BACKTRACKING:
Frances looked stoic while Samantha had a stunned look on her face. Watching Kenya lunge at the reporter; only to see the aspiring mayoral candidate get cold cocked after being outed as a high priced escort. Her husband, Jack Crawford using an alias to stymy the construction of a new elementary school. Thinking back to last year when Martin stepped down as mayor, forcing Samantha to be mayor pro-tem; Samantha balked at the job. But after a few days behind the desk, Samantha was becoming an abled bodied administrator. Be it from her experience as the town chancellor, or the fact that she knew the ins and outs of the town; a town populated with were’s living in secret from the rest of the world, Samantha was clearly the best person for the job.
Seeing Kenya struggle to get up on her own and being approached by Tachibana; Samantha could only think of one thing.
‘If all goes well this Saturday; I will be assured of being voted as Mayor.’
“Looks like,” Frances breaking the silence between the two; “the Crawford’s are in trouble.”
“How so,” Samantha turning around to head to the carnival rides.
“Tachibana just handed the two summon scroll,” Frances smirking; “and I doubt it’s a summons for tea.”
“I’m sure I’ll be briefed about it soon,” Samantha placing an arm around her life partner; “right now let’s wander about the picnic and mingle with some people.”
******
Around lunch time:
Samantha and Frances were eating a smoked meat sandwich. Joined by Frances parents, Joseph and Angelica Carter. Joseph looking upset; he only just now found out that his son Samson was wounded in the line of duty. Shot by a man know dead while assisting an FBI agent. Meanwhile Angelica was looking tired; recently being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the were-greyhound pushing over a hundred years in age, was losing weight rapidly.
“How could my son not tell me what happened to him last night,” Joseph grumbling as he ripped into his sandwich; “would it of killed him to call me?”
“I can’t answer that,” Frances speaking; “who knows what goes in his head.”
“You talked to him yesterday,” Joseph making eye contact with his daughter; “what was his mood?”
“No different than usual,” Frances looking confused; “why do you ask?”
“Your father is trying to dance around the obvious,” Angelica shaking her head; “in his usual clumsy way.”
Samantha just snorts, earning her a disapproving stare from those sitting at the picnic table.
“Joseph and I watched the press conference,” Angelica speaking; “this woman running for mayor.”
“Harlot,” Joseph speaking; “she is a harlot and got what was coming to her.”
“Joseph,” Angelica admonishing her husband; “you don’t know that. This Kenya Crawford is being accused of one.”
“Dad is not wrong,” Frances sighing; “Kenya is a harlot. I met her once,” Joseph and Angelica listening in rapt attention; “last year during Thanksgiving. She was dating our next door neighbor’s oldest son at the time. That relationship went south soon after. She was still seeing clients,” Frances shaking her head; “despite the promise she made to Nate.”
“So what the reporter said,” Joseph wiping his beard clean of sauce and crumbs; “that was all true. Even the part regarding the school?”
“Lance Knight’s reporter wouldn’t risk slander if it wasn’t true,” Samantha deciding to speak up; “but I am curious as to what she has dug up.”
We’ll find out tomorrow when the gazette is delivered,” Frances munching on a pickle; “in the meantime,” Frances wanting to change the subject; “how have you been feeling mom?”
*******
“You want to go on the roller coaster,” Ben asking his boyfriend Alex as they share a bag of cotton candy together. Meeting up after the press conference as a band started playing theme songs from old television shows; the two werewolves were wandering around unsure what they should do with the remainder of their day.
“I’m not really eager to go on it,” Alex responding; “its rather small to considered a roller coaster.”
“It’s a travelling carnival,” Ben rolling his eyes; “it can’t be large to the point it can’t be transported from location to location.”
“Fair point,” Alex chuckling; “but I am interested in us sitting together in the Ferris wheel.”
“Is that all,” Ben looking at his lover; “you just want to sit next to me?”
“A make out session,” Alex smiling; “is expected while on the ride.”
Ben growled approvingly as was led by Alex to the line for those waiting to get on the Ferris wheel. Oblivious to everyone but each other; Ben and Alex fail to notice that Martha and William Anderson were also in line as well and Benton and Amanda Knight. Two couple that also had some romantic intentions while on the purposely slow moving ride.
It wasn’t long before they got to the front of the line and entered the cab at the bottom. Being secured in place, the two started to kiss and fondle each other as the ride slowly moved and stopped; allowing those on the bottom to get off and new people to get on. It was like this for another five minutes before their cab reached the top of the wheel. Taking a moment, Ben and Alex peel themselves away from each other to look at the view they had of the picnic grounds and lake.
While the view wasn’t as magical as their hillside spot overlooking the town; the view from the Ferris wheel gave them a nice view of the lake. The water looking crystal clear and sparkling under the light of the sun. From where they sat, the water looked inviting; beckoning them to enter the water and swim, enjoying the cooling effect of the water on their skin.
“Look at that view,” Alex looking at the crescent lake.
“You up for a swim afterwards,” Ben placing a hand on Alex’s lap.
“I didn’t bring my swim trunks,” Alex answering.
“Neither did I,” Ben smiling; “but when has that ever stopped a couple from having fun.”
“It’s not as if we are were-mers,” Alex responding; the ride beginning its descent for them.
“Since when is the lake the exclusive use for the mers,” Ben looking at Alex; “or all the other aquatic based weres?”
“You want to skinny dip,” Alex looking at Ben.
“I do with you,” Ben going back to kissing his lover.