"When they're here, you definitely want them to meet Harry and see that he's the one you want and love, not this Dieter Wilhelm person," Doctor Frances Twist continued. "But regardless of how they treat Harry, you're the one that needs the closure. Whether or not they accept Harry, let alone accept your decisions, you will need to be prepared to move on beyond next Saturday, no matter what the outcome with your family."
"In the dream, the other mes showed me the road to recovery, literally," recalled Jenny Harper. "It was like this well lit path, but it disappeared on the horizon into the edge of a storm."
"Then, if we are to interpret the dream in its proper context, your wedding and the confrontation with your parents are on the horizon, since they're both a little over a week away at this point. Even if you were to have Harry call them before then, it wouldn't change the inevitable. Me, Harry, and everyone else will help you all we can, but in the end, the final challenge is still yours to face."
"You can do it honey," said Harry encouragingly, holding her hand while kissing her cheek.
"Face them, yes. But actually win is another matter entirely, especially with my father," warned Jenny.
"Then let's work on that between the rest of today's session and tomorrow's for sure," suggested Frances. "We'll start with the logical approach first, and then begin going over other strategies afterward."
MEANWHILE...
Martha Anderson was going over the latest chapter in her study guides to get her teaching recertification. She wasn't sure how much of the material was specific to Moon Lake versus how much was for Washington state in general, because there was no mention in any of the booklets about weres, but she was determined to be a teacher again.
She got up to pour herself the last glass of iced tea from the pitcher she made when Melissa Stovall visited earlier that morning to discuss the impending physical union of her son Eric and Julie Stovall. What Martha didn't tell Melissa was she had some mixed feelings about Eric losing his virginity. It wasn't the thought of her youngest son becoming a were-merman afterward. It was more down to earth things.
Eric had the right person. He had the right reason too. Love.
But even with the impending... pressing need, for lack of a better term, on the horizon, was it the right time?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of the house phone, which she promptly answered.
"Hey Martha, it's Samantha," purred the Town Chancellor.
"Hello yourself. Any chance you might be calling to offer me a little afternoon delight with one of my favorite werecats?" Martha purred back.
"I wish. Me, you, and Frances definitely need to have some more us time soon," agreed Samantha, thinking about how lovely it would be to have another session of pure sexual bliss with their sister werecat. "But the reason I am calling is that we're having a pride picnic meeting tonight to welcome our latest members. You and Jen Decker," before Samantha went into further detail explaining to Martha who the other lady was.
"Tonight?" said Martha. "As much as I would love to, even though I haven't taught a single day of class yet, as a substitute teacher, I've got to be at the elementary school by 8 am tomorrow morning to attend the Teachers In Service Day there."
"Well, with Frances and I both needing to work tomorrow too, it wasn't going to be that kind of pride meeting, although with us werecats, you never know. Tell you what. You ride with me and Frances, and we'll have you back home by 11, 11:30 at the latest. Okay?"
"Deal, and maybe there'll be a chance to talk to you two about something that's come up on my end too," said Martha, thinking about Eric again.
"Everything okay honey?" asked Samantha, genuinely concerned.
"Things are okay, they're just progressing a LOT faster between Eric and Julie than anyone thought they would."
"Oh? Considering what I know of were-mers, that doesn't necessarily sound like a bad thing."
"It's not. Like I said, it's just a lot to take in sooner than I thought I'd have too. Should I bring anything to this soiree?" asked Martha.
"If you can spare some canned sodas, ice, and have an ice chest we can borrow, that would be great," replied Samantha.
"I'll see what I can do. What time?"
"We'll be picking you up around 6:30, because I want to try and have everything set up by 7."
"Okay. See you later," purred Martha.
"And definitely for that other matter soon," promised Samantha, letting out a low growl hinting of pleasures to come.
After she hung up, Martha reached for her cellphone and texted her husband.
SUDDEN WERECAT PRIDE MEETING 2NITE! OFFICIAL BUSINESS! U NEED 2 FEED URSELF & KIDS. COME HOME SOONEST. I'LL B GONE BY 6:30. <3 M.
Martha was back to her studying when she got the reply from William.
IS THERE SOMETHING FOR US 2 NUKE/EAT? WE CAN TALK ABOUT ERIC/JULIE WHEN U GET HOME.—W.
Martha wrote back: YES. U NEED 2 PICK ME UP CAN SODAS & ICE PLEASE. HOLD ME 2NITE?—M.
William Anderson was a bit taken aback by that last part. It wasn't a request for romance, or even sex, but comfort.
He quickly texted back: ALWAYS!
That received a :D and a <3.
Then Martha hung up her cellphone, and found the family's largest ice chest in their storeroom. After making sure it was clean and ready to use, she went back to her study guides.