by Gerald Lopez
“It’s not safe for you ever to go back to your son’s apartment, Samuel. Humans may be watching it, vampires too. There’s nothing you need from there that badly.”
“I have savings and money available on my credit cards. A couple trips to the stores and we’ll be fine. Gerard and Deegan picked up some essentials to see us through for a week or two.”
“Good for them. If you need anything I can help with, just ask.”
“OK. Can you help me find a place to spread my kid’s ashes?” He chuckled.
“I’m getting very worried about you, Rory.”
“I know. Right now I can’t dwell on William too much or I won’t be able to do what I have to do. I’ve cried some and I’ll cry some more I’m sure. But at this particular point in time I just need help finding a place to spread my boy’s ashes.”
“He was family—our family. Mine and yours. So we’ll spread his ashes at the family cemetery where Momma, Daddy, and the others are buried. At the end of this dirt road.”
“That’ll be fine, thank you,” Rory said, his voice getting shaky.
“I hate the fact I’m the one bringing you bad news all the time. It’s just that—I can go if you want, I told you that before.”
“Would that make things easier for me or for you?” Rory said.
“I’ll get back to you with an answer when I figure out what it is. Rory, so much has happened in your life in such a short time. And… OK I’m just going to say this, let the chips fall where they may. You’re looking for something or someone to hang onto while you’re going through this, maybe as a way to avoid reality for a while. That’s normal, and I can be your friend, your brother—”
“My feelings for you go way beyond brotherly ones. But you’re right. I know I’m doing what you said. I’m acting like a silly schoolboy with a crush because it keeps me from dealing with the pain I don’t want to feel fully at this time when my kids need me.”
“I’m glad you said that.”
“What part?”
“The one about the kids being yours. You’ll be the only father figure they have.”
“When I held Aileen today I told her to give Dada a kiss. I referred to myself as her dada and it just about killed me inside. So I know what responsibilities lie ahead for me. I indulged OK. It was dumb of me to tell you all the things I did about myself. To tell you I jacked off to your photo. But I trust you and Gerard… and Cesare and the others. I’m scared, and trying to hang on for myself and for the kids.”
“I don’t even know the boys names,” Samuel said. “except that one has the same middle name as me.”
“That was William who I told you had the same middle name as you. But the oldest twin does too. His name’s Lochlan Colin Baker. His brother’s name is Sean Turlough Baker.”
“Those are good Irish names. Where’d their red hair come from.”
“The side of my family not connect to your side, William’s egg donor and the women on Anna’s side were all redheads. Anna was a natural redhead but dyed her hair black because of the whole goth thing.”
“I told William we killed Anna and her friends when they attacked us. He understood—I liked Will a lot.”
“People usually did like Will, but he had an ugly side too because of the drugs. I’m glad you got to talk with him and come to some sort of understanding.” He reached for Samuel’s other hand. “The guilt you feel is misplaced, Samuel. I couldn’t blame you more for what happened than you’re blaming yourself.”
“I’ve never had to kill someone from my own family before. Not even in the Civil War. But I have killed people before and dealt with it. This shouldn’t be any different.”
“But it is different because the kids and I are here. You can’t let go of the fear that I won’t be able to forgive your for chopping my son up. And I never fucking blamed you to begin with. Everything you feel is self-induced.”
“It’s even worse than that because I’m also extremely attracted to you and it makes me feel even guiltier.”
Rory leaned in close and surprised Samuel by kissing him on the lips hard. “There, now I can share that guilt and take some of the burden off you. If I blamed you for my son’s death on any level I couldn’t have done that. And I’m sick to death of all this angst—both yours and mine. Forget the romance, can we at least lean on each other as friends? Even if it’s only during this mourning period. You need to show me the ropes of being a vampire, remember.”
“Yeah that works for me,” Samuel said. “Let’s try something. I would tell you to kick off your shoes but they’re already off.” He stood while still holding Rory’s hand. “Hold my hand tight, we’re gonna go for a run vampire style.”
They walked off the steps but when they hit the grass below, Samuel began to run. Rory didn’t think about anything, just followed Samuel’s lead. It took Rory a moment to get used to the high speed they were running at. Things around them became a blur until he adjusted to everything. When they stopped they were at the family cemetery at the end of the dirt road on Samuel’s property.
“What did you think?”
“That was very different,” Rory said then looked around. Overgrown trees surrounded headstones that were in good condition. The ornate metal fence surrounding the cemetery area looked almost new. “Is your whole immediate family buried here?”
“Grandpa, Grandma, Daddy, Momma, my brother, sister, and their families. It shocked the heck out of me when my brother asked me if his family could be buried here. We had our differences, but I would never have told him no.”
Rory and Samuel walked hand in hand and looked at the names on the headstones.
“Did you and your brother not get along because he knew you were a vampire?” Rory said.
“He wasn’t overjoyed upon hearing that bit of news but I think he would’ve gotten over it, if something else hadn’t happened. He stopped by my house—as the oldest son I inherited the house and this property. When he didn’t find me he went out to the barn where Rafael and I were in the middle of having sex. It didn’t matter that Rafael and I were naked, my brother stood there and told us exactly what he thought. The words monster, heathen, and degenerate were used. He demanded a high price for keeping quiet about what he’d seen. I was never to tell my sister about my being a vampire or a homosexual.”
“And the other?”
“I had to promise never to turn a member of his family into a vampire. No matter the circumstance. I broke my word to him when I turned you.”
“But I chose this. He didn’t extract any promise from me.”
“No, but he did from me, Rory. And I’ve never broken a promise.”
“That is bullshit!” Rory said. “Pardon my language, but your brother played vicious head games with you all those years ago. And I don’t give a shit whether he was a relative of mine or not at this point.”
Samuel chuckled. “He wasn’t that bad really, just a man of his time. Things have changed a lot since then.”
“But you still feel guilty because of him. We’re going to go to Brennan Hall tomorrow so you can confront your brother.”
“Excuse me?”
“You and I are going to your brother’s big mansion turned museum tomorrow. Then you’re going to stand in front of his portrait, look him in the eyes, and tell him to go screw himself.”
“You’re serious aren’t you?”
“We’ll head there after we spread William’s ashes in the morning. The ashes will be ready by then, right?”
“Yeah. You’re kind of a bossy guy.”
“I’m a take charge kind of guy when I need to be. Does that bother you, because that part of me isn’t changing at this point in my life?”
“The opposite. I like it.”
“Oh… um we’d better head back before we get ourselves into trouble out here.”
“Whatever you say,” Samuel said and smiled.
“I feel something strange,” Rory said.
“Let your mind explore that
feeling. Open it up to see what it is.”
“A visitor.”
“Focus on him, the energy from his body. Let a picture of him form in your mind.”
Rory forced himself to relax his mind enough so that it could focus. “It’s the guy who killed Vasilius. He’s talking to Cesare.”
“Let’s not disturb them then,” Samuel said.
“Are all possibilities open to us because we’re vampires?”
“We’re able to use a larger percentage of our brains than regular mortals can. I guess our only limitations are those we impose upon ourselves. Some of us can run faster than others, jump higher, even float and fly somewhat.”
“Interesting.”
“Of course we also get a significant amount of strength and abilities from blood. If a vampire were ever to go on a blood binge watch out.” He chuckled.
“Absolutely fascinating. And you used the word ‘mortal’ instead of human.”
“I discovered the other night that you prefer that word. And Celia was right we are still human with all the feelings and emotions we ever had before we became vampires.”
“It’s nice here,” Rory said. “The entire property is so peaceful. Like an oasis in the storm called life. Uh-oh we’re in trouble now. I’m getting poetic.”
“When I first met you I got the impression you were more serious and stoic. But I think that was actually hiding your true romantic nature.”
“Maybe I’m a combination of all the things you mention,” Rory said. “In life I’ve had to be cool and aloof in order to survive. Down deep I want to be open and honest.”
“You can be that way around me… and the others.”
“I sort of have to be since all of you would know if I were lying.”
“It is sort of hard to get away with lying in our family. But we don’t send one another to psychiatrists.”
“Good. But you do tend to be a little closer than most families.”
“You get lonely when you live longer than most your mortal friends and lovers. Rafael and I had a fling before he met Roget.”
“Shit!” Rory said. “You knew that’s what I was thinking about.”
“Yeah and I also know you usually don’t curse much unless you’re uneasy and nervous. There’s no need to be nervous around me.”
“They’re handsome—Rafael and Roget. There aren’t many ugly vampires, are there?”
“Not really. Some of us are more average, but vampires don’t tend to turn ugly-looking people. If there is such a thing as physical ugliness. Everyone’s got different tastes, you know.”
“I know. It’s nice talking like this.”
“I’m enjoying it. For about two years I lived with Rafael and Roget in a sort of committed threesome relationship. We had a home in Rome and another in Greece.”
“Why didn’t it work out for longer?”
“This is where I belong. They belonged in Europe.”
“So you all don’t tend to drift around much.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Samuel said.
“What would you say?”
“We’re travelers by nature. Oftentimes we journey to new places or revisit old ones. And we can be inquisitive as a way of fending off boredom and to experience life in its fullness. Some of us travel in packs, others are more solitary. Most of us fall somewhere in between the two.”
“And how are you as a traveler?”
“I like to pack light and wander the backroads and hidden ways barefoot and carefree.”
“Could we be travelers together, or would a man with three kids slow you down too much?
“You’re already barefoot. The kids are little, we can throw the twins in packs and strap them on our chests. Aileen can walk a bit and when she’s tired she’s not too heavy to carry.”
“I’ve got some healing to do first though, don’t I?”
“Travel can heal the mind and soothe the soul sometimes.” He looked at Rory, who was holding his head down and he softly raised his head up by the chin. “You, my friend need a home first, I think. A real one.”
“Can I really share this one with you?”
“I already said you could make this your home. If you want me to stay I can.”
“I want.”
“Then I will.”
They laughed and walked around some more in silence.
“Life isn’t really all that complicated.” Rory said. ‘Well, all things considered. And who really knows what tomorrow holds.”
Chapter 28
Last Rites
BY THE TIME RORY and Samuel got back to the house only Celia and Monty were there watching the kids.
“Thank you for staying with the kids while we were gone,” Rory said. “I appreciate that.”
“Even vampire women are crazy about babies and your three are real cuties,” Monty said.
“I see you freed Aileen from her pageant wear,” Samuel said and chuckled.
Celia chuckled too, then replied while she held Aileen in her lap. “She’s much more comfortable in her pink footie pajamas. Believe it or not, Deegan picked these out too. All your little babes are changed, bathed, and ready for bed.”
“That big tough Australian and his boyfriend actually helped with all of it,” Monty said. “This property is fixing to look like a day care center any day now.” He laughed, proud of his own joke.
“That isn’t a bad thing, Monty Thomas,” Celia said.
“I never said it was, love,” Monty said. “In fact I have sweet memories of raising our boy. So sweet in fact I could be talked into raising a couple others.”
“And you men talk about us women being kid crazy,” Celia said. While everyone laughed, something popped into Celia’s mind. “Hold on, now. You and Gerard aren’t in one of your hair-brained competitions again I hope. Even you two wouldn’t involve children in your madness.”
“It’s not madness,” Monty said. “Gerard and I can be a bit competitive at times.” Celia stared at him and tried to break his resolve. “Alright, alright, you got me, girl. The Aussie may have said something about how his kids would rule the neighborhood. And that nobody could raise any child better than he and Deegan.”
“That snotty little ass,” Celia said, making Rory and Samuel laugh. “I have a good mind to take up that challenge. Although… I know Gerard’s probably all hot air and bravismo. If those two had a little girl she’d have them both wrapped around her little finger in five seconds.”
“Maybe we can require them to do that as part of the challenge,” Monty said.
“Good Lord, I can’t believe I considered the cockamamie plan for even a split second,” Celia said. “It’s definitely time we were going home.” She looked at Rory and handed him Aileen. “I’m sorry but I picked up on your thoughts without meaning too. I think I saw a simple navy dress for Aileen and some dark blue clothes for the boys among the items Deegan and Gerard bought. They should do for saying good-bye to your son.”
“The Aussie knew you’d want your family to say a proper good-bye and he made sure you’d all have something appropriate to wear,” Monty said. “Gerard’s a great guy and a handy friend to have. His instincts are always right on the nose.”
“I’ll be sure to thank him tomorrow,” Rory said.
Celia kissed his cheek and he could feel her loving strength reaching out to him.
Aileen held her hands out toward Celia. “Gaga, gaga.”
Celia held Aileen small hands and smiled. “Gaga will come by tomorrow to see you if your dada say it’s OK.”
“Any time,” Rory said. “Aileen’s not usually this vocal.”
“Well she’s probably never had someone whispering call me grandma in her ear for hours on end,” Monty said.
“Anna—Aileen’s mother had no family,” Rory said. “They’re all dead. Gang warfare, drugs, you name it her family did it.”
“Geez,” Monty said. “Living amongst vampires will seem boring to the kid after having come from a family like that.�
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“She can use a little boredom in her life,” Rory said.
Aileen looked at Monty and raised her hands in the air. “P—ppa! Ppa!”
“Looks like Celia wasn’t the only one trying to teach Aileen a new word,” Samuel said as he rocked a restless Lochlan in one arm and Sean in the other.”
“So sue me,” Monty said. “If the kid has a new grandma she needs a new grandpa too especially since her old one is now her dada.”
“The man makes sense,” Rory said and smiled.
“Before we head out I have a message to relay,” Monty said to Samuel. “Cesare and Janelle are spending the night at Gerard’s house along with Paul Gauthius. Some shits coming down in New Orleans. They’ll fill you in tomorrow. Oh yeah, and Rafael and Roget are still camping somewhere in your woods.”
“Thanks, you two… for everything, Samuel said.
SAMUEL LED RORY to the master bedroom where Rory was surprised to see the addition of a crib and a small child size bed.
“Gerard thought you’d feel better if the kids and us shared a room at least for a day or two,” Samuel said. “Or until you want to move the kids into the other bedrooms.”
“It won’t bother you too much, will it?”
“No, I’ll be fine. These two in my arms are starting to nod off. And yours doesn’t look to far from laying down her pretty blonde head herself.”
“I’m so glad they brushed out her Templesque curls,” Rory said.
“What’re you talking about?” Samuel said. “She looked cute. I used to love watching Shirley Temple movies and her curls were adorable.”
The men laughed then got their family ready for bed.
Halfway through the night the twins woke everyone with their crying. Amadeus barked loudly from his bed to alert Samuel and Rory to the situation.
