Reluctant to interrupt her partner’s bonding moments, Bette studied the odd assortment of food items.  She considered the butternut squash soup, but put it aside.  The black olives and artichoke hearts were also soon sidelined. She assessed the quality and quantity of the available menu and thought it inadequate.  She needed guidance.

“T?”

Tina’s head was buried in the flank of one of her sisters as they play fought.

“T?”

When there again was no response, Angelica assisted, “MAMA!”

Tina’s head shot up and she looked at her little girl. “Angie, what’s wrong?”  Tina scrambled to her feet.

“Mama B needs to talk to you.”

Tina stopped when she reached the counter where Angelica was perched. “Angie Boo, do you want to play with your cousins?”

Angelica shook her head from side to side.

“You’ll get to know them better first, OK?”  The hug in which Tina then enveloped her daughter was very tight.

“Mama!” Angelica tried to slip free.

“I am hugging tight because I love you so much.”  Tina released her grip as she kissed her daughter on her head and moved into the kitchen towards Bette.

“I’m so happy, babe.” She pulled Bette into a quick hug.  She loosened her grip to turn and look towards the creatures scattered around their living room.  “I never thought that this would ever happen.”

“I’m happy for you, T.”

“What have you been up to?”

“I figured they were hungry, so I’ve been putting together what we could serve.”

Tina surveyed Bette’s efforts.  She placed her hands on her hips, and vigorously shook her head, disappointment distorting her features.  “Bette, how could you, after what I have put up with your family all of these years?” 

Bette nervously looked around the kitchen, wondering what she had done that was so very wrong.  She turned back to face Tina.  “I’m sorry.  I don’t know what I…”

“They’re carnivores, Bette.  Carnivores.  Not carb-loading marathon runners.”

Bette surveyed the cereals and macaroni and cheese and rice.  She hastily grabbed the steaks and chicken fingers, and hot dogs and held them up to Tina, “But this is all we have.”

“Then you have to go to the market.”

Bette had already considered shopping but had rejected the option since she was not going to leave her partner and child alone with a wolf pack, Tina’s relatives notwithstanding.

“Maybe we can order in,” Bette suggested as she glanced at the kitchen clock and pulled open the drawer with their file of delivery menus.”  She quickly rummaged to find those still delivering at 11:15 p.m.  Chastened by Tina’s tirade about carbohydrates, she rejected all of the pizzerias.  That left two Chinese restaurants and one barbecue joint.  She checked the menus.

“T, what should we get from Jake’s?”

“Barbecue?”

“They’re still open?”

Tina looked around the room, trying to guesstimate.

“Mommy, I don’t remember how much food everyone needs.”

All activity in the room ceased as Tina became the center of attention.  Bette and Angelica stared agape.  The patriarch and matriarch beamed with pride.

“What?” Tina asked when she noticed the shocked expressions on her human family’s faces.

Angelica managed to speak.  Bette was still frozen.

“Mama T, you sounded funny.”

“Funny?”

“Like, ‘gra grahwl grrrrah yip yip grewl yap welfr’.”

“Omigod.”  Tina’s hands flew to her mouth.

“Oh Pinky, you remember.”  Tina’s mother’s tail wagged frantically as she beamed with pride.

One of Tina’s sisters replied, “You should get two chickens for each adult and one for each child.  A rack of ribs for each adult. The pups can share.”

“How do you know what…” Tina puzzled.

“There’s a place near home.  We’ve seen what the humans get.”

“The ribs can be spicy.”  Tina struggled over how to explain.  “They’re spicier than coyote, but not as spicy as elk.”

“I love elk!” one of the brothers-in-law shouted.

“Elk gives me heartburn,” Red complained.

“Then I’ll take your ribs and you can have my chicken.”

Tina smiled at her beaming parents for a second before she turned to Bette.

“Baby,  twenty-seven chickens and nine full racks of beef ribs.  No sauce.”

Bette was still stunned.  She stared at Tina.  Finally, Angelica helped, “Mama B, Mama T can talk wolf.”