//------------------------------//
// Domestic Friction 
// Story: The Obesity Quest 
// by Flexico 
//------------------------------//

I rested my elbow on the windowsill, rested my cheek on my paw, and gazed out at the rolling hillside. I took a deep breath and tried to focus on the trees and occasional birds flitting between them -- but quickly got bored again and returned my focus to my computer's screen. So much more potential here, so much more content! So much culture! But only on this small bright rectangle. Why couldn't the whole world be this colorful and rich with entertainment?

My parents describe the sprawling open country as "peaceful." I mean, that's definitely a positive word! I certainly wouldn't want to be in the middle of a war or something. However, I have much more experience with the word being used to mean "boring" by people who like boring things.

"Widget! Why are you still in your room? Get out here!" I grunted before switching off my computer, folding it up and slipping it into my saddlebag. "Ok Mom, coming!" I padded over to the door. I can walk on two legs and use my paws to hold things when I need to, but walking on all fours is more comfortable. I nosed the door open and saw my mother standing at the kitchen counter and looking at me with a furrowed brow. "Hon, I wish you wouldn't spend so much time locked up staring at that... /machine/. It's going to rot your brains out! You should be playing outside with nature!"

I closed my eyes tightly and resisted the urge to rub my temple, lest I appear condescending. I know Mom means well, but she really doesn't understand. But last time I tried to tell her she didn't understand, she launched into a lecture about adults having more experience than cubs.

"Ok, Mom. I'll go out!" I turned towards the outside door, but I barely took a step before she grabbed the strap of my bag.

"What do you have in here?"

"My stuff! Stuff I like having with me. Please let go."

She unzipped the bag and pulled out my art folder. "Are you still just drawing these..." she sighed as she flipped through my pages of sketches. "Widget..."

"Mom, put those back!" I couldn't help but blush slightly.

"Why are all your drawings of fat people! I mean, like, REALLY fat people! Look at this one, she's as big as a house! She's just a big blob with a head, paws, and a tail! Why would you want to draw something so disgusting?"

Blushing harder, I snatched my papers away and stuffed them back into my folder. "They say to draw what you see, right? Well, when I let my imagination wander... that's what I see. It just seems so... so cozy! Being smothered in a big soft ball of blubber~" I hugged my arms around myself, closed my eyes, and sighed softly.

My mother looked at me for a moment, then looked to the floor. She put one paw to her head and ran her claws through her fur. "I just worry about you, dear. The things you do... they're not... not normal."

"Well, what is 'normal,' Mom? Where's the book that lists what is normal and demands that everybody be like that?"

She gazed at me with her mouth partially open, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. Her eyes darted around for a few seconds. "I... I just don't understand--"

"Aha! AHA!" I pointed a pink bean-finger at her, claw extended. "So you admit it! You acknowledge that there's something about me that you don't understand! Implying that YOU'RE the one with the problem, not me!"

She groaned, clenched her eyes shut, and -- sure enough -- rubbed BOTH of her temples. I took the opportunity to zip my bag back up and sneak out the door. I'm glad that I'm a cat and not a deer or something; these soft paws are wonderful stealth tools.

I ran across the field of tall grass towards the woods. Ok, yeah, Mom did have a point about going outdoors. Stretching my muscles did feel good and worked to relieve some stress. I guess I tend to get lost in my mind and forget that my body has needs, too.

Once I reached the treeline, I stopped and sat back on my haunches. After waiting for my breathing to slow, I reached back into my bag and pulled out my map and compass. The town is about 5 miles to the north. It's mainly just a big farmer's market, a brick clock tower with a bunch of wooden gears inside, and a few arts & crafts shops. However, there is one place truly worth my while.

The library.