And now, a story from Furdy’s past…

​

Furdy was warm. He could feel his siblings nearby. Hurdy was curled around Gurdy like a ball and both nestled against Furdy’s back. A smell came to Furdy’s attention. It was Momma. She was coming down the hall. Hinna burst into the room and growled. Furdy perked up as other sounds followed. Momma was angry. Furdy climbed to the edge of his crib and peered into the darkness. A brilliant pair of eyes met his. They were filled with sadness and hate. Furdy flinched as fear pounded on his heart.

​

The eyes suddenly softened. Hinna approached Furdy and cooed to calm him down. “Sorry buddy… Momma woke you, didn’t she?”

​

Furdy remained silent as he looked on his mother. She was shaking with emotion. Something horrible must have happened. Furdy held out his arms, and Hinna scooped him from the crib. Hinna stoked his soft fur as she carried him through the dark room. “Momma was just thinking… Something has happened, but you don’t need to worry… Everything will be fine…”

​

Furdy was only four years old, even so, he could sense the venom in his mother’s words. The door to the room opened and D walked inside. Furdy growled with excitement, but Hinna didn’t move.

​

“Man, it’s dark in here!” D said laughing. He reached for the switch, and Hinna let out a growl. He turned in confusion. “What?”

​

Hinna walked toward him holding Furdy. “The children are sleeping…”

D slapped his forehead. “Sorry, I forgot.”

​

Hinna didn’t answer, instead carrying Furdy back to his crib. D followed with a bewildered look. “I can put him to bed…”

​

Hinna slapped him away. “So can I…”

​

D watched in confusion as Hinna placed Furdy back in the crib. Furdy was confused too. He held out his hands to his father as Hinna went into the back bedroom. D took Furdy’s small hands in his. “Is something wrong with your mother?”

​

“Da da…Momma is mad…” Furdy hissed.

​

D ruffled Furdy’s fur. “Really?” He tapped his chin in thought. “Big changes are coming little man. I got so many plans… One day we will be free… So free we can do what ever we want, have everything we want… Your mother understands. Without her I wouldn’t have made it this far.” D patted Furdy on the head and moved to the bedroom.

​

Furdy watched him go before laying down again. Still, he could hear his parents talking. Momma was speaking with Daddy, but it was obvious, something had fundamentally changed between them. Furdy tried to listen, but after half an hour he drifted to sleep.

​

-End