Author: Wolf2

Thursday Prompt
Down the Road
By: CJ Wolf
The clock on the wall across the dining hall had just turned from pm to am and the young raccoon sat by himself at the end of one of the long tables.  He was holding a steaming mug in both paws, slowly twisting it back and forth between them.  He had already finished a bowl of chicken soup and returned the empty plate to the kitchen’s window.  Now he just sat by himself nursing his hot drink and thinking about the events of the evening.
A few hours ago he’d been walking down a cold and quickly darkening highway in the mid-west, now he was sitting in a large dining room.  He was here because a rather unusual act of kindness, an act which after he’d talked to the shift supervisor, he knew was going to land his benefactor in some rather hot water.
“Mind if I sit down?” A voice from across the table said.
Devon looked up from his cup to see a large brown wolf standing across from him with a smile on his muzzle and holding a rather large mug with a tag hanging against the side.  “Sure,” he said quietly, “I was just getting ready to leave anyway.”
“Nonsense,” the wolf replied, “Please stay.  I just got off duty and could use the company.”  He sat down and placed his cup on the table in front of him.  “You’re Devon aren’t you?”
Devon sat bolt upright at the sound of his name, “How...How did you know?”  The raccoon asked.
“Well for one thing you kind of stand out around here.  Anyway, I’m Jonathon.  I talked to Scott after the two of you go in, so I have a pretty good idea about what happened.”  Jonathon took a sip of his tea and murred happily.  “You’ve already had something to eat then?”
Devon nodded, “I had some soup a few minutes ago.”
“Well I hope it was to your liking, there’s someone on duty in the kitchen pretty much all the time, so if you ever feel hungry just come down and they’ll fix you up with something.”
Devon nodded his head before having another sip from his mug.  “Can I ask you a question?” he said, looking up at the larger canine across the table.
Jonathon nodded his head as he sipped his tea.
“How long can I stay here?  I mean I don’t want to get Scott in any more trouble, and I don’t want to impose.”
Jonathon sat up in his seat and rubbed the underside of his muzzle with his paw for a few moments, “Well I don’t think you could actually get Scott in any more trouble, not that he’s in that much as it is, and I don’t want you to think at you are imposing on us here at all.  I mean we are a rescue group after all.  As for how long you can stay, well that is really up to you my young friend.  If you were happy walking down that empty highway then you can leave as soon as you wish, but if you’re going to do that I would suggest you stop by the supply office for something a bit more suited to winter.”
“You mean I can stay as long as I want?” Devon replied, almost in shock.
“Yes, there are a few rules that we have here that you need to know, but we can get around to those later.”
“May I join you sir?” a familiar voice to both of them said.
Jonathon and Devon looked up from their seats to see Scott, standing with a tray in his paws.
“Of course lieutenant, please sit down.  I was just getting acquainted with our guest.” Jonathon said, beckoning with a paw.
“Thank you Captain.” Scott replied before setting his tray down on the table and sliding into a seat.  “Glad to see you found your way here Devon,” the lynx said with a smile, “have you had something to eat yet?  They do a top lasagne here.”
Devon nodded, “I had a nice bowl of soup just before Jonathon came.”
“I take it you just finished up all your paperwork.” Jonathon said, holding his mug.
“Yes sir.”  Scot replied, as he cut the corner off a large piece of the pasta.
“Well I’ll leave the two of you to talk then.  When you’re finished Scott can you show Devon to his quarters.”  Jonathon said, as he stood from his seat, Scott moved to rise too, but Jonathon motioned for him not to bother.  “Devon it was nice to meet you, and I’m sure I’ll see you around before too long.”  The wolf said extending a large brown paw across the table.
Devon stood and took the offer paw with his much smaller black cloved one and gave it a quick shake.  “Thank you for letting me stay here sir.”
Jonathon smiled, “You don’t have to call me sir.  Just Jonathon will be fine.”
Devon nodded and sat back down.
“Well Scott I’ll see you in the morning.” The wolf said laying a paw on the lynx’s shoulder.
“Yes, sir.” Scott replied after swallowing a muzzleful of his dinner.
After Scott had finished his dinner he took Devon down to the quest quarters and gave him his phone extension if he needed him for anything.  Devon spent a few minutes looking around his room and poking around in the bathroom.  But the site of the big comfy looking bed was just too much for him to resist and after quickly removing his shoes he was snuggling under the covers.  As he lay there looking at the ceiling he thought about his day, he had started it by walking down one road.  And now there were several laid at his feet, all he had to do was choose which one to go down.

The End...