by S S Bazinet
“Of course, but I was smart about evading them. It took a year for them to track me down. And when they did, my running away added a huge burden to their guilt and pain, to what they’d already been going through with their divorce. It was a horrible mess all around.”
“What about your marriage?”
Carol shrugged. “It was so short that the guy I married was gone before my parents found me.”
“How did you get your life back on track?”
“It wasn’t easy, but I went back to school and got my college degree. I pursued graphic arts. It was a good choice. I eventually got a job that I really liked. Step by step, I brought order back into my life.”
“And I thought you were a naïve gal that somebody could take advantage of.”
“Now you know the truth.” She squared her shoulders. “So when you meet Arel, please leave out the hostility. He needs a chance to prove himself.”
Peggy laughed. “I don’t think I have any choice, Tiger Lady.”
As they got up to leave, Peggy touched Carol’s arm. “I almost forgot to ask about how you and Kevin are doing. I haven’t seen him lately, but he’s usually a clam when it comes to telling me anything. He says I’m too bossy with my advice.”
“You? Bossy?” Carol gave Peggy a good-humored nudge. “Anyway, Kevin and I had a nice time.”
“Did he call you after your double date on Friday?”
“Maybe.”
“Tell me,” Peggy demanded.
“I’ve told you enough. We’ll talk later in the week.”
“But I won’t have time to talk until I see you on Thursday night. I’ve got all this wedding planning stuff going on.”
“Then we’ll talk on Thursday. Otherwise, you’ll have to talk to your brother, the clam.”
Twenty
AREL SAT BACK in his office chair and did a couple of stretches. Michael and Abrigail had been right. He did feel better now that he was up and about again. However, glancing at Michael, who sat on the couch, he didn’t feel like he needed a babysitter.
“You’ve been there reading for hours. You don’t have to stick around, you know. I wouldn’t dare go back to bed.”
Michael put his book aside. “I thought you might like some company. You spend too much time alone.”
“I’m fine now. I have something to keep me occupied.”
“Yes, how’s the new website coming?”
Since his exposure to the world of computers, Arel found that technology could be a wonderful diversion. “It took a bit of study, but I think I’m well on my way to creating a site that will be interesting for people to visit.”
“What’s it about?”
“You said that I’ve got a unique viewpoint. Now let’s see if the world is ready to learn about the reality of the vampire world.”
Michael sat up straighter. “Really, you’re going to give thousands of people, maybe millions of people a chance to know things about you?”
“Hey, I’m one of a kind. Everyone is concerned about endangered animals. What about vampires? You don’t know any besides me, do you?”
Michael paused, looking upwards, as if he were saying a quick prayer of thanks. “Not off hand. But, I don’t understand. You’re a very private person.”
Arel snorted. “I’m not sharing my personal hell, not totally. That would be a fun website, wouldn’t it? I can see it now, a live online cam showing me crying myself to sleep.”
“You’d be surprised at how many people might share your feelings.”
“Forget it. Like I’m not depressed enough, all I need is a bunch of people contacting me, telling me about how they relate, telling me about their problems. No, all I’m doing here is expressing a few thoughts and observations.”
“What kind of observations?”
He crossed his arms. “Oh, I could go on and on about angels, couldn’t I?”
“I thought this site was about the plight of the vanishing vampire.”
“Exactly. And when I vanish, I want people to know how it happened, that angels aren’t all that they’re cracked up to be.”
Michael smiled. “There’s your sense of humor again.”
“Right. My Doomsbury comic will show all the gory details. Arel meets Michael. Arel bites Michael. Arel ends up in the alley where he used to hunt rats. Only now, the rats are feasting on his dead body.”
Michael frowned playfully. “Too dark, people need something a little more uplifting.”
“I tried uplifting and look where it got me.”
“I really am sorry about Carol.”
“Yes, Carol. Carol the flirt. Carol the backstabber.”
“Arel—”
“Fine, but no matter how hard you try to convince me that she’s nice, I’m not going there.”
“I haven’t tried that at all, have—”
“She’s like a loose cannon on the battlefield. No way am I going to offer myself up for target practice.”
“Have I once suggested that you should?”
He avoided Michael’s gaze. “No, and at least I’m grateful for that. Now go back to your book and let me keep working.”
Twenty-One
CAROL PAUSED OUTSIDE the apartment door, looking up at Kevin. “Dinner was wonderful,” she said, drawing out the words more dreamily than she intended.
Control yourself, Carol. You’re moving way too fast.
With her face going into a full blush of dismay, she turned to unlock the door.
Kevin reached out for her hand, foiling her attempt to put the key in the lock. “Come here.”
Kevin’s voice was soft, but there was a forceful undertone that couldn’t be ignored. She turned around to look at him again. His eyes were bright and wanting, making her blush a deeper red. Did Kevin feel the same excitement that she was feeling? As if to answer her question, he bent down and kissed her. It was a gentle touch on the lips, followed by a second, much more passionate exchange. When he released her, he stepped back. His expression shifted. He suddenly looked like the kid who had taken a cookie out of turn. He cleared his throat.
“I’m sorry. Too soon?” he asked.
She didn’t answer, but she knew that her smile told him what he needed to know.
Kevin reached out for her hands, staring at her with animated, probing eyes. “Where have you been all this time?”
She looked down at the way Kevin was holding her. Her hands were almost lost in his. His grasp was gentle, but she could tell he didn’t want to let go of her. She squeezed back. “I didn’t know that I could feel this way either.”
“Maybe we’re both finding what we’ve been looking for.”
“I hear people talking about relationships, and they seem so complicated. Can it be this easy?”
Kevin shrugged. “I don’t think I have any more answers now than when I was seven years old in Mrs. Burn’s class and she asked some tough math questions. But I’d like to think that love is easy.”
“Love?” She blinked back anxiously. “I don’t think we can be in love, not yet.”
“Did I say love? Sorry. You’re right. That is crazy.”
She bit her lip nervously and avoided his gaze. “It’s getting late.”
Kevin released her at once. “You’re right. I better get going. We both have to work tomorrow.”
“Yes, work,” she mumbled. She turned back to the door, trying to fit the key in the lock. “I’ll see you on Friday night.” She tried to keep her voice steady. She was afraid to say more, but she was thinking it.
Oh, my goodness! We’re both moving too fast! Love? At this stage?
Once she got the door open, she turned and waved a brief goodbye. Kevin seemed self-conscious too. He returned her wave, but he didn’t linger. He quickly started walking down the sidewalk. As he disappeared into the shadows, she closed the door. She didn’t want to think about anything yet. She threw her purse on the side table, went directly to her bedroom and started to undress. She was about to hang up her sweat
er when she paused and smiled. The sweater smelled like Kevin’s cologne. She buried her face in the soft fibers and inhaled deeply, taking in the lingering hint of balsam mixed with spices. The scent was magical, transporting her to an earlier time in the evening. For a moment, she was in Kevin’s arms again.
She glanced over at Charlie. The old bear was sitting on a nearby chair. “Could we be in love, Charlie? Do you think it’s possible?”
When he stared back with hard, doubtful eyes, she returned a defiant look. “It could happen,” she insisted as she placed the scented sweater on one of the bed pillows. “There are cases of people who knew right away that they were right for each other.”
She put on her pajamas and went to the bathroom. She needed a good night’s sleep if she was going to feel her best at work. She was about to grab her toothbrush when she caught a glimpse of herself in the vanity mirror. She hadn’t thought much about her oversized, floral PJs before. They were a birthday present from an aunt, and her practical side simply accepted them as suitable. But what if Kevin saw her in them? What would he think?
Oh lord, I look like I’m dressed for an old age home.
It was time for a complete overhaul. That meant a trip to the mall. On dates, she normally wore slacks or jeans. Some pretty dresses would be a nice addition to her wardrobe. And why hadn’t she thought about wearing some cute heels instead of flats? As for sleepwear, she needed some attractive lingerie.
The more she thought about changing her appearance, the more excited she felt. A whole new life might be in front of her, and she wanted to be ready for it.
Twenty-Two
IT WAS STILL early evening, and the dimly lit tavern wasn’t busy yet. Kevin had elbow room at the bar as he put down his beer. He gave Tim a quick glance. At six foot three inches, Tim was an inch shorter in height than Kevin. They were only six months apart in age, but Kevin looked up to Tim as a kind of older brother. “So, are you nervous? The wedding is only six weeks off.”
Tim shrugged his broad, muscular shoulders, but he smiled back confidently. “It’s time to settle down.”
“Settling down with my sister, that’s scary.”
“I can’t believe we waited this long. I’ve known you and Peggy forever. Hell, we all grew up together.”
Kevin turned his bottle slowly. “Yeah, the good old days. Now you two are taking the big plunge.”
“We want to get a house after we’re married.”
“A house? Do you know how busy you’re going to be? My sister will find so much crap for you to do. She loves projects.”
Tim let the threat slide off with a chuckle. “I’m looking forward to owning a home. I want to mow my own grass. I miss a yard after living in an apartment for so long.”
“Right. Consider how happy you were that summer when you were mowing lawns for extra money. I never heard so much complaining.”
“I was a kid. That was different. Doing stuff with Peggy will be great.”
“That’s the ‘love is blind’ part of you talking. Do you remember what a pain she was when we were kids? How she was always hanging around and bugging us?”
“We were pretty bad ourselves. We sent her on wild goose chases and made her prove her allegiance by eating a worm.”
“Yeah, I guess. But those were the fun times.”
“I don’t know if Peggy remembers them that way.”
Kevin prodded Tim with his elbow. “You really do love her, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I do.”
Kevin laughed. “Tim is going to hitch his wagon to ‘Peggy Leggy, Queen of the Beasts.’”
Tim was sipping his beer and choked. When he got his breath back, he frowned. “Geez, I forgot that we called her that. I remember the skinny legs part, but where did the Queen of Beasts idea come in?”
Kevin took a long drag on his beer. “That’s the part I can’t forget. What a nightmare, with Peggy hauling in two stray cats and begging Mom and Dad to keep them. ‘Just for a little while,’ she whined.”
Tim nodded. “Oh yeah, didn’t you guys have a lot of kittens for a while?”
“We had ten. Days after Peggy’s rescue, both those felines had babies. Their kittens were all feral hellions. Every time one of them got out of Peggy’s room, it turned into a Freddy Krueger. I don’t think that a curtain or a piece of furniture in the house escaped their claws.”
“Sounds like you had your own version of ‘Nightmare on Elm Street.’”
“Yup, and when Dad said they were all going to the pound, Peggy was worse than the cats. She threw a fit. You never saw so much screaming and pleading. Damn, Mom and Dad ended up having to find homes for every one of those dang kittens.”
“Hey, are you trying to scare me this close to the wedding?”
“Nope, you know Peggy almost as well as I do.”
Tim gave Kevin a friendly slap on the back. “That’s right, and I also know how you took care of your sister, how you protected her. You were always getting your face punched when she got herself in trouble.”
Kevin let out a sigh of disgust. “She had a knack for pissing off every bully in the neighborhood.”
“And you were always there, warding them off.”
“I couldn’t win an argument with her, but I was able to take on most of the bullies.”
“You looked like hamburger a couple of times.”
“What choice did I have? She’s my sister.” Kevin turned to Tim, raising his beer in a toast. “To Tim, Peggy’s new champion. I’m turning the job over to you.”
Tim returned the toast. “Thanks, but that’s enough talk about my upcoming event. Tell me about Carol. Did you two hit it off?”
Kevin started turning his bottle again. After a moment, he gave Tim a sheepish look. “You have to promise that anything I say does not get back to Peggy. She was always on me when I was dating Dahlia. It was like getting advice from a pile driver.”
“I know she can come on a little strong, but Peggy really cares about you.”
“I know. Still, I don’t want her in the middle this time, especially since Carol is her best friend. I want to have some space.”
“Got it, anything that you tell me goes no further, I promise.”
“Scout’s honor?”
“Scout’s honor,” Tim pledged as he gave Kevin the once over. “But I don’t think I’ll need to say anything. I know that look that you have on your face. If Peggy sees it—”
Kevin turned back to his beer. “What ‘look’?”
“You know,” Tim laughed. “I remember when I first saw that ‘I’m in love’ look. We were in the eighth grade, and you had a big crush on Stephanie Baker.”
Kevin’s face turned a deep shade of red. “I guess I can’t hide it. I really like Carol.”
“It couldn’t be because she’s blond and very attractive.”
Kevin’s flush deepened. “It’s more than that. She’s great. I guess we just click.”
“Good, but I better warn you right now. Unless you put a bag over your head, Peggy is going to know everything too.”
“You’re right. So it’s up to you to keep her busy with those wedding plans instead of pestering me.”
Tim finished his beer. “I’ll do my best. But you know that you’re damned lucky to have your sister, Kevin. That last girlfriend was a horror show. If it weren’t for Peggy’s so-called interference, you’d still be with her.”
“Yeah, but with Carol, it’s a whole, different story.”
Twenty-Three
THE LIBRARY AREA of Arel’s downstairs living room had a comforting feel to it. Over the years, he’d infused the space and his large collection of books with the fragrance of countless sticks of incense. Michael had suggested its use as a calming aid. The combination of reading and incense was perfect for relieving stress and escaping worries. Now, taking a deep, weary breath, he was too tired to read. It was five o’clock, Thursday morning. He’d worked at the computer all night. Finally, he’d had enough and withdrawn to t
he place he used as a sort of retreat from everything. But he couldn’t retreat from his thoughts about Carol. That evening she’d be sitting alone in some diner, waiting for him. But if he never showed up, it would be her just dessert for tossing him aside for someone named Kevin. At least that’s what he kept telling himself.
He closed his eyes and slowly rubbed his hand over the padded arm of the chair. Sometimes, the simple movement was a distraction. If he really focused on the feel of the smooth fabric, he could forget whatever was bothering him. Unfortunately, this wasn’t one of those times. Carol refused to be repressed by a simple hand gesture.
When they chatted, she was consistently sweet and agreeable. Had she suddenly changed? Did she really want to meet him just to punish him? His persistent excuse for feeling the way he did was brought up for inspection and shot down.
He’d only had two women in his life that meant something, Justina and now Carol. But he hadn’t really had Carol in his life, had he? Did online friendships count?
For me it did. And it did for Carol too. She wanted to meet me. I was the one who refused the invitation.
So he couldn’t even hold her at fault for getting involved with someone else. And he couldn’t hold himself at fault for refusing to meet her early on.
I couldn’t . . . I can’t.
He’d read about people like himself who had paralyzing phobias. His were getting worse instead of better.
How long has it been since I lived a normal life.
He couldn’t remember. Any semblance of a normal life had ended with the curse. After that, he’d retreated further and further from everything. Then there was the Michael thing. That wasn’t something a normal person tried.
And it’s all come to this.
He did a quick survey of his physical woes. At the moment, his nerves were as taut as strings on a steel guitar and there was a double bass drum pounding in his head. All in all, par for the course.
But lots of people are physically stressed. Think about all the drugs they’re taking.
Maybe, he wasn’t as bad off as he imagined. Plus Michael said he had to have a more positive outlook.
