Eric Anderson was about to leave the Stovall family's front porch and walk back home when he remembered the single pearl necklace his mother made for Julie as a "promise ring" was still in his pocket. He was so wrapped up in thoughts of her that it completely slipped his mind.
Eric was about to turn around and knock on the front door when it dawned on him. TOMORROW would be a much better time to give it to Julie, ESPECIALLY if everything went the way he suspected/hoped it would.
With warm thoughts of Julie Stovall in his heart and mind, Eric walked home, completely unaware that his eyes kept changing color from brown to blue to brown again, depending upon how much he was thinking of the were-mermaid at any given moment.
INSIDE THE STOVALL HOUSE...
Mrs. Stovall approached her daughter and asked how everything went.
"Swimmingly," replied Julie with a happy smile on her face. "I think Eric and I might even be on the same wave length. HE suggested coming over here tomorrow to hang out before I could."
"Really? That's great!" exclaimed the older woman, before hugging her daughter.
"Two hitches though," began Julie, while sitting down on the sofa.
"What?" asked her concerned mother, while sitting down next to her.
"First off, Eric's parents are being inducted into the Skulk tomorrow night. Mr. Anderson as a werefox, and Mrs. Anderson as an honorary member since she's his wife. The ceremony starts at 7:30 and both sons are expected to be there too."
"That's not bad. I'll be home by six at the latest. I can take you two out to dinner to celebrate if all goes well and still have Eric at the ceremony on time. Just make sure he brings whatever he's wearing to attend along with him too."
"I'll suggest it during our Internet chat tonight."
"Maybe he'll invite you as his Plus One, if that's allowed. Of course, if you're still hoping to have Eric with you the rest of the weekend afterward, you should ask his folks first," suggested her mother.
"Do you think it will take THAT long?" asked Julie.
"Your very first time? No, but you don't want to rush it either. However, my entry into were-mer society was the first night of my honeymoon with your father, and once we started..."
Then Mrs. Stovall caught herself before saying, "It was a long and very pleasurable week with the man I love. Then again, I will make sure you two are ready by Sunday night to go back to school Monday morning. But what's the second hitch?"
"I almost lost control myself today. TWICE! That's getting scary," said Julie, leaning into her mother for support.
Mrs. Stovall didn't press Julie for details, but hugged her daughter close and said, "I know dear. The last couple of weeks before my wedding to your dad, I was a nervous wreck. I thought it was pre-wedding jitters, although now I know otherwise. But don't worry. Once you and Eric officially... declare your love for each other, it will all be worth it and your personal happiness will be secured," she said reassuringly, before hugging Julie some more.
MEANWHILE...
Eric entered the Anderson family home to see his mother, big brother Nate and his boyfriend Alex Ramsey finishing up a selection of leftovers from the last couple of days.
"Hey son, we saved you and dad a plate," announced his mother, getting up from the table. "I've got to get ready for that pride picnic tonight."
"And we've got the wolf pack meeting tonight," said Nate, as he and Alex started clearing the table.
"I thought we could eat together after seeing everyone else off if you don't mind," said his father.
"No. No problem," agreed Eric.
"Eric. Could you help me upstairs for a moment?" asked his mother, as she started ascending the main staircase.
"Sure mom," he replied, following her upstairs.
But instead of going to the master bedroom, Martha Anderson just stood in the hallway where the others couldn't see them and whispered, "How did it go?"
Knowing the right thing to say, Eric answered, "Julie loved it. Thanks mom."
"You're welcome honey," replied his mother, before hugging Eric. You two will be so happy together.
Then, breaking the hug, Martha said, "Okay. I really do need to get ready. Please go back downstairs. Prep the sodas in the ice chest, but don't open the ice bags. Just set them on top for now. Then please tell Nate and Alex that they'll need to carry the chest over to the Twists for me when we all go over there in a little bit."
"Okay mom." Eric Anderson wasn't sure what exactly his mother knew, or suspected, might be going on between him and Julie. After all, there were times lately when he wasn't quite certain of his actions either. Instead, Eric just hugged Mrs. Anderson again while saying "I love you mom."
Then he went back downstairs to carry out her request, not seeing his mother trying to suppress a new flood of tears.