ROMANCING THE RACCOON

by Judy Loyd

Jamie yawned and clasped her arms to her sides for warmth. Trust Mouse to get sick on his night for sentry duty! But her shift was almost over and Vincent would relieve her soon. And usually he brought a thermos of hot soup, which was beginning, to sound better and better!

She decided to take one more quick look around the tunnel entrance before Vincent arrived and cautiously made her way to the rusted grate that looked as though it hadn't been opened in years. Now as she stood there looking out over the park, she stared at the stars.

This was her favorite part of sentry duty, being able to see the sky and drinking in the crisp air on this early February morning. Suddenly she heard a faint noise. Quickly she melted back into the shadows, watching for signs of intruders or early morning joggers.

The park was absolutely still beneath the starry sky. Not a sign of life, not even a movement of the bare branches of the trees. But there it was again! Not a loud noise, more like a faint cry. Once again she cautiously peered outside the tunnel gate. By now she wasn't frightened, only curious as to the noise's origin.

A small of bushes grew a few feet from the gate and the noise seemed to be coming from there. By now Father's warning were beginning to be go off inside her head.. Never investigate alone, don't be a hero…. Alert someone else to the disturbance!

But it might be thirty minutes or more before Vincent arrived and the cry was growing weaker! Ignoring the warnings in her head she moved closer to the clump of bushes. Pulling her small flashlight from a pocket she directed its light into the brush and rocks.

Suddenly she heard it again and flashing her light in that direction, she saw it! At this angle it only appeared to be a mound (and not a large mound at that) of dirty brown fur. But then the fur came alive and two very bright little eyes stared back at her in the dim beam of light.

In a shocked voice she said, "Arthur…. Is that you?" But of course she knew it couldn't be him! For Arthur had been sleeping soundly beside Mouse, before she left for her shift, and she was pretty certain he was still there… probably in the same silly position… on his back with all four legs sticking up!

Besides, now that she had a closer look, this raccoon was smaller and more vulnerable looking. It almost looked as though it were saying, "go ahead… do what you will… I can do nothing more to protect myself!"

Creeping closer, she was mindful of things she'd read about rescuing animals… that hurt ones still had sharp teeth and claws and might strike out in fear! She was glad she was wearing her gloves and though the morning was quite chilly, she slipped off her jacket and dropped it over the raccoon, swiftly bundling it up before the creature had a chance to move. Once again its pitiful little cry could be heard, but it struggled little.

Carrying her feebly moving bundle back into the tunnel entrance she hoped that Vincent would arrive soon. By now the little creature was barely moving at all. Hoping it was still alive, another of Father's rules popped into her head… No Pets Allowed! Arthur had been the only exception and even now his position could be precarious depending on his current behavior!

She had just made it back inside the entrance, within a safe distance, when she saw a glimmer of light. Help and warmth and maybe food had arrived. His husky voice called out to her and she answered softly.

Sure enough he carried the battered thermos of hot soup as he approached. "Better get my story started, " she thought. "Vincent, come quick… I've found something!" she called out.

"Are you all right Jamie", he said a bit anxiously. "I'm fine, a little cold, but otherwise fine, " she said. "But of course you must be cold…where is your jacket?" he asked with a note of concern. Alert immediately that something was up, he asked, "And what do you have there?"

"Now before you start to sound like Father, Vincent… I was only trying to help… it's hurt, I think… and it was crying. Please help it, Vincent," she said plaintively. Taking the bundle, he stuck the torch he carried into the ground and carefully pulled back the jacket.

It was still alive, Jamie noted thankfully, for its eyes once again stared up at them both in fright and resignation. But somehow as Vincent ran strong but gentle fingers over its furry body, it seemed to become calm. "Well it doesn't seem to have any broken bone or to be bleeding," Vincent replied.. "my guess is that the dogs I heard in the park yesterday morning ran it into the bushes, try to play with it. But it is rather thin… and cold and hungry and frightened. But Jamie, you know the rules!"

"I know, Vincent… and I know we can't keep it, but we can't just leave it for the dogs to find again … can't we at least take care of it until it's stronger?" she said pleadingly.

He knew when he was defeated and pulled the jacket up over the creature again. "Very well… but only until it's stronger… and you will be its caregiver and it must be kept secret. I will not lie to Father," he said strongly… "But I will not volunteer any information either," he said with a small smile.

"Oh Vincent… you're the best! Wait til Mouse sees it," she said excitedly! "No, Jamie… I said it stays here… it's short stay here must be secret… tell Mouse and you might as well announce it at breakfast!" Vincent admonished. "Oh I know, Vincent… but what if Mouse finds out?" she asked. "Try hard… try very hard not to let Mouse find out … now take her back to your chamber and try her on a little of the soup. Keep her hidden and later I'll bring her something to eat and a strong box for her to sleep in," he said.

"She's a girl, Vincent?" Jamie asked. "How could you tell so soon?" "Some things are just apparent, Jamie… take my word for it!" "Cool!" Jamie giggled.. "I think I'll call her Arlene!"

With a sigh Vincent called out to her retreating form, "She's not staying long enough to be given a name Jamie!" Shaking his head, he made himself as comfortable as possible to stand the next watch.


"Oh Vincent, are you serious?" You have a female raccoon name ARLENE living Below and Father doesn't know about her?" "The humor of this situation fails to amuse me, Catherine," Vincent said with a slightly injured air. "It was never my intention that a second raccoon join the community in the first place, which I immediately relayed to Jamie. And hopefully Father will never know!"

Smothering a giggle, Catherine asked from her comfortable place on a cushion at his feet, "And does Arthur know about Arlene?" Suddenly Vincent too began to laugh… "Dear God, I certainly hope not!"

"Well it does seem only fair… Vincent that Arthur be allowed to at least make Arlene's acquaintance. After all, he has been below a very long time with absolutely no raccoon contact!" she said between fits of giggles.

Attempting to maintain his composure he finally said, "Catherine you must try to see the serious side of this situation… Father is not overly fond of Arthur and should he discover that a Father is not overly fond of Arthur and should he discover that a raccoon named Arlene were living below…. " Fighting back his strong desire to laugh, he lost the battle and leaned down to cup her lovely face in his hands. "You are a dreadful influence on Ms. Chandler! I'm trying very hard to keep this situation under control and I seem to be completely losing the battle!"

Rising to meet his gesture she countered, "Vincent, I want to meet Arlene… after all, she probably won't be here for long and I'd at least like to see what she looks like!" Catherine said, still trying to contain her mirth.

"She looks like a raccoon," he said dryly… "But I suppose it will do no harm for you to see her…. Besides I'm making no headway whatsoever in this conversation!" Pulling her to her feet, he held her close for a moment, enjoying the warmth of her slender body, then said, "But only a moment… I don't want Jamie to think I'm actually endorsing this problem… She simply has to go as soon as she is stronger!"

"Of course Vincent," Catherine agreed, as she secretly managed to grab a sugar cookie from a small platter nearby, as possible. "Raccoon food!" Like two furtive children, they made their way to Jamie's chamber, hoping to meet no one who might ask where they were going.

Jamie's chamber was surprisingly neat, not like Mouse's, which always appeared to have recently erupted. Her bed was neatly made and an ancient wooden armoire revealed clothing carefully hung on wooden pegs, with only the top of the dresser showing signs of a teenage girl. There odd bits of bric-a-brac, candles and even a couple of faded rock star photos contrasted sharply with the crossbow that leaned against the wall beside it.

Catherine followed the faint sounds of scuffling to the back side of the armoire to discover a wooden cage with a peg fastening in which a fresh bowl of water, a chipped bowl of corn and a faded but clean scrap of blanket had now become home to a smaller version of Arthur who now wore a red ribbon in honor of Valentine's Day!

Arlene had recovered by leaps and bounds and now cautiously approached her two visitors "Oh Vincent… she's adorable," Catherine exclaimed. Vincent sighed and absently slipped his hand inside the cage to scratch Arlene's ears. She seemed to have no fear and pressed closer for his attention. Curiously she watched Catherine who offered her a bite of sugar cookie

Delicately she accepted the tidbit then stared at Catherine as if to say "that was a very small bite of a delicious cookie… is there more?" Catherine laughed and held out the rest and watched as Arlene accepted it and finished it off.

"I must've admit I hate to turn her back out into the park, but she cannot stay, " Vincent said softly. "Perhaps we can think of a better way," Catherine said thoughtfully as she watched Arlene wash her face and paws after her recent treat.

"We best be going Catherine… it grows late," Vincent said. "Besides, I'd rather not be here when Jamie returns… I don't want her to think I've reconsidered Arlene's future." Smiling softly, Catherine took his hand and with a last fond look at Arlene, they left the chamber, discussing the Valentine supper to be held the next evening.

Arlene watched them leave, looking out between the bars of her cage. The cookie had been delicious... more would have been even better! Besides, she was bored. Now the she was feeling better, she wanted out of her cage. Exploring would be fun. Carefully she slipped one paw through the bars and began to jiggle the wooden peg. Working it back and forth, she at last managed to pop it out of it's housing in the cage door swung open. If raccoons could smile, Arlene was smiling! Freedom and sugar cookies were just around the corner.

A few minutes later, she was making her way down a rocky path, attempting to stay in the shadows. Although she had absolutely no idea where she was going her delicate nose had detected the faint aroma of freshly baked cookies and it seemed to be a good idea to move in the direction. Soon the delicious smell became stronger and up ahead she saw a large rocky archway. This must be the place!

The tunnel community had already dined and the kitchen spanking clean, William was now setting up the giant sized coffee pot for next mornings breakfast. Though the site of this massive sized human made her small heart beat faster, the cookie smell just too strong to resist.

Sure enough sitting on the huge trestle table, was a very large platter of Valentine cookies. Quietly Arlene climbed up on a bench beside it and began helping herself tot he cookies, as she carefully watched William's back. A moment later he turned around and as his eyes swept the orderly room, he caught a glimpse of a furry raccoon wearing a red ribbon and feasting on his fresh cookies.

With and angry bellow he grabbed the closest thing at hand, a coffee cup and threw it squarely at Arlene, shouting warnings to "Authur" About ending up about in a stew! Though frightened, Arlene still had the presence of mind to grab tow more cookies before jumping from the able and scurrying out of the kitchen. William's shouts of dire warnings to both authur and mouse could be heard echoing down the passageway.

Looking for a place to catch her breath, Arlene ducked into a chamber up ahead. It seemed quiet and peaceful, and she stood for a moment staring at stacks and stacks of books, a perfect place for a raccoon to climb! She soon found her way to the top of a desk where more books were stacked around a large faded blueprint. Unfortunately, she walked through a stamp pad and was now leaving and inky trail behind her, much like a solitary little line of black x's and o's!

All of a sudden she came face to face with a bearded human who had been dozing in his chair. His presence startled her, causing several books as well as his spectacles fall to the rocky floor below. Face to face with what he thought was Arthur, Father roared, "What are you doing in my chamber and where did you get that ridiculous red ribbon around your neck? Good heavens, you've gotten INK all over my blueprint… you wretched creature! If I told Mouse once, I've told him a thousand times, you are never to be allowed in here!"

Grabbing a rolled blueprint, Jacob attempted to take a swipe at Arlene's backside but only flailed the air. As the energetic little bundle of fur took off for open territory, leaving Jacob to sputter dire threats to both Arthur and Mouse!

Exploring was rapidly becoming a big disappointment as well as hazardous to her health, Arlene decided. So far she'd nothing to show for it but a few crumbs of cookies she'd lost on the way and inky paws! Perhaps her cage hadn't been so bad after all!

Standing for a moment in the shadows, she tried to decide which way to go. As she stood there, she gradually became aware of a strange but familiar scent. Standing up on hind legs she knew she must go straight ahead in the direction of this enticing smell!

The scent took a sudden turn and so did Arlene who now found herself in raccoon paradise! Piles and piles of "stuff" as far as she could see. Lots of good places to explore and bits of shiny stuff to entice any raccoon worth his or her mettle! And rising up from a mound of blankets was the biggest and handsomest boy raccoon she'd ever seen! Arlene was meeting Arthur!

Arthur blinked! He had been having a wonderful dream and he wasn't really sure he was awake! In his dream he had been chasing a lovely furry raccoon through the park, who stopped every once in a while to look coyly over her shoulder at him. And now it was as though his dream had come true! Arthur was meeting Arlene!

Arlene walked slowly over to the tumbled bed as Arthur leaned over to greet her. Their noses touched and each began to make a slow musical "raccoon" sound! Valentine's Day had come early!

Mouse walked back to his chamber deep in thought. He was feeling a little better after being in bed for the past day and had to go to the kitchen for tea and toast and perhaps a little sympathy. The tea and toast he had to fix for himself and the sympathy had been annoyance and a few harsh words from an angry William, who was now replacing the Valentine cookies that he swore Arthur had damaged!

He had also had a confrontation with Father about an ink-stained blueprint that Jacob had assured Mouse that Arthur was responsible for! And why would anyone think that he would tie a red ribbon around Arthur's neck! It just didn't make sense!

Mouse knew that Arthur had learned long ago to steer clear of William's kitchen after the incident with the cherry pie and Father's chamber was strictly out of bounds to Arthur after he had "borrowed" a shiny pocket watch for which Mouse had done penance over and over again!

Now as he entered his chamber, carrying a tea tray, prepared to climb back into the safety and warmth of his bed, his mouth fell open and the tray fell on the floor! For snoozing in the middle of the bed were a pair of raccoons, and one wore a bright red ribbon! He could only think of one thing… "Must find Vincent!"

Catherine leaned closer to Vincent on the bench they shared at the table in the Great Hall. It had been a lovely Valentine Supper, shared by all the community. Everyone had helped with the feast so that William could also enjoy the evening. Now an assortment of Valentine cookies and cakes were being sampled though Vincent and Catherine had declined as they would be having dessert at Catherine's apartment, later in the evening.

Supper had been served by the light of Rebecca's rose-colored candles and a huge Valentine box, decorated with lacy hearts, had provided "special deliveries" to the tunnel dwellers through the evening!

But perhaps the high point of the night was the introduction of Arthur's new friend, Arlene, wearing a bright red collar! Father had sputtered, then laughed, William looked stern, then offered her a cookie and Mouse and Jamie looked like proud parents of a pair of unusual offspring!

Though Arlene would not be remaining below, as Catherine had located a good friend in upstate New York with an acreage and a family of raccoons, it was possible that Arthur might be able to visit! So the "raccoon tale" was ending on a happy note!

Finding her hand beneath the table, Vincent leaned closer to his lovely lady in red. "It would seem that once again you have managed to provide us with a happy ending," he said softly.

Enjoying the nearness of his warm body, she leaned as close as space and Father would allow and murmured happily, "Love will always find a way, Vincent!" And in a corner by the fire, on a large read cushion, two furry raccoons slept soundly, dreaming of soft green grass and sunlit meadows!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!



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