"I confess," Shandra said as she turned the page of the photo album, "I like you better than most of Reginald's boyfriends."

"And I can see where your son gets his sense of humor," Art smiled as he looked at another picture of Venti as a child. "It's hard to believe he wasn't always this hulk I know today."

"Oh, he started getting that way when he turned ten. You should have been there when he came home one day, complaining about how every child was making fun of him for his squeaking voice."

"His voice was changing at ten?" Art couldn't believe it, but then he realized this was Venti. Nothing surprised him when it came to the jackal.

"Puberty just couldn't wait for him, I suppose," Shandra sighed, a grin appearing on her muzzle as she pointed to a family portrait. "This was Reginald at age twelve. He was already as tall as his father." Shandra chuckled lightly. "When he was fifteen he wanted to start lifting weights. I indulged him, thinking he'd try it like all his other hobbies and give up in a few months."

"He never did, though."

"He never did. I lost a bet to his father, too. I think he encouraged our son to stick with it."

"Veni'd die if he knew you were showing me these pictures of him."

"Well, knowing my son, he probably told you that you'd never see them."

"Did you know he had a boyfriend before you came over?"

Shandra flashed Art a toothy grin. "The moment he said hello. Why else would I bring the photo albums?"

"But you were at the airport when you called."

"Or maybe I told Reginald a white lie."

"I doubt it."

"Are you accusing me of fibbing about lies? Such boldness!"

"I'm dating your son. He outweighs me by over half a ton, looms over me by half my height, and can lift me with a finger! I have to counter him somehow. Might as well be with my boldness and mane."

"I'm glad my son found someone like you. You'd make a good hyena."

"You'd make a good lioness."

"Flattery will get you everywhere, dear."

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