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Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Epilogue

Part 4
TAKE MY HAND, TAKE MY WHOLE LIFE TOO

10 Years Ago

Oh, the jackal of Derek’s mind, so young, so teeny!  From cross the classroom, he hears the cries of that poor little kitten of Sky’s mind, sitting in front of her desk just mewing her head off with that same sad song, “Mew?.. mew… meew?..  Mew?.. MEEEWWWW!” Surely this jackal wasn’t going to just let her sit there and cry like that while their elephant of a teacher drones on and on and on.

Derek himself keeps glancing over at Sky from across the room, wondering what is drawing him to her so.  And when she’d notice him looking, he’d look down at his notebook again; and every time he did, the jackal would look away as well, as if he couldn’t hear that poor kitten’s cries! “Mew mew… MMEEEWWW!” And to add to this confusing play of emotions for our shy little Derek, he also feels the voice of his mother whispering in his heart, “Still so young, son… so young…” In the heat of all this inner turmoil, this new landscape of thoughts and emotions, he fumbles in his pocket for the only thing that can possibly bring sanity back to his heart and his mind: music. He hurriedly puts in the earbuds, pulls his hood up to hide them from the teacher, and presses play¹.

The baby jackal sways to the music, edging backward and sideways across the room toward the kitten. Now, about half way there, he turns to face her, and continues to approach, trying to hop up to two feet occasionally but dropping back down on all fours, and sings:

Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can’t help falling in love with you

Shall I stay, would it be a sin
If I can’t help falling in love with you

Oh no! This isn’t helping at all! The jackal and the kitten are up close now, so happy in the music, and he continues to sing as they play and dance circles round each other:

Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be

Of course, Derek can’t help but continue in his curious and shy glances, as Sky pretends not to notice. Baby jackal props himself up on the leg of a desk.  Standing on two legs, he continues to sing:

Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can’t help falling in love with you

Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be

Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can’t help falling in love with you
For I can’t help falling in love with you

Sky glances back, and Derek stays his glance, eyes locked for a brief moment, and a smile.

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1. Elvis – Can’t Help Falling in Love