Once the Lawsons were home, Evan had something of a panic attack, or nervous breakdown. Either way, he was pacing up and down the upstairs hallway practically tearing his hair out.
“Evan, breath.” Maggie told her husband. Spencer was upstairs changing, while Mike had made himself quite comfortable downstairs in their living room watching TV.
“Why, why does he always have to go and get crazy ideas like this? Is he out of his mind?!” Evan fumed.
“Evan I think you’re overreacting. Besides, it’s nice that he wants to move somewhere closer. Spend more time with the family. You know this is the first time Spencer has seen him in almost five years.”
“There’s a good reason for that. He drives me mad!”
“Yes, but so does Jimmy Carter, gun control, and people who abbreviate words instead of talking like everyone else. You’re easily irritated.” Maggie tried to say as lovingly as she could.
“I don’t need the added stress.” Evan said. He wandered into the bedroom, where he threw himself onto the bed. Maggie went in behind him, closing the door after making sure Spencer wasn’t eavesdropping. But she was still in her bedroom.
“Evan be reasonable. Are you really considering turning your father away? He’s your father. And he’s a grown man who he can live wherever he wants.”
“He’s an uncontrollable nutcase.”
“Exaggerating.” Maggie scolded Evan like he was a toddler.
“No. Calling him a basket case, might be a bit of an exaggeration. But nutcase is quite accurate. I’m pretty sure that’s the scientific term. You’re the doctor, you examine him and tell me he’s not insane.”
“Just relax. You can worry about this tomorrow. I’ve got dessert on the mind.” Maggie purred. Evan smiled, but didn’t feel much like doing anything other than sticking his head into an oven and waiting until the gas took effect.
“You’ll feel better once you get there. Besides, do you really want to spend the night with your father?”
“Hell NO.”
-------------------------------------------------------------
Spencer was quick to change out of her mother’s old maternity smock, and into something more comfortable, and less embarrassing. Glancing at her arm, she tentatively moved the limb to see if it was healed.
“Ouch, okay not healed.” Spencer grimaced.
She tugged another one of her father’s old sweatshirts over her head. But then she put on a flannel shirt over it, so she looked a bit more presentable. Not that it mattered much. Her family was going over to the Andersons, and she and Eric would probably end up either outside, or back here. It’s not like there was much to see anyway, her fur was thick enough that all the important stuff was covered.
“Half the police force has probably seen me naked by now. What’s the big deal?” Spencer thought in regards to that speech her mother gave her earlier about her “indecent exposure” as Maggie put it.
Vaguely, she heard her mother and father talking, arguing, about Mike moving into town. Not that they’d take her opinion into account, but Spencer would be very happy if her grandfather found a place nearby to live. It would shift some of Evan’s attention away from her.
She sat up on her bed when she heard her mother approaching. Maggie didn’t even need to knock, Spencer told her to come in before she got to the door. Maggie opened it a crack and check on her daughter. Spencer sat there, staring at her with curious green eyes.
“Are you coming?” Maggie asked.
“Of course. But what about Grandpa?” Spencer asked. They both doubted Mike would want to join any of the after dinner “fun”. He wasn’t into that stuff.
“I think he’s going to stay here. Seems comfortable enough downstairs.” Maggie said. Spencer nodded, and grabbed her backpack, which contained her birth control pills, a change of clothing (which was just another one of her father’s sweatshirts), and her phone.
“Is Dad okay?” Spencer asked as she and her mother walked down the hallway, and then down the staircase. Evan was already downstairs talking to Mike about their additional plans. And subtly letting him know he wasn’t too keen on the idea of the elder Lawson moving to town.
“He’s just worried.”
“Sure he is.” Spencer rolled her eyes.
When the two reached the bottom of the staircase, they saw Evan waiting by the door, while Mike was still in front of the TV. Both men were making a point not to look at each other.
“Uh, everything alright honey?” Maggie was afraid of ask.
“Peachy. Can we get going now?” Evan asked.
“Sure thing, hold up” Mike got to his feet, surprising Spencer and Maggie. Evan glared at his father and told him he’d better sit his ass pack down in that chair.
“Why? Am I under house arrest or something? Don’t I get time off the sentence for good behavior?” Mike asked sarcastically.
“Dad, can’t you just try to be reasonable for once in your life?” Evan demanded.
“Oh sure, but where’s the fun in that? Besides, I’m doing this for your sake. You can’t seem to stay out of trouble for more than a few hours.”
“I… just stay put alright? Spencer will probably be back with Eric. They can keep you company. Right Spencer?” Evan gave his daughter a stern look. She wasn’t stupid, she knew that if she fought him on this she wouldn’t have any limbs left. So she just nodded and assured her grandfather she’d bring Eric back to meet him.
That did the trick, and Mike sat back dow, an obvious smug look on his face. Evan turned on his heels and strode out to his car.
“That man will be the death of me.” he thought angrily.