Back at Grrrrrrr a restaurant that caters exclusively to weres. Eric, Spencer and Frieda’s dessert at Grrrrrrr was almost akin to enjoying each other’s company in an intimate fashion. Their werewolf waiter coming out with a bowl of mint ice cream on top of a rice pudding infused with cat nip for Eric and Frieda. Being were-panthers they immediately pick up on the cat nip and could barely contain themselves. Martha seeing this was intrigued. For Martha’s dessert it was a crème Brule made with brie and topped with a bacon crumble; The waiter had a difficult time in determining what dessert would fit best with Spencer; Finding out she was a werewolf/panther/Feline hybrid, he came back out from the kitchen and presented her with a dessert similar to Eric’s and Frieda’s. The only difference is that instead of mint ice cream on top of the rice pudding; her dessert was a tropical fruit sherbet over the same catnip infused rice pudding.
“Oh gawd,” Frieda swoons; “this is so good. I can’t wait to tell my parents about this.”
“Same her,” Spencer devouring her dessert.
Eric said nothing as he was purring while liking the bowl clean.
Martha couldn’t help but giggle; her dessert felt like William tickling her toes with a feather. It was sublime for her. “I think your father and I will be coming here for our wedding anniversary Eric;” she sighs.
After dessert the Waiter comes by to collect the empty dishes; noticing that the four were extremely satisfied he discreetly places the bill next to Martha. As she opens up the bill, she nearly gags at the price.
“Four hundred dollars for our meal,” her eyes spinning; “that’s ridiculous.”
Frieda just pulls out her platinum card and places it on the bill; “Don’t worry. I got it.”
As the waiter returns to collect the bill, he notices that the charge card says Frieda Knight on it; looking at the party Frieda just informs him “that it will work. My dad isn’t going to risk my fury by cancelling the card. Not after our spree at Awareness.”
Sure enough the waiter came back all smiles; letting the party now that there were no issues with Frieda’s card. Signing it and leaving a generous tip the entire party get up to head back to the front entrance. Each quickly de-furring and putting their clothes back on; they thank the attendant and walk out the door.
“So where to next,” Spencer grinning; after enjoying her meal.
“To the big box store to complete Eric’s clothes chopping,” Martha still tasting dessert in her mouth.
*****
Benton pulls into his garage after coming home from grocery shopping. After a tense phone call with the fraud alert people regarding Frieda’s purchases; Benton was hoping to have a quiet day. Grabbing the bags of food from his town car; Benton hauls it all to the kitchen to be put away. While Benton has never perform this task before, he does display some sense as to where the eggs and dairy products go. Putting the meat he bought into the freezer and the box pasta and sauces in what he thinks is the pantry. Benton knows he is going to need Frieda or Amanda’s help with this task; that is if he can’t get the old staff to come back or acquire a new staff.
Putting the last of the groceries away he comes up on the sour cream he mistook for yogurt. Opening the container he grabs a spoon and shovels a mouthful of the stuff into his mouth. His face contorts into what could be described as disgust mixed with confusion. Looking at the container he realizes his mistake.
“Sour cream, ”Benton looking on in disgust; “awful, just plain awful.” He throws the objet in the trash and is about to put away the coffee grounds he bought when the doorbell rings. Heading to the front door he sees a delivery person holding several suit bags.
“Delivery for Benton Knight,” the person states.
“I never ordered anything,” Benton looking confused.
“You did not order two suits from Awareness,” the delivery person looking confused.
“Awareness,” Benton thinking for a moment; “This must why Frieda purchases today was so large.” Benton now figuring things out; “Where do I sign?”
“Right here on the electronic thingy,” the person handing Benton the device.
“Done,” Benton signing while handing the device back to the delivery driver; he takes the suit bags and heads back inside. Heading to the kitchen he opens one of them up to take better look.
“Now why would Frieda get me these,” Benton wonders.
His train of thought is once again interrupted when the doorbell rings once again. Wondering who this could be; Benton opens the door to find his brother Lance at the front entrance.
“Benton,” Lance sighing; “I wish I was here under better circumstances.”
“I wish you weren’t here period,” Benton displaying his usual belligerence; “but we can’t always get what we want now can we?”
“No, but you have tried many times brother,” Lance looking serious; “this is important.”
“Fine, then get in;” Benton knowing that the faster Lance says what he needs to say the quicker he will leave.
After heading to the kitchen, Lance notices the suits from Awareness. “You went to Awareness today?”
“Frieda did,” Benton grumbling.
“Smart of her,” Lances commenting; “While they may not be as fashionable as your Armani’s, the suits from Awareness won’t break at the seams when you shift.”
“Huh,” Benton answering; “did not know that. But now that that is out of the way, Why are you here?”
Lance pulls out a scroll with a red wax seal depicting the elder council’s sigil; “to give you this and to make sure you read it. Tachibana called for an emergency session.”
“So I’m destined to be locked away in a cage then,” Benton opening the scroll to read its contents.
“No,” Lance answering; “Tachibana shared with everyone what can happen to a bipolar were. Interestingly the only three council members that knew of the dangers was myself, Tachibana and Andrew Curry. With the exception of us the rest of the council had no knowledge of the feral ward in the hospital sub-basement.”
“You got to be kidding me,” Benton scoffing at Lances last remark;” the wer-mer and wer-vixen were the only ones to know of the feral ward I saw yesterday?”
“Apparently everyone else’s predecessor chose not to reveal that little shame,” Lance answering; “it made for quite the gathering.”
“I’ll bet,” Benton putting down the scroll; “so the council wants me to maintain my treatment.”
“They also forbid you from leaving town for at least thirty days,” Lance responding; “they are very concerned you might lose control and risk exposing us.”
“Great,” Benton tossing the scroll on the kitchen island; “so what do I tell my shareholders and the board of directors back in New York when they want to meet?”
“Tell them you’re taking time off to deal with some health issues you’ve been putting off,” Lance answering; “It’s not far off from the truth.”
There was an awkward silence that prevailed the Knight household. Lance breaking the silence speaks up; “Before I go and deliver scrolls to Doctor Tora, Doctor Abigail and Doctor Twist, answer me this Benton. When was the last time you talked to dad?”
“Not since the birth of Frieda,” Benton answering; “he and I had a falling out when I forced out the Crawford’s and re-branded the company Knight Industries.”
“Perhaps it’s time for you to swallow your pride and call him,” Lance choosing this moment to leave; “I’m sure you two have lots to talk about."