The Twist’s had an uneventful morning. Despite their new charges; Saffron and Jasmine having an accident on Frances and Samantha’s bed, the two kittens were eager for some breakfast. Frances wrinkling her nose at having to strip the bed and change the sheets; while Samantha headed to the kitchen to give the kittens their special formula. Ben was up and eating a bowl of cereal when his mom came down with two active cats; both curious as to what Ben was eating they approached his bowl of cereal filled with milk.
“No you two,” Ben picking up his bowl; “this is mine.”
Samantha just chuckles as she lays down a saucer of cat’s milk for the two kittens. Frances arrives minutes later; not quite dressed but showered and wearing a bathrobe. Giving the two kittens a scratch behind the ears she kisses Samantha and gets a cup of coffee. Samantha is about to slice a grape fruit for the two of them when Frances speaks up.
“I’m sorry dear,” Frances looking at Samantha; “No time for breakfast today for me, I have to be in the office to review the file of my new patient.”
Samantha nodded not wanting Ben to know; knowing her life partner was referring to Benton Knight. A man that in the past has tried to ruin both Twist’s just for being a lesbian couple. She sighs and put the grapefruit back in the fridge and tossed Frances a granola bar.
“At least eat something,” she said.
Frances just smiles as she finishes her coffee and chews on the granola. Her mouth twists in disgust spitting out the half chewed food, “I think this has gone bad Samantha.”
Samantha looking at the box and notices the expiration date showing April. “Your right;” throwing the box in the trash all the while Frances grabs a banana and heads back upstairs to get dressed.
*****
Frances Twist arrived at her office just as her assistant Rudy arrives to open up. Noticing that he is carrying a large manila envelope she can’t help but ask, “Is that addressed to me?”
“Yes doctor,” Rudy responds; “marked urgent.”
Frances takes the envelope and heads to her office. Seeing that it is from Doctor Abigail Robinson; Frances knew this was the medical file detailing Benton’s bi-polar tests and results. Seeing that he was already prescribed medication; Frances begins to review the information all the while her assistant Rudy places a cup of black coffee at her table.
“Doctor Twist,” Rudy asking; “I thought you weren’t accepting new patients until the new year?”
“This one is different Rudy,” Frances answering. Frances couldn’t tell her assistant who was a normal person that this patient was at the behest of the elder council. Nor could she tell him that he was a were. “Rudy,” Frances sipping her coffee, what is my schedule like for today? Any free openings?”
“Only one during lunch time today, doctor Twist;“ Rudy answers looking at the day planner.
“Okay,” Frances answering; “please be ready for when I may need you. I need to fit this new patient into my schedule sometime this week.”
“If I may ask doctor,” Rudy examining the already full week Frances has; “who is this patient?”
“Benton Knight,” Was all Frances said to her assistant.
*****
Samantha arrived at work with a small basket containing Jasmine and Saffron; not able to leave them alone in the house, for they are still too young, she arrives at the town hall and proceeds to head to her office. As the town chancellor, Samantha had to help the mayor run the town and liaison with the elder council from time to time. Looking at her secretary, a position she once had when working for the town; Samantha can’t help but reminisce. The memory of revealing the town’s secret to the Hammond’s all those years ago, seeing the shocked look on a ten year old girl as a lithe woman transforms into an anthropomorphic feline right in front of her. Seeing that little Annie Hammond grew up and became a veterinarian while her older brother became the family were did put a smile on her face.
Breaking out of her reminiscing; Samantha heard her secretary repeat her question; “Is something wrong Samantha?”
“Oh what? No,” Samantha answering; “just remembering me sitting in that chair all those years ago.”
“Ahh,” the secretary responds with a grin; “anytime you want to swap places, I’ll be happy to oblige.”
Samantha laughs, “Tempting as that may be, you’d be buried in paperwork from here until your three hundredth birthday.”
“The perils of being a were I guess,” the secretary chuckles and then catches a strange scent coming from the basket Samantha is holding.
Samantha sees her secretary eyeing the backet and places it down. Removing the cover to expose a white male kitten with blood shot orange eyes and a grey female tabby with blue eyes. “the male is Saffron while his sister is named Jasmine,” Samantha smiling; “I adopted them from the local animal shelter on Saturday. Frances and I have been enjoying these two critters immensely.”
“Have they taken to Ben, your adoptive son?”
“Yes,” Samantha smiling as the kittens start yawning and head back to sleep; “unfortunately I can’t leave them alone for now. They are still new born kittens.” Samantha places the cover back on the basket and looks at the time, “please let me know when Lila Carpenter and her boss arrive for their budget meeting with me and Mayor Stovall.”
“Yes ma’am,” the secretary answers while going back to her work.