Tzimmes Cracked Corn (And I Don’t Care)
A Spontoon Island story
© 2022 Walter Reimer
(Characters courtesy of M. Mitch Marmel, J.T. Urie and E.O. Costello. Thanks!)

Thumbnail art by  p_moss

7.


Rosie:

Nick had prepared a very nice dinner for me and Franklin that night. Despite our impending nuptials, my buck was keeping to his diet. The poor dear deer has had such trouble with his stomachs that too much rich food could cause him some severe heartburn, so it was reasonable for him to keep his stress level low.

Judging by reports I’d gotten from Brush, the rest of the Constabulary from Chief Sapper on down was conspiring to keep everything as quiet as possible. I wanted to hug every one of them.

After dinner, I was giving Franneleh his usual nightly hoofrub while he looked over a short stack of telegrams. “Hmm, one from Bernyce,” he said quietly before opening the envelope.

“Oh?” I knew the raccooness had been holding a torch for him since they were students at Collegiate in New Haven. “Is she coming?”

I looked up to see him shake his head. “She begs forgiveness, but says that she’s sending a letter to give us more details.” He set that one aside and opened another. “Henri Grandcerf can’t make it, but sends felicitations. Hmm. Hints at possible trouble in Europe by October.”

“Him and the newspapers,” I remarked.

“Hm, yes. Well, I doubt I’ll get called up,” and I glanced up to see him smiling down at me.

I chuckled. “If anyone does, they’ll have to go through me,” I said. “Have you heard back from Father Merino and Reb Steinmink?”

“Yes. There’ll be two ceremonies.”

I looked up as I switched hooves. “Two?”

Franneleh nodded. “A Catholic service in Saint Anthony’s, followed by a Jewish ceremony in the gardens. The weather should hold up.”

“I hope it does,” I said, as I started thinking about how I could find enough furs for a minyan. Sure, Mrs. Steinmink had managed to scare up a dozen for Doc Meffit’s marriage to Athena, but that was sheer luck, and very spur of the moment. It would have to take some planning.

I was still thinking as we got ready for bed, and I fell asleep.

So, late that night, I had a crazy dream.

No, it wasn't about a girl in a black two-piece swimsuit. Don't be silly.

I was walking through a forest. Not the kind of overgrown rain forest you find around the Spontoons, but lots of pines and oaks and such. Reminded me a lot of Nevele, really. Heavy fog on the ground, too, but it felt sort of warm and pleasant.

Which was good, since I didn’t have a stitch on.

Soon enough, I saw a light in the woods, and I headed toward it. After a while, I realized that I was looking at warm yellow light coming from a small cabin.

I went up to the door, and it opened before I could knock. Curiosity might be lethal to cats, but I’ve weathered it before, so I went on in.

Hm, cozy. Small room, fire burning merrily in the fireplace, and a doe seated before the fire. She was wearing a very demure dress, the kind with the collar that goes all the way to the jaw.

She turned and looked up at me. “He’s right,” she said in a deep and very gravelly voice. “You are an exhibitionist.”

I decided to take a guess. “Diana?”

She smiled. “Yes, Rosalie. You’ll forgive me, but my voice is a little scratchy.” When she gestured, I caught a glimpse of the rope scars around her throat. “Have a seat, please. We should talk.”

I sat down and crossed my legs. “I agree. High time we should. Do you disapprove of me and Franklin – “

She waved a paw and smiled as she shook her head. Swallowing and touching the paw to her neck she said, “You make him happy, and he will get stronger.” She looked wistful. “I wish you all of the happiness in the world, Rosalie.”

Diana stood up then, and I stood as well, and we embraced.

And when I woke up, Franneleh noticed that I had a smile on my face.


***


September 10, 1938

Reggie:

Zephyr stopped over in Honolulu, and while we waited for the plane to be serviced and fueled up for the trip to Spontoon, I dropped by FRB’s Hawaii offices. They seemed a bit skittish there, but at least no one tried to lock themselves in a wardrobe.

A few were eyeing the windows though, despite the fact we were on the fifth floor. I tried to reassure them that I was very much a changed buck, and didn’t approve of defenestrations.

The Sire, though, might have other ideas. There were a few of those dratted boxes waiting for me after I turned in the completed paperwork that I’d worked on all the way from Los Antelopes.

Still, nothing disastrous happened, and we all climbed aboard the flying boat again and settled in for the last leg of our trip. Several sets of rooms at Shepherd’s had been reserved for us, the Minkertons, and the du Cledses, with separate accommodations for Lodge and Sophia.

For some reason, the staff at Shepherd’s seemed rather worried.

Again, pretty uneventful, and I was gazing out the window and sighing when Willow asked, “What’s the matter, Reggie?”

I smiled up at my beloved, but I guess the smile was a little wistful. “We missed the Schneider Cup, Willow.” I spied the newspaper she had in one paw and asked, “Does that say who won?”

“The Italians,” Willow replied as she gave me the paper. “Macchi took the trophy, with the British a close second.”

“Well, well done for Italy,” I said, “and I’ll bet the Germans were properly cheesed off at us carrying off second place.” I started reading as Willow sat beside me.

The Air Races might have been over, but it seemed that a lot of the tourists had stayed on for a few days longer. There were a few liners still in the lagoon, and the air overhead was thick with planes. It took half an hour before we were allowed to descend.

Good landing, with no seagulls, clams or exploding barges in evidence, and Zephyr was towed into place at a dock so we could all get off.

Willow took Tommy from Sophia and headed for the gangway, and like the gentlebuck I am I edged out in front of her. “Now, Willow, please watch your step,” I said, “I don’t want you – “

Yes, I slipped.

“He’s fallen in the wa-tah!” some dratted kitten called out.

I emerged, spluttering, and saw Willow high and dry standing over me. She smiled.

“Welcome to Spontoon,” she said.




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