Bill W

I didn't think that faint line on the right-rear was a leg - I just thought it was something in the background, and it didn't dawn on me that this spider was an amputee.

Hmmm... date rape followed by cannibalism - the Hannibal Lecter special on the menu.

Its because I don't want the readers to worry that any Dalmatians were being harmed during the writing of this story.

Yes, the boys are considerate and have good manners, and you can see that it pays off.

Tony, join the club. I've shrunk a half-inch in my old age as well. I guess its not just houses that settle. As far as Devin getting permission to grow, the family keep a close eye on making sure that none of them stand out and draw attention to themselves, and a rapid change in height, say a half foot overnight, would do that. Devin was born a skinwalker and didn't have to go through a ceremony, per se. Just puberty. And I don't know if that was his 'normal' height or just the height his dad and grandfathers felt would be best as he went through high school.

I don't see why not, since the shaman indicated that it could be any creature that had once lived on Mother Earth. That's what made the boys wonder if Bigfoot was actually real, since they had been able to transition into it, or was it Gigantopithecus? And a T-Rex would scare the shit out of anything - even Louella Haskins.

The company probably begin in the 1970s, after the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) went into effect , and being a family business, it can be passed down from generation to generation, as long as family members are interested in getting involved and they adhere to any federal regulations. The family fortune was invested in stocks long ago and Devin's dad oversees that it keeps making money.

Good question. Maybe you should go investigate. You might get her to bake you a pie or a cake, or she might even offer you a poison apple. Muhahaha

Thanks, Paladin. I'm always writing so far ahead of what you're reading that I can't always remember if that was said in something I've already posted or something that's yet to go public. I'm glad I didn't give too much away before I took that response down.

Thanks, Al, and that would have been an interesting situation with Barry. First of all, would Barry have gone for something like that? And second, would the boys have taken him up on it? I guess we'll never know. Yes, coyotes are a problem in many areas of the country, and when you see a group of them, it's time to hightail it unless you have a rifle.

See what happens when you jump to conclusions. Especially when I'm writing the story.

Who knows? Anything is possible, that's what makes this st ory so interesting. lol

Anton , as you read between the lines, you may be right or you may be wrong. Let me give you some alternatives to think about. If you worked at t he same job for say, 100 years. Don't you think you might get bored of what you're doing and want a change? Heck, maybe in their next life they can go co college, or go back to college, and choose a different profession, and of course they'd offer their old business to a family member or someone they're close to. Devin's reaction might have been his attempt to convince Gramps and Pops they're not really old, at least not for a skinwalker, or maybe he's letting them know that he, and possibly even Mac, are not interested in taking over the family business and would prefer doing something else. There are other options I could mention, but I think I've made my point. You have to consider all the options when you're reading between the lines.

Yes, that's why Gramps and Pops chose that line of work, and Aason was a business major in college and you'll discover that he takes care of the books for the family business, as well as running a business of his own.

I'm glad you enjoy the variety of activities and emotions in this chapter. @Paladin, please forget what I said about Devin's height. I'm working far in advance of what the rest of you are reading and sometimes I get confused. That's exactly what happened in my first response to you. Please hold on while I erase your memory. Don't worry, it won't hurt a bit, and what you thought you remembered will only be a bad dream.

Chapter 07 – More About Gramps and Pops When we got to Barry’s apartment on Saturday, he was there with the same friends that were with him at the bonfire/pep rally and the last home football game. We were familiar with them, although we didn’t know them nearly as well as we knew Barry, but we said ‘hi’ to each of them as we entered. We then asked Barry how much we owed him for our share of the snacks and the beer, and as soon as he told us we handed him the money. “Thanks. I knew

Yes, you're correct when you say children aren't born as bigots. I like to quote a song from the musical South Pacific that is titled, You've Got to be Carefully Taught. The lyrics start out: You've got to be taught to hate and fear, You've got to be taught from year to year, It's got to be drummed in your dear little ear, You've got to be carefully taught. There are two more stanzas, but rather than me typing them out here, you should look the song up online. As far as certain religious groups, it's because the LGBTQ+ community is very visible and many of them are also outspoken, so their easy targetss to point to as being sinners, especially in their fire and brimstone sermons. I hope this information helps a little.

It's one thing to know your husband is a shifter and another to have him continually going off to do things with his father and grandfather, such as the runs in the woods and who knows what else, and then have her son end up doing those same things while she sits in the cabin alone. However, if they also do more things that include her as well, maybe she won't feel as bitter. I'm glad you thought the chapter was a lot of fun.

Oh, that looks interesting and I can wait to see it.

Yes, their time with the shaman has come to an end, and they got to meet his son before they leave. It was kind of sad, but it's also a time of joy, because Mac has finished his training and is now a skinwalker. He still has more to learn and he'll also get back to be with his family for a while before he has to return to college. Actually, this is the point where his new life with Devin begins.

Yes, that's how many native peoples refer to and honor the planet.

Are those opossums?

Cousin, uncle, child (legitimate or illegitimate)?

I'm sure it does, Al, and those are two more examples. I don't know how many times I've seen videos on the news of bears foraging in dumpsters on the outskirts of a city or a wolf hunting pets in city neighborhoods, even taking care of some of the strays. Humans keep encroaching on wildlife areas and sometimes the wildlife return the favor. Don't even mention what happens in the suburbs.

Yes, I'm sure dogs get caught in the trap from time to time, but then they're probably taken to the local animal shelter once released.