Martin and Melissa looked in on Arthur and Julie. They both looked at each other and smiled. Martin whispered, "I hate to interrupt this moment but..."
"I know dear," Melissa whispered back, "But Julie does need to know what's going on."
With that, Martin opened the door and cleared his throat to indicate his arrival. Both Julie and Arthur jumped in surprise a little at the arrival of Julie's parents. "Hello there, young man. I assume that you're here to see my daughter? My name's Martin Stovall. Julie's father."
Arthur looked a little nervous as he said, "Um, yes sir. Just dropping off some school work so she doesn't fall too far behind."
Arthur grinned a little and asked, "Is that right, son?"
Suddenly, Julie piped up, "Daaaaaad!"
Martin almost burst out laughing, "It's quite all right. Do you mind that we talk to our daughter? Alone?"
Arthur looked at Julie and then turned and said, "Not at all. It's about time I get going anyways. See you later then, Julie?"
Julie smiled at Arthur and said, "Sure." With that Arthur left the room.
After closing the door behind him, Melissa said, "He seems to be a nice boy. Isn't he the only were-mer boy in your class?"
Julie's eyes lit up and said, "Yeah, and he came to see me." Her cheeks seemed to redden a little.
Martin noticed this and cleared his throat again. This got the two women's attention. "Now, before you two get too caught up in some sort of girl talk, I think we need to discuss the matter at hand." Martin took a seat next to his daughter and, with a serious look on his face, started to talk to his daughter. "I discussed a few things with Dr. Tachibana and Dr. Curry. They tell me that you will need some surgery done up in Seattle."
Julie noticed the serious tone her father was making, "Do I really need this?"
Martin nodded slowly as he said, "I'm afraid so. And it needs to be done tomorrow. I'm going to be frank here and say that it will save your life to have this operation done. This is life and death here." Martin noticed the worried look on Julie's face. "Don't worry, honey. I'll be with you every step of the way until you're back in school."
Julie looked at her father and said, "I trust you, daddy." Martin smiled widely and hugged his daughter. "Just, could you do a couple of things for me?"
"What's that honey?" Melissa asked.
"Well, could you make sure and get my homework assignments while I'm gone? I don't want to fall too far behind."
Martin chuckled and said, "You were always the studious one. What else do you need?"
"Well," Julie said as she started to think, "Could you let Eric know what's happening? I don't want him to be worrying for me?"
Martin was a bit surprised by that request. "Of course, dear. I'll let him know as soon as we leave here."
Julie smiled and said, "Thanks dad."
"No problem honey," Martin said as he kissed his daughter's forehead. "I have to leave to take care of some town business. Your mother will be here just in case you need anything."
"Okay, daddy. Will I see you tomorrow?"
Martin smiled and said, "Sure thing. I'll be with you all the way to Seattle." Martin motioned to Melissa to go outside of the hospital room. After saying goodbye, Martin and Melissa talked briefly outside of the hospital room. "That's a positive change. Before, she'd be demanding that Eric go with her, or at least be with her in the hospital room."
"I know," Melissa whispered, "And the way that she was looking at that Arthur boy. There's something changed in her, but I'm not sure what."
"So, listen, I need to run off to take care of some town business."
"Something about that normal you guys captured last night? What was her name?"
"Claire Robertson, I believe." Martin sighed a little, "I'm still not sure what to do with her. With me leaving to Seattle, I need to make a decision soon."
Melissa kissed Martin on the cheek and said, "I know that whatever you decide, it'll be the best for both her and the town."
Martin smiled at his wife and said, "Thank you for the vote of confidence. So, you'll stay with Julie then?"
Melissa nodded her head and said, "I'll be right here waiting for you."
Martin smiled at his wife and said, "Okay, I'll be leaving now." With that, Martin made his way out of the hospital. As he was walking out, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number to the Twists.
-----------------------------------------------
At the same time, the Twists were cleaning up from breakfast when the phone rang. Samantha picked up the phone and said, "Twist residence."
"Hello? Samantha? This Martin," the voice responded.
"Hello mayor. How can I help you?" Samantha responded.
"I need to leave to Seattle tomorrow with Julie. We'll need to settle the matter with Claire Robertson today. Can you and Francis meet me at the police station in 10 minutes?"
"We'll be there. See you then." Samantha hung up the phone and said to Francis, "That was Martin. He wants to meet with us about Claire in 10 minutes at the police station."
Francis picked up her coat and said, "I guess we better leave now then." The two, dressed in their professional attire, made their way to the police station.