Chapter 56

It was another Monday at the office and the weekend prior was swept under the rug, yet again. It was becoming a theme. Ignore the crazy supernatural and back to business as usual. I absorbed myself in work. I had a job and I was still human. Well, half-human, but nonetheless, I still had to lead a normal life. Okay… Well, at least pretend. God, I was a wreck. I held my head in my hands at my desk. I had to shake these thoughts.

That afternoon I slipped into the ladies restroom and splashed some cool water on my face. Making sure I was alone, I stared at my eyes in the mirror. Surely the woge worked outside of forests. Focusing on my reflection, I pushed at my rage, trying to force it. Nothing. I pushed at my love for Monroe. Nothing. My thoughts and emotions were firing off, one after another. And then it happened. The green glow reflected off the glass, shining brightly until my thoughts subsided. I tried again and again, until forcing it became easier. After multiple tries I was able to do it effortlessly. I could control it now and somehow that strengthened me. I smiled at my reflection. I was going to be okay. The magic of that word returned, and with it, a little satisfaction that I'd get through this.

(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)

I turned on the computer once I got home to Skype with Mom. We hadn't spoken since Saturday and I missed her terribly. She was getting the hang of the webcam and actually enjoyed the personal touch the video gave her.

"Sweetie, hi!" she waved exaggeratedly at me. That part she was still learning. "Can you see me okay?"

I smiled at her. "Yes, I see you just fine. How are things today?"

"Wonderful!" The sound of barking caught my ears. "I want you to see who I rescued from the pound yesterday." Mom moved down and returned with a small terrier puppy in her lap. "This is Chester," Mom said in a baby-talk voice. "Wave hi to Renée, Chester." She picked up one of his paws and motioned a wave at me.

"Aww, he's cute," I replied with a smile.

"Isn't he? He's a Jack Russell." Finally, a Jack I didn't mind seeing. "I'm joining a dog walkers club," she continued. "I thought it would be good to get out of the house and meet a few new people."

My mom loved to talk, so she'd been joining clubs all over town. Last week she'd joined a book club, and the week before that she'd dragged Chloe to a bridge club. I had to hear Chloe rant for half an hour about how bored she'd been. But my friend loved me, and she'd suffered through for my mom's sake. If it took my mom's mind off my dad, then I was all for her joining as many clubs as she wanted.

"Spring time is the perfect season to go walking," I encouraged. "That will be fun for you and Chester."

"So, how was camping?" Mom asked. "Did you wear bug spray?"

"Yes, camping was fine," I replied, holding on to my smile. "I didn't get bitten." Nor did I get killed.

"Wasn't it a bit chilly at night? The weather reports on the west coast were really low this weekend."

"It wasn't too bad. We kept warm."

"Well, I'm glad you kids had a good time. I haven't camped in ages. I wonder if they have any camping groups up at Otter Creek." She tapped a finger to her chin. "I need to look into that sometime soon."

I held back a laugh. "Maybe you should see how Chester does with his dog walking buddies before you guys go off camping."

"No, I wouldn't take him camping. He's too little. Aren't you Chester? Too little to go off in the big, scary woods." The baby talk was almost comical. "If I went camping perhaps Chloe could watch Chester."

"Chloe isn't too partial to dogs," I replied with a knowing grin.

"Oh. I'm sure I could work something out."

Mom showed me the new book she was reading, and then she took the laptop around the house to show me a new bed spread she'd purchased. She was finding the video chats such a novelty.

After Mom and I talked, I called Chloe to warn her about Chester.

"A Jack Russell? You know they hunt rabbits, right?"

"No, but I know you aren't too fond of dogs in general."

"Well, this is going to make visiting your mom kind of hard," she sighed.

"He's just a puppy. I'm sure he's harmless."

"Right. Harmless until he's gnawing on my leg. Dammit, Renée." She groaned. "So, are you doing better today?"

"Yeah. I'm coping better with everything." I forced my eyes again as I spoke, the green glow reflected off the TV.

"It'll be all right. You survived finding out you were a Grimm, and you'll survive this, too."

We talked more about work and how much warmer it was in Louisville as I tried not to be jealous.

"Any news about Jack?" I asked hesitantly. Chloe hadn't mentioned him lately and I hadn't gotten any more texts from Pete.

"Girl, I didn't want to bring it up, but he's getting manic. Pete told me he even went to the library to do some research."

Did Jack even know how to get to a library?

"What kind of research?"

"Pete isn't sure since Jack isn't telling him much, but Pete said he mentioned lycanthropy. Let's just say he's not Team Jacob right now. Has he called you anymore since that one night?"

"No, I haven't heard from him, thank goodness."

"Well, if I hear anything else, I'll be sure to tell you. Be safe, Renée."

As I hung up the phone, I sunk further into the couch. I couldn't sit for long. I had some chores to finish around the house, and then I'd promised Monroe I'd come over for dinner and spend the night. I drew in a sigh and got to work.

A/N: Renée can control her eyes, mom got a puppy, and Jack is doing research on Monroe. Oh boy!

So happy Grimm is BACK! Thank you all for continuing to read even though the hiatus is over! It means a lot!

Chapters 56-60 going up today. Enjoy!