Werehuman

Morning Normality

Mel had made the guest room up for Katie and Daria, but by morning Katie was curled up beside me, stealing all the covers. I rolled out of bed and dressed, heading upstairs. Susie Lynn had finally found her cat, but he was hissing at her like he did at me.

"You smell like a wolf now," I remarked.

"I know," she sighed. "I just hoped he would remember it was me. Cats are so snooty."

"I'm sorry."

The cat, now faced with Susie Lynn and me, hissed once more and stalked away. Mel chuckled behind us.

"I guess it's time to make Stripes a outdoor cat permanently," she said. "Conor, any idea what 'midmorning' means to werewolves?"

"Before noon?" I offered. "It's four hours here if they're not sprinting."

"That's true. Susie Lynn is okay to go to school, right?"

I nodded. Susie Lynn groaned.

"You've already missed one day of school, and who knows how many days later this week. You're going, missy."

"Mom," she whined. "I'm a..."

"I know what you're about to say is a 'bright young lady who is looking forward to school'," Mel interrupted. "Get your backpack to the table; the bus will be here before you know it."

Susie Lynn groaned and stomped down the hall past Katie who was coming up the stairs. She gave Mel and I a wave. Daria was the next to emerge. Both women looked much better than the day before; the assortment of bruises that everyone had been sporting were fading away.

"Fixing fence today?" Daria inquired.

"We'll wait for your pack to show for that," Mel said. "We have the regular chores that need tending. We haven't been much for chores in the last couple of days."

"And I could work on the car," Ralph called from the kitchen.

"Is that what you're calling it?" Mel snorted. "How goes the French toast?"

"Nearly ready!"

Katie beamed at the both of us. I could smell the toast and bacon and wished that I had just slept in a little longer. Daria yawned, rolling her shoulders.

"French toast?" Katie asked.

"It's the only thing he can really make in the kitchen, poor dear," Mel informed her. "While I'm not opposed to grilled steak in the morning, it does get expensive."

Susie returned from her room, dressed and with her backpack slung over one shoulder grumpily. Katie helped me set the table and we sat down to a stack of toast and scrambled eggs. I took a piece of bacon and nibbled on it after Ralph said grace.

"Are Keith and the other werewolves coming back?" Susie Lynn asked.

"They'd better," Daria replied. "It'll take me days to get back; I'm not certain where our camp is located in regards to the farmhouse."

"South-southwest," I replied. "But they are coming. Casey said so."

"I should have gone back home last night," she mused. "I have a much higher rate of success in talking sense into Keith."

"Any particular reason?" Mel asked after passing the syrup to Katie.

"He's known me longer?" Daria offered. "Our politics are complicated. We're nearly immortal; we're part creature, and we have alpha roles and other drama besides. Keith wants to keep us safe and he wants to keep us from being murderers. It's a fine line we toe."

"Where are you from?" Susie Lynn asked her.

"Michigan," Daria answered. "Actually, there's quite a few packs up there; the lakes are a great place to run in the winter. Unfortunately, they tend to be the more violent kind."

"Where else are there werewolves?" Susie Lynn wanted to know.

"All over. Mainly in the country; it's hard to smell the cities for very long," Daria told her.

"Did you run all the way from Michigan?"

"Susie, your bus will be here in five minutes. Eat your toast. I'm sure you'll have a chance to question Daria at a later date."

Mel raised an eyebrow at her daughter until Susie Lynn bobbed her head, shoveling toast into her mouth. Ralph yawned once and sipped his coffee, watching his daughter eat and then race out the door for her bus. Daria smiled gratefully and continued with her breakfast. I was also curious about Daria and the pack's history, but we had time.

"Would you like help with dishes?"

Katie was already picking up her plate and then collected mine. Daria handed over her plate as well as we rose to clean the kitchen. Mel chuckled.

"I could get used to the extra help," she said. "Even if it doubles our food bill. Speaking of, when you go into town, pick up some more hamburger meat will you? I'll make tacos for lunch."

"Will do," Ralph replied.