The shopping itself was uneventful, but Martha Anderson couldn't help staring at some of the other people within the grocery store and wondering who might actually be what. Everyone was still human, or more than human, depending upon your perspective; and she couldn't help wondering if their lives were truly any different from her own besides being able to change into some form of animal at will.
When she walked out of the store with her purchases, Martha was surprised to find that Samantha Twist had waited in the parking lot for her to finish grocery shopping, but it did save her the cost of hiring a taxi or the long walk back.
However, the ride home seemed more intense than the ride into town. The conversation was just idle chit chat at best, but there were times when Martha thought there was a hidden meaning in some of Samantha's statements, Or am I just reading more into this than I should? she asked herself. All the friends I made are back in Minnesota, and I have none here. Yet? she wondered, taking a quick glance at Samantha when she thought the other woman wasn't looking.
After being dropped off and putting up the groceries, Martha discovered that Eric was already home and working on his homework at the dining room table, but Nate had decided to stop at Ben's on his way home from school.
Martha fixed Eric a snack, then went upstairs to be by herself for a while.
She laid in bed and stared at the ceiling of the master bedroom, wondering about life and the future, when she remembered the card Samantha gave her.
Martha called the number, and was surprised when the secretary put her directly through to Frances the therapist instead of setting up an appointment for them to meet.
"My wife said you might call," explained Frances. "Thankfully my calendar is wide open this afternoon, and I can relate to how overwhelming all of this might be at first. Especially to a new arrival."
"That's what Samantha said," replied Martha, before the ladies started talking about the situation in greater detail.
"You're not alone," said Frances, after listening to Mrs. Anderson's tale. "I was only two when my family moved here. Why they chose to be weredogs is beyond me, but when my time came, I chose differently."
"Do you mind discussing that?" asked Martha, wondering if she could get some insights into what Nate might be facing.
"Not at all," replied Frances. "I fell in love with Samantha from the moment we first met as teenagers. I already had an inkling about my personal preferences long before then, but most people just called me a tomboy and let me be. The first time we... became truly close, was magical in more ways than one, because neither of us knew then that she was also introducing me to werecat society until my first physical change happened."
"So transformations are communicable?" asked Martha with great concern.
"Only during the most intimate of personal contact with another, if you know what I mean," answered Frances. "Simpler things, up to and including kissing, won't affect a normal, which is what we call someone who doesn't change forms."
"How did... that is..."
"Maybe we should backtrack a bit," said Frances. "Moon Lake was established long before Horace Greeley ever said 'Go West, Young Man'. There are some who claim the town was already in existence before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, but the historical records don't start until the late 1890s. In any event, at first it was just a save haven for werewolves, but by the time settlers made it this far west, other were-species were discovered and accepted. The community just grew from there into the town we know today."
"But where are they all coming from?" asked Martha.
"That I honestly don't know," admitted Frances. "We just are, and we all work and live together here. All the various genus and subspecies accept each other as one giant family."
"Are there others?"
"You mean outside of Moon Lake? Probably," said Frances, "but I haven't traveled in ages, so I haven't met any personally."
"Just how many... weres are there?"
"The exact number of varieties? I'm uncertain. I can say that four-fifths of the local population over the age of 13 can change forms, although if you're asking me an exact number..."
"No. I'm just trying to take this all in. What about your... group?" asked Martha.
"Werecats? There are a few prides in and around town. The one Samantha and I belong to is kind of small, because we are the only lesbian werecats, let alone the only lesbian were-felines of any variety, in Moon Lake. The rest of our specific group are all male, but prefer each other's company if you know what I mean."
"I believe so. The world certainly has changed and grown more accepting of others over the last few decades, even before I discovered weres existed," said Martha.
"Thankfully," agreed Frances. "There are other gay and lesbian weres in the community, if it matters."
Now why would she say something like that? wondered Martha, before asking, "So why are your elders so adamant about at least one member in every family being or becoming a were?"
"They are a bit strict about implementing that edict," agreed Frances, "but it's for the overall good of everyone. They believe there is less risk of betrayl if you're protecting someone you love." Then she paused before adding, "If you like, I can set up an appointment for you sometime and we can discuss all this, and anything else you might need to talk about, in greater detail."
"Thanks. I might take you up on that, but I'd like to see if I can deal with this on my own first. With my Nate seriously thinking about joining your Ben and becoming a werewolf..."
"Don't let all those horror movies and things influence you. Hollywood has never gotten all the details completely accurate."
The two ladies chatted a little longer before Martha excused herself to go make dinner for her family.
Hmm... thought Frances, as she sat in her office chair and thought back over their conversation. Maybe Samantha is right. Martha does have a sexy voice.