“-and I told him to fuck off with that dumb excuse.” One of my colleagues, whose name I’ve forgotten, says with a chuckle. I glance at my watch, eying the time as if I’m still a student waiting for class to end. “Oh, he was not happy with that. The guy demanded to see my manager and everything.” The older man has an amused gleam in his eye as he retells his “Karen” story.
My supervisor, Rick, rolls his eyes. “This has to be the fifth time I’ve heard this story Gary.”
“Third time!” The other man protests with a grin. “I keep track of it. Usually.” He turns his gaze to me. “So, Matthew, how has your first day been?”
I shrug. “Not too bad. Besides having to deal with ransomware and a projector falling from the ceiling, nothing to write home about.”
Gary gawks. “My first day was nothing like that!”
Rick snorts. “Well, you were also hired before the school bought laptops for school use. And way before they even added wifi.”
Gary waves a hand dismissively. “Details, details. Back then, I had to help teachers fix problems with spreadsheets or something.”
I laugh. “When was that? The ‘90s?”
“Ah, so the newbie does have humor!” Gary claims with a loud shout, jumping up with a grin. “But no, this was like, 2006. They still used overhead projectors to teach.”
“You mean the ancient stuff that’s in the closet next to A wing?” I cock an eyebrow in curiosity.
Gary nods. “Yep! Printed on the transparencys and everything!”
“I haven’t seen one in ages.” I laugh.
Rick groans. “Don’t even get him started, the damned dinosaur.”
“Hey, if I didn’t reject my promotions, I’d be where you are right now.” He crosses his arms and pouts like a child.
I shake my head in amusement while standing up. “Well, I’m going to go clock out now. Theo’s not going to be happy if I forget to go grocery shopping.”
“Alright, see you tomorrow!” Gary waves goodbye as his computer pings, drawing his attention.
“Bye Matt.” Rick smiles at me, waving as well. “Drive safe.”
I roll my eyes as I walk to the clock in/out machine. “I doubt people even go eighty down Main.” I tap my ID against the RFID pad, which beeps. I tap the screen next to the scanner and it responds, letting me know that I’ve clocked out at 12:04. Bidding goodbye again, I leave the room and walk down the empty locker-lined hallway. Exiting the building, the sunlight warms my skin - a contrast to the cold temperatures inside the school building. The walk to my car in the staff parking lot is relatively quick, given the small size of the lot. I get into the vehicle and check my phone quickly before storing it in the cup-holder in the center console. I start up the car and back out of the parking space before driving down the, unsurprisingly, empty main road to the grocery store.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
* * * *
“Matthew!”
I look up at the elderly man calling my name. He’s a short man, being 5’5” with white hair and deep wrinkles around his eyes. A cane is hooked on the handle of the shopping trolley that he’s pushing, some of his weight settled onto the handle bar of the metal cart.
“Marvin,” I reply brightly. “Long time no see.”
“Indeed! When did you get back?” Marvin asks with a warm smile. He pulls me into a tight hug for a second before separating.
“It’s good to see you again Marvin.” I return his smile. “I flew in last night. Red-eye.”
“Are you finally out of the military?”
I nod. “Yep! I’m working at the school now, actually.”
“So I’ve heard!” He sighs. “It feels like only yesterday, you were the new arrival with Theo in tow.”
I chuckle. “Eight years sure does fly by, doesn’t it.”
“It truly does.” His eyes have a far-away look. “The council housing got torn down two or three years ago.”
“Yea, Theo mentioned that.” A small smile works its way onto my face. “It’ll always hold a place in my heart.” Multi-family housing units are uncommon in town - even more so when we had first arrived. At the time, the only apartment in town was owned by the local government, offering extremely cheap rent to low-income families and individuals. It was also used, unbeknown to the few unsuspecting humans in town, to temporarily house wolves who had fallen on rough times. Those wolves would eventually either settle down in town or continue on their journey.
Marvin nods. “Of course. By the way, the missus would probably like you to report for dinner.” He grins. “All four of you.”
“Aww, you’re just causing trouble,” I joke. “Theo might be at the movies tonight, so we probably won’t be seeing him.”
“Ah, the joys of being young.” His eyes take on a far-away look for a split second. “Well, I’ve got to go. Can’t keep the missus waiting.” He puts out his hand. “Was nice seeing you again. I’ll see you all - minus Theo - at six.”
I laugh. “It was nice seeing you too Marvin.” I shake his hand and he leaves. I turn back to the shelves, debating over what cereal to buy.
* * * *
I carefully pull the car over, parking on the side of the street. Taking a deep breath, I look at others with a small smile. “Let’s get this party started.”
Eric rolls his eyes while everyone gets out of the car. A cold winter wind whips down the road, making me shiver and wish I brought a thicker jacket. Snow gently drifts from the sky, blanketing the ground in a thin layer of white fluff. We walk up the stone path leading up to a small cottage. It’s a quaint structure, being a single story and built out of wood and brick. A brick chimney rises from the roof, smoke puffing from it. Light spills from the large bay window overlooking the living room. Stopping before the door, I grasp the frigid door knocker and give three firm knocks.
“Marvin, get the door!” is the muffled response with shuffling before the door swings open, revealing Marvin, still in his clothes from earlier in the day.
“Here’s the squad!” The elder cheers, a teasing smile on his face.
“Aww, shut it old man.” Kaiden says jokingly, pushing past me to wrap him in a big hug. There’s laughter as Marvin tries to push Kaiden away.
“Marvin.” Eric grunts with a nod.
“Eric! Quick, m’aide!” Marvin says with a groan. Eric cracks a smile as he reaches over and pulls the man out of Kaidens’ grasp and into his own quick hug - much to Kaiden’s complaints. (Help!)
I pat Marvin on the back with a chuckle. “Should’ve known Kaiden was going to do that to you.”
“KAIDEN!” Thelma barrels from the kitchen, wrapping her arms around the brunette and almost knocking him over. Kaiden yelps, barely stabilizing himself as he returns her hug.
“Have mercy Thelms.” The man pleads, breaking free with a laugh.
Her husband ushers everyone inside, loudly proclaiming, “That’s karma for you!”
The inside of the cottage is blessedly warm. Stepping into the house, the clutter of the living room fills my view, pictures of their family lining the walls and other knick-knacks on the tables and in the display cabinet on the far-side of the room, next to the two doors leading to the bedroom and bathroom. To the left of the front door is the kitchen, the sink filled with pots and pans and a dining table covered with food, ready to be served family style. It isn’t long before we’re all settled at the table, loudly talking and piling food onto our plates.
“So, Matt,” Thelma starts, patting my hand. I sit on her left, Marvin on her right, and Kaiden and Eric across from us. “How have you been?”
I shrug, getting a light, reprimanding smack on the shoulder. “I’ve been busy. I started my job today. Nothing special.”
“So, I heard that some pack was coming over.” Eric mentions, staring at me. I return his gaze, cocking an eyebrow.
“Oh…” Marvin laughs awkwardly. “Where’d you hear that?”
“Les personnes.” (People.)
Marvin sighs. “Well, I guess it was bound to come up eventually. The town’s been growing a lot recently and that caught the attention of the packs. First it was one or two of the smaller packs, but we worked out those. Then it was… Errmm. Who was it…” He pauses, thinking hard.
“The Lunar Fang Pack.” Themla offers with a gentle smile. I groan. Hard to forget a name that generic. Though, a fairly nice bunch.
“Yes! That’s the one.” Marvin returns a loving smile to his wife, clasping her hand in his. “Anyways, they brought up their concerns with the council instead of bothering to talk to us. The council approached us with two options: either we disband as a village and absorb into a pack or agree to be run under the packs as a neutral zone.” He snorts. “Assholes.”
“What other packs are attending?” Curiosity grips me, along with an uneasy tingle, slithering down my back.
“Well, Luna Fang, obviously, Democratic Crescent Moon Pack, and…” Marvin takes a deep breath. “The Nattedyr Pack.”