Vito Gamboni laid in his hotel bed, staring at the ceiling.
The call from his father, the head of the Gamboni family figuratively and literally, weighed on his mind, let alone other thoughts.
There are two wild cards in this whole deal. Marcus and this town. As stubborn and head strong as he is, at least I can deal with him, although I still don't understand his obsession with this Karen Charleston dame when he can have any woman he wants. But what is it about this town?
Vito sat up and noticed his brother was trying to fall back asleep.
Not bothering Marcus, he got up and found what he was looking for, their hotel room's copy of the local phone book.
Flipping through it page by page, Vito studied all the listings, especially when he got to the business section.
Hmm... the Charlestons don't have a phone yet, so they wouldn't be listed even if this phone book was printed yesterday. But based on their address, I don't recognize anyone living on either side of them or across the street. Doesn't mean we can't let our guard down and risk being seen, just that no one would recognize us on sight, he figured, not knowing of the Charlestons' connections to the Brooks just a couple of doors down, let alone that Daniel Brooks was a member of the Moon Lake Police Department.
But the business section had him more puzzled.
Geez. No gym or health club in this burg. Not even any sign of a plastic surgeon. So what is it with the people in this town?
Knowing he wasn't going to get any answers, especially not from a sleeping Marcus, Vito decided to take a shower. A nap would be more appropriate for after breakfast or lunch. That way he'd be more fresh and awake for what had to be done that night.
MEANWHILE...
"Okay. I've got the hamburger meat out defrosting," announced Nichole Charleston in Tara Strange's kitchen.
They were hiding out in the police technician's cabin while the joint Moon Lake Police/FBI task force prepared to take down the Gambonis once and for all so the Charlestons could live in peace.
"What are you going to do with that?" her daughter Karen asked, while walking into the kitchen.
"I figured a big meatloaf or Sheppard's Pie, depending upon what's on hand for the other ingredients," replied her mother. "Come on. Breakfast is ready."
The ladies, along with husband/father Moe, sat around the table and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast of bacon and eggs.
Karen noticed her parents looking at each other from time to time, as if they knew something she didn't.
What Karen didn't observe was her mother occasionally sneaking glances at her.
Although she had yet to share them with anyone, Nichole remembered her dreams* and wondered if her daughter truly was a were now.
Karen still looks the same. Besides, when would she have gotten a chance to do so? Let alone not tell us and risk getting pregnant without the proper species specific birth control pill? she wondered, recalling what it said about how normal human beings joined were society in the guide book Karen had.
As they finished breakfast, Moe cleared his throat and said, "Karen. Your mother and I have something to discuss with you."
"Did they catch the Gambonis?" Karen asked, hopefully.
"Not yet," conceded her father. "What we wanted to tell you," he said, reaching out to take his wife's hand in his, "is that we're thinking of joining were society ourselves."
"OH! REALLY?" Karen replied excitedly. "As what?"
"That we've haven't decided yet. This is still all in the early stages of discussion at the moment," explained her mother.
"I think that'll be great!" exclaimed Karen. "The three of us..."
Then Karen stopped, looking at her parents more intently. "Wait a second. Do you mean you two want to join ALSO, or INSTEAD of me?"
(Their possible answers, and other options below)
_____________________________________________________
*From previous/recent episodes.—tmw.