Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Mr. George stays with us until the block is complete. I didn't expect him to. The ground is rough and uneven with surprise dips and drops. I expected him to help along the road part but to leave when the ground became wild. He didn't. I would slash a cutting curse at the ground, creating a narrow trench, and levitate one of the unfolded panels into place. Mr. George would nod and tell me if I was off and guide me as I lowered the panel. With him on one side and the kids running back and forth, we shuffled along as a group until I melded the last piece into place. I'll need to go back to raise the panels higher, adding mass to them to ensure they stay strong, but at least it's finished for now.
It took a lot longer than it would've if I had done it alone but it was well worth it. I don't think he believed me at first about wanting his help. He hovered back a bit while I dithered with the first panel but after I took his suggestion of where to connect it, he was more eager to help. By the time the last panel was in place, he was nearly shaking from exhaustion and leaning against the wall but not once did he hesitate to help.
The kids were somewhat less helpful. They were focused enough in the begining to grab the panels as I lowered them and help me set them. Then one spotted a rabbit peaking up from the grass and before long all three were trying to find the rabbit den. They didn't catch any but they managed to flush three small bunnies out to dart off into thicker brush. They then devolved into a game of tag before getting called away by Emma and Sophia to wash up for supper.
We finished late and I had to steady Mr. George during our walk back but he had a bounce to his step and his head held high so all in all, it was well worth it.
Dinner became a bit of a celebration. Brightly colored tablecloths covered the many tables set up on our deck and throughout the back garden. Trailing strings of white Christmas lights loop around the banisters, trellises, and up along thin tree branches. Some citronella candles burn brightly, placed in a rough parameter to keep the various nighttime bugs away.
The food itself is a little extravagant. Each table seems to have a colorful dish. Long green pasta noodles mixed with a cream sauce of white wine, garlic, and cheese. Fat pink and orange ravioli are paired with a lemon raspberry sauce and goat cheese crumbles. There are pizzas with mozzarella and bell peppers and fat jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese and bacon.
There is also the more normal dishes. A dish of roast ham covered in brown sugar and pineapple slices sits on one table. Bowls of mashed potatoes with butter and sweet potatoes with roasted marshmallows are spread throughout. There are dishes of sweet corn, green beans and ham, rich turnip greens, and creamy Mac and cheese. Baskets of yeast rolls and cornbread muffins are paired with cinnamon honey butter.
Overall, dinner was magnificent and clearly took a lot of work from a lot of people to come together.
Everyone is mixing and laughing. None of the groups are clustered anymore. At any table there is a werewolf next to a teen next to an adult then a kid. Friends sit with friends but people also change seats often to try other dishes. There's loud laughter and friendly conversation. There's teasing and sharing and so many smiling faces.
It reminds me of dinner at the Weasley's.
I wait until most everyone is settled back with full bellies and content smiles. Then I stand, a little awkwardly to be sure. With everyone relaxed and sated, they easily turn their attention when I call out.
"First I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this Amazing meal," I offer, stopping for the cheering shouts and clapping that follows.
"I know yesterday was scary but you all came together, worked together, and created this delicious feast for us all to share. I want to personally Thank Carol, who took charge of the meal prep and all of her helpers."
"I also want to say Thank you to everyone who worked on the downed tree. I know it wasn't easy, moving such a heavy weight off of the containers but Maddie, Nick, Tyler, and Jess didn't give up. They, along with Cody, Star, and several others spent the day chopping up the tree."
Again, I wait for the cheers to settle down before continuing, "I want to Thank Mr. George for assisting me with setting up the wall around a corner lot."
He blushes, chuckling in embarrassment but raising his chin with a bright, "You're most welcome, son."
"I know many of you are probably wondering why I was walling in that area and I did want to address that but first, would anyone else like to give Thanks?"
Several people do, in fact, stand and give Thanks. Many mention Carol who herself stands to Thank everyone who helped her by name. Some of the kids mention the werewolves and some of the werewolves mention various teens. Bailey and Amber both Thank Debra for all of her help chasing their youngest. A lot of people mention me and even the brothers get mentioned which makes Merle laugh and Daryl blush.
When that seems to be finished, I circle back to the walled in corner.
"As you all know, we have a pack of werewolves among us who have been instrumental in helping us get this place up and running. I know they have been worried about the coming full moon next week, as it could lead to accidents if we're not careful."
Best to frame this nicely. I don't want people thinking of werewolves as some slobbering human eating monster.
"Their transformation, as out of their control as it is, uses up so much energy that they are left disoriented and in pain. It also leaves them vulnerable since they will be running on animal instincts and not conscious human reasoning. So they need a safe place to spend the night where no one can accidentally get hurt and they can just relax and wait for the sunrise together."
There are a few looks that say they know what I'm doing but most everyone seems to accept my explanation.
"The walls I have placed have sectioned off a plot of land for them to use. It's an area that was already overgrown and seems perfect for their use. I have the walls currently eight feet high, buried two feet deep for added stability, and I will add some more height to the later. It most resembles a zoo habitat but let's please not tease or try to gawk at them when they are transformed. After all, you wouldn't want people to come gawking at you so let's be courteous."
More rueful smiles are aimed at me. I'm sure the adults all know what I'm doing but the kids seem okay with accepting this milder description.
"I will set up an entrance for them through the container at the gate so it's less likely anyone can sneak in and I plan to take watch for the first full moon, at least, just as a precaution."
With any luck, that particular prejudice will never get a foothold here.