It all started with a racoon || jegulus

Chapter 2

At exactly 7am James opens his eyes, his alarm playing Beatles' "Here Comes The Sun" in the background.
The first thing he sees is his cat, Matisse, laying on his chest, purring. A small smile pops on his face and he starts petting him. Rays of sun emerging from the window shade the cat's orange fur. After a while the cat seems to lose interest, as he moves away from his chest and runs out of the room.

James gets up stretching his arms, yawning lightly.

While he's getting dressed, he makes a quick checklist in his mind of what the day will hold for him. He doesn't have classes to attend so that's great. He might have to call the library to see if they need help with the kids, but there's nothing scheduled already so everything should be alright. Other than helping his mom cleaning the house and doing the laundry, the only thing he has planned is going to the animal shelter.

As he exits his room, he takes the card that the very-cute-stranger gave him the day before, thoughtful.

He said I could go whenever, but maybe 7am is still a little early. James thinks, as he reads what their schedules usually look like. Everyday from 9am to 18pm.

That's great, I have plenty of time to put them all in my pick-up. If God permits, that is. At the thought of all his animals together in his truck he chuckles and starts to go downstairs, blueberry-pancakes scent filling the air.

"Good morning mom! Good morning dad!"

He says as he approaches his mother, who is cooking on the stove. He gives her the biggest of the hugs and a quick kiss on the cheek before sitting at the table. Near him sits his father, half eating and half reading a book, who glances up and smiles fondly at him before going back to read "Woman on the Edge of Time".

"Hello to you too, love. Mind telling us why there's a racoon skit on our couch?" Euphemia Potter watches him with a smile on her face, apprehensive.

Shit , for a second I almost forgot . He thinks, before sprinting up on his spot and running to where he had put Meeko the day before. He finds him rolled up in the pile of blankets he had put in the living room, the room with more warmth in the house. He gives a quick look at the skit, and he seems to be doing better than the evening before so James breathes a sigh of relief.

He hears a cough and he turns to face his parents, who are now watching him, waiting for an answer.

"Uhm, mom, dad, this is Meeko." he says, a smile on his face, hoping that smiling will help his cause.

Before they have a chance to reply, he quickly adds "When I was coming back yesterday I found him in the park. He was alone and shivering so I brought it here. Don't worry though, I'll bring him to an animal shelter in the morning. Also I'll bring the other buddies with me for a health check or something like that, if it's okay with you."

The silence that follows doesn't take James by any surprise. He sighs.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry. I shouldn't be sheltering all these animals alone. It's hard to keep up with everything they need and I shouldn't act like a good samaritan every time I see an animal in need of help. It's just, I look at them and they look at me with those eyes and I can't say no to their little faces." he says, gesturing towards the skit, who's now rolling lazily between the blankets.

Euphemia looks at him with a fond reassuring smile and moves the last made pancake from the pan to James' plate.

"You know, that's actually one of the qualities I love more about you Jamie. You see the best in everyone who crosses your path. You care so much about other people and I love you and I'm so infinitely proud of being your mother, but sometimes you forget to care more about yourself. I trust you and I know you're doing your best with these animals, but maybe you should think about bringing them to the shelter and trusting other people to take care of them. Now sit down and eat your pancakes before they get cold, sweetheart."