Page 6 of Just Fur Tonight
“Besides, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet the folks, when you have your grand opening,” Veronica offers helpfully.
* * *
It’s a complete nightmare,a total disaster, to say the least. In the history of grand openings, mine has probably managed to make history with how terribly everything went. As I turn the lock, closing up after my first day, it’s all I can do to bite back the tears.
Never could I have predicted that things would go downhill so quickly. Looking around, I take in the whitewashed tables, the brightly colored furniture, and the pristine floors. All largely unused. Most of the food behind the counter has sat untouched, and the cash register is disturbingly empty.
Nobody liked a single thing. Finally I opened the doors to the restored cafe, but everyone who passed through seemed to immediately find something to complain about. They missed Ms. Maria’s old recipes, her old counter space, and the old decorations.
Someone even asked me what happened to the bats! For the thousandth time, I’m left wondering what exactly Auntie M did to run this place. Most people sneezed past the flowers, and someone even complained that it was too bright, even though it was the middle of the day!
By lunchtime, visitors had stopped coming by. People on the street glanced over the decorations, but if anything, my choice of decor drew more disappointing stares than interested ones. It was my first official day as a small business owner and I was a complete and utter failure.
Chet had come by some time after lunch, but couldn’t stay long, as his store was actually busy today, so I was mostly left to my own devices. I managed to keep up a brave face throughout the afternoon, but now that everything is closed up, I can drive home, and wallow in my misery with a pint of ice cream.
Tears have already tracked down my cheeks by the time I pull out of the alley. The moon is brighter than the street lights, and I’m so distracted by my failure and misery that I almost miss the animal in the road. I swerve at the last second, almost slamming into a fire hydrant as I try to prevent an accident.
A large dog sits in the road, right at the intersection where my car was going to idle.No, not a dog, I realize after a second, but a wolf. Right there in the middle of the road, one of the biggest wolves I have ever seen is sitting and staring right back at me. His head is twice the size of mine, and his mouth is open enough to showcase gleaming teeth, while brindled fur gives off a majestic coat, accented by sharp, elongated claws.
Fear pierces me, and has me momentarily frozen. My junker of a car hardly seems like protection against this primal beast, and I’m practically quaking in my seat as the animal regards me. He seems to be watching me, with sharp, intelligent eyes, unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.
No wait, that’s not true. Shock momentarily floods my system, replacing the terror, and kicking my senses back into gear. Guided by instincts, I throw my car into gear, peeling out and flooring it past the beast, as I tear down the roads at high speeds in order to escape.
I don’t stop until I reach my home, then I’m flying up the steps and slamming my door shut, closed with lock and bolt. Although I didn’t stick around to see if the beast actually followed me, not that he would’ve needed to.
My astonishment stems from recognition because the wolf’s piercing blue eyes, in fact, are familiar to me. I’ve seen those same eyes every week for a while now, but those crystal irises were set into a human face. One with clean but rugged features, that I have found myself daydreaming about, more than once.
“Holy shit,” I breathe, speaking to myself once I know I’m safe. “Chet Wilson, I can’t believe it.”
Breathing heavily, and panting against my door that is now safely chained from the inside, my mind is a jumble of panic and realization. Between legends, folktales, and the strangeness I’ve seen since moving here, I’m starting to figure out what makes the town of Curiosity just so curious.
It is because at least one of its citizens is a werewolf.
4
CHET
Ishould have told her. But who would believe, ‘Hey, I become the best canine friend you’ll ever have?’ I could tell last night that Gabriella was terrified. I’m sure seeing me didn’t help things.
Coming out of a full-moon night is a lot like being drunk. I remember what it’s like when the wolf’s out, but I don’t have much say in what he does. I make my way to the cafe for a cup of coffee. I always need a little pick me up after a night of howling at the moon. Of course, that’s only if Gabriella agrees to serve me.
Mrs. Murphy smiles with her signature denture smile.
“Good morning, Mrs. Murphy.”
“Oh good morning, dear!”
“Are you going over to the cafe?”
“Yes I am, I need to recharge from my wild night.”
The adorable chubby lady giggles. She has a great laugh. I know it anywhere. I always appreciate her scent. She smells like cocoa powder and allspice. Her treats may not always turn out right, but her smell is a hallmark of wholesome intentions. How a grump like Mr. Murphy got so lucky, I’ll never know.
“Well dear it appears to be closed today,” she tells me.
Disappointment dashes any hope of relaxing in my favorite booth. “Oh that’s a real shame,” I reply.
“I hope the new girl is feeling alright. Do you think I should come back with some soup later?” she suggests.