Feeding Time
#3 of The Zoo
Author's Note: Hello everyone! I know, it's been a while, but I've been really busy with Finals so I didn't have the chance to do as much writing as I'd like. Now that the summer's here, I hope that the inspiration will come more so you won't have to wait too long. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please Rate, Comment, Favorite, and shout if you wish. And if for some reason you don't know: I have another completed story you can always take a look at too. You all are the best!- AK
James Dulion stood over the stove and breathed in the aroma of the gravy cooking away. To hell with anyone who called it "tomato sauce," it was gravy. Dulion had watched his mother as she cooked her sauce every Sunday for dinner; it was his favorite meal as a kid. He threw some pasta into the boiling water next to the gravy.
It had been a week since he had come to live at "the Zoo." In that time there had been no real problems, which actually surprised him. The tenants did seem to mind his presence much; in fact other than the occasional check in from Dr. Tennant or Cameron, he didn't have really anyone talk to him. He didn't mind much, but had to admit to himself that it made things very lonely at times. He gave a quick glance at his cell phone which was lying on the small table. He sighed and shook his head: she probably didn't want to hear from him anyway.
There was a knock on the door. James took his cane and walked over to the door. When he opened the door he saw a small girl. She had long dark hair that she wore down and had on a pink t-shirt with some kind of cartoon pony on it. She smiled and waved at Dulion.
"Hello." Dulion said. "Can I help you?"
"Yeah. Are you Mr. Dulion." She asked.
"That's right."
"My mom said that I could come to you if I had a problem."
Dulion's mind immediately entered into a different state. It was time for him to roll up his sleeves and get to work. He took a deep breath and tried to be as warm as possible.
"Alright then." Dulion said. "Why don't you come in and have a seat?"
"Thanks."
The girl walked in and closed the door of the apartment. She walked over to the table and had a seat. Dulion hobbled over to the seat across from her and sat down.
"I just want to let you know right from the start that anything you say to me, I can't say to anyone else unless you want me to." Dulion said. "So, what's your name?"
"My name is Stephanie, Stephanie Marakov."
"Cameron's daughter."
"That's right. She told me about you. She said you seemed nice. That's why I came to you for help."
"So how can I help you?"
"Well, I was wondering if it would be possible if you could help me get some food."
Dulion gave Stephanie a puzzled look.
"Food?"
"Yeah. My mom and dad are at work right now and Ibuki usually makes sure I'm ok if that happens, but she isn't home either. And I was going to wait until one of them came home, but I'm just really, really hungry."
Dulion looked at the pots boiling away behind him then turned to face Stephanie. Her stomach growled. Dulion wasn't expecting this kind of request when he came to the Zoo. But hell, he did say he would help right. And it wasn't like he'd have to do anything extra.
"Do you like pasta?" he asked.
"Of course. Who doesn't like pasta?"
"Well, I'm making some now. It's almost done and you're more than welcome to have some.
"Thank you. It smells really good."
"I'm glad you think so. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask you about yourself. Your mom said you were ten, that means what, 5th grade?"
"Yup." Stephanie answered.
"How do you like school?"
"It's not bad. I mean, the teachers are nice but..."
"But?"
"The kids can be mean. Not only to me, but to my mommy and daddy. They say all kinds of nasty things like me. Like I was raised by wolves and that I belong in a zoo."
Despite Stephanie's efforts to conceal her feelings, Dulion could see just by looking at her face how badly this hurt her. He didn't blame her; He knew first hand that children could be very cruel.
"Wanna know a secret?" he said.
"What?"
"When I was your age, I was picked on, too."
"Really?"
"Oh yeah. I got made fun of because I need a cane. I used to say to them 'I may need a cane, but at least I have a brain.'"
That, and Dulion would threaten to hit people with his cane. He only actually hit someone once; he never had to do it a second time. Not that he would recommend such a course of action; it was a different time fifteen years ago.
"Did they stop?" Stephanie asked.
"No. I just learned not to pay attention to them. Just remember it's all about mind over matter."
"Mind over matter?"
"You shouldn't mind what they say, because they don't matter."
"I like that one." She said.
"Use it if it helps. Just make sure that if it gets really bad you tell someone. Like if you're afraid or something. And don't hit anyone."
"I know. I'm not stupid."
"I never said you were."
Stephanie giggled. Dulion was glad he was at least able to help her feel better. After all, every kid needs to learn to stand up for themselves when they have to. He had learned that the hard way. Then again, there was a bully or two who also learned the hard way that when push comes to shove, a cane makes a rather good weapon. Dulion got up and stirred the pasta. He heard the chair behind him move combined with Stephanie's footsteps walking around his apartment. He was thankful he had cleaned up the place the day before. She stopped in front of one of the walls.
"So you're Anglican?"
"Excuse me?" Dulion asked, turning around to see her.
"You're Anglican. The crosses here aren't like the ones my dad has; they're all in gold or silver and have really detailed images. These two you have are simple, like Mom's. So I'm guessing you're Anglican."
Dulion was impressed.
"Good logic." He said. "But you're mistaken. I'm not Anglican; I'm Catholic."
"Catholic? Like the Pope?"
"Right. Still though, nice observational skills."
"Thanks. This picture in between them is really nice. Is this your family?"
Dulion turned the burners of the stove that the pasta was over off and moved towards Stephanie.
"Yes." He said. "That's my mom and dad. It's the only picture I have of us."
"If it's the only picture, why don't you just take another one?"
"My parents are...aren't around anymore."
"I'm sorry." Stephanie said.
"It's ok."
"Can I ask what happened?"
"A car crash on a snowy night. It happened when I was about your age. Those crosses and that picture are all I have left of them."
"Do you still miss them?"
"Every day."
"Sometimes I miss my mom and dad; I mean my actual parents, too. But I remember that I still have people who love me, and that's all that matters."
"You're absolutely right."
"It's kinda funny," Stephanie said, "you and I are really alike."
"Are we now?" asked Dulion.
"Uh-huh. We're both technically orphans, we were both picked on, and we're both the only humans in this place."
Dulion hesitated for a moment than smiled.
"Yeah. I suppose you're right. Everything is ready. I'll make you a plate."
Stephanie walked over to the small kitchen table as Dulion moved to head towards the stove. As he moved, a sudden jolt of pain from his leg forced him to cringe and place nearly all of his weight on the cane. This was a common occurrence for him, but that didn't make it any more pleasant.
"Are you ok?" Stephanie asked him.
"Yeah." Dulion said. "Just a bit of pain. Nothing to worry about, it's normal."
"Umm...can I ask you..."
"About my leg?"
"Yeah."
Dulion nodded as he grabbed a wooden spoon from the counter and spooned some over the pasta as he talked.
"I was born with some kind of nerve condition. I've been having to use some kind of cane since I was maybe four so I'm used to it. But it still can hurt on occasion."
"Have you talked to the Doctor? I'm sure he could give you some medicine or something."
"Probably, but I don't need it. Just a few Tylenol usually works. Besides, normally it's just a jolt."
"I see." Stephanie said.
Before long Dulion had two plates made. He put Stephanie's plate in front of her and gave her a bottle of water from the fridge. He sat down across from her and saw as she folded her hands and bowed her head to pray. When she was done she took a bite.
"It's yummy." She said. "Really yummy."
"I'm glad you enjoy it. To be honest this is the first time I've cooked for someone else."
"If you want you should bring some to the pot-luck."
"Pot- luck?"
"Yes. Every Sunday afternoon everyone in the building makes something and we share it in the common room. Dr. Tennant says it's a way to encourage community among all of us."
Dulion thought that was a nice idea for The Zoo, but didn't think he'd enjoy it much. He was still pretty sure that a lot of people didn't want him here. Maybe they'd think that he was just spying on all of them, waiting for someone to mess up so he could report them. Besides, he didn't exactly like social gatherings, despite his recent loneliness. Still, it might be a good idea to at least try something.
"Maybe." Dulion said. "I'll see if I'm up to it."
The two ate a little bit more. It made Dulion happy to see someone enjoying his cooking; and considering how harsh a critic a child could be, he figured he must have done very well.
"So," Dulion said in between bites of food, "what do you want to be when you grow up?"
"A dancer."
"A dancer? Like ballet?"
"No, like ballroom dancing. I watch that dancing show with the celebrities on the TV and it just looks so cool, you know? I've been dancing for a while too. Mom and Dad signed me up. Besides, Ibuki is a dancer, too."
"Is she now?"
"Yes, but I don't know what kind of dancing she does. I always ask her to come and see her dance but she says that I can't come in to the club where she dances."
It took Dulion a moment to read between the lines of what Stephanie was saying. Once he did, his eyes opened wide. He had to admire the fact that Ibuki's job was kept so quiet from Stephanie; probably for the best.
"What?" Stephanie asked as she saw his face.
"I'm just surprised that Ibuki would be a dancer." Dulion said quickly.
"I'm not. She's really pretty and graceful. I want to be just like her."
"Well, if you keep practicing, I'm sure you could be a better dancer than even Ibuki."
"You think?"
"Sure do."
The two of them finished their meal. There was still some pasta left over in the pot. Dulion made another plate and wrapped it in plastic wrap.
"Here." He said. "This way you can take the rest home if you're hungry later."
"Thank you."
"You're Welcome."
There was a knock on Dulion's apartment door.
"I'm popular today." He said.
Dulion limped over to his door and opened it up. At the door was a large female fox-like creature with white fur and three tails. There was a look of concern on its face.
"Hello." Dulion said. "May I help you?"
"Oh sorry." Said the fox creature. "Give me a moment."
The fox-like female's fur began to disappear, as did its tails. The head quickly returned to that of a normal human girl's with black hair. When the transformation was complete, Dulion recognized the girl from a few days before.
"It's Ibuki, right?" Dulion said.
"That's right. I figured it might be eaiser for you if I wasn't in my lycanthrope form. I wasn't kidding about being a kitsune, as you saw."
"It's still kind of surprising. I didn't think a kitsune lycanthrope could exist. So how can I help you?"
"I was wondering if you have seen Stephanie. Mrs. Makarov's daughter? I tried looking for her in her apartment but..."
"I'm right here, Ibuki." Said Stephanie happily.
Ibuki breathed a sigh.
"Oh thank God. I was starting to get worried." She said. "Why did you come here?"
"I was hungry." Stephanie said. "I tried your apartment, but you weren't in. And Mom told me that if I ever needed help I should go to Mr. Dulion. So I did, and he made me food. He gave me the extra, if you want."
Ibuki shot a nervous glance at Dulion.
"This isn't going to be reported, right?" She said. "I mean, I watch Stephanie when her parents are out, but I had to run an errand for my job and..."
Dulion waived his hand.
"The only thing I'm reporting," he said, "is that Mr. and Mrs. Makarov have an adopted daughter whom is bright, charming, and very well taken care of."
Ibuki put a hand on Dulion's shoulder.
"Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me." Dulion said. "Or even to be afraid of what I may report either. My job is to report what goes on here, nothing more, nothing less."
"Well, now that your fed," Ibuki said to Stephanie, "why don't we go back to my apartment and watch a movie until your mom comes back from work?"
"Ok." Stephanie said.
She followed Ibuki to the door. Then she stopped and turned to Dulion.
"Thank you for the food." Stephanie said. "You really should bring something to the pot -luck. I'm sure everyone will love it."
"I'll see what I can do." Dulion said.
"Oh, and I decided something." She added. "My mom and dad were talking when you first moved in on whether you were 'alright.' Like, if you were a nice person. I've decided that you are. You're alright, Mr. Dulion."
Dulion couldn't help but chuckle.
"Well, I'm glad you think that way." he said. "And you know something else; you're alright, too."
Stephanie and Ibuki walked out of Dulion's apartment and he closed the door. Maybe he was wrong about this place. Maybe, just maybe he was starting to like it. Hell, maybe he really was alright. Dulion placed the pots he had used in the sink and turned on the water, but quickly shut it off. He looked back at the table where his cell phone still sat. He walked over to it, opened it up, and quickly sent out a text before finally cleaning everything up. If a little girl thought he was alright, maybe she would, too.