Confident that the combined efforts of the Moon Lake Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation would catch the bad guys, although blissfully unaware that Marcus and Vito Gamboni were already in town, the Charlestons finished a leisurely breakfast.
It wasn't until her parents were finishing their coffee and she her juice before Karen was asked about the subject on everyone's mind.
"So," began her mother, eyeing her carefully. "Have you decided what specific were you want to become yet?"
"Almost," admitted her daughter. "I know what I'm leaning toward, but I still want to talk to a werelion before I make my final decision."
"Well, under the present circumstances, there certainly is no rush," observed her father. "And even if the Gambonis hadn't put a temporary halt to everything by coming here, Daniel's informed me that this is certainly a decision you don't want to make in haste."
"Oh?" said Nichole, looking at her husband.
"The way he explained it to me, it's a one shot deal. Once a person becomes a were, they can't change their mind and want to become a different were later. The were you become is the were you'll be for the rest of your life."
"Well, that makes sense," agreed Nichole. "A lot of people make decisions in haste that they regret later. Then she turned to look at Karen again. "By the way, just how are you accomplishing all this research?"
"Peter Brooks has helped me get in touch with representatives of all the various feline based weres in Moon Lake, and Samantha Twist gave me a reference book too. But according to the date on the inside cover, the copy I have was published before Grandpa and Grandma Charleston was even born."
"Odd," agreed Moe Charleston. "Then again, and this is just a guess on my part, maybe there really hasn't been any new developments in were history since that book was published."
"Well, just to be on the safe side, that's why I've been talking to various weres. Get a first hand opinion on life from their point of view," explained Karen.
"You always have been diligent doing your school work. Do you have that book with you?" asked Nichole, not mentioning that she's already glanced through it once before.
"Yes. Did you want to see it?" asked Karen, recalling her earlier suspicion that maybe her parents might join were society too.
"Well, I think it would be for the best if your father and I have at least some kind of idea of what you're getting into by joining. With everything going on, especially how this were business was initially presented to us in the first place, I do feel it's a good idea that your father and I at least know the basics of what you'll be facing besides what the Brooks have already told us," admitted Nichole.
"Okay. I'll go get it for you. Then I think I'll hang out in what's passing for my room awhile. Okay?" asked Karen.
"Sure honey," agreed her father. "Until we get the all clear, we certainly can't go out and work on the new pizzeria, let alone risk hopping online or anything like that."
"By the way, will it be okay if I call Peter later on and ask if he's set up anything in regards to me talking to a werelion yet?"
"Let's wait until at least after school and he's home for the day before I try contacting Daniel. Okay?" asked Moe.
"Sure dad."