Better Times(?) 4

Chapter 4: Sometimes You Need A Second Opinion

Years later, Cole awoke in the middle of the night again, sweat drenched forehead in his own bed. He reached under his pillow, saw it was 3:30 am. It was that same nightmare again...he didn't really want to bother his mother again. She worked hard enough as it was and she really needed her sleep. Maybe...no, Kanako had enough on her mind.

It had to be her though he still hated having to call her as it is. He should be over this but it was bad enough putting all this extra guilt on everyone's shoulders. He quickly dialed the saved number in his phone putting it up to his ear.

"mmmm...Cole?" Ceroba answered the phone in whispers. "Honey, what's wrong?"

"Can we meet outside my house?" Cole whispered. "I'd talk to my Mom but..."

"no no, I get it...Cole, I'll be there. Just give me a few minutes." Ceroba yawned, the phone clicking.

Thank goodness for Mrs. Cats...Ketsukane. Cole always felt at ease around her for some reason. She'd know what to do. Getting up and putting on his brown leather jacket, he rushed down the stairs as quietly as he could so as to not disturb his Mom sleeping. Opening the door and quietly as possible closing it behind him, Cole sat on the dirt ground waiting for the vixen to arrive.

Soon enough, the tall vanilla furred fox monster with bright orange hair with a flashlight arrived at Martlet's, shining a light on Cole's face.

"I would've understood you sneaking in to see Kanako about this." Ceroba smiled. "But I'm kinda flattered you call me about these things after all this time..."

Cole scooted over as Ceroba sat down next to him, leaning against the door. Ceroba wrapped a friendly arm around him, pulling him in and placing another hand on his forehead.

"Hmm...raised temperature, dark red skin...this is the same dream again, you say?" Ceroba asked, glancing upon him in concern.

"Mmhmm." Cole nodded, it fresh in his mind. "I keep moving forward in an unknown forest and someone's calling out my name. This...unknown figure keeps appearing and I...I don't know who he is. I...just get so afraid. I freeze in place, I can't walk out of there...it's like I'm COMPELLED to go forward against my will and...and..."

"Cole..."Ceroba grabbed both shoulders, the kid's body beginning to shake uncontrollably. "This is really affecting your mental health. You really should talk to a doctor or your Mom about this. I know you told me to never tell Kanako but I..."

"Please." Cole raised his head, tears running down them. "I...I wouldn't feel right putting that guilt on her shoulders, especially after what happened."

"Cole." Ceroba closed her eyes. "My husband may dwell on the past but I do not. We both know the incident wasn't entirely your fault and you had no ill intent that day. Circumstances happened and people got hurt but what's important is that everyone was ok in the end. You and Kanako are still friends and your Mom and I still love you just as much as the day I met you."

"R-Really?" Cole sniffed.

"Of course, why do you think I'm coming out here at 3:30 in the morning to talk to you about your problems?" Ceroba booped his nose with a single finger. "You might be a teenager but that doesn't mean you don't need a hug!"

"A-a hair hug?" Cole whispered, hopeful that Ceroba would relent.

"Oh honey, you don't need to ask but I expect you not to tug." Ceroba undid her hair bow, letting down her hair and closing her eyes to magically guide her hair around Cole's body completely, picking his body up into her awaiting arms like a newborn almost effortlessly. It was rather amazing how much strength Ceroba and her daughter Kanako had instinctively but it was by nature. Almost by instinct, Cole fell asleep in the vixen's arms, Ceroba smiling at the sight. She couldn't help but always admire his innate trust in her.

"Even as a young adult, you're so *cute*." Ceroba wanted to pinch his cheeks but knew that wouldn't do. Quietly opening the door, Ceroba walked inside Martlet's house to find Martlet staring down the two of them in her nightrobe in concern.

"He called you again." Martlet said plainly.

"You know how he is, Mart." Ceroba replied eyes closed and rocked him in his sleep.

"Why doesn't he trust me to listen?" Martlet sighed, coming to her side. "At least he's out like a lightbulb...he's been really tired lately when I get home. We barely even talk."

"Martlet, he just doesn't want to worry you." Ceroba sat down upon the sofa next to Martlet's chair.

"I know, I know...he's seen those warning letters from the agency. They've been visiting the house when I'm not around and performing "routine inspections". They're threatening to take Cole away from me for neglect." Martlet looked at her. "I don't know what to do..."

"You don't neglect Cole, not at all!" Ceroba reassured her.

"No, you just pay more attention to him because I'm too busy working." Martlet pointed out. "Maybe they're right and I'm not suited for this."

"Martlet, get a hold of yourself!" Ceroba looked at the stirring Cole. "You have a very troubled kid who needs you...you're letting the stress get to you."

"One who had to call you because they didn't want to trouble me." Mart closed her eyes in shame. "I don't mean to trouble you further, Ceroba...but could you put them to bed and just watch them for a few minutes before leaving?"

"Of course." Ceroba smiled. "Get some rest yourself Martlet...you look exhausted."

"When am I not?" Martlet lowered her head. "I know we talked about that trip down south but I don't think I can get away..."

"Don't think about that, just...go rest." Ceroba stood up, beginning to walk towards the upper levels with her Cole in tow.

"...You're right, I will." Martlet said. "Thanks, Ceroba."

Ceroba grimaced, as she made her way down the hall to Cole's room. It was far simpler that Kanako's book filled room with the scattered VHS cowboy tapes. Starlo certainly had his influence on the young man, didn't he Ceroba giggled as she unwrapped Cole from his hair cocoon of safety and placed him in his bed gently.

"Mmm..." Cole began to stir again, sensing negative emotions now that he was out of her safe arms.

"Oh dear." Ceroba sat down next to the bed. "Might have to stay...."

Taking out her cell phone, Ceroba called her daughter Kanako.

"Kanako, sorry to wake you but Martlet needed me for an emergency...I'm staying the rest of the night at Mart's and then I'm gonna go straight to my errands. Tell your father for me, all right?"

"...Okay, Mom. Hope Cole is ok."

"...it's all right honey, we're all gonna get through this."

"I just wish Daddy wouldn't be...well, Daddy."

"You have no idea, sweetie...no idea." Ceroba admitted with a tone that sounded like she just stepped on a rock.

With that, Cole opened his eyes, surprised to find Mrs. Ketsukane there by his bed.

"Um..." Cole began.

"It's ok honey, slide over." Ceroba smirked, getting into the admittedly smaller than expected bed.

"I'm sorry, I really shouldn't..."

"Honey, what did I say?" Ceroba put a finger on his nose again.

"Don't worry about it and eat your corn chowder?" Cole thought back, feeling the familiar hair surround him again, allowing his body to get comfortable again.

"Partially." Ceroba grinned at the slight sass Cole displayed there. "AND???"

"...and I can come to you for anything, anytime I feel bad." Cole whispered, Ceroba kissing his forehead in response.

"(You're my kid just as much as Martlet's in my eyes, kiddo. We Mama foxes are very maternal and protective of our kind.)"

"But Mrs. Ketsukane, I'm..."

"(Shh.)" Cole placed a finger on his lips. "(What else have I told you?)"

"(Nonsense shall not be spoken in the presence of the great Mrs. Catsupconnie.)" Cole giggled, thinking back.

"(Exactly!)" Ceroba grinned, booping his nose again. "(I remember this bed being slightly bigger than it is the last time I came here and tried to get you to calm down when Mart hadn't come back home from a long shift. You were so scared that something might've happened to her...)"

"(Should've known they were keeping her for longer. They work her so hard...)" Cole rubbed his head into the hair/pillow combination, yawning. "(I really wish they wouldn't work her so hard...)"

"(If Chujin could hire her as an assistant, this would solve so many issues.)" Ceroba sighed. "(But money is tight.)"

"(It's ok, Mom#2.)" Cole fell asleep.

"(Haha...been awhile since I heard that one.)" Ceroba placed her snout upon the top of his head. "(sniff sniff...gunpowder? Oh dear...)"

Four hours later, the sun peeked it's way into the bedroom, forcing the unlikely pair to wake up from the brief respite. Ceroba stretched out, immediately unwrapping her hair from the gunpowder scented kid in her protective grasp.

"Cole, I don't mean to sound mean but...are you eating gunpowder again?" Ceroba inspected his hair out of habit, seeing black stains here and there she missed in the dark of the night.

"U-Um...yes?" Cole looked aside. "I'm sorry, I...it's a bad habit, I know but it puts me at ease when I'm nervous and..."

"It's not healthy, you know that." Ceroba chided him. "Please promise me you'll try and cut back."

"Y-Yes..."

"Where is your supply?" Ceroba stood up, looking around.

"U-Under the bed, top left corner."

Reaching under, she grabbed a burlap bag containing the material.

"Thank you for being honest with me, Cole. Now, c'mon...you're gonna help me with errands today. We'll get your mind off things." Ceroba smiled, dusting herself off. "Before that though, you're taking a shower and then I'll take one if Martlet doesn't mind."

"N-No, you're always welcome." Cole waved his hands. "You do so much for us already, we can't say no."

"It's no problem Cole, you're one of us." Ceroba gently lapped his forehead, Cole blushing at the motherly kiss. "No matter what anyone says."

"T-Thank ya." Cole pretended to tip his hat even though it wasn't there.

"Now let's get a move on...big day!" Ceroba cheered.

Living out in the desert had it's downsides and the heat was one of them. It was an especially sweltering day already and Cole brought plenty of water for the long walk ahead of them. Ceroba had to go to the market to pick up various items for later on at home and had decided to let Cole tag along with her. It was always nice spending time with Mrs. Ketsukane even though he wished he could get more time with his own Mom.

"That walking cactus is a road hazard, I swear....still picking the thorns out." Ceroba narrowed her eyes.

"Oh, found one." Cole noted, taking it out causing Ceroba to yelp. "Sorry!"

"No no, it needed to come out...thank you." Ceroba pet Cole on the head. "So tell me...how're things between you and Kanako these days?"

"...They're good. She really cares, Mrs. Ketsukane." Cole smiled to himself. "And I don't wanna fail her."

"You know how she feels, don't you? I've never seen my daughter look at anyone else so excited as the day she first laid eyes upon you, Cole. I don't want to be stereotypical and say you're soulmates but..."

"Haha, I can't disagree. Just wish she didn't hit me with those coloring books so much at the start though...."

"Well, can't say I liked the fact that she had you eating green crayons for a year." Ceroba sighed. "Me and Martlet had to wean you off that for awhile, haha."

"Y-Yeah, she did. Told me "SEE COLE, THIS COLOR IS FOR THE GRASS...YUMM, NO NO COLE NOT THE CRAYON..." Cole giggled.

"There you are!" Ceroba pinched Cole's left cheek. "I knew I'd bring out the real Cole after awhile!"

"Yeah, hard to find my way out of that gloomy gus." Cole rubbed the back of his head, Ceroba wrapping a friendly arm around him again in support.

"That's why I'm here, silly. To guide you back to the light out of gloomy gas station avenue." Ceroba eyed the slowly smiling Cole. "If I have to remind you fifty times, I will."

"Ah'm happy to listen fifty more, Mom#2." Cole smirked.

"Good, cuz' we're gonna talk about how you're doing in school!" Ceroba took out a notepad. "Dalv's been telling me about your...um, progress."

"You talked to Dalv?! Awww." Cole pulled his hat over his head.

"Cole, this is dissappointing. Falling asleep in class multiple times, getting behind on homework...Kanako's been making excuses for you but honey, if you're having this much trouble you come to me or Kanako. Or heck, Chujin if you dare! He might answer a question or two to get you to go away."

"I-It's not that I'm having trouble. It's just lately I--I can't focus. Mom's been working hard, these constant nightmares...I can't make left of right nowadays. Dalv's tried to help but I'm not sure he'd understand."

"Well, starting now you're having study sessions with me for an hour after school for the next week to help you get caught up. I'd make it a regular thing but you know how Chujin gets."

"Ah understand and thank you." Cole hugged the vixen from the side. "Ah mean it, ah don't know what ah'd do without..."

"Shhh." Ceroba stopped, bending down on her knees and hugging the kid tight. "I know things are a little tough right now. It's not like when you were 7 and we didn't have to worry about things involving the child protective services..."

*ahem*

"Hm?" Ceroba looked up from her hug, seeing a balding gentleman in a black suit and tie with black sunglasses looking upon the two of them.

"I apologize for interrupting but are you Martlet or know of her?" The man asked.

"Yes, she's a good friend of Chujin's and this child's mother." Ceroba held on to Cole tight, suspicious.

"I...see. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear you were this child's mother."

"She's Mom#2!!" Cole chided the man.

"Ah. My apologies...Mom#2, is it?" The man wrote a note in his notepad, neutral look on his face.

"I see you're with CPS." Ceroba acknowledged.

"Yes, my name is Curtis Tan and you're with the Ketsukanes who endorsed the adoption of this child you're holding so tightly on to?" The man dipped his sunglasses down, Cole hiding from the man's sight.

"Yes, yes I am. I'm Mrs. Ketsukane...a good friend of Martlet's."

"So where is the mother? She was supposed to meet me today."

"She didn't say anything about..."

"I...saw the letter. She didn't read it." Cole broke away gently from Ceroba's protective grasp. "I apologize...my Mom is trying her best!"

"That's not enough, son. Your mother is required to maintain contact with us on a regular basis and this is a breach of contract. I'm afraid you'll have to come with me." The man reached out with his hand, Ceroba immediately stepping in the man's way.

"What THE HELL do you think you're doing?" Ceroba looked at the man with a fire in her eyes that made him nervous.

"Taking the boy away for his own good. It's obvious he's an emotional wreck and needs a better environment where he can prosper. We've kept our eye on him. While you have done your best Mrs. Ketsukane, I'm afraid your efforts have been in vain."

"He's a KID...he's allowed to make mistakes and have problems, just like we all did growing up!"

"We have given that woman plenty of leeway. Her inability to maintain simple communication with us shows a failure to cooperate and act responsibly." The man stood his ground.

"Mr. Tan...while I consider myself a patient woman and kind all around do not mistake that for an inability to defend myself and those I love." Ceroba signaled Cole, who hid directly behind her kimono. "Taking Cole away from Martlet while she's not around is not only cowardly but is only going to cause Cole undue stress."

"I believe you're overreacting, Mrs. Ketsukane. This is for the child's best interests." Curtis stepped back, adjusting his tie and getting a little intimidated himself as Ceroba summoned her staff.

"Cole's best interests are with those who love him....those he knows....isn't that right, Cole?" Ceroba looked back, Cole peeking out from behind Mom#2 and nodding his head quickly before hiding again.

"...Fine. Don't think I can't be understanding. There will be a letter forthcoming via express mail. Good day to you both." The CPS man quickly walked in the opposite direction of town, quickly rushing away. Ceroba sighed, slightly annoyed she didn't get to use her staff.

"Wow, you really scared em' away!" Cole came out from hiding.

"They should know better than to mess with Mart's kid!" Ceroba hugged him tight again.

"You me you AND Mom's kid!" Cole laughed, wrapping his arms tight around the Fox Mom.

"Haha, that's right." Ceroba closed her eyes, enjoying the embrace and letting go though she didn't want to given what just happened. "Let's not speak of this to Martlet or Kanako for now, okay?"

"...Guess you're right." Cole agreed, taking Ceroba's hand as she held it out.

"Now c'mon, the day is still young!!" Ceroba cheered as the two made their way out into the world.