by Jodi Vaughn
He cocked his head and gave me a look like he understood what I was saying. He laid down and belly-crawled toward me. He stopped and laid his head on my running shoe.
“What? Is this your idea of an apology?” I asked.
He let out a pitiful whimper and tried to crawl closer.
“Get off my shoe, please,” I said.
He obeyed and scrambled to his feet, his eyes still on me like he was waiting for another order. I walked to the side of the street and found a stick. I picked it up and waved it at him. He didn’t budge.I threw it into the neighbor’s yard. Scooby sat there, still looking at me.
“What are you waiting for? Go fetch it.” I shook my head.
He took off at a run and grabbed the stick in his mouth. He trotted over to me and laid the stick at my feet. I shook my head and turned back to the dark street ahead. It was late, but I knew if I went home now, I wouldn’t sleep. I needed to run, I needed the distraction to get out of my own head.
I launched back into a jog that quickly turned into a fast run. I heard a howl behind me. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Scooby running after me. And he wasn’t alone.
He’d picked up the Walkers’ shih-Tzu, a couple of white cats, and a Doberman. I stopped and turned to face the parade of animals. When I stopped, they did, as well. They all looked up at me with expectant faces. I couple of black birds and an owl flapped through the air and then landed near my feet.
“Okay. This is weird.”
I took a step backward. The animals took a step towards me.
“What the hell is going on? Don’t you all have homes to go to?” My gaze landed on the owl and birds. “Or nests to…sleep in?”
They all stared back at me with glazed looks in their animal eyes.
“Look, I don’t know what’s going on here…” My voice trailed off. And then the idea hit me that they were acting a lot like Cal and Carla.
Shit. Could I also glamour animals? I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked at the Doberman.
“You, Doberman.” I looked in his direction. “Go get me…” I racked my brain, trying to think of something the dog could get me this late at night.
“Doberman, go get me a door wreath.” I crossed my arms and looked at the dog. I figured if I were going to order the dog around, I needed to see exactly what he would do. Door wreaths in our neighborhood were a source of competition among the wives. And they changed just about every month. No wife wanted their door to look unadorned.
The Doberman took off at a trot toward the nearest house. He ran right up to the iron glass door and placed his paws on either side of the large wreath.
The house belonged to the Jeffreys. They were a young couple with two children. Dana was Jack’s second wife, and rumor had it that Dana had broken up his first marriage. She’d gotten pregnant and forced Jack to leave his first wife and baby. Rumor also said that Dana was very jealous of Jack’s first wife and that she discouraged any attempt by Jack to see his firstborn.
I never listened to rumors or gossip, so I tried not to judge on hearsay. But after my recent experience, I was beginning to see Dana in a different light. A light that made her perfect life and her friendly smile seem more like a façade.
The Doberman tugged at the wreath of lilies and yellow bows on the door until it came off the hook. Grasping it firmly in his jaws, he trotted the prize back to me and laid it at my feet.
I bent and picked it up. A couple of the Easter lilies had fallen off, and the yellow bow had teeth marks.
“Ah, thanks.” I looked at the Doberman and then glanced at the owl.
“Owl, can you please go hang this back on the door?” I held out the wreath.
The owl picked up the wreath with its claws. The weight of the decoration caused the owl to dip a bit in the air.
“Scooby, go help her,” I said.
I watched as Scooby ducked under the wreath until it was resting on his head. Together, Scooby and the owl went back to the Jeffreys’ front door and placed the wreath back where it belonged. When they were done, they came back to me.
“Okay, so apparently, I can glamour animals.” I shrugged. I spun on my heel and began to run. When I heard small footsteps behind me, I stopped and turned.
They were all still following me.
“Go home. All of you.”
I shot them all one last glare over my shoulder before I continued on my run. I was too wired to try and figure this shit out. Right now, I needed to run hard and fast to release the emotions threatening to break through my skin like exploding fireworks into the night sky.
My feet barely touched the street as I ran as hard as I could. Even now, giving it all I had, I still wasn’t out of breath. The fast pace was easy for me. I could run all night.
And that’s what I did. I lost count of how many times I ran through the neighborhood. When I saw the little red truck that belonged to the newspaperman, I knew dawn was approaching, and it was time to go home.
I headed down the street toward my house. I had about an hour before I had to get the kids ready for school. A little less time before the sun would be up. Sadness hit me. The thought of the sun made me wish it could be night forever.
God, I was pathetic. I had a good life with two beautiful girls, and I was acting like a depressed woman. I slowed my run as I approached my house, my heart heavy. Maybe I would never walk in the light again.
Chapter 23
It was only a few more days until the dinner party. I had to go and make this work for my girls. Even if it meant swallowing my pride. I glanced over at the clock on the microwave. It read six o’clock. Miles wasn’t home yet. Today was his late day at the office.
I quickly put together a cilantro and lime shrimp salad with a strawberry salsa dressing for dinner. It was one of the girls’ favorite things to eat. I was fortunate that my daughters usually liked real food instead of just junk food. As a mother, it was one less thing to worry about.
Another sharp pain zinged across my stomach. I’d had these stomach cramps all day. So bad they even had me unable to sleep. I was exhausted and in pain. I’d tried to tell myself that it was stress. But I knew better.
It had been more than three days since I’d had Carla’s blood. I was running on empty and needed more.
“Is it ready?” Gabby hurried into the kitchen and sat at the kitchen island. We usually ate in the dining room, but on nights when Miles worked late, the girls and I gathered around the kitchen island and ate there.
“Yes.” I turned, and the scent of Gabby’s blood washed over me. My stomach pains increased. I doubled over in pain and gripped the island to keep from dropping to the floor.
“Mommy, you okay?” Gabby eased off the barstool.
“I’m fine.” I forced my body to straighten despite the pain. I slapped a tight smile on my face. “Is your sister coming down for dinner?” My cramps eased, but the scent of my daughter’s blood made my mouth water. I’d never craved something as much as I wanted her blood in that moment. My own blood ran cold, and I fisted my hands at my sides. How could I even entertain the idea of drinking my child’s blood? The very thought terrified me.
“Arianna is on the phone with a friend.” Gabby shrugged.
“Go ahead and fix a salad for you and your sister.” My voice wavered. I needed to get out of that room before something bad happened. Something I didn’t have any control over.
“Where are you going?” Gabby’s brow creased with worry.
“I’ve got to check on something outside. Just start eating without me, okay?” I gave her my best reassuring smile and headed toward the living room and out the back door.
I’d made it five steps before the pain stretched across my stomach again. I doubled over. I would have screamed if the pain hadn’t stolen my breath. After a few seconds of white-hot pain, the cramps lessened again. I managed to stand erect and forced my feet to move to the woods behind our house.
The sun was hanging low, and I’d forgotten to grab a hat or any kind of
protection against it. My strength was ebbing, draining out of my body with each step. I needed blood, and I needed it now.
I planned to slip over to the neighbors’ house through the backyard. I had no idea if they were even home or how many people were there. It was a shitty plan, but I needed blood, and I needed it now. If they did have a house full of people, maybe I could glamour them all so they wouldn’t remember the heinous act I was about to commit.
The distinct sound of a twig snapping had me freezing in my tracks. My heart thudded in my chest, and I slowly turned to see who was following me. A raccoon popped its head out from behind a tree.
“You scared me, you know. You should be ashamed.” If I’d had the energy, I would have narrowed my eyes at the furry creature.
He blinked and stepped out from behind the tree. He walked up to me and stood on his back legs with his paws at his chest.
“I don’t have time for this.” Pain launched itself across my stomach again, and I cried out. My knees buckled, and I fell. I tried to breathe through the pain as I knelt, but it was too difficult.
A tiny paw with sharp claws patted my back. Great. The raccoon probably had rabies and was preparing to chew my face off since I was in a vulnerable position. Just what I needed.
I lifted my head and looked the raccoon right in the eye.
“I need blood,” I spat out between gasps of breath. The pain wasn’t lessening. Instead, it was growing in intensity. The raccoon looked at me and cocked his head.
“Don’t you understand? I need blood,” I said again.
The raccoon cocked his head farther and leaned toward me.
“What are you…?”
He did understand. He was offering his neck…he was offering his blood.
“Look, little guy, I appreciate the offer, but I’ve never had…you know…that kind of blood before.”
I caught the scent of the raccoon’s blood. My mouth watered, and my stomach cramps increased. I had no choice. If I didn’t get blood, any blood, I would likely end up hurting someone.
“Fine. But don’t let me take too much. I don’t want to drain you.” That was the last thing I needed on my conscience.
I reached out and cradled his furry little head. He didn’t blink his bandit eyes and let me draw him closer. The scent of dirt and urine made me wrinkle my nose. It reminded me of Khalan. He’d probably been drinking raccoon blood too and didn’t tell me. Hypocrite.
I closed my eyes and leaned down. Fur brushed across my lips as I opened my mouth. I found his neck and bit down. Blood spurted into my mouth. This blood was different, I wasn’t expecting the bitter taste that lingered on my tongue. But I didn’t care. Blood was blood, and I swallowed down the warm, coppery fluid like a woman dying of thirst.
A sharp claw swatted across my forearm. I pulled back and hissed in pain as I looked down at the scratch across my bare flesh.
“You little…” My words dropped. “I told you to stop me from draining you, didn’t I? I guess you were doing what you were told.”
The raccoon sat back on the ground and stared up at me. His black eyes seemed weak, and I reached out to stroke his fur. He leaned into my hand, and I smiled.
“You go on back to your home now and rest.” I stood and looked down at him. “Thanks for the blood. Maybe, one day, I can pay you back.” I smiled and turned back to the house.
I didn’t hear any footsteps following me as I hurried home.
The sun was gone, and dusk was stretching across the backyard. Already, the blood had made me feel stronger, and I didn’t have any more cramps. My cells seemed to pulse with energy, and I bounded up the back steps and entered the house. I walked into the kitchen to see Gabby and Arianna eating their salads. They looked up at me and frowned.
“What happened? Did you hurt yourself?” Arianna frowned, her gaze on my shirt.
I scowled and looked at my hands and shirt. There were a few drops of blood on my fingers from where I’d stroked the raccoon. I looked at the spots on the front of my shirt.
“I cut my finger moving a flower pot.” I shrugged. “I must have wiped it on my shirt. I’ll be right back.”
I headed into the laundry room and tugged off the shirt. I squirted some stain remover on the blood spots, setting the garment in the sink to soak. I washed my hands and then headed into my bedroom to change clothes.
I slipped on a navy shirt and glanced at my reflection in the mirror to make sure there was no more blood. I grabbed my toothbrush and quickly brushed my teeth. For some reason, the raccoon’s blood had lingered on my tongue with a not-so-fresh feeling. Satisfied with my clothes and my breath, I headed back into the kitchen.
My girls looked up when I walked in.
I turned and grabbed a plate out of the cabinet and served myself some shrimp salad.
“You look different,” Arianna commented. She waved her fork in the air as her astute gaze studied my face.
“Oh, yeah? Better, I hope.” I averted my eyes and eased onto a barstool next to Gabby.
“You look brighter. Like you just had Botox or something,” Arianna said.
“Well, thanks. I think.” I gave her a grin. “So, how was school?” I hoped to change the subject.
“Fine.” Arianna dropped her eyes to her plate and began pushing her food around.
Gabby narrowed her eyes at her older sister and pursed her lips.
“What’s going on, guys? Everything okay?”
“Tell her, Arianna,” Gabby hissed.
“Shut up, Gabby.” Arianna glared.
“Tell me what? Did something happen at school?” Worry gnawed at my stomach, and I dropped my fork onto my plate.
When Arianna didn’t say another word, Gabby sighed and turned to me. “Elizabeth Grace is being mean to Arianna.”
“Mean? Like how?” A spark of anger flared in my gut. I hated the thought of someone being mean to my Arianna, especially Veronica’s daughter.
“She told Arianna that she was ugly and fat and that she’d never have a boyfriend.” Gabby scowled.
“What?” I felt my mouth drop open, and I suddenly wanted to rip out Veronica’s daughter’s tongue and feed it to the birds. Maybe give it to that owl.
“Gabby.” Arianna glared at her sister.
“Is that true? Did that vile creature say that to you?” My anger was palpable, and Arianna’s eyes bulged.
“Did you just call her a vile creature?” Arianna asked.
“Yes.” I stood up from my stool and walked over to my eldest. I took her precious cheeks between my palms.
“I’ve never heard you say anything bad about anyone. Even if they deserved it.” Arianna looked at me with incredulity.
“Yeah. You always tell us to be nice. Ignore what others say. You always say that…” Gabby had cocked her head and was clearly trying to tick off the many lessons I’d instilled in them over the years.
“Listen to me, Arianna. You don’t need someone like that in your life. If they treat you like shi…err, crap, then you are better off without them.”
“Who are you and what have you done with my mother?” Arianna raised her brow.
I released my hold and took a step back. Did they know?
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, you never rock the boat or make a scene. You always make excuses for other people’s bad behavior.” Arianna frowned and cocked her head.
“I do not.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I can’t believe you girls think I wouldn’t take up for you or protect you. You mean everything to me.”
“Ugh, Mom.” Arianna rolled her eyes and went back to her food.
“If someone were being mean to you and doing mean things to you, would you still be their friend? Would you still want to hang out with them?” Gabby asked.
“Of course, not. That’s a toxic relationship,” I stated.
Arianna said nothing but gave me a heavy side-eye over her salad. She set down her fork and looked at me. “Come on, Mom. Be real. You
would just suck it up. Like you do with Elizabeth Grace’s mom. You wouldn’t say anything, because you know she’d start making trouble for you, like starting a rumor or talking to other people about you behind your back.”
Damn. Arianna’s words hit home. How in the hell was I going to tell my girls one thing while I did another? Was I staying in my marriage because I was sucking it up and not wanting to rock the boat? Was I a hypocrite?
“You’re right, Arianna. I haven’t always been true to myself.” I swallowed and took my daughter’s hand in mine. “Starting now, I’m going to stand up to Veronica. And I think you should stand up to her daughter. It may cost me, but I think it will be worth it in the end.”
Arianna’s expression twisted. I knew that look. She was torn over what to do.
“Listen, honey, are you and Elizabeth Grace good friends? Or do you tolerate her because you are afraid of her?” I asked.
Arianna looked away. I already had my answer.
“What if she makes up stuff and tells my friends?” Arianna looked up at me with glassy eyes.
“If they are your friends, then they will know the truth. Besides, I’m sure everyone at school knows your character and knows what kind of person Elizabeth Grace is.” I cocked my head. “If they’re your friends,” I repeated, “they’ll still be your friends in the end.”
“Mommy’s right,” Gabby said. “Besides, if Elizabeth Grace gives you any trouble, I’ll punch her in the nose.” She balled up her little fist and scowled.
I bit my lip to keep from laughing. “No, you won’t, Gabby. No violence. That’s not the answer. If you want to battle, then do it with your words.”
“Ugh. That’s no fun.” Gabby sighed and laid her head on the kitchen counter in a dramatic display.
That elicited a tiny smile from Arianna. “I actually like Gabby’s idea better.”
My eldest looked at me, and we all broke out into laughter.
When dinner was over, Miles came through the door in a rush. He stopped when he saw me rinsing off the dishes and putting them in the dishwasher.
“Sorry I’m late. The office ran later than I expected.” He threw his briefcase on the island and scrubbed his hand down his face.
