10 Ch 10 On My Own

The wind whipped at me as I indulged myself for a few miles. I had taken my helmet off and allowed myself to be as much wolf as I could while controlling the motorcycle. This is the sort of brainless thing dad would chew me out over, and something I'd always dreamt about doing. Right now I couldn't resist. I had a clear, empty stretch of back road with no parent in sight.

I couldn't wait to start my first day of work. I was looking forward to putting my schooling to good use. My new job suited me. There was a large range of chores that the job involved and I'd enjoyed doing most of them at one time or another around the reservation.

Dealing with the public is something that was also part of the job description. I had worked at the old lava tubes back home and had often done tours there; that's probably one of the things that helped me get this job. Being a Forest Ranger wasn't the highest paying or most glamorous job in the world, but it was hard to be a wolf and not appreciate the beauty around us. Making sure it stayed that way was just a natural inclination.

I pulled over to put the helmet back on when I passed a sign for the upcoming state route, checking again to make sure my stuff was tied down. I planned on camping until I got my first paycheck, saving up my money. I could camp anywhere, and always hunt if I needed to.

I got to the main ranger station just after lunch, fifteen minutes early. I made sure to park my bike up by the front to discourage people from fingering my stuff. The outer, public area was actually a little busy. There were two men and an older woman behind the counter. The one guy was older, with salt-pepper hair, a thick build, and in a uniform. The other guy was about my age, with short, sandy-blonde hair, a slender build, and in street clothes.

I walked up to the woman, giving her my best charming, yet polite, smile. I knew it was the older man I needed to talk to, but I wanted to make a good impression with someone I had a feeling was going to be bossing me around whether it was her place to or not.

"Hi, Rick Wolcott here to see John Slater."

It was going to take some effort to respond to the name I chose to go by here. My Native American name meant little or youngest wolf and that is what I was called at home. I felt it would be awkward if these people called me Little Wolf. They weren't family and didn't know me. My birth certificate read Ulric Wolcott. The name Ulric meant "power of the wolf"  in German, while Wolcott meant "wolf's cottage." Considering dad's heritage, both my first and last names made sense. The easiest and most acceptable Americanization of my name was Rick.

The lady looked up at me, took in my friendly smile, found herself smiling in response before motioning to the swinging door at the side of the counter. A good start in my book.

The older man motioned me over. The other guy and I followed him to a back storage room where he pulled out uniforms for us. The next few hours were filled with paperwork and orientation. After that, it was a tour of the grounds in a jeep. The other new hire and I didn't have much of a chance to talk besides short introductions. John kept up a steady monologue about our duties, how we would alternate tasks depending on the season, and the long term schedule of overseeing the park.

By the time he was done, so was the day. We had lockers, a small variety of tools to go with our uniforms, and a packet of paperwork. John was keeping Derrick, the other new hire, and I on the same schedule as his own at first, so he could supervise and evaluate our performance. He warned us that after a few weeks we might have different hours, depending on when and where we were needed.

Derrick stopped and gave an admiring whistle when he saw me stop at my bike. My first thought was that I hoped it was the bike he was whistling at and not me. He came over and thankfully it was the bike he was eyeing in appreciation. I grinned up at him.

"You like?"

"It's downright sick."

His eyes raked over my bike while he circled it. The way he was entranced and staring at it in awe had me laughing.

"You wanna ask it out?"

His head jerked up, startled. He looked embarrassed. Taking in my grin, he grinned back. "Think it would say yes?"

I laughed out loud. I'd liked the vibes and the few comments he'd made throughout the day. I had a feeling he was going to be fun working with.

"Pity you don't need a lift."

His eyes got sly. "Well if you want to drop me off at my car..."

Derrick left it hanging, looking hopeful. He had been heading to one of the few cars left in the back of the parking lot.

Regretfully I shook my head.

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"If you want a twosome with my bike, you gotta use protection," I said innocently, trying not to grin at my innuendo.

His eyes got wide and he started to choke with laughter.

I punched his arm lightly. "Dude, get your mind out of the gutter, I meant a helmet. I only have one. Now I'm gonna have to wash the bike or it's going to feel dirty riding it." I pouted dramatically before suddenly grinning again.

He laughed. It felt good to start the job with someone it seemed I could be friends with. Of course, I never did have problems making friends. The wolf wanting what it wants? The companionship of the pack? Who knew.

"If you're not doing anything tonight, come by my place for a beer. I'll help you clean it up."

"You're just looking for any excuse to put your hands all over..."

It was my turn to get my arm punched. I laughed again. "I'd love to man. We'll call it your first supervised date."

He just groaned, shook his head and headed to his car. It was a goldish, whatever they called that color, Toyota, and looked about ten or fifteen years old. I wondered if it had been his parents.

I followed him for quite a few miles into the outskirts of a small town. The house he stopped in front of was small and old. The faded, pale blue siding was in desperate need of a paint job. The yard was past the point of needing to be mowed; it probably hadn't been touched all summer.

Derrick had gotten out of the car and took in my evaluating gaze before heading into the house. I was quick to follow. There was a small, screened-in front porch. I couldn't help but think the key he used to unlock the front door could probably be bypassed if you gave the old door a solid shoulder hit.

The inside was clean though; sparse, but clean. The furniture all looked used but the tv on the wall was new. An Xbox and PlayStation sat beneath it, with games and controllers in labeled boxes. Derrick didn't miss a thing as he took in my gaze around the room.

"TV was my first purchase. Then washer, dryer, and fridge. The lawnmower will be my next. I figured since the neighbors had seen it this way all summer, a few more weeks till payday wouldn't hurt. Cheap rent so I'm not complaining. Where are you staying?"

Derrick had already headed toward the kitchen, pulling out a few beers. He was trying so hard to sound nonchalant with his question, I was guessing why he really invited me over for a beer. I took the offered beer and opened it before answering.

"Nowhere yet. I just got in this morning. I figured I'd camp for a few days while I checked out the area. Looks like a quiet neighborhood you got here."

"It's decent enough. Mostly older folks and a few young families."

I looked out the back door. The back yard was decent-sized and had an old shed in the back corner. What caught my eye was the field behind the house. There were a few empty lots back there that were as overgrown as his yard. If I had to guess, the houses that had once been on them had been razed to the ground. I brought enough wolf out to take in the smells. When I caught the faint scent of rabbit. My eyes lit up. I enjoyed rabbit for dinner.

"Don't suppose you're looking for a roommate?"

My voice stayed calm. Suddenly I wanted to track down the warren of rabbits. My mouth watered at the thought, especially when I spotted the ears of one in the grass beyond the shed. I had skipped lunch and was ready for dinner.

Derrick gave me an appraising look. I looked back at him, raising one eyebrow slightly.

"Cool if your not," I said casually. "I shouldn't be so forward as to push myself on you. I'm good at camping, done it my whole life."

I was already thinking that if he said no, I might camp close enough tonight to catch a few of those rabbits.

The answer was yes, of course. We worked out the details over the beer. I told him I'd buy the mower and work on the yard since he got the fridge, washer, and dryer. We split the rent, utilities, cable, and wifi, and I could add a tv later if I wanted to get one for my room. Derrick already had everything in his name, so I would give the money straight to him. We headed back to the kitchen as we divided up the mostly empty cupboard space. He had limited groceries so far.

Derrick finally went in to shower. The house was so small it only had one bathroom. I stripped and shifted in the kitchen, keeping half an ear open for the sound of running water. I wouldn't have to worry about him looking out a window while he was in there.

I gave a cautious look around, nose high to catch scents of anyone outside. Coast looked clear. It was a quick prowl, pounce and I headed back to the house with dinner in my mouth. I dressed quickly, not bothering with the shoes. I left the dead rabbit on the counter while I headed to my bike for my bags. The duffel got dropped inside the empty bedroom. The extra horse-style saddlebags got draped on one of the chairs in the kitchen.

My only frypan and the bundle of seasonings dad had packed made their way to the stove. The new hunting knife made quick work of the rabbit.

By the time Derrick was out of the shower, I had the rabbit cooking and the Minute Rice I'd stolen from his cupboard almost finished in one of his saucepans. My small saucepan was on the counter with the remains of the rabbit. I knew enough taxidermy I figured I could make a few rabbit's foot keychains to eventually sell, and I planned to work the hide. I'd already eaten the innards, which both took the edge off my hunger and had me impatient for the rest.

"What the hell?"

Derrick was looking at the saucepan on the counter.

"Don't ask," I laughed. "Fringe benefits of having a mighty hunter as a roommate. Hope you like rabbit. And don't expect me to cook every night."

Derrick was surprised, to say the least. I was suddenly hearing my dad's voice echoing in my head, going on about vigilance and caution. Shit. I'd been so careful heading outside, so proud of my caution, I hadn't thought about the consequences of my hunt. The first day on my own and I already blew it. I aimed for extremely nonchalant.

"I'd seen one earlier. I was surprised when I threw my hunting knife at it fooling around and managed to hit it. Took it by surprise, I guess. I'm not about to let it go to waste though. I might set a few simple snares later. Rabbit could become a regular thing."

I grinned at him. Derrick bought the lie, of course, no reason not to. The truth wouldn't even occur to him.

"Mighty hunter, huh? I never had rabbit. First time for everything I guess. Smells good at least. And here I was going to splurge on pizza."

Derrick pulled out a can of veggies and another saucepan. I realized there wasn't a microwave. I would probably get that too, only fair. Derrick puttered about setting the table. As I set out the food, he pulled two more beers out of the fridge. I wasn't planning on getting into that habit, but tonight was about socialization and fitting in.

I definitely would have to be more careful. Dad would be full of I told you so's when I called him later. I guess he was right about the new challenges I'd face out in the world.