"Well. That was a MIGHTY delicious dinner. I'm surprised I still had room for dessert. Looks like I might have to invest in bigger pants," complained Mike Lawson with a smile as he patted his stomach, so no one else at the table knew whether he was serious or not. "But I do appreciate the invite, let alone actually having me over," he told the others, which surprised Evan and Maggie Lawson.
"You're more than welcome any time," replied Elle Carson Danvers, while looking at her husband Jonathan, as well as her parents, who simply nodded in agreement.
Okay old man. Who are you and what have you done with my real father? wondered Evan Lawson. Throughout the entire afternoon and meal, except for telling embarrassing (from Evan's perspective) stories about his only son's childhood, Mike Lawson had been surprisingly on his best behavior.
But his father's trip down memory lane had spurred Tom Carson and even his wife to trade stories about their two daughters. Yet Maggie and Elle took it all in stride and didn't seem quite as embarrassed as Evan. Whether that was because they didn't get into as much "trouble" as he did or if it was because the women had already heard these tales before, Evan wasn't sure.
All that Evan cared about now was getting his father back to his pick up truck, for the sooner Mike Lawson was on his way back to Seattle, the better as far as he was concerned.
After everyone said their goodbyes and were prepared to leave, Evan backed his jeep into the driveway of the Carson house as close to the house as he could.
"Okay Spencer, here's your camouflage*. Whenever you're ready," said Evan, handing his daughter an over sized and dark colored bed sheet.
"Just call me Casper," quipped Spencer, throwing the sheet over her like a ghost costume on Halloween.
"I'll help you out sweetie," said her grandfather. "I assume we're in the back?" he asked Evan.
"Roger," was his son's reply.
Soon the Lawson family was on their way back home. Evan planned to park at the curb because his father's pick up was still in the driveway.
Besides, Maggie and Evan still planned to go to the Andersons for a very special "dessert" later, and would make sure Eric came back to their place to keep Spencer (platonic) company for a while.
However...
"Son, will it be okay if I spend the night at your place?" asked Mike Lawson in a polite voice.
The very question itself, let alone how his father asked it, almost caused Evan to drive off the road in shock.
Mister and Mrs. Lawson looked at each other with confused stares. If they could peek under her sheet, Spencer would of been seen with a big smile on her muzzle.
"Sure. I guess," Evan finally answered. After all, what else could he say? It WAS his father. "Then I assume you want to get a fresh start back to Seattle in the morning?" he asked.
"Now what did I tell you about the spelling of that word son?" asked his father. Then Mike Lawson said, "Actually, I've been doing some serious thinking over the last day or so. After that mess with Bower Senior and his sonny boy, I figure you could use some local backup if some other trouble ever arises. Besides, even for a were, I'm starting to get on in years, so I thought tomorrow I'd start looking for a place somewhere around here so I can move back to Moon Lake and live out my remaining time among family. Then, depending upon what's available, I could go back up to Seattle Saturday and start packing, and be all moved in by this time next week."
With that announcement, Mike Lawson felt Spencer move closer to him under her sheet to hug him the best she could,
Maggie Lawson just stared at her husband in disbelief, as Evan Lawson tightened the grip on the steering wheel as his face turned pale.
I don't get it. ONE Bower's dead and the other will be in jail at least until his fur turns gray, yet they're STILL screwing up my life!
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*Regardless of which Moon Lake on which Earth you're reading, a were cannot be seen in public during the day in their fursona unless it's either at an officially sanctioned event or during a life threatening emergency.—tmw.