“So how was your day,” Lances asking his niece as both sample the Khao soi and Khao na pet.
“Enjoyable,” Frieda slurping up the curry noodles; “Went to Awareness bought some clothes, had lunch at a place called Grrrrrrr.” Frieda growling the name of the restaurant.
“Grrrrrrr,” Lance asking; “Never heard of it.”
“It’s a new place,” Frieda munching on the red roast duck; “in order to eat there, you have to be in your fursona. They don’t allow sex and they don’t serve alcohol. Place is expensive.”
“Is the food good,” Lance interested in the place.
“Yes,” Frieda answering; “but it’s the dessert. Oh that delicious dessert. The mint ice cream was great; but I don’t know what was in the rice pudding that sat underneath, but Eric, I and Spencer couldn’t get enough of it.”
Lance laughs, “Now I definitely have to check that place out.”
“Be sure to take your were-tigress friend with you,” Frieda grinning; “Smelled her as we got in earlier.”
Lance just smiles, “chances are you and your father will be seeing her very soon. She could be the one.”
“That’s great,” Frieda smiling as she finishes up the Khao soi; “will I have a cousin soon?”
“Oh Frieda,” Lance chocking on some duck; “it’s way too soon for that.”
******
Meanwhile at the Lawson residence
“I’m sorry Spencer,” Evan looking confused; “What was the name of that restaurant?”
“Grrrrrrr,” Spencer growls; “a G and seven R’s following it.”
“Sounds expensive,” Maggie joining in; “and they only serve you if you’re in your fursona?”
“Yep,” Spencer digging into her supper; “they also don’t allow sex and no alcohol is present.”
“Interesting,” Mike responds; “Perhaps you two should check it out.” Eyeing Evan and Maggie, “could be an interesting place.”
“Speaking of Interesting places,” Evan cutting into a potato; “who did you meet at the Were Club?”
“Were Club,” Spencer asking; "what's that?"
“Just a lady,” Mike answers while ignoring Spencer's questions; “her name is Mindy and she is a were-Doberman.”
“Anything else,” Evan smirking.
“No,” Mike getting uncomfortable with the questions; “excuse me,” Mike getting up. “I just lost my appetite.”
“Wait dad,” Evan getting up to give chase.
“Mom,” Spencer chewing on her meatloaf; “what’s the Were Club?”
Maggie doesn’t answer; she looks at her watch and gets up. “Sorry Spencer,” she finally speaks up; “but I have to get going. Night shift at the hospital;” kissing Spencer, don’t stay up too late, you have school tomorrow.”
******
Back at Lance Knight’s house
“So your saying bi-polar could be hereditary uncle,” Frieda looking concerned.
“No,” Lance answering; “what I’m saying is it can run in the family but can skip whole generations.” Looking at Frieda as she gets in the Prius; still in her were-panther fursona, “what I’m suggesting is you get tested to see if you could be bi-polar. I’m getting tested as well.”
“What will father say when he finds out,” Frieda looking glum.
“That, I can’t answer;” Lance sighs as he tries to look out of his rearview mirror. Lance wonders if Benton actually called mom and dad to possibly talk to them for the first time in fourteen years.
While Lance had his reservations; both he and Frieda managed to put all of her shopping bags in his car. The only downside was; Lance wasn’t able to see anything behind him as he drove to his brother’s sprawling estate.
*****
Evan found his father sitting on a lounge chair in the back yard nursing a bottle of bourbon; sitting next to him, both Lawson’s in their fursonas. Evan is the first to speak
“Sorry if I stepped on your paws their dad, but ever since mom died-“
“Killed,” Mike answers; “your mother was killed. It will be six years going on next week, since your mother was struck by a drunk driver as she was walking home from bingo night.”
“Sorry dad,” Evan putting a paw on his father’s shoulder; “I know this is a sore subject for you. But what does it have to do with the lady you met?"
“Mindy’s personality reminds me of Colleen,” Mike taking a swig of Bourbon; “I loved your mother Evan,” Mike tearing up; “I miss her so much.”
“I miss her too dad,” Evan sighing; taking the bottle of bourbon, Evan takes a swig. “Just because Mindy reminds you of mom, doesn’t mean you should feel bad.”
“After we got to know each other,” Mike still in tears; “it felt like I cheated on Colleen.”
“Dad,” Evan putting the bourbon down; “I’m reminded by a quote from Mark Twain that applies to you. ‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.’
“How does that apply to me,” Mike looking at his son.
“Keep mom in your heart,” Evan helping his intoxicated father up; “but give this Mindy a chance. Twenty years from now, you might actually regret not exploring a second chance at romance.”
Mike laughs as he is helped at being lead back inside; “well isn’t this novel, you giving me fatherly advice for a change.”
“Just do me a favor dad,” Evan guiding Mike to the living room sofa.
“Anything son,” Mike giggles.
“Think on what I said and sleep on it,” Letting his father fall face first on the sofa; “Just don’t wake me in the middle of the night. I have to be up and at the base before revelry.”
******
At the Knight Estate
Lance pulls up at his Brother’s estate; parking by the front entrance, both Frieda and Lance get out and start unloading all of Frieda’s purchases inside.
“I’m sorry to unload on you like that,” Lance speaking; “but you had to know that the council is worried your father could expose us all.”
“Well thanks for telling me,” Frieda answering; “I know it must have been difficult.”
“Well you did give me that handy loophole,” Lance grabbing the last bag and bringing it inside; “you are to be the were-panther rep when you turn twenty one. Knowing this know as part of your training does make sense. I just hope Tachibana or the rest of the council take to the same viewpoint.”
Just then Benton appears and sees the pile of shopping bags and his daughter in her fursona; seeing Lance doesn’t change his demeanor, it just hardens what he has to say.
“Sorry for the text earlier Frieda; the suits from Awareness was a nice gesture.” Pausing before looking at his brother and then back to Frieda; “leave your stuff here for now, you should get ready for bed, you got school tomorrow.”
Watching Frieda leave; Benton can’t help but notice a subtle skip in her step, looking at Lance and then at the pile of shopping bags, Benton just shakes his head.
“She is just like her mother. They both have the shopping bug.”
“Frieda also has an enormous crush on Eric,” Lance answering.
“I know,” Benton sighs; “she made that clear earlier today, him and Spencer.”
“What’s on your mind Benton, Lance looking at his brother; “Your never this melancholy.”
“I called mom and dad,” Benton looking at Frieda’s purchases; “They are coming to Moon Lake, either this Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.”