Foxy

“Petey, do you see those tracks in the snow?” Mom asked.

“Yeah.  Looks like she’s back,” I said.  “I’ll take a look.”

The previous winter a fox had burrowed under our shed and emerged in the Spring with three kits.  I donned coat and boots and followed the tracks through drifts of snow.  Indeed, they led to the shed.

“Home sweet home,” I muttered.

“That’s for sure,” said a female voice on the other side of the stockade fence just beyond the shed.

I strode over to the five-foot fence and peered over.

“Hi, Petey.  Remember me?”

I stared into a pretty face I didn’t recognize.

“Uh . . . no.”

“I’m Danielle Dumez.  Your long-time neighbor though it’s been ages since I’ve seen you.  We went to Billinghurst Middle School together but different high schools.”

“But the same bus stop.”

“Yes.  I’m at University of the Pacific now.  Just home for Christmas.  You go to UNR?”

I nodded.

She backed up a step or two and smiled.  Blonde curls streamed to her shoulders and her brown eyes were huge.  I was entranced.

“When do you go back?” I asked.

“January third.”

“Do you have New Year’s Eve plans?”

“Oh, Petey, you’re not the shy guy at the bus stop I remember.”

“We’ve both changed.  You’re even prettier.”

“I am free.  What do you have in mind?”

“A movie and then maybe a stage show at one of the casinos.”

She stared at me a moment, her hands behind her back.  “Do you think we’ll get carded?  I’m not 21.”

I grinned.  “Let’s find out.”

We spoke awhile longer until a stiff wind kicked snow in our faces.

“Bye, Petey.  See you soon.”

“Bye, Foxy Lady.  Can’t wait to see the New Year in with you.”

And what an evening it was!