** Note: It's ok, I've made plenty of "oops" too. Just wanted to bring the error to your attention. I'm a perfectionist, bad habits die hard. And on that note, tiny error in Chapter 274. Maggie isn't a "stay at home mom" she's works at the hospital. - bj88
Benton Knight had locked himself in his study, trying to deliberate his next move. He wasn’t happy with Frieda, to say the least. If he could, he’d send her off to a convent in the Alps. But for now all he could do was wait.
His ambitions were stalled by Frieda’s actions, and he knew the other families in Moon Lake could make plays for power while he was otherwise “preoccupied”. The Stovalls wouldn’t be a problem, Martin’s career would be finished following Julie’s trial.
It was just those damn foxes Benton was worried about. The long standing rivalry dated back to the town’s origins. Benton himself had been in school with several of the Tachibanas. And needless to say, they didn’t get along. Whether that be because of their family’s mutual dislike of the other, or because they were hormonal teenagers.
“Sir, your wife would like to speak with you.” one of the servants spoke to Benton through the intercom system.
“Alright, thank you.” Benton said. Amanda slipped into his study, looking particularly stricken. Benton couldn’t tell if it was because of Frieda, or him.
“Are you alright?” Benton knew it was stupid to ask, but he had to get the ball rolling somehow.
“I don’t know. I hate it when you two fight like this.” Amanda sighed. She sat on the velvet couch beside the massive window. The sun was setting, throwing all sorts of shadows across Benton’s study. One was cast straight over his wife’s face.
“Don’t tell me you’re on her side…”
“No. But I don’t like to see my husband and daughter having a go at each other. There had to be some sort of compromise you can work out.” Amanda said.
“If you can think of one, by all means tell me. Because I’ve had it up to here with Frieda. I thought we raised her better than this. But no, she has to succumb to social pressures and act like all her other schoolmates. Can you believe her, sleeping with two people she barely knows?” Benton was almost foaming at the mouth.
“It’s not as bad as that dear. And she is a teenager, and a were. Her first transformation came late, you know what it’s like the first year or so after.” Amanda reminded her husband.
“That is NOT an excuse to behave the way Frieda did.” Benton said firmly.
“No. But just try to see things from her point of view. I don’t approve of what she’s done anymore than you, but I understand why she did what she did. The question is, how can we keep her from doing it again without losing her.”
“I’m inclined to say we send her to a convent.” Benton grumbled.
“Perhaps something less severe and ridiculous.” Amanda cracked a smile at the thought of Frieda running through the hills singing like Julie Andrews.
“A more local boarding school?”
“I had something else in mind. And please don’t say no, just hear me out,” Amanda said slowly, “We spend so much time away from home, and I’m sure that doesn’t sit well with Frieda. And I know that you want to be closer to work, ergo New York City. What if we moved?”
“Are you serious? Amanda we can’t just uproot and move across the country! This town…” Benton couldn’t find words to describe his family’s long history and loyalty to Moon Lake. He was born here and planned on dying there.
“You’re the one who complains about all the traveling. Besides, your brother and sister are more than capable of holding everything together here. I’m not saying this is going to be permanent. I’m very happy here too. But it’s obvious Frieda needs a little less of the “were world” and more of the real world.”
Benton had to agree there. Moon Lake is a double edged blade in that sense. While it did provide a sanctuary for weres, it also sheltered them from the rest of the world. And life in Moon Lake, or any other were-town, was drastically different from the “real world”.
“I’ll think about it. Besides, we can’t do anything until after Julie Stovall is sent away.”
“Do you really think it’ll come to that?” Amanda had always known Julie to be a level headed girl. She and Frieda used to be close friends. But then adolescence hit and they drifted apart. Recent events showed that Julie was indeed a far different person. Still, Amanda thought the girl had to have some common sense left in her.
“Based on what the prosecutor for the case told me, it’s not looking good for her. There’s plenty of evidence against her. And given the severity of her crimes, they’re pushing for her to be tried as an adult. Though Johnson expects her defense will suggest the insanity plea.”
“Julie Stovall insane? I can’t see a jury buying that.”
“Maybe, maybe not. I really don’t care what happens to her. The sooner this trial is over, the sooner we can deal with Frieda. Who still hasn’t spoken to Johnson himself. I was planning on arranging a meeting, until she had her little outburst.”
“Would you like me to talk to her? I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to calm her down, but I can try.”
“I’m willing to try anything. If you thought hypnotizing her would help, I’d agree to that too.”