Page 16 of Thirsty
A bubble of laughter and shouts sounded from the dance floor before one of the teens shoved his way out of the group, followed swiftly by some of the adults. He looked like he might be crying—and wow, Charlie didnotmiss high school—but he was also walking strangely, with his hands over his arms and his shoulders hunched, like he was trying to hide his body. One of the grown werewolves was patting his shoulder sympathetically. “What’s that about?” Charlie asked.
“Ah,” Lorenzo said. “That happens on occasion. One of thepups gets too excited, and he...” He paused, waving his hands in a way that conveyed nothing to Charlie. After seeing his confusion, he added, “Transforms. A little.”
Charlie blinked, glancing back to where the teen was being whisked away. “They can do that when it’s not a full moon?”
“Well...teenagers, you know,” Lorenzo said indulgently. “They don’t have much control over their bodies, human or wolf.”
Charlie sputtered out a laugh. “Poor kid.”
Lorenzo smiled back at him. Meanwhile, a club mix of “Howl” by Florence + the Machine came on the sound system, and the baby wolves shrieked their approval. Charlie felt the sweet enthusiasm of the party warming him from the inside out. He was so glad he’d come.
Then a thought occurred to him. “Are there vampire mixers like this?” he asked Lorenzo. “To, you know...make alliances?” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
But Lorenzo’s face went cold and still. “No,” he said, and he didn’t elaborate.
From: [email protected]
Date: Feb 4, 10:53 AM
Subject: My In-Laws Are Neglecting Our Baby
Dear Crone,
My husband and I are proud parents to the sweetest, most adorable fur baby—he’s half doodle, half pug, and all heart. There were some tough moments early on with sleep training and behavior issues, but he’s thriving now. Part of that is the loving relationship he has with our entire extended family, including my in-laws. They love seeing photos and videos of him, and they were always happy to play with him when they came to visit.
That all changed a few months ago, when my husband’s sister got a familiar to help with her witchcraft. Ever since then our beautiful pup may as well be dead to my in-laws. They talk our ears off about how my SIL’s familiar can enter the void and levitate toy mice, and how cute it is when she cleans her whiskers, without ever seeming to notice that they never ask about our sweet boy anymore. They haven’t even asked to see a picture of him in over a week!
I’m sick of the favoritism. How do I explain to my in-laws that they can’t love one grandchild more than another?
Sincerely,
Furious Fur Mama
From: [email protected]
Date: April 23, 1:06 AM
Subject: Didn’t Age Well
Dear Crone,
I’ve been in a relationship with a wonderful woman for the last few months, but I recently learned something about her personal history that horrifies me. We’re both physically in our twenties, but she is a vampire who was turned in the early ’80s, and recently, when we got to talking about old times, she revealed that she voted for Reagan.
Crone, I’m appalled. We’re queer women, and I’m stunned—no, sickened—that she could have voted for Reagan when his policies devastated the queer community (not to mention THE RACISM). I’d been so happy in this relationship up until now, but this feels like a major red flag. Am I asking for too much from a partner? Or am I just going to have to accept the fact that, if I stay in this relationship, I’m effectively dating a baby boomer?
Sincerely,
My GF is Problematic
Wise Old Crone
How Do I Impress a Banshee?
I don’t want to blow this for my son.
