S parkling blue eyes stared out from the mirror at Jalin, his smile was wide as he moved away from the dresser. Light classical music drifted through the room from the Kenwood stereo on the shelves, Bach was always a good choice, and he so loved the old masters.

He packed slowly, making sure that all his things were ther, jeans, t-shirts, gotta have boots, he grinned again, looking at all the new clothes he had bought. Jalin, his name for the past five years, was still a little new to him, but he was getting used to it and loved the way it rolled off his tongue.

He went down into the kitchen and fixed a sandwich, pulling out a good beer and enjoying the taste of everything. The world was new now, and he enjoyed it more and more every day he was alive. He watched TV for a little bit then turned it off, nothing on it could compare to his life now, nothing was even close.

Picking up his luggage he walked out to the waiting Chevy Tahoe, the big sport utility vehicle was shiny and new, having been bought yesterday. Loaded to the gills with tents, food and lots of other goodies, this was going to be fun.

Jalin called his bank to make sure everything was taken care of before he left for the long vacation, making sure his investments were in good hands and that all the checks he had sent out were clear and good.

The checks. He grinned again, thinking of how his bank had fairly had a heart attack when he told them what he wanted to do. The cashiers checks had totalled in the millions, but he was worth alot more than that, his investments and writing had brought him good luck, and he wanted so badly to share it. But the bank had thrown a fit, but eventually had conceded the point and made the checks out. He remembered the whole incident with a wide grin.

The clerk had looked at him with wide-eyed astonishment, “Pardon Sir? You want what?”

“I told you, I want 100 cashiers checks at $500,000 dollars apiece, and I want them now.”

The clerk had paled at his declaration, “But sir, “ His voice getting snobby, “I don’t think we can do that immediately. I would need papers signed and authorization from the bank head.”

Jalin had leaned over the desk and pulled the clerk by his tie, their faces were an inch apart as he talked low to the clerk, “You, will get those checks, have them made out in an hour, or I will talk to your bank head. I play Racquet ball with him on Thursdays and I’m sure he would love to hear the tale of a certain snobby clerk who gave his friend a hard time. Got it?”

The clerks face paled at the mention of the word “friend”, he cleared his throat and answered, “Yes sir, right away, you’ll have the checks within the hour.”

Fifteen minutes later, Jalin had walked out with a fistful of cashiers checks and a profuse apology from the clerk. Sometimes it paid to be a bastard.

The next day he had bought his Tahoe and sent the letters off, each with a cashiers check and two words on a card, “Come Home”.

Now, two months later, he was ready. His heart beating fast in his chest as he looked out over the forested area he had bought a long time ago, his house more than enough for a writer who lived alone. Now, he wouldn’t be alone for very long, he checked his watch and finished packing.

The best of everything he thought, the best of everything. The house, his truck, the food in his refrigerator, yes, he had enjoyed the good life it had taken him years to do. Now, he would share it all, everything he had, and he was ecstatic.

Making a few last phone calls to bookkeepers and his company staff, he settled down for a good movie and a bowl of popcorn, savoring the taste of the butter and salt. A six pack of beer later he was out like a light, sleeping on the large couch and dreaming of a bright, happy place.

Having lots of time to think, he remembered everything that had led up to this moment, a wish, a dream, and the money involved in getting his way. The astonished looks of family and friends as he announced his decision, shaking their heads and telling him he was out of his mind. But he persevered, he kept at it, and spent his money like it was nothing, but it had all born fruit, all the things he touched had finally turned to gold. For ten long years he had worked, made investments, and lived a lonely life for so long, so long. But you couldn’t wipe the grin off his face as he sped down the road, knowing that all he had done was for this one moment.

He turned into the dirt road leading to a heavily forested area, one of the nature preserves that had been kept clear of exploitation. The cool mountain air felt good as he unloaded the truck at the campsite, setting up tents and barbecues, laying in food and other stuff for the next two weeks. Hopefully, it wouldn’t end after two weeks, the offer had been there, and he would know if it was taken. He lit a campfire and sat to wait for the tomorrow morning. Jalin looked around at the bright blue sky, the pure white clouds ruffling in the winds up high, speeding across the sky and shading areas of the mountain. He listened to the silence, the animals rustling in the underbrush, doing who knows what. The day was as clear as the sound of a bell, and he was as happy as he could be, now, only to wait for tomorrow.

Hot dogs and some good beans made for a fine meal that night as he lay on a comfortable sleeping bag, the thick down warming the chill from his muscular body. The breeze caressing the peaceful face as he slept into the night.

Eggs and slabs of bacon and pancakes were cooking on the big portable stove, orange juice and milk by the gallon waited, iced up and very cold. He didn’t have long to wait, as he could already hear the sound of engines and tires tearing down the road. He smiled and kept cooking and filling platters of hot food, setting the tables till they fairly creaked with the effort of holding the vittles.

Surprised voices and excitement rang out over the forest, he could hear the laughing and joking as more and more people arrived. He listened, smiled and continued cooking, he knew there would be alot of appetites today, and he didn’t want them to go hungry.

Crashing in the leaves and underbrush came to his ears as he yelled out, “About a hundred yards in! You’ll see the camp!”

A deep voice came back to him, “The hell with the camp! Where is all that food we’re smelling?”

“Come into the camp and have as much as you want, come on!” Jalin’s heart raced with excitement, he could barely contain himself. He sat down and watched as the first of his guests arrived.

A slim figure walked out of the woods wearing jeans, a plaid shirt and hiking boots, a wide grin on her face as she rushed towards the waiting Jalin. He was fairly bowled over as she tackled him in a big hug, her eyes shining, “JALIN!”

He laughed, a rumbling deep in his chest, “Well Delphinia, how are you today?”

“How did you know it was me?”

“It’s not hard, trust me, I’d know all my old friends.” They hugged again as more and more people flowed out of the woods, backslappings and hugs were the call of the day, filling plates with hot food, laughing and enjoying the mountain air. Sitting around and lounging towards the end of the day, watching the sunset on what was to be the first day of a very long adventure, they lit a campfire and gathered together.

“So what do you all think of my offer? It’s open to anyone that wants to.”

Voices raised in agreement as Jalin smiled, yes, it was good to have friends. “Then stay, I have more than enough room and obviously enough to provide. We can all be happy and never have to worry. Please, accept this?”

Beer bottles and glasses of rootbeer were raised as a cheer roared across the forest. Issarad started up some music and the dancing commenced, too much fun and laughter, too much energy for the assembled people. Dinner was served and the festivities lasted long into the night. He joined in and laughed as he had not laughed in years, always working towards this one moment in time.

Jalin snuck away from the gathering for a moment and stood on a rise, looking over the lights of a town miles away, not even worrying about what was to come next. He felt the prescence of people behind him, standing beside him and smiling.

Old friends, friends who had believed in him when no one else would, stood there beside him in silence, grinning and smiling. “You know, I never thought this day would come, but we’re here, and the world is a little better place I think.”

A muscular figure looked at him, a deep voice rumbling in laughter, “Did you ever think we wouldn’t come? This was our dream too, we all wanted this and we helped. Now, we’ll never be alone again, the world IS a brighter place.”

Jalin laughed, the whole group hugged each other and stood for long moments looking out to the dark horizon filled with twinkling stars. The moon rose brightly over the hills and mountains, casting a soft light upon the figures standing there.

The big Wolf turned to see the faces of his friends, furred faces stared back, Feline, Vulpine and Canines all, but they all knew this feeling all to well, one they had wished for for a long time. The cashiers checks put to good use as the genetic engineers redid their bodies to become what they wished the most. The other money would take care of them all for a long time.

Random, a big dark furred Cat, laughed loudly, “Let’s go back and have some more of that food and a glass of root beer, we can’t miss out on all the fun.” Everyfur chuckled as they all hugged tightly again, and walked to the campfire, around which other furs of many different kinds laughed and danced, Skunks, Vulpines, Tigers and oh so many others.

The little group walked slowly, never looking back even once.