"Did you get them?" asked Joe, reaching for the last roll on the plate in front of him.
"We did," acknowledged Fenton. "That was definitely one of the quickest cases I have ever worked on."
"How is your hand?" asked Frank, reaching out and snagging Joe's bandaged hand. He unwrapped it for a look-see.
"Seems to be healing well," Fenton said, looking at Joe's palm. And indeed it was. Even after reopening during his fist fight with the two intruders his hand now looked like it had been healing for a couple of days.
"I guess whatever the doctor put on your hand really did the trick," Frank said, seeing the look of curiosity mingled with astonishment that his father wore. He quickly rewrapped Joe's hand.
"Any food left?" asked Fenton.
"I think there's some fried chicken," Joe replied.
"I'm going to cut out," Biff excused himself, standing up. "Feel up to that camping trip tomorrow?" he asked looking at Joe.
"Wouldn't miss it," answered Joe.
"See you tomorrow," Biff added before leaving by the kitchen door.
"Where are you going camping?" asked Fenton.
"North Woods," Frank answered. "We've been planning it for awhile," he added. "You don't mind, do you?"
"Doesn't Biff's family have a cabin up there?" inquired Fenton.
"Yes," acknowledged Frank. "It's more of a fishing trip than a camping trip," he amended.
"Well, I hope you boys have a good time," Fenton said, smiling. Sighing with relief, Frank went to the refrigerator in search of the chicken. "I think I'll call it a night," Fenton said, ruffling Joe's hair. "You sure you're alright?" he asked.
"I'm fine, dad," Joe answered, smiling up at his dad through eyes that had taken on a permanent sadness not unnoticed by his father.
As soon as Fenton left the room Frank sat down beside Joe. "You know next month when the moon is full its going to be a school night," Frank said.
"What are you saying?" Joe demanded.
"Biff was right," Frank told him. "You should tell Dad."
"I can't," Joe said miserably. "He wouldn't believe me."
"He would after tomorrow night," Frank argued. "He could see it with his own eyes."
"I can't," Joe said, shaking his head.
"Why not?" asked Frank.
"I'm afraid he won't love me anymore," Joe replied in a breaking voice as tears began to roll down his face.
Around the corner and just out of sight Fenton gave a heavy sigh and continued on his way through the living room and up the stairs.
(The next evening)
"It's almost sundown," Frank said, looking up at the sky.
"Time to go to my cage," Joe said, standing up.
"We'll be here waiting on you," Biff said.
"With your clothes," Frank added, holding out his hand.
"Oh, yeah," Joe said, starting to unbutton his shirt. "I almost forgot." He had decided to go into the shelter naked, not wanting to rip his clothes when he transformed. Soon Joe stood naked except for the towel he had wrapped around his waist.
Frank gave Joe a hug and then escorted him to the shelter's entrance. "Lock it as soon as you get in," he ordered his brother.
"You could lock it from out here," Joe suggested.
"Not a chance," Frank replied with a shake of his head. "What if something happened up here? You couldn't get out."
"What could happen?" demanded Joe.
"You have to ask?" Frank countered with a raised brow.
Joe laughed and began the descent into the shelter. He flipped the generator on and locked the hatch. Turning around he entered further into the shelter. He stopped; shocked and amazed to see a deer carcass lying on the floor near the left wall. A small piece of paper lay on top of the animal. Joe picked up the paper and read the words, the sadness that had settled over him slowly fading away:
I think this might help with your hunger! And for the record....I will always love you! Dad
This concludes the third story in The Werewolf of Bayport series.
Next up in this series: Fallacious Truant