Eric and Frieda were at their usual table for lunch. Both eating enchiladas with refried beans and a corn salad; Eric couldn’t help but chuckle, “it’s going to be a gassy afternoon.”
“Let’s hope the teachers are willing to open the windows,” Frieda giggling.
Eric was about to respond when his cell phone beeps. Looking at the message he sees from Nate he rolls his eyes.
‘Got detention for the entire week; you and Spencer need to make alternate arraignments in getting home. Know what’s being served for lunch?’
Eric shows Frieda the message.
“Dam,” Frieda reading the message; “Well at least tomorrow you know you two ride with me.”
“And with your father;” Eric answering as he types a reply to Nate.
‘It’s enchiladas for lunch.’
Hitting send he takes another bite from the corn salad; “Speaking of tomorrow,” Eric asking; “Anything Spencer and I should know?”
Frieda pulls out the piece of paper her father gave her earlier and shows it to Eric; “First you will be required to present yourself in a robe. You say a few words and then shift into your fursona and disrobe for all to see. Afterwards there is mingling with other members of the were-panther pride. Then to conclude the festivities,” Frieda grinning; “we get a little noisy.”
Eric laughs, “I can deal with that. Question is will your father be able to sleep? Spencer does like to yowl and howl a lot.” Eric smiling, “ as well as you Frieda.”
“Just make sure you and Spencer have an overnight bag ready for when you both get to school tomorrow,” Frieda finishing her lunch; “I’ll make sure they are secured in the town car when Father drops me off tomorrow as well.”
******
Frances Twist walked across the street to the small bistro; being a regular customer they knew her usual order of a Cobb salad and a half sandwich. But before she could sit down to wait for her order to go, someone shouts
“Poutine for me and my sister; with extra cheese curds.”
Frances looks up to see her brother Samson Carter entering and sitting down at the same table Frances is sitting at. Wearing a deputy uniform he places his hat on the table and stares at his younger sister.
“Poutine is rather heavy for lunch Samson,” Frances looking at Samson’s stupid grin; “I’ll barely be awake for the rest of the day.”
“But it’s fun to eat and will give us a chance to chat;” Samson chuckling.
“Talk about what,” Frances answers as she waits for the order her brother just placed.
“Mom and dad,” Samson looking serious; “they-“
“Stop Samson,” Frances interrupts as she gets up; “If they want to talk, then they can approach me themselves. Not use you as a go between.”
“Sit down and listen Frances,” Samson sighing; “they don’t know what I’m doing. Hell they might even shun me just as they have done to you.”
“What are you doing that you think our parents will shun you,” Frances sitting back down; “just as they have done with me.”
“I’m trying to get the family back together, Frances;“ Samson holding his sisters hand. “I want us all together for Christmas dinner.”
“That might not be possible,” Frances answers flatly; “I have a new patient that I’m about to see."
“See this patient in the new year,” Samson answers.
“Its elder council business brother,” Frances sighing as the plates of fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds are placed on their table; “I can’t begin seeing this patient after the New Year. It has to be now.”
“You can still come over for Christmas diner,” Samson answers as he digs into the poutine; “It’s at my place. Not our parents.”
“And as soon as they see me and Samantha,” Frances poking her poutine; “they’ll leave and you’ll be shunned as well. You can take a Amish out of Pennsylvania; but you can’t take the traditions and beliefs out of an Amish.”
“Our parents stopped being Amish after they moved here and became weres Frances,“ Samson answers. "You and I were never Amish to begin with."
“Yet,” Frances looking at her brother; “our parents still hold onto most of the religious beliefs and teachings. They still think homosexuality can be cured with intense prayers.”
Samson sighed as he knew this was an argument he had no hope of winning. Eating his lunch, he sees his sister just staring at her food.
“Are you not hungry sis,” Samson asking.
“Why is it whenever we meet up,” Frances pushing her plate away from her; “you always order poutine. You know I can’t stand eating too much greasy food.”
“Maybe it’s my way of teasing you,” Samson chuckles; “But you shouldn’t let a little grease scare you. Use weres are immune to such frailties.”
“Ha,” Frances snorts; “that is a misnomer. While we are immune to STDs and a host of diseases, are able to heal fast from a serious injury that could kill a normal; we can still die from cancer, organ failure from self-inflicted abuse, i.e liquor, triglycerides, cigarettes and other nasty consumer products. We may be resistant to the unhealthy prepackaged foods we eat, but that in no way makes us immune. Alzheimer’s, dementia and several other mental disorders, are especially bad for us.”
“How so sis,” Samson eating his poutine.
“Ever seen a were go feral,” Frances looking at Samson; “I have.” Frances sighs, “Look I shouldn’t be telling you this, but the patient the elder council wants me to see is bi-polar. If said patient doesn’t maintain treatment he will go feral.”
“I don’t believe you;” Samson shaking his head.
“There is a secured ward in the sub-basement in the hospital,” Frances looking serious; “It houses feral were’s, at the behest of the elder council. The reason being is a feral were risks exposing our existence to the world.”
“If what you say is true sis,” Samson looking at Frances; “How come no one knows of it?”
“Many weres know if its existence,” Frances answers; “those that know, choose to not talk about. Its not exactly an enjoyable conversation to have. Look if you don’t believe me, then ask Douglas Cooper. Our sheriff knows of the ward. He might even be willing to show you.”
Samson puts down his fork to think about what his sister just said. He see that she checks the time on her phone. “You have to go back?”
“Not for another half hour,” Frances states; “I had a patient that cancelled.”
“Then eat your lunch,” Samson answers; “and tell me what you, Samantha and Benjamin have been up to of late."