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The Fox family walked inside their tree house, the kids taking less of a look because they’d worked on so much of it already, and knew what most of it looked like. Quickly the three kids took to looking at the second story, which had successfully been carved. The boys looked at the view from the second story cutout down to the first floor, while Agnes examined the fixtures.
“Wow, this is incredible.” Mr. Fox observed, then noted Mr. Jet was on his hands and knees outside.
“How’s it look, Mr. Fox?” Mr. Jet asked, smiling.
“It’s a real piece of work, I’ll give you that. Nice tree too.” Mr. Jet smiled, then Mrs. Jet looked at it too.
“Oh my!” Mrs. Jet exclaimed. “You must have some skillful friends!”
“Yes, I do,” Mr. Fox said, not turning to the pair outside, “AND a skillful son and nephew. With athletic stamina and strength, might I add.”
Ash and Kristopherson looked over the balcony to Mr. Fox, smiling, Agnes between them.
“He’s right.” Agnes said, looking at both of the young foxes, and both foxes looked at her.
“So what do you guys think?” Mr. Fox said, calling up to the three kids, Mr. and Mrs. Jet leaving, “think they did a good enough job?”
“I like it.” Kristopherson said, Agnes nodding.
“They did a good job.” Ash said, nodding in agreement.
Mr. Fox turned to his wife. “And what do you think?” He said, putting his arms on his wife’s shoulders.
“I think it’s perfect. Much better than the other house.” Mr. Fox nodded. He couldn’t disagree with that, since their last house was uprooted.
That afternoon, the Fox family set about bringing their belongings into the house and setting up. Soon the Fox family was reinstated to their new home. Mr. Fox and Mr. Jet decided a good way to celebrate was barbecue a lunch outside. Mr. Jet set up the grill, and made sure to cut one sausage in half, and give a half of that to the Fox family to evenly be distributed.
Everyone enjoyed their time in the sun eating lunch. Mr. Fox behaved with his eating habits, which he noticed was perfect, and he didn’t even have to think about it. Agnes and Kristopherson, who at this point were well known to be dating, had fun trying to both eat from the other’s fork and feed the other at the same time. Mrs. Fox fed Jacob, who giggled in the warm light.
Mr. Fox set up the blow-up swimming pool, and while the kids played, the parents sat by watching and entertaining Jacob. Jacob crawled around, and Mr. and Mrs. Jet had a grand time treating him like one of their own.
“Mr. Jet,” Mr. Fox said, “did you guys ever have kids of your own?”
Mr. Jet handed Jacob over to his wife, who tickled his tummy, then said, “yes, two. Boy and a girl. Both are out of the house and have families of their own now.”
The afternoon went, pardon the phrase, swimmingly, for all. That is, accept Ash. Ash wasn’t working through the hurt he was feeling very gracefully. But who could blame him, it was his first crush. Those hurt, even though they were simply raging hormones, that, if stuck to the reality of life, held less water than a fish net.
Mr. Fox noticed this, and came alongside his son. “What’s wrong Ash?”
“It’s, it’s nothing dad, really. I’m just feeling a little cramped from swimming, that’s all.”
“Aww, I’m not buying that, son,” Mr. Fox said gently, “you’re an athlete, you’re not cramping. Now come on, tell me.”
Ash looked down, then looked up at his dad. “I really like Agnes. But,” he turned away, “there’s no point to it anyway. I’m too young, to put it bluntly. It’s really a stupid crush dad, nothing more.”
Mr. Fox paused, waiting for his son to fully listen. “Son, what we feel is always noble. Maybe we go about dealing with our feelings in not so good ways at times, but I don’t think a crush is a bad thing. Sure, you and Kristopherson are still young. You’re fifteen and Kristopherson is thirteen. I wouldn’t let yourself lose sleep over this, Ash.”
Ash looked up at his father, tears welling up in his eyes. “So what do I DO?” He asked pleadingly.
Mr. Fox paused, then finally said, “I think we both need the same solution, son.”