“In this series of The DIY Guy, we are looking at the viewers, that’s you, DIY projects and how they are going. In this seventh entry, it stars my old friend Bob who works as a doorman at a four-story condominium in the city Gwennith, and is also head of the condo’s community garden on the rooftop. According to pictures, it was made using old sheds and winter car shelters. The areas where the fruits and vegetables grow are made using discarded sandboxes, truck tires, tarp and of course the ever so popular buckets and bins for potatoes as Bob himself is showing off. And would you look at that? They even got a license to raise chickens and there is his lovely wife in this picture with the flock. They have twenty-five chickens, and their coops are made using kid’s playhouses, and their runs are made from car shelters. Bob says that the community garden is a shared responsibility of which even the kids love to participate in. They even installed cameras, which is how they took their pictures, and other safety measures to protect the gardens and chickens. Speaking of which, in case the weather gets too crazy and dangerous, the community has a chicken rescue system of which the birds are taken to a reserved safe room inside the building. So far, they had to use it twice in the last month. Heh, that’s a pretty nice room. There’s even a little play area for the chicks. Right now, they’re talking about setting up a pigeon coop just for fun. Well, it looks like you’re doing great so far, Bob. Keep it up and if you do set up that pigeon coop, let me know. Plus, great to hear from you as always.” Carl then had the camera display himself where he sat next to a toolbox and a toolbelt “And that concludes today’s video which was sponsored by Grandman tools and housing project goods. If you need to fix or replace something at home, or are planning a DIY project of your own, Grandman’s high-quality tools, materials and more will make your job much easier. And if you need a hand cleaning the mess afterwards, Grandman also offers a junk collection service where they take the broken parts in to be disposed of safely or even repurposed. They’ll even take the broken parts you were replacing to begin with. With Grandman, no job is too big to handle. Thanks for watching, everyone. Like, comment and do subscribe if you haven’t already. Have a great day and I’ll see you in the next one, while seeing what YOU have been doing. Bye!” 

With that, he closed the video feed on the digital camera and sighed before going to check on his own chickens pecking away at the grass around the cabin. 

As he did, Joe came over on his bicycle waving “Hello, Carl!” 

“Hey, Joe! Just finished my latest video. Apparently, Bob took over my garden and expanded it into the condo’s community garden.” Carl showed pictures before turning to put away the tools and pick up the filming equipment. 

“Impressive! Do you ever miss the city, Carl?” Joe looked at the pictures. 

“Well, sometimes I do. I miss the people, but we visit them and they visit us. Also, moving here was the best decision for Katie and me. She had no trouble making friends here, it suits our lifestyle better and... you know it’s better for me to be here than in the city.” Carl held out his hand, morphing into being wolflike for a moment before changing it back. 

“And what about the last of what was left of your old life? Have all the legalities been settled.” Joe walked with him around the property. 

“It took me five years to sort it out, but yes. Paperwork is so damn messy... Anyway, I gave Veronica’s personal items to her parents years ago, and I don’t ask what they did with any of it though we are still on good terms. They are still Katie’s grandparents after all. To this day, Lisa still loves the Porsche I sold to her. As for the insurance money, most of it is safely tucked away into a college fund for Katie and an emergency fund for us which in way still goes back to Katie.” Carl shrugged as he walked. 

Joe shook his head, chuckling. 

“What?” Carl turned to him. 

“Katie’s right, Carl. You need a woman in your life.” his friend advised. 

“Hey, come on now!” Carl rolled his eyes. 

“I’m serious and so is she for a good reason. You did great for yourself and your daughter especially after what you went through, but Katie has completely healed and is now thirteen. She’s at the age where you can allow her some independence which allows you to have some freedom. Also, this is between us, but I’ve seen the way you’ve been looking at Stefanie.” Joe went on. 

Carl stopped blushing “... So I enjoy Sheriff Miller’s company, so what?” 

“Are you hesitant to be in a new relationship because of... what happened?” Joe’s smile faded. 

“No. It’s not that at all. I’m hesitant because if it was to ever get serious; I’d have to explain my family legacy if you know what I mean. And let’s face it, how do I explain it AND follow up with getting down on one knee?” Carl rubbed the back of his head. 

“You could always ask your father considering he did it and had a wonderful marriage to your mother. And he wasn’t the only one hence why you have a family tree at all.” Joe crossed his arms. 

“Good point...” Carl swished his lips sheepishly before his expression became serious “And... to be honest, it would be nice to have someone in my life in that way.” 

Joe looked at him for a long “Carl, pardon me in advance for asking, but do you ever miss Veronica?” 

Carl thought about it “I miss what she used to be and who I thought she was, but I did enough of the heavy duty missing while I was married to her in the end, so I’ve been over it for a while now. Though I gotta admit, despite everything... I’m still sorry things ended the way they did. I didn’t want her to die especially not like that.” 

“No decent person would.” Joe sighed “By the way, how are your father’s and brother’s travels in Europe going?” 

“Pretty interesting. Why don’t I show you, Joe.” Carl lead him inside. 

After preparing coffee, Carl showed his friend the stack of letters, some items, photographs and even newspaper clipping all arranged neatly into a folder. 

“Dad’s cross-country trip was originally a means to find Harry, but when he finally did, it lead him down another trail. It turns out, we weren’t the only wolfmen, or beastmen in general for that matter, to immigrate to North America. In fact, this is what Harry was doing while being absent. Researching the different clans, meeting with them and becoming part of a secret network.” Carl showed him the different pictures including one of an adult Harry next to some people in a picture and then another one with him and those same people in their beast forms. 

“So... the Mothman, Wendigo and even Big Foot...” Joe processed it all while looking at the pictures. 

“The reason we could never pinpoint these so-called cryptids is because they weren’t one single guy.” Carl showed him another picture. 

Joe took it in “I should have known... After all, my family knew about yours... but what does this have to with your father and brother going to Europe together? Are they looking to expand the network there?” 

“Actually, the network originated there, Joe. Their mission is to put together the lost history of beastfolk, so that one day, we can all come out to humanity and be accepted. So far, the wizard community has been coming out slowly for years and they have had success. It turns out the world is a lot more accepting that we thought.” Carl smiled wide “That’s good because it means that when Katie reaches adulthood, she won’t have to hide or have a difficult time meeting someone. At least, that is my hope just in case...” 

Joe looked at Carl for a long time before putting a hand on his shoulder “Carl, Katie won’t have to hide or have a difficult time doing anything regardless of whether she is like you or not, but not because of what Walt and Harry are doing in their travels. It is because of what YOU are doing for her right here as her father. Being human doesn’t suddenly make her perfect and being inhuman doesn’t make her imperfect. She is going to be fine.” 

Carl turned his head to him “I know you’re right, but due me being dad, I’m gonna worry no matter what you say.” 

“I supposed I cannot argue with that.” Joe laughs. 

“Well, I should definitely give dad a call in general to see how he and Harry are doing. I wonder if checked out that landmark clinic in Berlin while he was passing through Germany... uh... the... the Lavenza Clinic! The one where THE Dr. Prometheus was in charge of. Someday, I gotta see it for myself.” Carl started putting things away. 

“Ah, that place. I hear they’re making an upcoming film about Dr. Prometheus. Well, ANOTHER one. I hope this one is true to the historical facts for a change. I’m not one for Hollywood sensationalism.” Joe shook his head. 

Carl gave him a sharp look “You’re telling ME?” 

“I thought I was standing up for you.” Joe chuckled and Carl chuckled back “Anyway, I must head back. I’m expecting company tonight. My sister is in town with her family, and I must prepare the guest rooms." 

“Ah. That’s nice. Tell them, I say hi and if they want to pass by sometime, just let me know so we can be ready, Joe.” he put the folders back in the drawer neatly. 

“I shall. Give my regards to Katie when she comes home.” Joe shook his hand and left. 

Carl then turned on the crock pot for the stew and sent a message to his father to call him when he had the chance before proceeding to sweep the porch which now had cameras and some lanterns made from old oil lanterns. There was even a section where Katie liked to paint or do homework as one could tell from looking at the desk, chair, and wooden boards around there. As he collected the dirt into the dustpan, he noticed something on the lower side of the wall. 

“Heh... after all these years, I missed a spot.” he ran his fingers over the fake scratch. 

“Dad! I’m home!” Katie called out while riding her bicycle. 

“Hey, Katie-Cake! How was school?” Carl got up. 

Katie rolled her eyes “Dad, do you have to still call me that? Anyway, it’s math and more math and uh... Dad, I think something’s up with me.” 

“What do you mean?” Carl raised his brow. 

“I think there’s something weird going on with me dad. Like yesterday, remember I said everything tasted and smelled weird? Now, my hearing is weird. One minute, things get really loud and then next, they’re normal again. Like... right now! That way! I hear walking, but I don’t see anything!” Katie points towards the forest. 

Carl listens “You mean, you can hear the deer too?” 

“Wait, this stuff happens to you too, dad? Does that mean... I’m a...” Katie froze with her eyes going wide. 

Carl smiled warmly “Come on in, let me tell you what else to expect though it looks like you’re going to need to stay home for a bit." 

He put his arm around her shoulders as he led her inside the cabin. 

THE END