The Magnificent and The Maleficent by Heron Djenne Canvasback

Chapter Three: Itching Stitches

Cordelia walked downstairs to the family room. Her dad's house is decorated in mid-century modern items and with neutrals. She plopped down on the couch. She turned on a soap opera, to catch up on what she had been too busy to stay in the loop with. Her dad jogged inside from the gym.

"Ah, you're finally up!" Her dad cheered. "Do you want me to make you some lunch?"

"That'd be nice." She smiled. "You really should restart going to work though."

"I will as soon as you do." He was a veterinarian. "We should get a dog."

"Dad, I'm actually injured but you're not." She raised an eyebrow. "What type of dog?"

"I want the American Eskimo breed." He shrugged. "What about you?"

Her eyes lit up. "Can we get a Havanese?"

"What the hell!" He laughed. "Why don't we get them both?"

"I love you dad." She hugged him. "I need to tell you something though."

"I love you too daughter." He smiled. "Come with me in the kitchen, so that you won't go hungry." He walked into their kitchen and started making her a taco salad. "What is it?"

She followed him. "I was bitten by a werewolf."

"Oh shit!" Her dad halted. "Oh dear!"

"That's why you should be taking days off of work." She lamented. "It won't do either of us any good."

He continued cooking. "I just want to make sure that you're alright."

"Dad, you can't protect me from everything."

"I know." His eyes softened in sadness. "I'm still going to try to."

"I'm hoping to reverse the curse."

He stirred the beef in the skillet on the stovetop. "I wish that I knew how to help."

"Don't worry about me so much."

He nodded. "I can't help it."

"When do you want to start looking for the dogs?"

"We can whenever you're well enough."

"I'll look online." She offered. "I need something to do."

He started preparing the salad, while watching the cooking beef. "Just don't push yourself too much."

"You know that it takes a lot to break me."

"I still remember the day that I kicked your mother out and you said: Thank God that's finally over!" He laughed. "That was the day that I knew that you were tough at seven years old."

"I knew that you would never be happy with her around and that upset me."

"Did you know that she once took up hunting as a hobby to prank me?" He asked. "Has she ever contacted you since then?"

"Nope, plus she probably is still unemployed and leeching off of rich men." She turned up her nose. "Why did you never date again after her?"

"I'll pay for both dogs." He quickly digressed. "I just want you to be happy."

She hugged him. "You're the best dad ever."

He smiled. "I'm thrilled that you think so."

***

That night, Cordelia snuck out with Cecilia to go "man-hunting" in Richmond. Cordelia just wanted some fresh air and freedom. She felt really cooped-up these last couple of days. She also wanted to know exactly how to attract potential rock stars at a live music club.