Author's note: OMFG SOMETHING WITHOUT YIFF.  Yeah, that's right.  A yiffless story.  This is the fourth chapter of my NaNoWriMo novel, expanded and adapted into a complete short story.  It will lead off a series where I'll be adapting key chapters of the novel and posting them online.  So... enjoy!

Tuesday was, for most furs, an ordinary day.  Coming off a long weekend, it felt too much like Monday, right down to the empty-eyed suits pouring in to the offices on the outskirts of Boston.  For Keith Caulfield, however, this was no ordinary Tuesday/Monday abomination.  It was his first day of work after his wife of almost a decade had up and left him.

The fox sighed as he leaned back in his chair, the brown leather seat offering him no comfort.  His eyes wandered around the room: the file cabinets lining one wall, the company-required motivational posters, the window covered by translucent cream vertical blinds that did nothing to block out the light, but effectively obscured the view.  

At long last, his eyes fell on his desk.  The pile of paperwork in his inbox mocked him, and he knew there'd be more on his company email, which he resolutely refused to check from home.  Two pictures sat on his desk, one of him with his son on his shoulders at the fair, and one of him and Lisa on their wedding day.  He sighed deeply and stowed this picture in his desk drawer.

The company Keith worked for was small.  It was nice for building a sense of community and feeling like you were really part of something, but as a small company, word travels fast, and it was soon common knowledge around the company that Keith's wife had left him.  One of the clerks at the firm, a twenty-something fennec fox and Keith's personal assistant, took particular interest in Keith's well-being.

"You're sure that you're going to be alright?" the fennec asked for what felt like the hundredth time.

"Yeah," Keith replied.  "I'll be fine, Teddy.  I just need to figure things out."

"Alright," Teddy said.  He placed a folder on the red fox's desk and turned to leave the office.  "But I'm here if you want to talk," he said over his shoulder as he left.

Keith sighed as he looked through the papers on his desk.  He read the same report over and over again, each time the content not sinking in.  All he could think about was his son.  Terry had been more than willing to take the kit in while Keith was at work, but it wasn't the same.  He knew there was no use in trying to find Lisa - when she didn't want to be found, there was nothing he could do to track her.  He was left with one option.

Am I really ready to date again so soon after Lisa leaving me?

The fox shook his head and pushed back from his desk.  There was no way he could focus on his work now.  He piled his papers neatly on his desk and quietly walked out of his office.

"Where are you going?" Teddy asked as Keith strode past his desk.

"I'm going out for coffee.  You're welcome to join me," Keith replied.

In a heartbeat, the fennec was at Keith's side, tail wagging excitedly.  "Anywhere in particular?" he asked.

Keith shrugged.  "I know a little shop just down the street.  It's within walking distance, and I like the atmosphere."

"Alright!" Teddy said, beaming at his boss.

The two furs walked in silence out of the building.  As soon as they emerged into the warm summer air, Teddy loosened his tie and unbuttoned his collar.  Keith chuckled and followed suit, and the two walked down the road in silence.

Keith breathed deeply, taking in the smells and sounds of summer.  I can do this.  He looked around as he walked.  Their offices were located near the main stretch of town, and as a consequence, there were many small shops and a generally busy street.  All around, happy couples walked down the street, some bound for the park, some for the shops, and some perhaps to an inviting bedroom.

As they approached the coffee shop, a sense of dread came over Keith.  Am I really going to try to meet someone in a coffee shop?  Is anyone even going to be interested in a thirty-five year old red fox like me?

"Mr. Caulfield!"

Keith blinked and shook his head to clear it.

"This the place?" Teddy asked.

The fox looked up at the café.  A light breeze nudged the sign, lovingly crafted in the shape of a tea cup by the owner, with a faded engraving of three coffee beans.  There were a number of wrought iron tables out front, each with a large umbrella over them.  A few furs were sitting outside with cups of coffee, some with books.  Most were young, likely students at the nearby college, staples of the local population even in summer.

"Yup," Keith said as he walked towards the door, Teddy close behind.

They were hit with a cool blast as they entered the air-conditioned café.  Inside the surprisingly large building were more furs.  The age group varied more widely here, from late teens to those probably close to retirement.  A few furs inside had laptops out, doubtless availing themselves of the free Wi-Fi for patrons, typing away between sips of coffee.  Keith headed straight for the counter.

"Afternoon, Mr. Caulfield!" greeted the white wolf behind the counter.  "Haven't seen you in a while."

"Work's kept me busy," Keith replied.  "How goes the Journalism degree?"

"Quite well, thanks!" she said.  "I've had an article published in the Town Crier!"

"Wonderful!" Keith said with a wink.  "Keep it up, you'll go far."

"Thanks!" she said with a grin.  "The usual?"

Keith smiled.  "You know me, Anne.  I'm nothing --"

"-- if not a creature of habit," she said, finishing his sentence.  "Right away, sir.  Oh, and what for your friend?"

Teddy stared up at the menu above her head.  "Oooooh... it all looks so good," he said, drooling a bit.  "Umm... I'll have a large French vanilla and a blueberry muffin, please!" he said, giving Anne a bright smile.

"Absolutely!" she said.  "Take a seat, I'll bring you your drinks and pastries in a moment."

"Many thanks," Keith said as he walked over to his favorite table by the picture window out front.

Teddy followed him and took a seat opposite Keith at the table.  "So, why this place?" Teddy asked.

Keith shrugged.  "Reminds me of my college days," he replied.  "It's a very laid back place.  Lots of college students, of course, but a good mix of others, too.  Lot of hip, intelligent furs meet here."

Teddy chuckled and looked around.  "And some good looking ones, too, I reckon.  Might have to wander a bit, see if I can meet a little cutie, myself."

Keith half-smiled.  "Best of luck, chum," he said.

"I think I see one now," Teddy said.  "I'll see ya back at the office," he said and slid out of his seat.

Keith chuckled and turned to stare out the window.  His mind wandered back seventeen years, to his freshman year of college.  He recalled sitting in a café similar to this one, sipping coffee while scrawling notes in the margins of his textbooks.

His daydream was cut short by the familiar clink of a plate against wood.  He turned and smiled as Anne set down his coffee and cheese Danish.

"Here you go, Mr. Caulfield," she said.

Keith smiled as he pulled out his wallet.  "Lovely.  Thank you, dear," he said as he held out a twenty to her.

Anne grinned and took the bill.  "I'll get your change in a minute," she said.

Keith shook his head.  "Keep it.  A tip from a regular."

Anne's eyes lit up.  "Thank you very much, sir!"

Keith chuckled and smiled.  "Study hard," he said as she walked off.

"You know I will!" she called after him as she sought Teddy.

The fox lifted his cup and took a sip of his coffee, black with two sugars.  As usual, Anne had prepared it perfectly.  He took a bite of his cheese Danish as another fox sat down across from him.

"Hi there!" the newcomer said, bouncing a bit, making her prominent bust wiggle.  Keith looked up and quickly appraised the new arrival.

His guest was a female red fox.  He guessed her to be around thirty.  She had shoulder-length auburn hair and a pair of glasses perched on her nose.  She wore a green blouse that just revealed her tuft of chestfur between her breasts without being too revealing.

"Afternoon," Keith said.

"I saw your friend leave, and you looked lonely," she said.  "I'm Vanessa."

"Keith Caulfield," Keith said, offering a paw to the female.

She took it and shook his paw quickly.  "Oh, you're married?" she asked.

Keith glanced at his paw and realized he was still wearing his wedding ring.  "Oh, no," he said, removing the ring.  "Recently divorced.  Haven't gotten out of the habit of wearing the ring yet."

The vixen giggled softly.  "I know what you mean," she said.  "I recently left my husband, too.  Caught him with another female.  Not even six months married, and already he was cheating on me," she said with a light growl.

Keith paused.  "He cheated on you... after only six months?" he asked incredulously.

Vanessa shrugged.  "Yeah.  It happens," she said, casually brushing back her hair with a paw.  "Why'd your wife leave you?"

Keith shrugged.  "Not really sure," he lied.  He certainly had his suspicions, but he couldn't acknowledge them.  Not yet, at least.  "I came home from a business trip, and when I got in, all I found was the paperwork for the divorce and a paw written note saying she left me."

Vanessa gasped.  "That's awful!" she said.

"That's life," Keith sighed.  "No need to dwell on it, though," he said, trying to sound perkier than he felt.  "So, tell me about yourself."

The vixen perked up at the interest in herself.  "Well, I'm a Taurus, I like long, romantic walks on the beach, and I ADORE seafood!"

Keith chuckled.  "What sorts of seafood do you prefer?"

"Oh, anything that comes from the sea, I guess," she said.

Keith blinked.  "That's very vague."

Vanessa tilted her head to the side.  "Why?  Doesn't all seafood come from the sea?"

Keith sighed and inwardly paw-faced.  "Are those prescription glasses?" he asked.

Vanessa giggled.  "Oh, no, I don't need glasses.  I wear them because they make me look smarter.  Plus, they look fabulous on me!  Don't you think?" she asked, tossing her head back, sending her hair fanning out and her breasts bouncing in a move that turned more than a few heads.

"Of course," Keith said with a nervous little laugh.  "So, Vanessa... do you like cubs?" he asked, hoping for some shred of compatibility.

The vixen giggled.  "Oh, no," she said.  "They're so much work!  I had one for a while, but I ended up giving him up for adoption.  Since then, I've been on birth control, and getting the occasional abortion for the ones that slip through."

Keith stared at her, trying desperately to hide his shock.  "Really?  Umm... how many... abortions... have you, uh... had?"

Vanessa counted on her fingers, silently mouthing the numbers.  "Oooooh... nine or ten?  I've lost count."

Keith sighed.  "The conservative's nightmare."

"I love restaurants with those!" Vanessa said cheerily.

"What?" Keith said, tilted his own head.

"Yeah, where the guys come serve you?  Those are great!"

Keith growled softly and rubbed his eyes.  "Vanessa, just for my own information... what's two plus two?"

Vanessa took a long pause, tilting her head from side to side as though deep in thought.  "Umm... uhh... five?"

Keith couldn't resist the urge to paw-face.  "So... you're good in bed?"

"Oh, yes!" Vanessa said.  "Ever seen anything with 'Starrr Fuxxx?'"

"What?" Keith asked.

"'Starrr Fuxxx.'  It's my porno name!" she said cheerily, loudly enough that many of the patrons at nearby tables turned their heads.  A couple of the older furs got up and made a bee line for the door.

Keith blinked.  "You're a... porn star?" he said rather quietly.

Vanessa grinned.  "Since I was eighteen!" she giggled.  The vixen leaned in close and said, with a very serious face, "They say I give the BEST blow jobs.  Maybe I could show you sometime!"

Keith sighed.  "Maybe.  Are you clean?" he asked.

"I never do drugs!" she said proudly.

"I meant STD's," Keith said.

"ST-what's?" Vanessa asked.

Keith blinked several times.  "You're a porn star... and you don't know what a sexually transmitted disease is?"

The vixen's eyes lit up in understanding.  "Ooooh!  Those!  Nope, I don't have any of those.  I wouldn't still be a porn star if I had one of those!  Well, unless I hid it," she said with a wink.

Keith buried his face in his paws.  "I'll... pass," he muttered.
 
Vanessa ran a paw through her hair, fluffing it.  "You don't know what you're missing," she said casually.

"Herpes?  Gonorrhea?  HIV?  Yeah, I’m really missing out," Keith muttered under his breath.  He shuffled nervously as the conversation quickly became awkward.

"What was that?" she asked.

"What was what?" Keith replied quickly, looking up and smiling, putting on his best innocent face.

Vanessa's face quickly darkened.  "Oh, I get it," she said.  "You think that just because I have sex for a living that I must be stupid."

Keith bit his lip, resisting the urge to blurt out, 'No, I think you're stupid because you ARE stupid.'

The vixen stood and glared at him.  "You men are all the same.  You just want a pretty face sucking your cock, but you don't care about the fur inside!  Well, I'm living my dream, and I love my job, and if you don't like it, well, fuck you!"

Without warning, she grabbed her coffee and poured it into Keith's lap.

"Aaaaiiiiieeeeeee!" Keith cried as he fell backwards, trying to avoid the hot coffee, sending the table flying in the process.

"Flithy mutt!" she spat, giving Keith a swift kick to the side before storming out.

Keith got to his knees, spluttering and batting desperately at the hot coffee in his lap as he tried to get it off as quickly as he could.  He looked up as the familiar jingle of the bell signaled her departure, and he stared off after her.  "The fuck was that?" he said aloud.

"Mr. Caulfield!"

In seconds, Keith found himself being pulled to his feet by Teddy and Anne.

"You ok, sir?" Teddy asked.

Anne stared off after the vixen.  "Jeez, what a bitch," she said.

Keith sighed softly.  "You can say that again," he muttered.  He wiped at his coffee covered crotch.  "No damage, except maybe a stain and a burnt ego."

Anne sighed.  "I'll get you a fresh coffee, on the house," she said.

Keith shook his head.  "No need.  I think I'll head back to the office with what little dignity I have remaining."

"I'll come with you," Teddy said.

Keith sighed and left the shop amid some sniggering from various patrons, Teddy close in tow.

"If it makes you feel any better," Teddy muttered, "I didn't have any luck flirting, either."

"In a way... it does, a bit," Keith said.  "No offense."

Teddy shook his head.  "None taken."

They walked in silence down the road back to their office.  It was quickly dawning on Keith that finding a new mate was NOT going to be easy.  That, and he might not want to return to the Three Bean Cup for a while.  His mind wandered to all of the single females he knew, and he let out another sigh as he realized that the list was... completely empty.

As they neared their imposing place of employ, Keith muttered, "I could use a hug."

The fox gasped as suddenly he felt himself squeezed.  He saw the cream colored arms around his chest, and followed them to Teddy.  Their eyes met, and the fennec quickly looked away, blushing so hotly that Keith could feel the heat coming off his face.

"Sorry," Teddy said, staring resolutely at the parking lot in front of them.

"Don't be," Keith said, not looking at him.  "I needed that."  He took a step and looked around.  Satisfied that there was no one looking, he gave the fennec a quick hug in return, and quickly walked back into the building.  He didn't look back to see if Teddy followed, and walked straight into his office, shutting the door behind him.

Keith sighed as he plopped down in his chair.  "I'm not sure what was more awkward: getting a lap full of coffee from a porn star, or hugging my assistant," he whispered to himself, burying his face in his paws as he battled a sudden torrent of emotions.  His heart rate increased, and he found himself falling back into some less than pleasant memories from his college days.

Against his will, he was back in the coffee shop near his alma mater's campus.  His girlfriend was chewing him out.  He could barely register the words -- something about magazines -- but he could feel her anger.  If looks could kill, he would have been one dead fox right then...

The magazines.  His secret shame.  The images, the stories inside... he could scarcely count how many times he had pawed of to them.  At one point, they had been his pleasure, his companion, but now...

Now he found himself in a dark alley late at night.  His face was bloodied, and three muscular furs loomed over him, their towering forms casting shadows of deepest black against the fox's matted fur.  "We'll teach this one a lesson or two," one of them muttered.  He raised his arm, a lead pipe held in his hand.  Keith prepared himself for the blow...

There he was.  The most beautiful coyote in the world.  Despite the large amounts of alcohol imbibed by both of the furs, there was no denying the intensity of the sexual tension as they stumbled into Keith's dorm room and fumbled with their clothes...

"No!" he hissed at himself.  "No... not that... not that," he muttered, looking at the pile of work before him.  "Just need to get my mind off of it.  It didn't mean anything."

Keith rubbed his eyes and sat back in his chair, trying desperately to clear his head, battling with the unfamiliar feel of an erection straining against his pants.  He leaned forward and pulled up a billing report, staring at the numbers and words on the page.  "Work, work, work," he muttered, looking over the page.  It took him a minute to realize he was looking at the same report he'd been looking over before going out for coffee, and it was once again flying right over his head.

"This is going to be a long day," Keith muttered.  

With one last resolute sigh, he set to work sifting through the reports on his desk, silently going through his own work as, on the other side of the door, a certain fennec sat at his desk battling with feelings of his own.