Visiting our parents was something of an ordeal, but, we felt, a necessary one. My parents were reasonably accepting of Teri and, I think, happy that ... had found someone to take my ex-wife's place. They were initially suspicious of Teri but were soon won round by her simple, open, loving personality. Teri's parents were less happy. Probably the best descriptor of them would be 'dour'. Tight-lipped, stiff, they were members of a small, independent, very strict, puritan church. Without telling. Cathy wanted her to either quit or to move closer to the erogenous zone that she was innocently avoiding, but was afraid she might choose to quit."We're good," Kim said, as the 'official' spokeswoman. "But it's you that's been causing all the excitement. We've been getting the third-degree from people all day about you and what you've been doing. I'm glad we finally caught up with you so we can get the scoop first-hand."Kim had started off looking Cathy in the eye, but as she spoke, her gaze. She apologized again, “I feel badly for dumping this on you, but I promise nothing will change ... and, of course, you’ll come to our ceremony. We won’t do a large wedding, but we will have a middle ground celebration some weekend in the not too distant future.”“We’ll be there – all of us,” I assured her and then we kissed.I had known I’d be saying goodbye to her that morning, but this felt different. I steeled myself and put my brave front on.Brita and I then walked back to the kitchen where. Bright tribal tattoos were painted or permanently etched into their fur.A few adults followed the hunters into the shaman’s tent. Mothers held squalling babies and curious toddlers, keeping them from pursuing their fathers and brothers. Inside, the air was warm. A soft fire glowed in the center of the ample space. Around the pit were furs and goosedown pillows for visitors. The shaman lay with one of his wives while the other worked at a loom toward the back.The shaman, an elder wolf of dark.