Chapter 4
Leodore had dropped Dawn off as the sun began moving further west. It was five o'clock, but to them the day had flown by.
"I hope your parents don't mind you having been gone for so long," he said.
"Oh, not at all," she waved a hoof. "They'll know I had a good time, and I usually have Saturdays free anyway." She smiled, and there was a brief silence. Then she said, "Thank you for such a wonderful day, Leo. I had a really nice time."
"So did I." He returned her smile with one of his own. He was still a little nervous around her, but in the most incredible way. They'd only spent five hours together, and yet it was the best five hours he'd ever spent in his life. Being around her was different - he had felt no need to impress, no need to be on his guard. She was the first person he'd spent any time around in a long while without wondering whether she was with him for his money or not.
Usually whenever he'd dated other girls, they'd begged him to take them to fancy restaurants, or drag him to expensive clothing stores and claim that they'd left their wallet at home and would he please pretty please buy this blouse...He was tired of it. It'd taken him a good handful of these sort of outings before he was finally willing to acknowledge that most girls were more interested in his wealth than in him. To be sure, they thought he was a nice guy, and cute - but they seemed to think he was nothing more than a walking ATM machine.
There had only been two girls he'd dated that didn't seem completely fixated on what he could treat them to, and they didn't end up being his type. There was little to hold his interest, and those encounters soon died out.
He thought of his father, and found it painfully ironic that he thought he should restrict his dating to that of "rich folk." What his father didn't seem to realize was that all the rich girls - or even just girls who were well-off - still only cared about money, luxury, and comfort. It was true that Leodore appreciated luxury as well, having grown up in its lap - but he wanted more than what money could buy. He wanted someone to like him for who he was. So much of what money was able to buy only succeeded in leaving him feeling empty. There was happiness, to be sure, but it wasn't lasting.
Dawn was the first girl he'd ever spent time with who seemed to appreciate the small joys life had to offer - who could actually be content just sitting and watching a fountain, or children playing, or people watching. She'd never demanded he pay for anything for her, never once brought up money matters, or had insisted they browse a clothing store. She'd been legitimately interested in getting to know him.
He found himself sad to see her go, but nevertheless wished her well and thanked her once more for allowing him to take her out.
The little sheep waved goodbye as she clutched her purse and trotted up to her house. He left only when she disappeared behind the door.
XXX
Dawn was in a cheerful mood as she sat at the kitchen table and told her parents about her day.
"It was wonderful - he was a real gentleman. He even paid for my lunch," she gave a small smile as she stirred a cup of tea.
"I'm glad to hear it," Abigail said. "Do you think he'll ask you out again?"
"I don't know...seems like he had as nice a time as I did. Maybe he will."
"So do you like him?" John asked. He had a small screwdriver in his hoof, trying to fix a broken wrist watch. Tinkering with gadgets was one of his favorite hobbies.
"Yeah, I do. I mean, I...I hardly know him...but he seems like a really nice guy."
"Glad to hear it." He set the watch down and regarded his daughter with tenderness, though there was subtle melancholy in his voice. "I'm happy my girl had a good time. Just remember that no matter who sweeps you off your feet, you'll always be my little lamb."
"Oh daddy," she said. "It's not like I'm gonna marry this guy, it was just one little date."
"Well, that's how it all starts."
She slid out of her chair and walked over to her father, enveloping him in a loving embrace. "I'll always be your lamb, daddy."
"Well, I think it's all very exciting," Abigail said. "I'm happy you're finally going out with someone, Dawn. It's healthy to get out sometimes. Books and studying are great, but it's greater still not to miss out on friends and relationships - provided they're supportive and healthy, of course."
"I get out plenty, mom," she insisted. "Remember April and I went to the library last week?"
John chuckled. "I think your mom was thinking more in terms of spending time outside."
"There'll always be time for that, but I need to keep focusing on my schoolwork. I'll be a senior next year, and people are already saying that I'll be voted 'Most Likely To Succeed.'"
Her parents paused in their activity and looked at her. Dawn couldn't pinpoint the heavy emotion that filled their eyes, and for a moment she wondered if she'd said something wrong. But then her mother walked over to her and drew her in a tight hug.
"Dawn, you have no idea how proud your father and I are of you." She drew back after a moment, and Dawn was surprised to see tears threatening to spill from her mother's eyes.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, sweetheart - nothing's wrong at all. Just the opposite; your father and I are so happy for you." She gently smoothed her daughter's fleece. "You've worked so hard. You're so smart, and diligent, and steadfast. You're going to do great in life, just you watch."
"That's right," John said. "We've always wanted you to have a better life than we did, dear. Heaven knows we've done our best to make ends meet, and it's true we're not as badly off as some. But your mother and I have watched our girl grow into such a clever, hard-working, talented young woman. We have high hopes for you."
She smiled. "Thank you, daddy. I promise you two I'll keep working hard, and make something of myself."
"Oh, baby," Abigail dabbed at her eyes. "You already have."
XXX
Later that evening found Dawn hard at work up in her room. Her biology class had a test coming up on Monday and she wasn't taking any chances. She'd hit the books as soon as she finished dinner. She didn't know that her parents were downstairs talking about her and Leodore.
"Do you think she really likes him, though?" Abigail asked her husband.
"It's her first date, Abi. Worst come to worse, she might end up infatuated with him…"
She set the last dish in the dishwasher, then started it and joined him on the couch. "You don't think anything serious will come of it…?"
"I'd be surprised...how many animals end up staying with their first date?"
She made a soft sound, and leaned her head in her hoof. John had flipped the television on, but kept the volume low so as not to brush off their conversation.
After a few minutes, she said, "...What about him being a predator?"
He opened his mouth to answer, but words failed him. Instead he shrugged and let out an uneasy sigh. "I had my reservations...nothing against predators, personally, but those kind of relationships rarely ever work out. I didn't want to dissuade her, though. It's her first date, and she was so excited...and like I said, it's unlikely that she'll end up with him." He looked at his wife. "It'll blow off eventually, dear. I don't think there's any need for us to intervene."
"Well, I hope you're right...I know it's about time she started mingling, but I never thought she would date a lion."
He made a thoughtful noise.
The soft gabble from the TV filled the room. A small kitchen light had been left on, and between it and the glow of the TV, the room was lit with a soft, calming ambiance. The grandfather clock chimed nine.
Abigail leaned on her husband's shoulder.
"Darling…"
"Hm?"
"What do you think'll happen if they don't part ways eventually?"
He chuckled. "Don't worry about that, Abi, dear."
She thought this over, then finally relaxed in her husband's arm. It was past ten when they shut off the television and headed to bed. They bid Dawn goodnight and encouraged her to get a restful night's sleep. She'd nodded and assured them that she would, but the young sheep eventually fell asleep on the open textbook at her desk.
XXX
Monday morning started out as average as any school day.
Dawn headed into her second period biology class with graceful confidence. She felt good about the upcoming test - after all, she'd studied nearly all weekend for it. Thoughts of Leodore came up a few times, but other than that she was able to keep her focus on her schoolwork.
Her hard work seemed to pay off, too - for she felt confident as she answered the questions on the test, and was the first to turn it in. Her biology teacher, Mrs. Sanders the sambhur, gave her a surreptitious smile. Dawn usually turned her tests in fast, and Mrs. Sanders was among those who rooted for the little sheep.
As Dawn turned to head back to her desk, she casually glanced around the room. She gave a barely-perceptible flinch when she saw that Alex was staring at her, none too kindly. Alex was a coyote who only shared biology with her. He was a senior - surly, withdrawn, and rather tall for his species. She didn't know anything about him, had never spoken to him before, but had seen him a couple of times in the cafeteria and hanging out in the halls, or on school grounds with a friend.
She quickly checked herself and proceeded to her seat as if she hadn't noticed him glaring at her. She shrugged it off as typical "hating on the teacher's pet" behavior, and pulled out a book to read until testing was done.
During lunch that day, she was pleasantly surprised when Leodore caught up to her in the hall.
"Hi Dawn," he greeted amiably.
"Hey," she greeted with a genuine smile of her own. "How are classes coming?"
"Ah, the usual. If not for my friends, I'd be looking forward to getting out of here."
She let out a small, hollow laugh. "Oh, I hear you. I can only imagine the kind of work they'll be piling on me next year."
He shifted and cleared his throat, gripping the strap slung over his shoulder. "I was wondering...would you like to come over to my place for dinner this week?"
She blinked, surprised. "Well...sure, I'd love to! I'll check with my parents, but I'm positive they won't mind."
"Great! How does Wednesday at six sound?"
"Perfect!" She pushed up her specs. She was happy that he'd asked her to dinner at his place, and was torn between feeling thrilled and hesitant. This was more attention she'd received from a guy than she ever had in her life, and as flattered as she was, she wasn't entirely sure how to respond to it.
"I'll see you then. Good luck with your other tests, but I'm sure you won't need it." He waved and then left.
She smiled softly to herself, clutching her books tightly to her chest. With a small sigh of relief, she headed to her locker to stash her books away, then made for the cafeteria.
XXX
"So did you invite that girl over for dinner?" Alastair asked.
They were sitting at the long dining room table. Macy, their chef, bustled in and out of the room bringing appetizers and soup in lieu of the main course.
Leodore suppressed a sigh. "Yes, dad. She's coming over Wednesday at six."
Alastair made a small noise and served himself. Tanya's gaze quietly flitted from husband to son as she sipped her beverage. "I hear that Miss Bellwether is the most accomplished junior in school."
Leodore nodded. "She is. And when I'm gone, she's gonna be the most accomplished student, junior or not."
Alastair gave no reaction, but decided to bring up a question that he'd been wondering ever since he'd heard his son was dating this Bellwether. "What is it about this girl you like so much?"
Leodore was a little taken aback by this question, unaware that his father was even interested as to why he liked Dawn. He thought he would go off on one of his spiels about how Leodore should try dating girls who come from richer families. He started, warily, "Well, there's a lot of reasons, dad! She's smart, she's kind, and she's not pretentious...and she doesn't treat me like all I'm good for is showering her with gifts. I like her because she's actually interested in me." He felt some of his pent-up frustrations coming loose. "I mean, don't you think it's ironic that you want me to date rich girls when all they've ever been interested in is money?"
He didn't notice his mother glancing worriedly at her husband. He went on, "Dawn is the first girl I've ever dated who seems to treat me like a person. She's different! She's…wonderful. She's brilliant, and kind-hearted, and beautiful." He took on a softer tone at the thought of her, but his anger returned as quickly as it had fled, and it was all he could do to keep from raising his voice at the table. "Why, dad?"
Silence from his parents, and he continued. "Why so much pressure about what kind of girl I date? Why does money have to be the most important thing?"
Again the silence ensued, but this time his father removed his napkin, set it on the table, and fixed his son with an unusual expression. The awkward moment was nearly interrupted by Macy, who paused and abruptly left the room when Alastair shot her a glance. Nothing was said for a while, and Leodore thought his father was going to give him the lecture of a lifetime. But instead, Alastair moved his jaw and said something that made Leodore's train of thought stop in its tracks.
"It's not her lack of money, son."
He froze, and his shoulders tensed. He didn't take his eyes from his father, didn't question what he meant by what he said, for he knew. But he didn't want to believe it.
Something deep inside him knew that this would come up eventually. It was as inevitable as the rising of the sun. But it had been matched by Leodore's desire to know the girl, and inevitability or not, he would try as hard as he could to keep this spark alive. He wasn't entirely sure of her feelings toward him, but he knew his feelings toward her - even if the majority of the time he'd spent with her consisted of admiring her from afar. He knew now that he would have to make a choice between being with her or pleasing his father. It would be easy to end his association with her, if not for the fact that he felt so strongly about her, so deeply in like, that in youthful determination he felt he would rather disappoint his father.
He feigned ignorance. He wanted to oppose his father's beliefs by showing him that not all animals were prejudiced, and so he said, "What do you mean?" It was more a statement than a question.
Alastair's frown deepened. "Son, the girl is a sheep!"
Leodore was surprised at how hurtful those words were. He knew where this was headed, and still his stubbornness held on - he refused to back down. "I know she's a sheep, dad! What's wrong with her being a sheep?"
Alastair's shoulders rose slightly, but Tanya said, "Your father is just worried that things might be difficult for you and her, Leo. Relationships are complicated under the best of circumstances, but interspecies relationships rarely work out."
Feeling cornered, he said, "That's because no one ever bothers to try making it work!"
"Son," she interjected, "some things don't change."
"But some things do change!" He looked back and forth between his parents, knowing he wasn't getting through to them. He lifted his arms in defeat. "So what am I supposed to tell Dawn? That she can't come Wednesday because she's not welcome?"
"Of course she can come, Leo," Tanya said before her husband could reply. "Just...please try and remember what your father and I are getting at, here. You two may like each other, but life just isn't that simple."
He removed his napkin from his lap and slammed it onto the table. "I'm not asking for things to be simple." The chair scraped loudly against the floor as he stood up. "I'm only asking you two to give her a chance." And with that, he left the room.
XXX
Leodore had texted Dawn on and off until Wednesday arrived.
They hadn't spoken too much, as both were busy with schoolwork and other activities Leodore was the captain of the school's soccer team, so between that and keeping his grades perfect, he was rather busy. Dawn was part of a few after-school clubs herself. She was part of the debate team and also thoroughly enjoyed the book club. She had little to no interest in sports of any kind.
She told her parents about being invited to Leodore's place for dinner on Wednesday. While they seemed genuinely happy for her, she couldn't help feeling like they were holding something back, and come Wednesday morning, she decided to confront her parents about it.
"Can I ask you two a question?" she said over breakfast.
"Of course," Abigail said, pouring herself some coffee.
"...Do you...I mean...do you two have a problem with me spending time with Leo?"
Her parents exchanged glances.
"No, dear," Abigail finally said. "We don't have a problem with you spending time with him. It's just that…" She gestured for the right words. She knew how smart her daughter was, and that it would be no good pretending like they were completely ok with her association with him. She tried choosing her words carefully. "Leodore is a fine young man, and seems to have good morals. It's just that…"
"Sweetheart," John gently intervened, "we just hope you understand how difficult the differences between you and him might make things. We know he's only the first guy you've ever gone out with, but keep it in mind nonetheless."
Dawn blinked, then nodded her head. "Alright...I…" she fumbled over her words. "I think I can see where you guys are coming from, but...like you said, dad, he's the first guy I've ever dated. I mean, I like him, but we hardly know each other!"
Abigail let out a small sigh of relief; she hadn't been sure how her daughter was going to take this. "Well that's alright, sweetie. I'm glad you're not rushing into this. And besides, you two can always be friends."
Dawn wasn't sure how to respond to that. To be sure, she didn't have any deep feelings for Leo, and she wasn't sure that she ever would...but it sounded like her parents were forbidding her from allowing her feelings for Leodore to grow.
You two can always be friends.
That was all fine and well, but what should happen if her feelings toward him did grow?
She let out a small sigh herself, and vowed not to think about it. She'd only dated the guy once; it was premature to be thinking further along the line. Besides, maybe her feelings for him wouldn't grow past friendship, thus lifting a possible future burden from her shoulders. As to how he felt about her, well...she knew that he liked her. He'd said so himself, that he'd been trying to muster up enough courage to ask her out for some time.
"She's in another trance," John lovingly joked, sipping some coffee.
Dawn snapped out of her daydream, and scooted forward in her chair.
"Don't worry about it, darling," Abigail said. "No matter what happens between you and Leodore, your life is going to be wonderful, and filled with promise. And you know, if things between you and him don't work out, maybe you'll meet a nice young ram."
Dawn couldn't help but giggle. "Mom, I'm not even a senior in high school yet."
"I'm teasing, dear."
John glanced at the clock. "You said he'd be picking you up at six?"
"Yes."
"Pretty exciting."
"Oh, Dawn, we forgot to mention to you…" Abigail set down the newspaper. "Your father's been asked to work overtime this Friday, so we won't be able to do game night."
Game night was something the Bellwether's participated in every Friday night. It was something they'd been doing for years, since Dawn was a little girl. Every Friday evening they'd get together and play a board game - no television, no phone calls, just good quality family time. John had always specifically asked for Friday nights off, and had always managed to work around it.
Dawn loved Friday evenings, because she felt she never had enough time to spend with her father. Her mother's schedule was less constrained, but it seemed like her father was always being taken advantage of. His kindly disposition and willingness to help others didn't help with that, even though Dawn knew that her father was a good man, and did the right thing. But he sometimes had to sacrifice family time for it.
She remembered one such time when she, her mother, and father had been so absorbed in a game of Mousopoly that they'd stayed up late trying to beat each other at it. Before any of them knew it, it was well past bedtime; they'd been having so much fun. Dawn cherished the memory with all her heart, and wished that they could have more moments like that.
She was surprised when she heard that her father was going to have to work overtime, on Friday of all days.
"But dad always gets Friday off! Why are they asking him to work overtime now?"
"Mr. Fangley can't cover the shift Friday. He asked me to do it, and I said I would. I'm sorry, dear. I'll make it up to you next Friday, alright?"
Her shoulders sank. "This is the first time in years that you've had to work on a Friday...at least during the evening!"
"One of the sad facts of life, my lamb. We can't always have things our way." He gave a wan smile. "Don't be sad, sweetie. I said I'd make it up to you, alright?"
She sighed, but nodded her head. "Alright…"
The day had gone by, and before Dawn knew it, six o'clock was approaching.
She'd been fumbling through her closet, trying to find the best outfit she had. After all, Leodore and his parents were wealthy; she wanted to make a good impression.
Abigail walked in at one point, amused to see a jumble of clothes piled on her daughter's bed. "Having a little fashion trouble?"
"Oh I can't find anything to wear, mom," Dawn moaned. "Nothing seems good enough."
"Dawn," she said, "just wear whatever you have that's best. I know the Lionheart's are prestigious, but that doesn't make you less than them. It just means they have more money." She came and sat on her bed. "Money doesn't make an animal better, baby. It's who you are that defines you." She looked at the pile of clothes and went through them. "What about this one?" She held up a pale blue dress with transparent sleeves. It had a soft, shiny floral print in an even paler blue, and came down to the knees.
"Well…" Dawn studied the dress, and finally consented. "Alright. Thanks, mom." She dashed out of the room to get ready.
After a while, when Dawn emerged from her room and went downstairs, her parents stopped in their tracks.
"Oh, Dawn," Abigail breathed.
"Is that my little girl?" John said. "My gosh, when she get so grown up?"
Abigail approached her daughter and took her by the hoof. "Sweetheart, you look beautiful."
"Our girl has always been beautiful. Tonight, you look like a princess."
Dawn bowed her head shyly. "Thanks." She smoothed her dress, embarrassed by the compliments. "Well, he'll be here any minute. I better grab my purse."
When Leodore pulled up to the house, her heart beat fast and she scurried over to the door to let him in.
"Hi, Dawn," he said, then looked her up and down. "Wow, you look beautiful…"
"Thank you," she said. "You look nice, too."
Her parents greeted him at the door as well.
"You look very handsome, Leodore," Abigail said.
"Thank you Mrs. Bellwether." Then he added, "It's really an honor to be able to have your daughter over for dinner."
"We trust that you'll take good care of her," John said.
"Oh he will, daddy," she said, then waved. "I won't be gone too long, alright? See you guys later."
They said their farewells, and Dawn and Leodore were off to his place.