As Samantha Twist was talking to Moon Lake Police Chief O'Hara about protecting the secret(s) of their town no matter how the potential were reveal went, her wife was finishing up with her new patient.
"Okay John. Our time is almost up for now I'm afraid," announced Doctor Frances Twist.
"Really?" the boy asked in disbelief. "That's a shame. It felt really good to have someone to talk to about my... issues," he added.
"I know. That's what I'm here for. Your sister and Harry will make your next appointment with Rudy before you guys leave, but I still need to talk to her for a couple of minutes first."
"Why?" asked John.
"Because since you're only 14, I'm obligated to let your parent or guardian know how things went but don't worry, I can keep a secret," promised Frances, before winking at him with a smile on her face.
Frances was just expecting a simple "Goodbye". A handshake at the most, but was totally surprised when he hugged her and said "Thank you."
"You're welcome," replied Frances, before letting the boy out of her office.
As John Harper left, his older sister Jenny Harper-Jenkins entered.
Frances closed the door behind her so the two could talk privately.
"Well?" Jenny asked nervously.
"Mostly what you expected when you made the appointment," Frances began. "John is not suicidal and there is no gender confusion, at least not in the sense of whether he is a male or female, but definitely in regards to what his preference is or should be in regards to a partner. Coupled with all the stress and emotional issues created by your parents..."
"Yeah. They'll never be in the running for Mom or Dad of the Year," replied Jenny.
"Agreed. Do you know a Ginger O'Toole?" asked Frances.
"She's a weretigress who lives a couple of doors down from us, and is about the only friend John's made in Moon Lake so far."
"John has a strong interest in her, but isn't sure what direction it should proceed in," revealed Frances. "What about a boy named Stephen back in Alabama?"
"Afraid not," answered Jenny. "If any of us made any friends, we kept them as secret as we could for fear of what our parents' reaction to them might be."
"Apparently this Stephen was at least bi, if not outright gay, and expressed a potential romantic interest in John."
"Mom would have freaked and wanted John 'corrected' while Dad would have tried to 'exorcise his demons' and probably wind up killing John in the process if he knew."
"Your father, or at least the memory of him, are part of John's fears, let alone indecision and uncertainty. John told me he's also been having nightmares," said Frances, cautiously.
"We know. At least over the last week, if not longer," confirmed Jenny.
"Some of it is from fearing his father. Some of it is John's not knowing what, if anything, he should do. Not knowing whether he's straight, gay, or bi; let alone if he should stay a normal human or eventually joins were society."
"My younger sister Janice thinks John will become a weretiger to be with Ginger," revealed Jenny.
"That's one possibility he keeps dreaming of," said Frances, not elaborating further. "But your dad always enters the picture to dispense 'divine justice'. What will your reaction be to whatever John eventually decides?"
"While we don't have all the details I, Harry, and his parents have all told John privately that whatever he does in life, he is family and we will always love and support him. I'm not sure how much, if any, Harry's brother Huck knows, but Janice and my parents are definitely in the dark right now concerning John's uncertainty in regards to gender preference."
"What about your older brother James Junior?" wondered Francs.
"He only knows about me and Harry being werefoxes. James hasn't even told our folks he's engaged, let alone his fiance is an African American lady. I'm hoping once they graduate next Spring and get things settled in Alabama that they'll move up here. Maybe even become weres too."
"One day at a time," cautioned Frances. "For now, keep an eye on John. Don't try to influence any decision he might make but be supportive. Converse openly with him about anything and everything when possible, and schedule another appointment for early next week with Rudy on your way out."
"Okay," promised Jenny, "and I'm definitely switching my major next semester, because I want to be a therapist and help people just like you do," she said, before hugging Frances.
AND OUT IN THE WAITING ROOM...
"If I can ask, how'd it go?" Harry wondered, as John came back out and sat next to his sister's husband as she entered Frances' office.
"Okay, I guess," replied John. "Don't really have anything to compare it to. After all, dad would freak if he knew I was here. 'Men are strong and should never display any weakness,' he always told me."
"I hate to tell you this John, but your father's wrong about that, and a whole lot of other stuff too."
"I know," the boy agreed. "Guess that's part of my problem. Trying to figure things out for myself." Then he glanced at Harry's wristwatch. "Is that the right time?" John asked, since there were no time pieces visible in Frances' practice.
"As far as I know," Harry answered. "Why?"
"Do we need to make any stops on the way home?"
"Not that I know of," Harry said, and then it dawned on him. "Don't worry. We should get home in time for you to see Ginger today."
John turned his head, trying to hide his face blushing.
TO BE CONTINUED...