"Listen, before you go Sam, there are a couple of things I'd like to know to help bring me up to date with how things in Moon Lake are nowadays, if you don't mind," requested Jen Decker.
"Sure, if I can," replied Samantha Twist, while both ladies sat back down again.
"Do you know a family by the name of Howler?"
"Just professionally. They recently filed a few change of address forms with the Town Hall. Why?"
"Turns out they just moved in a few houses down from us, and their daughter Amy has expressed an interest in Tad," revealed Jen.
"Is that a problem?"
"Well, except for me and Jeff, Tad doesn't have any real... experience with other weres of any species."
"Moon Lake is full of weres," pointed out Samantha. "I'm sure he'll adjust in time."
"I'm afraid you don't understand me. NO experience," stressed Jen.
Whatever Samantha was originally about to say became a moot point when she realized what her friend was getting at.
"OH! Well, I'm not really sure what I can do to help you there," admitted Samantha, while trying not to blush.
"Well, I think Amy Howler intends to take care of that, but as his mother, I'm not sure how I feel on the subject," confessed Jen.
"Can't help you there either. It was difficult for me and Frances raising Ben around the time of his first transformation, with a were's higher libido kicking in. Thankfully Austin Perry is both kind of laid back and understanding. When Frances and I explained the situation to him, Austin made some... arrangements, and Ben came home the next morning from his first pack meeting all smiles and smelling like he had a really good time."
"Jeff told me some werewolf tales in a couple of our more private moments. Guess every species approaches the subject differently."
"Well, weres are definitely more open and progressive about sex than normal humans."
"That they are," agreed Jen.
"If it's any of my business, how are you really holding up?" asked Samantha.
"Well... Even though I have to remember that he lost a father at the same time, I've got Tad to help me get over the stress of being a newly created widow, and moving back to Moon Lake has helped," answered Jen, looking directly at her old friend. "In time, I might have to start giving some serious thought to acquiring 'outside help' in having an itch scratched, if you know what I mean."
"I certainly do," said Samantha, with a sly smile. "I know a few of our fellow werecats will definitely be interested when they hear you're back."
"That's all well and good, but when the time comes, they will have to know that I'll only be looking for some therapeutic sexual relief and fun. The last thing I ever want to do is have Tad think I'm trying to replace his father, let alone give him the wrong impression that Jeff is replaceable."
"Totally understandable, and I 100% agree with you. If you think it will help, I can talk to Frances and see about arranging an appointment for either you and/or Tad," offered Samantha.
"I appreciate that, but we both talked to grief counselors after Jeff was killed, so I think what we really need right now is some time to mourn and heal," replied Jen.
"Well, if there ever is anything Frances or I can do to help..." began Samantha, as she started to rise up from the table again.
"There is," said Jen, as she started to stand too. "I need contact info for the local cable company and newspaper, the store hours and locations for whatever grocery stores are in Moon Lake nowadays, and when is trash pick up around here?"
An hour later found Jen Decker happily pursuing the mundane task of grocery shopping at the Moon Lake outlet of a regional chain specific to the Pacific Northwest, lost in the hunt for groceries versus savings, and blissfully unaware that she was being watched.