Warning: Please be aware before you read this chapter that it contains adult subjects and language. Please take this under consideration before going any further.
Thank you, the author.
Chapter 6: Reunion in Hell's Kitchen.
Suzan listened intently to what Hector had to tell her because she had a feeling it would prove very interesting. "Heather has several sisters; five in fact." He studied her face closely for a reaction as he told her.
Suzan's eyes opened wide, "Five more 'taur sisters??? I…"
Hector interrupted her, "Ah…..no Suzan, the two legged kind, ah…." He really didn't know how to tell her. "They all look alike."
Suzan didn't hear Hector right, "What?????"
"They all look like Heather."
She shook her head, "You're joking right?"
"Nope, one lives right here, in Ottawa. Her name is Sabrina Johnston."
Suzan was trying to get a hold on this, "You mean she looks like Heather from the waist up?" This news did indeed top the wedding, she thought.
"Yup exactly, you really couldn't tell them apart, aside from hair style." And it was true, it also reminded him that he had to take Max and Sabrina out to dinner, he owed them that at least. They had worked hard trying to get the paperwork done for the store to get the books up to date for tax purposes.
Suzan spoke and interrupted his thoughts, "So, these five sisters, they all look alike? How on earth can you tell them apart……..and how the heck can they be sisters? Heather's a 'taur! I'm really confused now."
"Well there is a reason; a reason you cannot tell anyone about."
She raised her eyebrows in response; that got her attention. "Ok, now you have my ear."
"I'm serious Suzan, dead serious; you cannot tell anyone because they could be taken away."
"Taken away……" Suzan sighed, "Hec, what are you talking about?" She wanted to beat it out of him now.
"Four of the five are genetic experiments………that includes Heather." He watched as his sister's face twisted into a look of shock.
"Hector…….!! It's highly illegal to mess with an intelligent fur's genetics! They put people away for life for that stuff. Now you're telling me that Heather's one!"
"I know…..that's why you can't tell anyone about this. Suzan, it's not their fault; they are innocent in all this….. but the government might take a different attitude."
Suzan was still trying to make sense of what her brother had just told her. "Ok…let me get this straight; Heather is a genetic experiment. Something the government doesn't know about." She paused for a response.
"Suzan I dunno….could be that they know all about her, since she is one of a kind. All I know is that she and her sisters are more or less clones of an original female skunk."
"Clones." Suzan said quietly.
Hector sighed and started to explain what Heather had told him, she deserved to know.
Heather felt tired, weak and sore all over after her morning workout, but it was part of the devil's deal. Work hard and just maybe those back legs would function a little better. She was pleased to know it was Sarah's goal to get her up and walking for her wedding. She sat back and tried to imagine that day. She could almost picture it in her mind: it was going to be spectacular. Now all she had to do was tell Hector the good news about the double wedding. She was sure he wouldn't be upset, for everyone was going to be there. Well, almost everyone, her mood slumped a bit as she thought of Hector's poor father and Swallow. She moved slowly a small bit and plopped her self down on her gurney. Then she watched as Sarah finished up tidying the training room.
"You did good today." Sarah said from across the room.
"Really?" Heather said as she awoke from her somber thoughts. She wasn't so sure; she had been concentrating so hard getting the movements right that she really wasn't evaluating her performance.
"Yes, your right rear leg is doing much better and I'm amazed that it's healed so well and so fast."
"Fast?" Heather looked confused Sarah noticed.
"Well, it really should still be in bandages, but it's healed up nicely."
Really, Heather thought, hmmmm that was interesting, "Well I have always healed from cuts and things quickly, I never really thought too much of it."
"Well it's a good thing, so don't knock it."
Sarah finished by putting a blanket up in a cupboard, and then moved on to getting ready to push Heather back to her bed. She would allow her some rest then come and get her for her afternoon session.
"Nope, I'm not knocking it one bit; oh no, not me." Heather laughed. "Ah….Sarah, think we could do a detour today?"
"Ok. Where do you want to go?"
"I'd like to see if Hector's father is up."
"Hmmm…..sure, if you're up to it; we can do that. Know the room number?"
Heather shook her head, "No, but his name is Charley Sandrom."
"Ok, let me contact the admissions desk and find out where he is." Sarah parked Heather out of the way and went to make the call.
"No problem." Heather relaxed a bit and waited; again her mind went back to her wedding day and Hector. She never wanted something to go so right in her whole life.
Sara returned a few moments later and told her what they said. It seemed that Mr. Sandrom had indeed awakened, but was still a bit tired. "Still want to go?" Sarah said asked after explaining her chat with the nurse's station.
"Yup, I want to meet him. Given what Hector says, and the fact he's here in the hospital; I might not have too many chances to do so." She didn't like that fact one bit.
Heather began to get nervous, in both the fact that she didn't want to hinder Mr. Sandrom's recovery and to the fact that he might not like her. Although she felt that if they met, he might feel more at ease. Hector said the less stress the better, maybe in this atmosphere it wouldn't be so hard on him; she prayed it would. They arrived at the room in a short time and Sarah stopped just outside the door.
"Let me clear a path." Heather nodded as Sarah smiled and walked in.
She could hear the conversation clearly, it seemed Mr. Sandrom had forgotten somewhat where he was and didn't know why someone would want to visit him. She smiled for she understood exactly what he was going through. When she first woke up, she had no idea what was going on. Eventually she heard Sarah say, "I'm just going to step outside to wheel her in." She got herself propped up ready to meet with Hectors father, her stomach was all of a flutter. "Here goes everything." She thought and she crossed her fingers.
Right away, she could see where Hector got his size from; for Mr. Sandrom was a big equine. She couldn't remember being this nervous in meeting someone. She took a deep breath; time for introductions she thought. What if he doesn't like me? This nightmarish thought plagued her as the gurney rolled into the room.
"Hello Mr. Sandrom, I'm Heather, Hectors fiancée." Her voice quavered as the words slipped from her dry mouth. His eyes looked tired and she now regretted coming, since he obviously needed his rest. She quickly decided to make a hasty exit and leave him to rest. "I'm sorry Mr. Sandrom, maybe this isn't such a good time, I just thought…."
His raspy voice interrupted her, he seem to perk up as he spoke, "Nonsense, if a lovely young fur such as yourself wants to see an old warhorse like me, then who am I to turn her away." He put on a weak smile. "Hector said you were beautiful and he didn't lie. You are a beauty, that's for sure."
A weight lifted off her shoulders as if by magic, the ice was broken and she felt a whole lot better, "Oh, Mr. Sandrom, flattery will get you everywhere." She smiled and took his huge paw in hers, "How are you feeling? Hector explained to me what happened."
He smiled at her kind face and knew why Hector had chosen her. "Better, I was run down last night, I shouldn't really have gone out but I didn't want to disappoint Hector. I've done that too many times in my life."
Heather squeezed the large paw, "He would have understood." Heather said nodding.
"Yes I know he would have, but he really wanted me to meet you."
"Well I'm here now."
Charley had seen 'taurs before, many worked on construction sites. They were great lifters and could carry a lot on their backs. But Heather wasn't as big as others he had seen and he had never seen a skunktaur before. "He said you were small, but you're not even close. I've seen many furs smaller than you." He said, looking over Heather on her gurney.
"Well I am as 'taurs go."
"It doesn't matter dear plus look at that tail, that's the fanciest one I've seen in a long time." Heather's tail began to wag uncontrollably back and forth much to her embarrassment.
Heather was beginning to blush under her fur. Hector liked her tail as well and had complimented her many times on it. He also had a nasty habit of batting it out of the way as well. "Well Mr. Sandrom…"
He interrupted her, "Call me Charley, we're almost family."
"Ok…Charley, I'm small for a 'taur. Most are much larger than I am, and if I didn't have my nice tail as you said, I'd probably fall over."
He smiled and laughed then coughed for a bit. "Well Hector said you were witty and very special and I can see why now. I can see clearly he picked a winner."
Heather's eyes opened wide, "You're not disappointed?" She said in surprise. "Hector thought you probably wouldn't care."
"I care, but over the years I haven't shown it. I've kept track of each of the children but I haven't interfered with their lives. In many ways, I regret that decision but it was mine to make and no one else is to blame. His mother is one not likely to care although I'm not completely sure about that." He grumbled, "I just wanted to see them happy. I see now that they are, especially Hector. You make him happy and in my eyes that's a good thing."
He found Heathers nature appealing and he knew why Hector had chosen her. He had had his doubts when Hector explained about his future wife but he wasn't going to argue at that point until he had to seen her for himself. He wasn't disappointed at all but some inner questions nagged at his heart. He hoped that Heather would be able to answer them for him.
"How did the two of you meet? You seem so different." He paused a second to get his breath, then continued, "But that's not to say it isn't easy to understand what Hector sees in you."
Heather smiled, "Well, to tell the truth we met in a business meeting. I needed a fur that could install a computer, butand also be able to lift one without too much trouble. Finding that someone proved to be very difficult. I know computers, Charley. I thought it best that I get to know something that I could do with my head rather than anything physical. Since walking and moving around back then was extremely difficult for me., I thought it best to get into electronics since almost everything we use is electric."
"Oh….you were wise." He grinned.
Heather chuckled, "I wouldn't say that, I've had my share of headaches along the way. This stuff isn't easy."
"I suspect it isn't. I've seen them, never really had a use for one myself."
Heather smiled, "Some people buy them but never use them, more of a social thing. Plus the game, so to speak, changes daily and you have to keep up with things or else you are gonna go nowhere in this business. I know; I've seen them come and go, sometimes within weeks."
He tilted his head stretching out a cramp in his neck, "Hector said something about a business." He questioned.
"Yeah, mine, it's small but we have some great customers."
"That's good to hear, treat them right and they will remain loyal."
"You're right about that, I have one corporate customer he's extremely happy with our work enough so to throw a nice bit of funds our way." Smiling, she really couldn't believe that they did have the Talos account. They were going places and fast, the orders for last month alone were going to allow them to pay the rent for the next 6 months.
"Oops, sorry, got side tracked, to continue, I did interview after interview, some did okay but others did extremely poorly. I didn't know why those individuals even tried. They had no clue what was inside a computer."
"Some are desperate."
"Well some of the ones I interviewed sure were. Anyway, on my last day I really had narrowed it down to just two people, and those I was going to have to train. I didn't like that aspect but I really needed someone, then in walked Hector. He didn't have a resume; he just dropped in looking to pick up some work for his small business. He was different than most of the candidates for he was big, all over. He kinda took my breath away; when I lived in British Columbia I didn't see too many equines and they were a lot smaller than Hector."
"Size runs on both sides of our family. So all of our children benefited from it, it seemed."
She smiled, "Well he seemed a kind fellow so I asked him his rates, 'cause if they were cheap enough I might have been able to split the difference with an installer and a mover."
"Would that have worked?" That was like hiring two people instead of one he thought.
"I don't think it would have, maybe temporarily but not full time."
"Ah…"
"Well Hector commented on the shop and he picked up an item off the shelf knowing full well what it was. He commented that he wished he had one for his system. Well my heart soared and I asked him more about his background. As he spoke, I knew I had found my mover and temp installer. From there our friendship grew, seems more than I knew. I was out of the loop so to speak."
"Really…I don't understand." Out of the loop….that he didn't get.
"Well, as Hector explained it to me, we both were oblivious to what was going on around us. We both liked each other a lot but we never really did the 'relationship' part of getting together. We'd speak of business and things happening around with computers. Each trying to get some tid-bit of information the other didn't have. To us that was fun, but we never really got involved, then I collapsed and, well … apparently, Hector's world fell apart. He missed me, a lot…..more than he really understood." Charley nodded, "You only miss something when it's not there anymore."
"Yeah…..so when I came to …" She paused, smiling to herself. "Hector was right there by my side and from then on it became a different type of relationship."
Quite the tale he thought, although he knew now that they seemed like a perfect match. Even though they were different species, they were soul mates, nothing like he and Saundra.
"That's a great story….Heather. I'm glad you found my son; you'll do right by him. Out of them all he stood to go the farthest."
"I met Suzan the other night."
He smiled, "She's a spicy one that one, won't take anything from anyone. We never really got along though." His face showed his pain. He was sincere in his words and it hurt him to say so. "I was surprised to see her as well, she looked good."
"Hector told me about what happened in the past."
"About us being the best of parents." He smirked, "Oh we tried to be but it seemed our anger towards each other spread….much too far. I was older but easily flew off the handle, and so did Saundra. Hot headed she was. The two of us together fighting was not a pretty sight."
"Oh…"
"Don't worry your pretty head about her. I haven't seen her in awhile; she's been involved with a bad bunch and I've tried to stay clear of her. Saundra's a lot younger than I am, seems she was attracted to older furs. I just wish I could remove this." He pointed to his finger and to the gold ring that resided there. "I have been to the church and asked for our marriage to be dissolved. It could be if she signed the right papers … but she won't."
"I'm sorry."
"Well I guess …till death do us part …will finish it." His breathing was becoming more labored. "I'm afraid that's the only way it will come off." He cleared his throat. "Enough about me, how are you doing? Hector says you're working hard to get standing and walking again."
"Yes, trying, been through this all before I'm afraid."
"I don't understand."
Heather took a deep breath, "I never really could walk right and I found it very difficult trying to control everything. My body just didn't work right, running was a complete loss. As I got better, I tried to go faster but things don't work at higher speeds and I'd fall. I had many a bump when I was small."
"Ah….so back to the basics huh?"
"Yeah."
"Well don't give up, ok? Hector's never been happier in his life and you're the reason for that."
"Yeah he's special." Heather could see that Charley was drifting, and really needed his rest. It was then Sarah walked in. "Perfect timing," Heather thought.
"Charley, would it be ok if I came back a little later? I just got off my session and well, I'm a bit tired."
"Sure, anytime Heather." He put out his paw and she took it. It made her sad to see him this way. He was an old fur just trying to redeem himself and we all should have a chance to do that.
As Heather and Sarah turned the corner out of the room, Sarah spoke. "How'd it go?"
"Good. He's very tired, but he put on a good show … just for me, I think."
"That's good. He seems nice enough."
"Well, it's taken him a long time to come around from what Hector says. Maybe too late, Hector already has forgiven him, but he's doubtful about his sister. They had more of a rivalry than he did."
"Ah…I see."
"I think he was pleased to see me though."
"That's good. Oh, your physiotherapist wants to see you in her office so that's where we're going if you were wondering."
"Oh. I kinda was, since we usually go the other way."
"Yup."
It didn't take long until they were in Dr Blitzen's office. It was very nice, with lots of room to move about. She wasn't here but Sarah said she'd be along soon and left Heather alone. Heather wondered why she wanted to see her. She'd been around several times last week, so maybe it was good news. Maybe they felt she was well enough to go home for a while. Soon the door opened and in walked the pretty foxtaur.
She smiled, "Hello Heather, and how are you doing today?" She said in a pleasant voice.
"Okay …I guess. Tired though." She shrugged briefly, and then said, "Still have an afternoon session to get through today as well."
"Yes the sessions are helping from what I've read of Sarah's reports."
Heather let out a big sigh, "It doesn't seem that way to me though."
"That's because you're concentrating on doing the job at hand; she's only an observer."
"Well she's a good catch too…..I've taken a couple of good stumbles."
"Well that's why they are there." She took her seat behind her desk, which had been raised for her height. She really didn't need a chair.
"So what's up? You gonna let me out of this joint?" Heather grinned.
The doctor smiled, "Not quite yet Heather, maybe in a couple more weeks. You're improving but you still need some more work."
"Hmmm I kinda figured that."
She put on a small smile, "Well Heather I wanted to ask you a few questions concerning some finer points in your file."
My file….hmmm I thought they had all they needed, Heather thought. "Sure, shoot, I'll see what answers I can give." She was sure she wasn't going to be much help.
"Ok…." Dr Blitzen pulled out a very thick file from her desk.
"Is that mine??" Heather pointing and squawking amazed at its size.
"Well you being the only Skunktaur in existence ….that we know of, you should have a file this thick." She opened it up and looked for a certain page that she had marked, "Ok it says here that you had a complete physical when you were first adopted, correct."
"Yeah they x-rayed me, poked and prodded to see if everything was there. At least that's what mom told me, I don't remember much of that."
"Ah...yes it says here that they have been unable to ascertain whether or not you can reproduce." She looked at Heather for any sign of disagreement.
"Yes that's true, the doctors that I've seen think every thing is still there but they really aren't sure. They really wanted to wait till I was older to poke around."
"And have they?"
That was a good question Heather thought, with the move out here and her schedule she really never did get back to them. "No …..not really. I moved back here not too long ago. I suspect I was on some waiting list back home, maybe."
"Ah….okay….that's what I really wanted to hear." She knew Heather was tired but she needed to talk to her about what they had discovered. She had to know and telling her was the right thing to do, "Heather we have done some more scans and tests on you. When you first came in, we knew the records were really out of date so we went ahead and did some tests while you were unconscious."
Heather wasn't sure she liked that idea and her face showed it. Dr Blitzen was quick to ease her mind, "No worries Heather nothing out of the ordinary was done, I can assure you. I was there supervising."
Heather sighed, "Okay, thanks, that eases my mind somewhat." Not a lot she said to herself.
"I thought it might. However …." Her voice grew stern for what she was about say to would have a lasting effect on the young taur. "We have found another glitch in your make up, one that really doesn't affect your health but it does affect another side of your personal life."
Heather didn't like that statement at all. She wasn't sure at all what Dr. Blitzen had to say but she was sure now it wasn't good news. She had paused for a second getting a good look at Heather then continued. "Heather this deals with sex and the act of doing it with a partner."
Heather quickly responded, "If this is about Hector I was going to ask…"
"No no……this is about you, Heather." She sighed. "Heather… you have no birth canal."
She was stunned, "What?"
This was not going to be an easy explanation but she had to know. "It's called vaginal atresia. Your vagina ends very shortly after it goes into your body. There is nothing connecting the uterus to your vagina."
"Are you sure about this!" Heather exclaimed knowing full well the consequences of this.
"I'm afraid we are."
"But you can correct this, with surgery I mean."
Dr Blitzen fumbled with some papers then sighed. "Heather, we might be able to possibly construct a canal but the success rate is dismal for that procedure and I don't think your body could stand the stress of an operation." Heather knew what this meant.
"That means I can't have a baby?" She said upset.
"No….not that." She had to try to keep her calm. "Heather it only means you cannot have sex in a regular fashion. If we managed between the two of you to get a fertilized egg……we could implant it in your womb. It would mean a caesarian birth but that's a normal procedure if things get complicated. So in your case it would be necessary." She hoped that was enough to satisfy her and to keep her mind from crumbling into fear.
Heather sat there in silence looking solemnly at the floor. She had hoped to be able to please Hector in a sexual fashion, but now that was out. Even carrying a child seemed distant and a moot point. It was devastating and heart breaking news.
Heather raised her head and looked directly at the doctor, "Are you sure there is no way? I mean your facts ..." Heather said with tears beginning to fall down her cheeks. Dr. Blitzen moved out from behind her desk and cuddled Heather, "I'm afraid our technology isn't up to doing something like that yet Heather, I'm sorry. To try and do so could endanger your life and that's something we, as doctors, try to avoid."
Heather cried even more now for she knew what this meant and it was something like this that might just destroy the bond she had formed with Hector. She knew how much he loved children and now there was only a slim hope that she'd be able to give him a single one. She cried also for the fact that she knew this topic of conversation was far from over. Heather left Doctor Blitzen's office in tears, she confided in Sarah giving her the whole story and she sympathized with her. She lent a shoulder for her to cry on and Heather accepted her generosity.
In her room she phoned her mother for she needed to talk with her, and that sad voice on the phone brought Nancy to the hospital. It was going to be one of those days, she thought. She entered the room and found her daughter with her back to her as she lay uncovered and motionless.
"Honey, it's me." Nancy said softly.
Heather turned her torso around which looked strange to anyone except her mother. "Hi Mom," said a sad face. She had obviously been crying. Nancy immediately moved in and hugged her gently.
Heather was so upset that Nancy hardly understood a word she had said over the phone. "Heather, what's wrong?" She rubbed her daughter's back, trying to soothe whatever was upsetting her. "Its okay, Mommy's here, just let it out."
To Nancy this was an all too familiar scene for when Heather was younger the kids all made fun of how she couldn't walk and the fact that she was also a 'taur. They were cruel and many a time Heather had come home crying. She had to walk home most days and, her feet would become sore from dragging her paws. She tired quickly back then and dragging her feet caused more problems in the end. Nancy found it was best to let her cry and then go at it again the next day or two. Today was a different story; no little furs trying to ride her or pulling her tail. This was something very different.
"Heather …," Nancy said trying to get her to stop crying for a moment, "Tell me what's wrong dear."
"I….can't have a baby!!!!" She cried, tears flowing from her eyes. Her body all a tremble and all Nancy could do was to hold her gently.
Nancy was shocked but she knew that someday the doctors would be able to tell them if Heather could reproduce, and evidently they just had."
"Oh…dear….Heather….Heather…..listen honey, we knew there might be problems with you having a child…..you remember?" She stroked her daughter's hair gently.
"I know…." She sobbed, "But I wanted to give Hector a chance and now he doesn't have one."
"Honey you know we spoke to Hector about that," Nancy said.
Heather looked at her mother and for a moment, the tears stopped. "It's not only that. " She paused, "I can't have sex either; my body isn't built for it. It's all screwed up and they can't fix it." The tears began to flow again and Nancy embraced her daughter. Now this was a problem. She reflected over her own experiences. She herself couldn't have children but she could have sex. But now with Heather this was a completely different story. She needed more facts and she knew just the fur to talk with.
The knock was soft but she heard it anyway, "Come in," said Dr Blitzen. She watched as the door opened and in stepped the familiar figure of a lioness.
"Mrs. White…Please come in and sit down, I thought I might see you today. I over heard Heather's conversation, when she spoke to you."
Nancy took a seat, "Yes, Heather's very upset and really groggy, she's not making a whole lot of sense. Her eyes look funny."
"Well I asked one of the doctors to administer a light sedative. I was afraid that she would hurt herself or the stress might cause another stroke. It's better this way."
"Ah….now I understand. I was beginning to wonder, you did the right thing. Heather is under a lot of stress as it is. So you guessed why I'm here."
"Yes, it won't take me long to get you up to speed. What did Heather tell you?"
"Something about not having children and not being able to have sex."
Dr. Blitzen sighed and adjusted some files on her desk. "Well that would upset anyone's mother hearing those words. Some of what Heather told you is true; the part about not having a baby is still up in the air. Mrs. White…."
She interrupted Dr. Blitzen, "Nancy."
Dr. Blitzen smiled, "Nancy, Heather isn't built right, sexually. She does have the outward appearance of a female but inside the plumbing isn't there. She has no birth canal; her vagina is only about three inches long and then ends abruptly. From the reports I've read she hasn't had any signs of menstruation or heats, 'taurs vary in this aspect. Some menstruate but some have heats, I'm in that category. I have to take medication to keep me functioning normally. Otherwise I'd have to stay home and avoid males at all cost."
"Ah…I see." She had heard that being in 'Heat' is one of the most embarrassing situations a fem fur can be in.
"But with Heather she doesn't have the plumbing hooked up. Luckily, she doesn't have RMKH syndrome or any life threatening abnormalities but without a cervix or vagina, she is infertile. As physicians we're not sure though that rules out her ultimately having a child.
Since she isn't experiencing abdominal pain she may not be menstruating, we just don't know at this point. We could harvest some of her eggs and perform in vitro fertilization then implant one into her uterus. She does have one and therefore could carry a child to term. Its sex in a normal fashion she cannot do. The passage isn't long enough, we told her we could try to correct it, but it's a major operation, especially for a 'taur. It's been done on bipeds for gender correction but this is a completely different situation since there isn't the right tissue available to graft. In my opinion, the operation would cause more harm than good, in fact it could even kill her while the procedure was being done or from tissue rejection later. The risk of another stroke is too great as well."