The Master of Me

Chapter 21

        They stayed like that until Sterling’s alarm clock on the bedside table went off with radio at 6am. Sterling sighed in a manner of disgruntlement and reached over to turn it off. Stretching his arms and yawning he looked over at Alue. “I need to get up and get ready for the day, make some breakfast, and log in for work. Is there something in particular you want to eat?” he asked her. Alue shook her furry head in reply, jumped off the bed, stretched then headed out of Sterling’s room. He could hear her claws clicking on the hardwood floor as she made her way down the stairs. Sterling grinned then got up and headed to his bathroom to shower and dress for the day. As he looked at his reflection in the mirror he looked at his own lips, reveling in the memories and sensations of that morning.

                He dressed in blue jeans and casual red, plaid, button down, collared shirt and black socks. When he downstairs and entered the kitchen, the first thing he noticed different was all the windows. The blinds had been closed and those with drapes had been drawn. Out of habit he went over to the living room drapes and began to open them, only to get a hard push against his leg.

Alue was suddenly there and shook her head no. Keeping low to the ground she caught the edge of drape with her teeth and slid it back into completely closed position. Taking great care not to go into view of the window. Sterling gave her a confused look, “Is there a reason we cannot have the drapes open?” he asked. Alue shifted, much to his surprise she was wearing teal and pink plaid, flannel, pajamas he bought her that came with a matching button top instead of her usual purple outfit.

“‘He’ . . . I mean Vincent, could have a private investigator watching your home. If the P.I. were to snap a picture of me within your home, he will come with an officer and take me away.” Alue told him, her arms instinctively wrapping around herself, thinking ‘Well, come sooner than when he surely will in due time’. Sterling gave her a sympathetic look, seeing in her eyes the return of worry.

                “Okay. The drapes and windows can stay shut for the time being. Want to help me with making breakfast? I’m in the mood for cinnamon French toast and some bacon.” Sterling asked, hoping to ease her worry by dropping the subject and get her to focus on something else. Alue nodded and the two headed into the kitchen to do just that. After breakfast, Sterling retreated into the den to log into work, while Alue placed her purple outfit from the washer to the dryer. She had used the guest bedroom to shower that morning and place her purple outfit in the wash. Retreating from the laundry room and into the kitchen is when she had caught Sterling opening the drapes of the adjoining living room.

Lunch time came around and Alue decided to make bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches and serve it with a bowl of potato, broccoli, and cheese soup. She carried the large plate with Sterling’s soup and sandwich and peeked her head into the open door of his computer den. Sterling looked over at her with a grin, and then motioned with his hand for her to enter, as he continued to speak into the Bluetooth headset. Alue took a seat on the ottoman, out of sight of the comp, in case he was online with a client or co-worker. Sterling finished up his business momentarily and disconnected the call, removing his earpiece.

Alue walked over and placed the plate of food on the computer desk, “Oh wow! Thank you. Work gets very busy during the winter season. I usually don’t stop to eat lunch.” He told her, reaching forward and took a bite of the sandwich. “Where is yours?” he asked, realizing she didn’t have a plate of her own.

Alue motioned with her head toward the direction of the kitchen. “I figured you would not want company while you are working. I will eat mine in the kitchen so as to not disturb you.” Sterling looked at her with a kind grin, “You are always welcome company. Please, join me? There are a few things I would like to discuss with you while we take a lunch break.” He asked. Alue retreated and promptly returned with her own plate carrying the sandwich and bowl of soup.

They ate for a couple of minutes in content silence, until Sterling began to speak, “Alue, while you were gone, I made some phone calls inquiring about legalities concerning this situation to several lawyers. Most of them proposed I present Vincent with a Bill of Sale and buy you from him to give me legal ownership. As of right now you are technically his lost personal property and he has every right to claim you if you are found by him, since he did not misplace or abandon you.” Alue’s ears dropped down and so did her tail. She knew Vincent would never sell her to another. It didn’t matter the monetary value Sterling were to offer, he would tell him no just out of spite and take her anyways.

Sterling placed his hand on her shoulder, causing her to look up with more sadness in her eyes then even before. “I am not telling you this to make you think this is a lost cause. There is another way to get around the legalities of ownership, but it’s not going to be easy to accomplish.” He told her.

Alue, speaking for the first time said the first thought that entered her mind, “You said I don’t have to run any more, yet I do not see any other way? I do not wish for you to give up your lifestyle to run with me to some foreign country and start anew.”

Sterling chuckled, “We could do that and yes I would do that for you . . . for us. But that is not what I have in mind. I found an astounding lawyer who, let’s just say, was more than willing to represent myself and you on this. I have already filed out the paperwork and submitting a case against Vincent Gregory on behalf of inhumane conduct of personal property and with the state I have filed a case of unlawful discrimination.”

Alue lifted up the bowl to her lips and drank the rest of the soup, giving her a moment to think this over. When she placed her bowl down she had one more question, “Unlawful discrimination against what exactly?” That is when Sterling’s grin became wide, “Unlawful discrimination against you, meaning shifters. We are going to present a court case for you, and by default all shifters, to have the same rights as every other human citizen in this country."