The bumper cars was the first ride Eric, Spencer and Frieda engaged in during the picnic; it wasn’t going to be their last. Electing to go on the small roller coaster next; the dizzy cup rides afterwards, the three were enjoying themselves as they stopped to get something to eat.
“So what do you want to get,” Eric asking Spencer and Frieda; “corndogs, pizza, mini donuts?”
“Pretzels,” Spencer licking her lips; “and chili cheese fries.”
“Funnel cakes,” Frieda stating in a demanding tone; “with extra icing sugar.”
Eric feeling hungry with all the suggestions for lunch as it were; led his mates to the food tents. To his surprise as well as Spencer and Frieda, they see John Shaffer at one of the tents wearing a chef’s uniform and hat, carving up some smoked meat. The smell was intoxicating to the three weres as the found themselves heading towards his catering company’s location.
“I think we found lunch,” Frieda licking her lips in anticipation of biting into a smoked meat sandwich.
“Oh yeah,” Spencer fighting back the urge to drool; “I want some of that food.”
“Then lets get some,” Eric approaching and looking at John.
John looks up to see he has some customers. Helping to set up the tent early in the morning with his boss Mr. Franklin; the werewolf was busy preparing some of the usual food his catering company provides. Apart from some of the fine-foods and hor d'oeuvres; Franklin catering also provided subs, soups and sandwiches for various events. For the labor day picnic, Franklin catering elected to serve freshly carved smoked meat on a bun with pickle wedges and thick cut fries.
“And I thought,” Eric drinking in the delicious aromas; “you did those puff pastries Nate is always raving about.”
“Profiteroles and croquembouche are just a few things I can do,” John answering with a bit of pride; “and your brother prefers the hotdogs wrapped in croissant pastries.”
“Nate does like to eat odd things,” Eric chuckling; “you hear he and Jean have become mates.”
“Well he was a little aloof with the other female pack members,” John handing over three sandwiches; “always hanging out with Ben and Alex, or alone on his cell phone.”
John Shaffer is a naturally born werewolf. With both his parents dead; his father killed in the line of duty as police officer for Seattle PD and Douglas Cooper being his partner. John’s mother died last December; her rampant alcoholism destroying her body and suffering liver failure. John’s only family was his aunt Beth McDougal; sister to John’s deceased mother Cathy. Joining the pack that Nate is currently a member of earlier in the year; the six foot chef was the newest member to join.
“Oddly enough,” John watching Eric hand Spencer and Frieda each a sandwich; “the pack was supposed to meet Sunday to welcome two new members.”
“Naturally the were-alert cancelled that,” Eric taking a bit of his sandwich and growling happily; “my brother’s mate would have been one of the new inductees, even though she is a were-lioness. They had a were-wedding Friday,” Eric adding.
“Oh,” John looking surprised; “I’ve heard of those, I thought they were just a rumor?”
“Not a rumor,” Frieda speaking up; “they are real.”
“Us three had one,” Spencer looking at Eric as he gives off a wry smile.
John looks at Eric surprised as he watches the were-panther sit at the table with Frieda and Spencer.
“It’s a pity it didn’t work out with those twins I met up with back at the last were-panther gathering I helped cater,” John sighing; “long distance relationships can be difficult. I wonder when I’ll meet someone?”
******
“He isn’t here,” Zylina fuming; coming to the picnic in hopes of catching sight of the werewolf she has fallen in love with. Leaving love notes in Nate’s locker last year as she could not pick up the nerve to talk to him directly. Zylina grumbled as she stalked the grounds looking defeated. Seeing Eric along with Frieda and Spencer; Zylina was not interested in the younger Anderson; preferring Nate as he was a werewolf like her. Yet Nate was seeing a were-lioness; Zylina could not understand what he saw in Jean Talbot. Trying to confront him one night, the young werewolf was outright scared when Jean in her were-lioness fursona roared at Zylina; making it clear that she would have to fight her tooth and claw for Nate.
“Who’s not here,” Zylina’s father asking.
“A friend,” Zylina lying; “I guess she had other things to do.”
“You’ll meet up with her tomorrow at school,” Dave responding; “in the meantime help me hand out these leaflets for an invitation to join the Luna Brotherhood.”
******
“So now that I’ve won you the fox plushie,” William looking at his wife; “what do you want to do next?”
“Wander about,” Martha smiling at her husband; “take in a ride or two, before we head home and get the family diner ready.”
“Should we collect Eric as we leave,” William walking with his wife.
“Let’s leave him be,” Martha looking at the tent Eric was eating lunch in with Spencer and Frieda; “he’ll know when to come home.”
“So what ride do you want to go on,” William smiling.
“The ferris wheel silly,” Martha grinning; “that way we can have a little time together and make out like we did when we were dating.”
William looked at Martha and smiled as he understood what she meant; both of them continuing their stroll through the picnic grounds.