The next morning…
Nate and Eric had crept inside, their parents sound asleep in each other’s arms upstairs. They were both exhausted for different reasons. Nate because of the stressful night he’d had with Kenya. And Eric because he’d spent the majority of his day playing chess and his brain needed some time to recharge.
When they two woke, William and Martha were already dressed and downstairs. Eric and Nate both went down in their pajamas.
“Smells good in here.” Nate commented. He pulled up a seat at the counter, and his mom served him a plate of food. Much more reasonably portioned than what she served to everyone Friday morning (though Nate hadn’t been around to see the gigantic breakfast she cooked then).
“When did you two get in last night?” Martha asked, fixing a plate for Eric.
“Uh, just after eleven I think.” Nate looked to Eric who nodded in agreement.
“Did you have a good time at the Lawson’s?” William sipped his coffee from the kitchen table, while reading a paper.
“Ya. Spent most of the day playing chess with Spencer and her dad.” Eric said.
“Really? Are they any good?” Martha set a plate in front of Eric and watched Eric’s face light up as he told them all about yesterdays “exciting” games. Apparently Evan was more an opponent than Spencer.
“Nice to hear someone can still give you a run for your money. I was starting to wonder whether we had another Bobby Fischer* on our hands.” William joked.
“I’m not that good Dad. And I don’t think I’d want to spend the rest of my life playing chess. Seems rather boring.” Eric said between bites of food.
“What about you Nate, have a good day yesterday?” Martha had her back turned to the boys so she couldn’t see Nate’s face go almost completely white. And thankfully for him, his father couldn’t see either with that paper obscuring his face.
“Um, I guess. The concert was really fun. Got to meet some of Ben’s and Alex’s friends who used to live in Moon Lake. A family of werejackals.” Nate said slowly.
“Interesting. What are your plans for today? Are you going to be spending the day with Kenya?” Martha asked, her back still turned.
“Not sure.” Nate muttered.
He quickly filled his mouth with food so he wouldn’t have to answer any more of his mother’s questions. He hadn’t told his parents about his falling out with Kenya yet on Eric’s advice. There was a small, very small, chance the two might get back together. Nate was planning on calling Kenya as soon as he finished breakfast. And meanwhile Eric was to keep his mouth shut. Unless he wanted to incur his brother’s wrath.
“And you Eric?” Martha moved onto Eric, much to Nate’s relief.
“Spencer’s going back to the hospital to see if her arm’s finally better. And if things go well, she wanted to spend the day out of the house.” Eric said. After being stuck indoors for a week, only able to go outside at night, Spencer was dying for some physical activity.
“What are you guys going to do?” Eric asked.
“Spending the day working. I’ve procrastinated enough.” William had put his work on hold to really enjoy yesterday with his wife.
“And I’m meeting Jenny** for coffee later. She wanted to pick my brain some more about being pregnant, and what the…”
“Mom! No one here wants to hear that stuff at breakfast!” Nate and Eric both covered their ears. William laughed and said how one day their wives would have children and they’d have to be in the same room. Eric REALLY didn’t want to picture that, Spencer having kids. Not that he didn’t think about one day having a family with her. But the mental image wasn’t that pleasant.
“Of course making them will be fun.” he thought.
“Looks like we all have our days planned out.” William remarked, putting his paper down.
“Well before we go our separate ways, would someone mind helping me sort through some of the leftovers. I told Jenny I’d bring her a platter for her and Harry.”
“A platter?” Eric repeated.
“Seeing as we have so much, yes a platter.” Martha bent over and resurfaced holding the platter she normally used to serve the Thanksgiving turkey. A platter that was roughly a foot and a half long, and another food wide.
“I hope Jenny and Harry have enough room in their fridge.” William started chuckling as he imagined Jenny’s face when Martha showed up carrying a platter full of leftovers. Probably not what she was expecting.
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*First note - Bobby Fischer was a famous chess Grandmaster, considered one of the greatest players of the game
** Second note - In Earth-2, Jenny and Harry are still a couple, but their backstories are VERY different. Jenny is a born werefox, and Harry made the change so the two could be together. HIS parents, mostly his father, don’t approve of him becoming a werefox, and he is extremely worried how they will react when he tells them Jenny is pregnant since they’re both so young.