It was around five to three when the young feline arrived back home. For the next long while, Jacque simply 'hid' up in his room, lying flat on his back on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, for the first while, tried distracting himself by counting all the tiles, but kept losing concentration, and finally gave up. The next what seemed like years later, when Jacque peered over his side, and looked to see what time it was. Four o'clock on the dot. Sighing, the young lynx/caracal decided he'd been lazy long enough, and he might as well do something 'productive' now. So he pulled out his backpack, and shelled out his books. He sat at his desk and caught up on the History work he'd missed that day, since the work experience had started. That took about fifty or so odd minutes to finish. It was now ten to five. Jacque fidgeted in his seat, getting more nervous by the minute. His mother would be home soon, and after that, his father. He swallowed hard down his dry, clammy throat. He wished he could snap out of this seemingly unreal state of the present. If only he could fast forward time, and it would all be over with. He lowered his face into his hands, groaning. When he drew his palms away, his gaze was focused into his wastebasket below. There was a candy bar wrapper noticeably near the top. Jacque couldn't help but think of food, at this time. *-Wonder what Mom's making for supper tonight...* Just then, an idea sparked in his mind. *Wait that's it!* he thought. Both his parents were coming home late... what better way to put them in good humour, than having dinner ready for when they got back? At least this way, Jacque could score a few good points with them, to give at least some advantage, before he dropped the bomb. He thumped down the stairs, and scattered to the kitchen. Yanking open the fridge, he poked around, seeing what there was. He finally decided to take out the salmon and frozen garlic bread. Looking back into the fridge, he hoped he could find the other things he needed. Thankfully, there was enough. Taking various packages, Jacque set about his work.
Sometime later on, the front door opened. An adult female caracal walked in wearing a long overcoat with a bag slung around her shoulder. "-Hello?" Jacque?" I'm back!" In the kitchen, the young feline thought to himself, *-Okay, time to put on the 'everything's fine, happy-happy' charade...* "-Hey Mom!" he called to her. Lady Lorelei hung her jacket on the hooks near the doorway, and walked into the kitchen. "Hey sweetie," she greeted him, and gave him a little motherly peck on the cheek. The Celayas were an affectionate and close family, so little things like that were always to be expected, whether it was a motherly embrace, a supportive fatherly shoulder hug or whatnot. Glancing around, Lorelei gave an amused look. "-Exactly what sort of 'evil spell' are you up to in here?" Not outward showing, but definitely feeling it, Jacque winced at the word. *Evil...* Would he be hearing that word again soon for obvious reasons, he wondered. Forcing a smile on his face, he replied, "-None of the sort, Mother dear... unless you call my cooking poison!" He pretended to be insulted. His mother gave a sweet laugh. "-Of course not, my Jacq!" I just didn't expect to see you doing so... may I ask the occasion?" "-No occasion," he answered, with honesty. "I just thought since you and Dad were getting home late, it might be nice to have supper already made for you two, so you could relax and take it easy, after a long day." Lorelei looked touched. "-Awww... that's so considerate of you!" Such a sweet boy!" she swooned, and gave him another embrace. Blushing a little, Jacque allowed her to latch on for another minute. "-Alright Mom, if you could kindly let the 'cook' get back to his preparations..." "-Ah yes... indeed." The mother caracal glanced at the food being prepared. "So what are we to dine to tonight, my son?" Jestingly, Jacque spoke in a stereotypical somewhat French or perhaps Italian accent, saying, "-Vhy, mademoiselle, ve shall feast upon zee ala salmon and zee garlic bread, oui!" Lorelei smiled, shaking her head at the absurdness hilarity of it. "-Well... that sounds quite nice in itself... but what I'd really like to know... might we perhaps be sampling some of your-" "-Greek salad, mademoiselle?" Oui, oui!" Vhat vould zee dinnery be vithout zee cook's specialty, ne?" Jacque exclaimed. "-Sounds wonderful, dearest," his mother told him, giving his cheek a fond squeeze. "-Merci, mademoiselle... but now you must be gone!" Exit zee perimeters!" Out of my kitchen!" I must have zee room to vork!" Lorelei raised an eyebrow. "-YOUR kitchen??" Knowing he'd crossed the line, Jacque flushed sheepishly. "-Alright, alright... it's your kitchen... but it's MY food!" "-That WHO bought?" Corrected again. "-Oh come on, Mom!" I never interfere when YOU-" "-Oh Jacque, I'm just teasing, love." As you were, darling." Her son smiled wryly. "-THANK you."
To their surprise, Sir Marco arrived home earlier than he'd said, around quarter after five. By then, Jacque was finishing things up, almost ready. Lady Lorelei heard the front door open, from her chair in the living room. She set down her book, and went to go check. And sure enough, there he stood. Glancing with a somewhat devious look, she spoke out, "-Back so soon?" Looking up from his shoes, Marco stared at his wife. Slowly smiling, he replied, "-It seems so." Why, miss me that much, love?" Lorelei smirked, "-Never." He stood straight, and she locked arms with his and they embraced. "I'd say more an unexpected pleasure, darling." The male lynx then looked pleased with himself. "Speaking of unexpected pleasures..." He let go of her, reached behind, and pulled out an object forward. "Surprise." It was a small, yet still exquisite, bouquet of flowers. The female caracal truly WAS surprised. "-Oh Marco, you didn't-!" My goodness, these are beautiful!" What's this for?" "'What for' you ask?" inquired Sir Marco. "Can't a husband surprise his wife with a token of his gratitude, simply because he 'loves' her?" A tint of pink flushed upon Lorelei's fair cheeks. "You're right... you shameless, flattering romantic," she sighed, and kissed him. "-I've just been working so much on and off overtime the last week or so, I feel like I've been not able to spend as much time with you, lately," Marco admitted. "I just wanted to do something special for you." In fact... I was thinking since things have been doing so well at work, we could could celebrate, or something, just the two of us." Maybe take you out for dinner someplace nice." "That sounds lovely, hun," Lorelei mused. "We'll definitely have to talk more of it later on." Her husband nodded. "-Anyways, on the subject of dinner, would you like me to help out tonight?" The female shook her head. "-No need for that... your son's taking care of that." As she walked back into the main room, Marco followed, an amused look on his face. "-Is he now?" Well then... perhaps I'll just go check how he's doing." He didn't want to miss this opportunity to jest.
Both parents entered the kitchen, where Jacque was grating cheese, awaiting the completion of the toasting garlic bread. Marco exclaimed, "-And lo!" A kind sight for sore eyes." My son!" Turning around, a tad startled, Jacque spoke, "-Dad!" I thought you said you'd be home later?" "-So did I, kiddo." But I was 'released' earlier, since I'd been pulling my share so well, the last while." Something in the working world you should know about, Jacq, especially with that work experience you're doing," the father lynx advised. The son nodded, understanding at his words, "-I'll keep that in mind, Pop." Staring about the room, Marco continued, "-So your mom tells me you're making supper tonight, hmm?" "-Sure am." "-That's very generous..." So what kind of notorious crime have you committed lately?" Jacque blinked. "-Excuse me??" Pretending to be embarrassed, Marco smacked himself in the face. "-Oh!" Silly me... wrong question!" I meant to say, what are you asking me and your mother for, here?" His son's mouth dropped open, at the supposed accusation. "-Fa-ther!" Lorelei finally cut in. "-Mar-co.. enough of that!" she told him, elbowing him in the stomach. "-Oh come now... I didn't mean it, you both know that!" Marco said, soothingly, putting his arm around his wife. "And 'I' know perfectly well that my son is a superb cook." Your mother and I have taught you well, have we not?" Grinning appreciatively, Jacque replied, "-Yes you have, thank you, Father sir." "-That's my lad," smiled his parent. "Just remember... the fire extinguisher is in the cupboard, First Aid in the closet, and... well you know how to dial 9-1-1 right?" Acting dramatically as if it were a last straw, Jacque threw up his hands, despairingly. "-Would you listen to that??" There it is, my own father has no faith in me whatsoever!" Why don't I just lay on the deathbed and die of broken heart already?" "-Well if THAT's what you really want to do, just be sure to leave the food!" Marco added, jestingly. Jacque gave a proud snort. "You wish!" Lorelei shook her head at her family. "-I think you two are ridiculous!" But I don't care, because I have the two sweetest and most considerate males in my life, and I wouldn't give either of them up for anyone else!" she declared, giving her son and husband yet another motherly and loving embrace.
The meal was well; Jacque's parents complimented him on the food, and they all conversed pleasantly. He was somewhat savouring the moments, knowing they might have a different attitude towards him for sometime once he told them the truth... After dinner, Jacque went back up to his room, and for over an hour, stared at himself in the mirror and went over lines of how to break the news, in different tones, patterns and such. He had to do this as delicate and gently as possible, considering the 'damage' it could cause... At last, he coughed up some nerve to finally make himself go back downstairs. It was now or never. He found his father at his study desk. Instead of making his presence known, Jacque just stood a few feet back quietly, watching him. His parent, writing away. This very picture was apart of one of Jacque's earliest memories... He'd been only a few months old or so. Being too adventurous, crawling around the room alone, Marco had picked up Jacque and put him in his playpen. Usually little Jacque didn't mind this, but for whatever reason, he'd been fussy and cried until his father picked him up again. Knowing then, that his son just wanted to be held, Sir Marco had simply held Jacque as he sat at his desk. Being somewhere close to teething, the young one had started chewing on Marco's ear, until he gave Jacque a pacifier to suck on. Being content with this, Jacque had taken to it, and been still. His little muzzle twitching up and down, nursing on the soother, the infant feline watched his father's work with great interest and eager curiousity, that a child observes its world with. Holding Jacque in one arm, Marco wrote with his free hand, which Jacque didn't notice then, was his left hand. His father was a 'lefty', which explained Jacque's now talent for being ambidextrous; able to use both hands with equal ease. True, his impulse made him go for his right hand instinctively, but he could write with his left just as well. He'd found out how helpful that was, nearly a year ago, when he'd sprained his right wrist. Continuing to look at Marco, Jacque thought, *Oh Dad... you've always been so cool about stuff... supportive, understanding, and all... but how are you gonna take 'THIS'? Will you be mad? Will you yell? Will you try to knock some sense in or outta me? What's gonna happen between us?* Just then, Lorelei came into the room, breaking Jacque's trace of thought. "-Hi sweetie," she said, walking over to her husband, placing a drink on his desk for him. "-Thank you, love," Marco smiled. He turned around, facing his son. "-Hey kiddo." What's up?" Taking a minute to find his voice back, the teen replied, "-Well... I was just wondering if I could... talk to you two about something." "-Of course, son." That's what we're here for," Marco said. "-So what's on your mind?" Lorelei asked gently. Looking at their loving, calm faces, Jacque was suddenly un-nerved. "-Uhh... could you excuse me for a sec?" He then ran out of of the room. Both parents were quite confused by this. "-What was that all about?"
Jacque had ran into the bathroom, filled the sink with somewhat more than lukewarm water, dunked his whole face in for a minute, and screamed into it, until he finally needed air, then resurfaced, breathing hard, his face dripping. He looked at his reflection in the glass, seeing the strange, soaking wet, pale face looking back at him. He felt ready to keel over or throw up, from the stress. *-I can't do it, I can't do this!* he panicked. *Now or never... I choose NEVER then!* He didn't want to know. He didn't want to see those looks on their faces. He didn't want to hear their horrified thoughts in his head. He didn't want to lose what they had as a family. There was so much at stake, and Jacque was scared out of his mind. He couldn't bear the thought. He sighed loudly. But then again... it wouldn't be right to NOT tell them, right? After all, wouldn't something like this appear 'obvious' eventually? How he'd act, look, and talk about things? They'd know for sure that something was up. He knew his parents weren't stupid; they'd probably figure it out themselves, if given enough hint. Jacque hated to agree with Dr. Standing; his parents DID need to be told. It was a ton easier that way, it'd be out in the open sooner, and plus it'd be gentler for him to actually tell them straight up, than letting them discover it by their own. He'd made up his mind. Backbone or none, he had to do it. *Come on man... you OWE it to them to tell them the truth... you've gotta do this... if you don't now, you'll never get another better chance.* "-Okay... here I go," he breathed to himself. As he opened the door and walked out, he thought dramatically, *-As I walk through the valley in shadow of death-*
Sometime later on, the front door opened. An adult female caracal walked in wearing a long overcoat with a bag slung around her shoulder. "-Hello?" Jacque?" I'm back!" In the kitchen, the young feline thought to himself, *-Okay, time to put on the 'everything's fine, happy-happy' charade...* "-Hey Mom!" he called to her. Lady Lorelei hung her jacket on the hooks near the doorway, and walked into the kitchen. "Hey sweetie," she greeted him, and gave him a little motherly peck on the cheek. The Celayas were an affectionate and close family, so little things like that were always to be expected, whether it was a motherly embrace, a supportive fatherly shoulder hug or whatnot. Glancing around, Lorelei gave an amused look. "-Exactly what sort of 'evil spell' are you up to in here?" Not outward showing, but definitely feeling it, Jacque winced at the word. *Evil...* Would he be hearing that word again soon for obvious reasons, he wondered. Forcing a smile on his face, he replied, "-None of the sort, Mother dear... unless you call my cooking poison!" He pretended to be insulted. His mother gave a sweet laugh. "-Of course not, my Jacq!" I just didn't expect to see you doing so... may I ask the occasion?" "-No occasion," he answered, with honesty. "I just thought since you and Dad were getting home late, it might be nice to have supper already made for you two, so you could relax and take it easy, after a long day." Lorelei looked touched. "-Awww... that's so considerate of you!" Such a sweet boy!" she swooned, and gave him another embrace. Blushing a little, Jacque allowed her to latch on for another minute. "-Alright Mom, if you could kindly let the 'cook' get back to his preparations..." "-Ah yes... indeed." The mother caracal glanced at the food being prepared. "So what are we to dine to tonight, my son?" Jestingly, Jacque spoke in a stereotypical somewhat French or perhaps Italian accent, saying, "-Vhy, mademoiselle, ve shall feast upon zee ala salmon and zee garlic bread, oui!" Lorelei smiled, shaking her head at the absurdness hilarity of it. "-Well... that sounds quite nice in itself... but what I'd really like to know... might we perhaps be sampling some of your-" "-Greek salad, mademoiselle?" Oui, oui!" Vhat vould zee dinnery be vithout zee cook's specialty, ne?" Jacque exclaimed. "-Sounds wonderful, dearest," his mother told him, giving his cheek a fond squeeze. "-Merci, mademoiselle... but now you must be gone!" Exit zee perimeters!" Out of my kitchen!" I must have zee room to vork!" Lorelei raised an eyebrow. "-YOUR kitchen??" Knowing he'd crossed the line, Jacque flushed sheepishly. "-Alright, alright... it's your kitchen... but it's MY food!" "-That WHO bought?" Corrected again. "-Oh come on, Mom!" I never interfere when YOU-" "-Oh Jacque, I'm just teasing, love." As you were, darling." Her son smiled wryly. "-THANK you."
To their surprise, Sir Marco arrived home earlier than he'd said, around quarter after five. By then, Jacque was finishing things up, almost ready. Lady Lorelei heard the front door open, from her chair in the living room. She set down her book, and went to go check. And sure enough, there he stood. Glancing with a somewhat devious look, she spoke out, "-Back so soon?" Looking up from his shoes, Marco stared at his wife. Slowly smiling, he replied, "-It seems so." Why, miss me that much, love?" Lorelei smirked, "-Never." He stood straight, and she locked arms with his and they embraced. "I'd say more an unexpected pleasure, darling." The male lynx then looked pleased with himself. "Speaking of unexpected pleasures..." He let go of her, reached behind, and pulled out an object forward. "Surprise." It was a small, yet still exquisite, bouquet of flowers. The female caracal truly WAS surprised. "-Oh Marco, you didn't-!" My goodness, these are beautiful!" What's this for?" "'What for' you ask?" inquired Sir Marco. "Can't a husband surprise his wife with a token of his gratitude, simply because he 'loves' her?" A tint of pink flushed upon Lorelei's fair cheeks. "You're right... you shameless, flattering romantic," she sighed, and kissed him. "-I've just been working so much on and off overtime the last week or so, I feel like I've been not able to spend as much time with you, lately," Marco admitted. "I just wanted to do something special for you." In fact... I was thinking since things have been doing so well at work, we could could celebrate, or something, just the two of us." Maybe take you out for dinner someplace nice." "That sounds lovely, hun," Lorelei mused. "We'll definitely have to talk more of it later on." Her husband nodded. "-Anyways, on the subject of dinner, would you like me to help out tonight?" The female shook her head. "-No need for that... your son's taking care of that." As she walked back into the main room, Marco followed, an amused look on his face. "-Is he now?" Well then... perhaps I'll just go check how he's doing." He didn't want to miss this opportunity to jest.
Both parents entered the kitchen, where Jacque was grating cheese, awaiting the completion of the toasting garlic bread. Marco exclaimed, "-And lo!" A kind sight for sore eyes." My son!" Turning around, a tad startled, Jacque spoke, "-Dad!" I thought you said you'd be home later?" "-So did I, kiddo." But I was 'released' earlier, since I'd been pulling my share so well, the last while." Something in the working world you should know about, Jacq, especially with that work experience you're doing," the father lynx advised. The son nodded, understanding at his words, "-I'll keep that in mind, Pop." Staring about the room, Marco continued, "-So your mom tells me you're making supper tonight, hmm?" "-Sure am." "-That's very generous..." So what kind of notorious crime have you committed lately?" Jacque blinked. "-Excuse me??" Pretending to be embarrassed, Marco smacked himself in the face. "-Oh!" Silly me... wrong question!" I meant to say, what are you asking me and your mother for, here?" His son's mouth dropped open, at the supposed accusation. "-Fa-ther!" Lorelei finally cut in. "-Mar-co.. enough of that!" she told him, elbowing him in the stomach. "-Oh come now... I didn't mean it, you both know that!" Marco said, soothingly, putting his arm around his wife. "And 'I' know perfectly well that my son is a superb cook." Your mother and I have taught you well, have we not?" Grinning appreciatively, Jacque replied, "-Yes you have, thank you, Father sir." "-That's my lad," smiled his parent. "Just remember... the fire extinguisher is in the cupboard, First Aid in the closet, and... well you know how to dial 9-1-1 right?" Acting dramatically as if it were a last straw, Jacque threw up his hands, despairingly. "-Would you listen to that??" There it is, my own father has no faith in me whatsoever!" Why don't I just lay on the deathbed and die of broken heart already?" "-Well if THAT's what you really want to do, just be sure to leave the food!" Marco added, jestingly. Jacque gave a proud snort. "You wish!" Lorelei shook her head at her family. "-I think you two are ridiculous!" But I don't care, because I have the two sweetest and most considerate males in my life, and I wouldn't give either of them up for anyone else!" she declared, giving her son and husband yet another motherly and loving embrace.
The meal was well; Jacque's parents complimented him on the food, and they all conversed pleasantly. He was somewhat savouring the moments, knowing they might have a different attitude towards him for sometime once he told them the truth... After dinner, Jacque went back up to his room, and for over an hour, stared at himself in the mirror and went over lines of how to break the news, in different tones, patterns and such. He had to do this as delicate and gently as possible, considering the 'damage' it could cause... At last, he coughed up some nerve to finally make himself go back downstairs. It was now or never. He found his father at his study desk. Instead of making his presence known, Jacque just stood a few feet back quietly, watching him. His parent, writing away. This very picture was apart of one of Jacque's earliest memories... He'd been only a few months old or so. Being too adventurous, crawling around the room alone, Marco had picked up Jacque and put him in his playpen. Usually little Jacque didn't mind this, but for whatever reason, he'd been fussy and cried until his father picked him up again. Knowing then, that his son just wanted to be held, Sir Marco had simply held Jacque as he sat at his desk. Being somewhere close to teething, the young one had started chewing on Marco's ear, until he gave Jacque a pacifier to suck on. Being content with this, Jacque had taken to it, and been still. His little muzzle twitching up and down, nursing on the soother, the infant feline watched his father's work with great interest and eager curiousity, that a child observes its world with. Holding Jacque in one arm, Marco wrote with his free hand, which Jacque didn't notice then, was his left hand. His father was a 'lefty', which explained Jacque's now talent for being ambidextrous; able to use both hands with equal ease. True, his impulse made him go for his right hand instinctively, but he could write with his left just as well. He'd found out how helpful that was, nearly a year ago, when he'd sprained his right wrist. Continuing to look at Marco, Jacque thought, *Oh Dad... you've always been so cool about stuff... supportive, understanding, and all... but how are you gonna take 'THIS'? Will you be mad? Will you yell? Will you try to knock some sense in or outta me? What's gonna happen between us?* Just then, Lorelei came into the room, breaking Jacque's trace of thought. "-Hi sweetie," she said, walking over to her husband, placing a drink on his desk for him. "-Thank you, love," Marco smiled. He turned around, facing his son. "-Hey kiddo." What's up?" Taking a minute to find his voice back, the teen replied, "-Well... I was just wondering if I could... talk to you two about something." "-Of course, son." That's what we're here for," Marco said. "-So what's on your mind?" Lorelei asked gently. Looking at their loving, calm faces, Jacque was suddenly un-nerved. "-Uhh... could you excuse me for a sec?" He then ran out of of the room. Both parents were quite confused by this. "-What was that all about?"
Jacque had ran into the bathroom, filled the sink with somewhat more than lukewarm water, dunked his whole face in for a minute, and screamed into it, until he finally needed air, then resurfaced, breathing hard, his face dripping. He looked at his reflection in the glass, seeing the strange, soaking wet, pale face looking back at him. He felt ready to keel over or throw up, from the stress. *-I can't do it, I can't do this!* he panicked. *Now or never... I choose NEVER then!* He didn't want to know. He didn't want to see those looks on their faces. He didn't want to hear their horrified thoughts in his head. He didn't want to lose what they had as a family. There was so much at stake, and Jacque was scared out of his mind. He couldn't bear the thought. He sighed loudly. But then again... it wouldn't be right to NOT tell them, right? After all, wouldn't something like this appear 'obvious' eventually? How he'd act, look, and talk about things? They'd know for sure that something was up. He knew his parents weren't stupid; they'd probably figure it out themselves, if given enough hint. Jacque hated to agree with Dr. Standing; his parents DID need to be told. It was a ton easier that way, it'd be out in the open sooner, and plus it'd be gentler for him to actually tell them straight up, than letting them discover it by their own. He'd made up his mind. Backbone or none, he had to do it. *Come on man... you OWE it to them to tell them the truth... you've gotta do this... if you don't now, you'll never get another better chance.* "-Okay... here I go," he breathed to himself. As he opened the door and walked out, he thought dramatically, *-As I walk through the valley in shadow of death-*