Spencer grabs her cellphone and fires off a quick text to Eric.
‘Grampa is back. He is driving me to school today. Please let Nate know.’ Spencer hits send and quickly finishes her breakfast. Knowing that her dad left for work hours ago and mom most likely left as grandpa came by, she skips towards the door positively giddy.
“Someone is in a good mood,” Mike Lawson comments.
“Well you being here helps improve it,” Spencer gives her grandpa a kiss as she puts her shoes on.
Mike just laughs, “Something tells me there is more to your high spirits than my surprise arrival.”
Spencer just giggles as she gets in the car. Putting on her seat belt, she begins to tell her grandfather what has happened since he left to start moving. She goes into detail how she became friends with Frieda Knight and discovering she was a were-pantheress. Spencer explains to her grandfather how Julie tried to force Eric to becoming a were-mer and failed. Spencer tried to explain without trying to accuse Frieda of any wrong doing by accelerating Eric’s conversion to were-panther. When Julie found out, she naturally freaked and attacked both during lunch period last Tuesday. Now she was suspended from school charged with assault. However neither knew that the prosecutor wants to put forward a motion; to have Julie Stovall tried as an adult.
“That’s quite the tale Spencer,” Mike comments as they pull into Moon Lake High drop off point.
“There is more. But it can wait until after,” Spencer replies.
“Fair enough,” Mike answers. “I’ll pick all three of you up after school and you can tell me all about it.”
“No; just me and Eric,” Spencer corrects him. “Just found out this morning Frieda is grounded. It has to do with the rest of the story;” Spenser hurriedly explains as she sees Eric and Nate Anderson arrive.
“Okay,” Mike Lawson gives his granddaughter a kiss goodbye and spencer leaves his car to hug Eric Anderson.
“Ugh. Get a room you two,” Nate quips.
Eric feeling naughty; “I was thinking more of a dense bush or a cozy cave,” replies back while hugging Spencer back. Eric seeing Spencer in her outfit had the desired effect. His already noticeable bulge has clearly gotten bigger; but so has Nate’s and half the student body looking at them.
“Eric! Spencer!”
Both turn around to see Frieda approaching them.
“Glad you’re here. Much to discuss,” Frieda looking at both Eric and Spencer’s choice in attire, “If I weren’t grounded I’d strip you both down and have you right here and now.”
“And with that I’m out of here,” Nate responds and walks away.
Both Eric and Spencer laugh while they walk with Frieda to a less crowded area of the parking lot.
*****
Backtracking a bit.
Eric was just finishing his breakfast when Nate came down to the kitchen. Noting the smell of burnt toast he looks at William.
William speaks, “Don’t you start with the toaster bit as well, Nate.”
Eric sniggers while Nate grabs a banana and a glass of juice.
“Hurry up and finish breakfast puddy tat,” Nate mocks while peeling his banana.
“Oook oook oook,” Eric replies by pantomiming a monkey while placing his empty bowl in the sink.
Nate tries to take a swipe at him but Eric dodges.
“Alright knock it off you two,” William replies while reading a paper.
Eric leaves the kitchen. He sees Spencer’s text, “No need to pick up Spencer, Nate.” Eric shouts. “Her grandfather is back in town and dropping her off.”
Nate finishing his banana joins Eric in putting on their shoes.
“Have a good day,” William shouts as both leave the door.
Eric is silent during the ride to school. Nate decides to break the silence, “You need a ride back or did you and Spencer make plans already?”
“I think we got plans,” Eric says.
“Are you going to share?” Nate quips.
“A wild romp in the woods,” Eric responds.
Nate just laughs “That all?”
“Why? You writing a book?” Eric responds dryly.
Nate just grins; “Yes. It’s called a guide in what not to do: Eric’s sexual misadventures.”
“Jack ass,” Eric answers back.
There is an awkward silence when Nate again decides to break it.
“Why the long face?” Nate looking serious.
“I’m wondering what Frieda’s father could do to us?” Eric answers.
“Not much from what I can gather,” Nate responds.
“How so?” Eric shoots back.
“Well he can’t attack you or Spencer. Bullying children doesn’t seem his style. Plus it would probably erode whatever social standing he has with the community. The worst he could do is try and have dad fired from the college and mom's teaching license revoked. He might even try to have Evan Lawson dishonorably discharged. But all take time and require a lot of evidence. Evidence he can’t just magically craft out of thin air. Not without running afoul with the law.” Nate continues, “Plus there is Tachibana and the skulk. Benton would have to deal with them if he tried to make a move against us. I think he is just all bluster.”
“But what about what he tried to do to Frances, when he found out she was a lesbian?” Eric replies.
“It's showing that he is nothing more than a bigot to alternative lifestyle choices,” Nate answers. “Plus I’m sure he learned his lesson when that avenue failed him. Now that Frieda outed herself as a bisexual, he will have no choice but to deal with an uncomfortable issue that he himself doesn’t understand.”
“So you’re saying he is going to take his frustrations out on Frieda?” Eric looking concerned.
“Don’t know,” Nate answers, while pulling up to the school parking lot. “Whatever he does, it needs to be within the bounds of law. Frieda needs to testify at Julie’s trial. Afterwards?” Nate just shrugs his head while parking the vehicle and both get out and walk towards the school when Spencer approaches and hugs Eric.