The car pool ride to the high school was rather uneventful for the Anderson boys, Ben Twist, Alex Ramsey, and Cassie O'Sullivan. After securing his car in the student parking lot, Ben parted company from the others. Not that he didn't like his friends, neighbors, and fellow werewolves; but he didn't need to see Nate walking his boyfriend Alex to class, while Eric took similar action with his girlfriend Cassie.
Ben was a little disappointed that there was no sign of Sasha Myers, but knew better than to wish he could see Anna O'Sullivan right now, especially since Cassie's mom was at work in Seattle.
With nothing else to do, Ben walked on to his first period class, hoping to see at least Sasha later on today.
MEANWHILE...
"Good morning, Doctor Twist's office," began Rudy, her personal assistant. "I'm afraid the Doctor is..." then he paused, hearing the keypad outside the front door beep, indicating his friend and employer was letting herself in. "One moment please."
Doctor Frances Twist secured the door behind her since, despite the fact she was technically late to work, public office hours didn't officially start until 9. "Doctor Mera Curry," said Rudy, holding out the phone to her.
"Doctor Curry," said Frances, after taking the receiver from Rudy. "No. Family problem," she replied, as much to her assistant as her caller, since Rudy wasn't a were. He could only hear his employer's side of the conversation, but stood nearby in case he was needed.
"I see. What color are her eyes at the moment?" inquired Frances. "And you're fully briefed on the were-mers' belief in love at first sight and finding their soul mates? Okay, depending upon my schedule," to which Rudy held out the appointment book for her to see. "I should be back in Seattle sometime between 1 and 2 this afternoon. If he can get a ride today, what time to you expect him to visit? Uh-huh. Yeah, staying till this evening and consulting with both you and Doctor Tachibana is no problem," added Frances, although she would have to call her wife and let her know. "Okay. See you then. Bye Mera," and handed Rudy back the phone.
After he hung up the phone, Rudy asked, "Is everything all right with Julie Stovall?" since that was the only were-mer Doctor Twist was currently treating.
"Apparently. If Doctor Curry's right, Julie's moving on from Eric Anderson as her mind resets itself."
"That's good, right?"
"Depending upon how her potential new beau feels about her, and the Stovalls feel about him," replied Frances, before making plans for the rest of the day.
ELSEWHERE...
Since it was only a couple of blocks from the Town Hall, Samantha Twist had the car service drop her off at police headquarters, knowing she could walk back to her office after taking care of some personal business.
"Samantha, always a pleasure to see you," said Police Chief O'Hara, who happened to be an Irish Setter in his weredog fursona. "How can I help the Town Chancellor today?"
"This is a private matter. Off the record and just between us," she stressed, after making sure they were alone.
"Sure. What do you need?"
"What do you know about Coach Katherine Johnson at the middle school?" asked Samantha, not bothering to take the offered guest chair.
"Nothing, I'm afraid," replied the Chief. "Her name's never come up in any investigation, not even as a complainant, as far as I know. Why? Is there something going on me or the department should know about?"
"Not that I know of. She's expressed interest in a friend of mine and..."
"I see. A sister werecat?"
"Yes, although Johnson is a weretigress," said Samantha.
"Let me check the computer," offered O'Hara, before turning to his terminal.
A couple of minutes later, the answer was, "Johnson is squeaky clean. Not even so much as a warning for anything. Other than the fact the lady exists, we have nothing on her. Does that help?"
"Tremendously," replied Samantha, actually a bit relieved to hear the news.
"You must care deeply about your friend to go through this. Does Frances know?" wondered the Chief.
"Yes. We..."
"It's okay," said O'Hara, not wanting to hear any personal details about werecats' private lives, even if they didn't involve sex.
The Town Chancellor thanked the Police Chief and was about to leave when he said, "You know, your friend is lucky."
"Oh?" asked Samantha, wondering what the Chief was thinking.
"According to this," he said, pointing at the computer screen, "Johnson has been named Middle School Teacher of the Year twice, and has been the girls' head gym coach since her date of hire. Steady job, solid income, good reputation. What more could someone ask for in a potential partner?"
"Maybe a couple of nervous friends who don't worry about the prospective date so much?" asked Samantha in return.
"If you weren't good friends, you wouldn't be concerned to begin with," pointed out Chief O'Hara, before
Samantha said goodbye and left his office.
MEANWHILE...
In between the first and second period class change, Martha Anderson finally made the phone call she was anxious about.
When Coach Katherine "Kat" Johnson came into the coaches' office with a towel wrapped around her neck from running laps with the first period students, she saw the worried look on her friend and potential lover's face. "Is everything all right?" asked Kat.
"Fine. I made the appointment with the OB/GYN for after school later today," replied Martha, wiping her eyes.
"I sense a but here..."
"I'm obviously nervous as hell about it, but so far none of my friends can go with me today."
"Geez, you can't say that. You haven't asked me yet," said Kat.
"It's just that you... me... That is..." Then Martha paused before saying, "It's complicated."
I bet, thought Kat, recalling the dream she had about the two of them overnight. Then she took the office chair next to Martha, sat down and grabbed Martha's hands in hers before saying, "Whatever happens, first and foremost, I AM your friend. I'll be glad to go with you. Just tell me when. I'll even drive."
"Really?" asked Martha.
"Really," replied Kat with a smile.
The two ladies just continued to stare at each other, each lost in their private thoughts, until a knock at the office door announced that the second period class was dressed and ready to exercise.