William and Martha, fully dressed for work came down the stairs; seeing Eric already awake, they couldn’t help but smile.
“Someone is excited for tonight,” Martha giggling.
“Well, it doesn’t help,” Eric yawning; “when you wake up at four thirty because of this bond.” Eric puts his phone away as he gets up off the sofa; “Frieda and myself woke up at the exact same time Spencer was woken up by her father. I suspect we were sharing a really good dream.”
“Well after tonight,” William accepting the unique bond his son has with Spencer and Frieda; “you just might get lucky and continue where you left off with that dream.”
“Well there is that dad,” Eric nodding as he couldn’t argue the idea; “but on another note. Not only is Benton Knight picking Spencer and me up after school for the were-panther gathering, but Frieda has managed to get him to pick us up from home for school for today.”
William growls upon hearing Benton’s name; despite coming to an accord on Sunday at Tachibana’s estate and being handed a cheque for two million dollars, William was still uneasy with the thought of his son with a man that could at any moment snap for no reason.
“Dad,” Eric hearing his father becoming angry; “Frieda’s father isn’t going to do anything stupid while she is around. Plus he is also under the nose of the elder council. If they get one whiff of him doing something that threatens exposing the existence of all weres, then it’s all she wrote for him.”
“He still owes you an explanation and an apology to Mike Lawson for his attack on the both of you Friday evening;” William pouring himself a cup of coffee.
“I know,” Eric grabbing one of Nate’s energy shots; “I’m not going to force the issue, Benton will explain as best he can when he is ready.” Eric drinking the energy shot; screws his face in disgust, “yech. I can’t believe Nate likes these.”
“Speaking of a lazy werewolf,” Martha putting down her coffee; “I better go wake Nate up.”
William chuckles as he glances that it is still raining outside.
“Hope the rain lets up soon,” William commenting; “Or that gathering just might have to be called off.”
“I highly doubt rain will stop the were-panther gathering,” Eric answering.
“Yeah but cats and water don’t get along,” William stating.
“I may be a were-panther,” Eric looking at his dad; “but that in no way means I have Aquaphobia*. Chances are Benton will have covered pavilions or large tents for just such an eventuality.”
William’s laugh is cut short when he and Eric hear a growl and Martha shouting back.
“Up Nate! De-fur, shower and get dressed. You have school!”
“Mom,” Nate pleading; “five more minutes-“
“And your father will be up here to drag you into the shower by your tail if necessary,” Martha finishing as she walks back down the stairs to the kitchen. “Would you like some breakfast Eric?”
“I already had cereal earlier mom,” Eric grinning at the thought of Nate being dragged by his tail to the shower.
“You have everything you need for tonight,” William asking.
“Overnight bag is packed and at the front door, Eric answering; “I’m just waiting for Frieda and her father to show up.”
“All right,” William answering; “try not to stay up too late then. It is a school night.”
Several minutes later Nate stumbles down the stairs; still looking like he hasn’t shaken the sleep from his eyes. He passes Eric and his parents and grabs the last of the coffee. Quickly wolfing down a granola bar; Nate looks to Eric.
“Hurry up and get ready so we can go.”
“I’ve been ready for hours,” Eric looking at Nate who seems to have been up for most of the night; “and I already have a ride to school.”
Before Nate could respond the sound of a car horn could be heard and Eric is already flying out the door with his school bag and overnight bag.
“Nate if you are struggling to stay awake,” William looking at his son; “then I want you to walk to school. I don’t want you getting into a car accident as you fall asleep behind the wheel.”
“I’m fine,” Nate trying to hold back a yawn; “I just didn’t sleep well.”
“Listen to your father Nate,” Martha stepping in; “A walk to school with Ben and Alex will do you some good.”
“Fine,” Nate grumbling as he pulls his car key from his key chain and places it on the table.
“You’ll have it back when you get home Nate,” William taking the key and putting it in his pocket; “just don’t stay up half the night again.”
Nate is still yawning as he approaches the Twist’s back door; Ben stares at him as Nate drinks one of his energy drinks.
“Dad took my car key for fear I’d be too tired to drive,” Nate yawning; “so I guess we can walk to school together.”
“Okay,” Ben answering; “let’s get Alex and start walking.
* Aquaphobia is a persistent and abnormal fear of water.