Eric and Spencer were watching Frieda and Martha bicker over who was going to pay for the pile of Eric’s new clothes; each sipping on a soda from the fast food store inside the big box store. While Martha allowed Frieda to pay for the expensive threads at Awareness and acquiesced for paying lunch at Grrrrrrr; Martha was determined to pay for Eric’s new clothes at this store. In the end Frieda had to relent with Eric and Spencer laughing in the end.
“It’s okay Frieda,” Eric chuckling; “At least you can still pay for yours and Spencer’s stuff.
“True,” Frieda is looking like she swallowed something sour; “but I just can’t help myself when I have an excuse to shop.”
“Perhaps next time you’ll buy a twenty thousand dollar diamond collar,” Eric grinning; “and have Spencer and I remove it off of you.”
"Nope," Frieda grinning; "I'll get two and have you Eric take them off me and Spencer."
All three laugh as Martha was finished with her purchases leaving Frieda to deal with hers and Spencer’s. While the bill did not come close to the three thousand spent at Awareness; the total bill from all the clothes and accessories that both girls approved of after modeling them in front of Eric, totaled to around eight hundred.
“Is your father going to flip when he see this bill,” Spencer asking as she grabs her bags and Frieda’s.
“Oh he’ll grouse and complain for a bit,” Frieda grinning; “but in the end he’ll see that this purchase was more moderate then the last.”
With everyone heading back to the car to stash all of the purchases; Eric, Frieda and Spencer all climb in the back seat; With Eric sitting between the two as Martha places some of the bags that wouldn’t fit in the trunk on the passenger seat. She quickly looks in the rearview mirror to see the three children already kissing and trying to fondle each other.
“Keep it clean you three,” Martha chiding; “we have a long drive back to Moon Lake and I don’t want to get pulled over by a state trooper.”
*****
An hour later, Martha pulls up to the Lawson residence and all four get out; Eric and Frieda helping Spencer get her shopping bags of clothes they all walk in to see Maggie just starting supper and Evan and Mike sitting around watching the Seahawks* getting trounced in Green Bay**.
“Look son,” Mike chuckling; “your daughter has brought us presents.”
“None that you can wear,” Spencer sticking out her tongue; “Let’s take these to my room Eric and Frieda.”
Minutes later all three come back down kissing each other.
“Get a room you three,” Mike grinning and a little buzzed from the beers he just drank.
“Are Eric and Frieda staying for dinner,” Evan calmly asks as he sighs watching the Seahawks quarterback getting sacked.
“Not tonight Mr. Lawson,” Eric pulling himself away from Spencer; “Mom is waiting and Frieda needs to be dropped off as well.”
“Okay,” Evan smiling; “I guess you three will have a lot to do this Tuesday were-panther gathering.”
“You don’t mind that it’s on a school night Mr. Lawson,” Frieda asking.
“Well it’s not like you were the one to plan it," Evan commenting; "It is a bit short notice but I always figured Spencer would of joined the werewolf pack I’m a part of.”
“Yes but then I couldn’t bring Eric or Frieda along,” Spencer answering.
“Alright say your good byes,” Evan still smiling; “and see if you can scrounge up some coffee for your grandfather.” Evan looking at Mike who has had one too many, “I don’t want him passing out before telling us the woman he met.”
*****
After saying good bye and promising to Skype later on; Eric and Frieda left Spencer and hopped back into Martha’s car. Before the two fourteen year old were-panthers could begin making out; Martha coughs to let them know she is still there.
“Frieda can you please give me directions to your home?”
“Oh I’m not heading home just yet,” Frieda answering; “I need to talk to my uncle.”
Martha looks at the red headed girl as she starts kissing Eric she coughs again; “Still need directions.”
******
Minutes later Martha was pulling up to a driveway of a single level house; seeing no car in the driveway she looks at Frieda; “It’s doesn’t look like your uncle is home. Perhaps I should take you home instead.”
Frieda doesn’t answer she is on her phone texting.
‘Father, back in Moon Lake from shopping at the big box store; uncle Lance needs to talk to me about something. I think it has to do with elder council business. Will be having supper over at his place; I’ll have him take me home later. I have lots to talk to you about. Don’t worry it’s not bad news.’
Frieda hits send and looks up at Martha; “Sorry, I was sending my father a text letting him know where I am. And it’s okay if my uncle isn’t home. I have a key to let myself in.”
“Alright,” Martha still looking worried; “Eric and I will help bring your purchases inside.”
All three get out of the car to grab Frieda’s bags form Awareness and the Big Box Store and head inside after Frieda unlocks the front door. A distinct smell of were-panther and were-tigress can be detected from the house as all three enter.
“I guess my uncle had company last night or this morning,” Frieda commenting; “Good for him,” she smiles.
“I still think I should take you home,” Martha unsure of leaving a young teenage girl in a strange house.
“If it makes you feel any better,” Frieda trying to reassure Martha Anderson; “You can wait.” Looking at the time and seeing it’s almost 8pm; “Uncle Lance should be back any time now. He had some elder council business to deal with.”
Martha still feeling worried was mollified at this and agreed it was best to stick around. Frieda grinning quickly removes her clothes and shifts into her fursona; a grey fur were-panther with russet highlights and feline eyes just as green as her human looking eyes. Eric seeing that the sun has set, also shucks off his clothes and quickly assumes his white were-panther fursona. Also sporting green feline eyes; both look at Martha and she sees their eyes while green, sparkle as if magic is about to happen. She grins ever so slightly, as Frieda leads Eric to the spare bedroom and can clearly hear the two giggle. With nothing better to do she takes a seat at the kitchen table and plays a game on her mobile phone; the beeps and other sounds coming from her game are the only noise to fill the house, save the yowling and purring coming from Eric and Frieda as they enjoy each others company.
* The Seahawks are a football team located in Seattle Washington
** Green Bay is located in Wisconsin and is home to the football team called the Green Bay Packers.
Authors note: While not referring to which big box store is being mentioned; It’s the one everyone likes for their deals but hate over the stores treatment of employees that try to organize a union.