Chapter 8. Kathy Meets the Big Bad Wolf
Kathleen arrived at the Rothman mansion in Laguna Coast on Sunday the first day of winter ready to start working at her new job the next day. Remembering how he treated her when they met as teens at his grandparents' funerals Kathy was a little apprehensive of meeting Wolfgang again. But she reasoned if things got too bad she could move out and find her own place as soon as possible.
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"Aunt" Elizabeth welcomed Kathleen warmly and in the process she explained about Wolfgang's curse so that when Kathy met him it would not be such a shock.
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They both joined in a jam session he started.
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It wasn't until Wolfgang got up from the piano that Kathy realized he was in his werewolf form. Even though his mother had prepared her, Kathy was shocked at his transformation. Gone was the confident, handsome, outgoing man she remembered. In his stead was a tentative, grumpy , ugly beast.
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Wolfgang's table manners were non-existent.
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And when he sniffed her inappropriately ...
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Kathy let him know she would not put up with that.
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She knew she had to stand firm or he would end up bullying her so Kathy didn't make it easy for Wolf when he apologized. Amazingly enough that incident seemed to clear the air for them and they settled into an easy, friendly relationship.
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The next day Kathy went to work at her new job in the video game developer career.
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During the day while she was at work Elizabeth painted.
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And Wolfgang upgraded the plumbing and cared for his garden.
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Sometimes when she got home Kathy played computer games to keep her skills up.
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Other times she played chess with Wolfgang.
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The way he ate still bothered her but Kathy realized it was not entirely his fault.
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Kathleen and Wolfgang's friendship strengthened as they followed this routine through the rest of winter. Although Wolfgang was aware of his deepening feelings for Kathy, she seemed completely unaware of hers for him. As long as they stayed secluded from the outside world Kathy could hide from her feelings.
But spring brought new opportunities to venture forth into the town.
Wolf, Elizabeth and Kathy visited the Flamingo Club when it was the hot spot for the night.
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They attended parties.
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And went to the spring festival.
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Wolfgang's mother, Elizabeth, had a birthday and became an elder.
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One day on the way to the park they passed their new neighbor moving into an apartment right across the street. In comparing the tall handsome neighbor to Wolfgang, crouched over and hopping along the street, Kathy felt embarrassed to be seen with him. Then she felt ashamed that she let what others' might think spoil what they had.
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But nothing got rid of the feeling that their relationship was wrong so Kathy threw herself into expanding her circle of friends and acquaintances. She had allowed herself to be cut off from the rest of the world and she wanted to break free of the hold Wolfgang seemed to have on her. Kathy started going out in town on her own. First she took a guitar class and when she left the theater one of the aging population died. She took that opportunity to meet everyone there.
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Kathy visited Leon Brenner, the aspiring rock star neighbor, to welcome him into the neighborhood.
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When Kathy went dancing at the Club Flamingo she met Drogo Gamboa, a scientist. She attended a party at his apartment the the next night.
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Kathleen finally decided she needed to move into an apartment of her own to establish her independence. Although Wolfgang was devastated that Kathy was leaving him, he realized she would need to accept her feelings for him on her own. He hoped that by letting her go she would come back to him. Although it hurt, Wolfgang helped her move.
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To go with her new independent life Kathy got a new hair style and a new work outfit.
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Kathy threw a party where everyone had a fantastic, awesome time.
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The next night after her party Kathy went to the hot spot for the night, The Lincoln Lounge and Hotel, where Drogo showed up.
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Kathy took him home with her...
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where she asked him to spend the night. While Drogo thought of her when he slept, Kathy thought that this was an expression of her freedom.
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The next day after taking a class in writing for her work Kathy decided to visit the Rothmans since she realized that Elizabeth was getting older and would not be around much longer.
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After talking with Elizabeth and jamming with her and Wolfgang, Wolfgang asked Kathy to play soccer. She was quite impressed with his superior skills.
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Kathy visited the library to write. When Drogo showed up she went to talk and flirt with him. When he told her that she had him wrapped around her little finger Kathy realized she has not been fair to him since she did not return his feelings. Although Drogo was everything she could ever hope for in a partner something kept her from committing herself. And she knew that any couple with such unequal feelings would not last.
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Back at her apartment Kathy improved her writing for work by working on her 2nd novel. This time a sci/fi one. But couldn't seem to concentrate because she kept wondering how to let Drogo down easily.
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A few days later Kathy found out Drogo was already involved with someone else so all that worrying was for nothing. He must have realized how she felt by her lack of response to his declaration. So Kathy decided to go jogging to the beach on the last day of summer to get her mind off of everything...
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and to take advantage of the afternoon sun.
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