The female specialized in track and field, her brother in football and soccer. They were known as 'Charlie's Angels'. Charlie, the male, didn't mind this nickname as much as Samantha did. She hated the pet name 'Angel', and had been known to answer the call with a fist to the antagonizers nose. They were tough, but loyal to their friends and wouldn't hurt a fly, unless the fly started it, of course, then they felt obligated to finish what was started.
Jennifer was sitting in the corner, waiting for Magnolia to come back with their drinks. Jen needed something to calm her nerves. She was rattled by her brother wanting to meet her here, but was unsure why. It was common to come here after class to relax, yet something told her that it was big.
Magnolia had returned to the table by now and had stated to pass out their drinks, a decaf espresso for Jennifer, and a special banana mix that was high in protein for her self. It was hard for her, being a bat, to go out each night looking for insects, and this mix that she had found one night at the zoo was the next best thing. She eyed Jenifer as she absently stirred her espresso, but could do nothing to alleviate her anxiety.
Geegaw walked in, taking a moment to let his eyes readjust to the dark room.
"Gee, Over here!" Jen shook a hand above her head to get her brothers attention. Geegaw proceeded over to the table and sat down.
"Maggie can you keep a secret?" Geegaw asked, leaning over the table
"It depends, what kind of secret." The bat shot back.
"A good one, one you'll want to keep."
"So it's not gossip, I can deal with that." Magnolia said matter-of-factly.
Geegaw looked at her for a moment, not sure if she was joking or not. She wasn't known as a gossiper, but she does pass on a story now and then. She winked an eye in his direction putting all his concerns to rest. With a sign, he proceeded.
"I want to do something special for Mom and I'll need your help Jen."
"What, you never considered me to help you, Gee? I'm hurt. I want to surprise Auntie-Gadget just as much as Jen would." Magnolia declared quietly in a sarcastic tone.
Geegaw continued, ignoring the attempted joke from his cousin. "Jen, remember how Mom would talk about grandpas old plane?"
Jen stared at her brother, not following his train of thought. "She'd mumble about it in her sleep. I think it hurt her to think about it. What's your point?"
"I talked to dad. He said she had regretted leaving the plane behind. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense." Geegaw could tell that both Maggie and Jen were lost. "I want to salvage the plane as a birthday present."
"WHAT?" Jennifer yelled, startled at how loud her voice had raised. The café fell into a hush. She could see that he was serious. She recomposed her self, but Maggie spoke first, beating her to the punch.
"But it's in the arctic, Glassier Bay if I remember the story correctly."
"So you two in?" Geegaw said with a smirk.