Police were called the home of Malcolme Landgraab three times last week due to noise disturbance. Each time the noise was due to a loud party, often lasting into the wee hours of the morning. Mysteriously, by the time the police arrived the only person present was Mr. Landgraab.
"It's a disgrace," says neighbor Denise Jacquet. "Some of us have jobs to get to in the morning."
Landgraab has been fined and given a warning that next time he will be asked to do community service.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Naughty, Naughty
They had barely gotten started when the front door opened.
"Peyton?" Malcome called from downstairs.
They jumped out of bed, laughing silently, he pulling on his pants as he hopped around the room, looking for his boots, she pulling on a bathrobe and putting a towel turban on her head.
"Just a minute," she called. "I was just going to take a bath." She headed downstairs to meet her sugar daddy as Drake pulled on his shirt and stepped onto the balcony.
He smelled smoke and saw the flare of a cigarette.
"Naughty, naughty," said Tika.
"Oh, hello," Drake said.
"Having fun?"
"Yes, actually. You gonna squeal on me?"
"Nah," said Tika. "I like the thought of my brother as a cuckold. I just followed to see what he got up to every Tuesday. Now I know."
"Your ... what?"
"My brother. Half brother, actually. He arranged an accident for me, you see, a long time ago, but some vampire rescued me--must remember to thank him some day--and I lost my memory on the way to becoming the living dead. But I remember it all now."
"And back to seek your revenge, I suppose," Drake said, bumming a cigarette from her.
"Oh, yeah," she said.
"Out to destroy him? Push him off a bridge?"
"Oh, no, nothing so boring as that," she said, with an evil grin. "I'm back to make his life a living hell."
"Peyton?" Malcome called from downstairs.
They jumped out of bed, laughing silently, he pulling on his pants as he hopped around the room, looking for his boots, she pulling on a bathrobe and putting a towel turban on her head.
"Just a minute," she called. "I was just going to take a bath." She headed downstairs to meet her sugar daddy as Drake pulled on his shirt and stepped onto the balcony.
He smelled smoke and saw the flare of a cigarette.
"Naughty, naughty," said Tika.
"Oh, hello," Drake said.
"Having fun?"
"Yes, actually. You gonna squeal on me?"
"Nah," said Tika. "I like the thought of my brother as a cuckold. I just followed to see what he got up to every Tuesday. Now I know."
"Your ... what?"
"My brother. Half brother, actually. He arranged an accident for me, you see, a long time ago, but some vampire rescued me--must remember to thank him some day--and I lost my memory on the way to becoming the living dead. But I remember it all now."
"And back to seek your revenge, I suppose," Drake said, bumming a cigarette from her.
"Oh, yeah," she said.
"Out to destroy him? Push him off a bridge?"
"Oh, no, nothing so boring as that," she said, with an evil grin. "I'm back to make his life a living hell."
Rivals
Jax Delacroix hated his best friend, Nicholas Sullivan, but nobody knew that but him.
Everyone loved Nicky. He was the kind of guy you could call at three a.m. because your car had run out of gas. He was the kind of guy who took the time to make strangers smile, hold doors for people, carry their groceries, scoop up a kid if he was about to get into trouble. Everyone loved him, and it didn't make any difference that he was the ugliest man alive, because inside Nicholas Sullivan was beautiful, and that's what people saw.
And oh, was he ugly. He had a nose the size of a Jack Russell terrier, a huge peninsula that dominated his face and made him look like a funhouse mirror. Nicholas was well aware he wasn't handsome, but it didn't bother him a bit. He made jokes about his own nose, called himself Cyrano de Sullivan.
Jax, on the other hand, was handsome. Too handsome for his own good, he'd overheard his Uncle Alec say one day. He had exotic blue eyes that were striking in his dark-skinned face, strong cheekbones and a perfectly sized, perfectly shaped nose. He could have been a model. He was charming, debonair, suave, all the things that could coax a young woman to his bed for a night or two, until he tired of her.
All of these things might have led another man to pity Nicholas, not hate him. Or even admire him for being so completely who he was.
But Nicholas Sullivan had the love of the one woman Jax Delacroix was sure he could not live without. Her name was Alexandra du Maurier, and she was as breathtakingly beautiful as Nicholas was ugly. A beauty who was hopelessly in love with her beast.
And so Jax Delacroix hated Nick Sullivan, his best friend since childhood.
And nobody knew it but him.
Everyone loved Nicky. He was the kind of guy you could call at three a.m. because your car had run out of gas. He was the kind of guy who took the time to make strangers smile, hold doors for people, carry their groceries, scoop up a kid if he was about to get into trouble. Everyone loved him, and it didn't make any difference that he was the ugliest man alive, because inside Nicholas Sullivan was beautiful, and that's what people saw.
And oh, was he ugly. He had a nose the size of a Jack Russell terrier, a huge peninsula that dominated his face and made him look like a funhouse mirror. Nicholas was well aware he wasn't handsome, but it didn't bother him a bit. He made jokes about his own nose, called himself Cyrano de Sullivan.
Jax, on the other hand, was handsome. Too handsome for his own good, he'd overheard his Uncle Alec say one day. He had exotic blue eyes that were striking in his dark-skinned face, strong cheekbones and a perfectly sized, perfectly shaped nose. He could have been a model. He was charming, debonair, suave, all the things that could coax a young woman to his bed for a night or two, until he tired of her.
All of these things might have led another man to pity Nicholas, not hate him. Or even admire him for being so completely who he was.
But Nicholas Sullivan had the love of the one woman Jax Delacroix was sure he could not live without. Her name was Alexandra du Maurier, and she was as breathtakingly beautiful as Nicholas was ugly. A beauty who was hopelessly in love with her beast.
And so Jax Delacroix hated Nick Sullivan, his best friend since childhood.
And nobody knew it but him.
Love on the Side
Peyton had everything she had ever wanted. She had a big, beautiful house with its own indoor pool. She had a pile of pretty clothes. She had a red sportscar. She couldn't quite seem to break into showbiz, but she planned to keep trying. She had a rich boyfriend whom she despised with every fiber of her being.
Well, OK, the last one she hadn't counted on.
Malcome Landgraab collected pretty things and then set them on a shelf, and Peyton was quickly discovering she was one of them. Malcome never spent the night. It was hi, how are you, let's go to bed, and then bam, he was gone. No dinners or romantic trips to Venice. Just her, in her house, like Barbie in a box, hidden from the world like he was ashamed of her. Or worse, bored.
And for that, she hated him. She hated the casual way he treated her, like she wasn't special. When she pouted he pointed out he'd spent quite a pretty penny on this nice house and if that wasn't good enough she was free to move out. So she'd try to pretend she was leaving, but he always beat her at her own game. And she'd end up backing down, and staying. And to get back at him she'd go out with some other guy, who, if he gave her nice presents, might get lucky. Peyton liked presents.
She was a little afraid of Malcome and worried, sometimes, what he might do if he found out she was cheating. She had seen his dark side and it wasn't pretty. Like when his long lost sister had returned. He hadn't been happy at all, and Peyton had borne the brunt of his anger. He hadn't harmed her, but he had frightened her. He had been so cold, so angry. And Peyton didn't frighten easily.
Oh, how she hated him. But she lacked the strength to leave. She was afraid to, and besides, this is what she had always wanted.
And Peyton had a secret. An exciting, naughty secret whose very touch thrilled her to the core. If Malcome ever found out ... well, he wouldn't. He just wouldn't. They were very careful.
So tonight as soon as Malcome was gone she lay in bed waiting, tingling with anticipation. She heard a poof outside and a knock on her second-story balcony door.
"He gone?" asked Drake Callahan.
She pulled him to her with a kiss.
"Guess so," he said, smiling, and tossed her onto the bed.
Well, OK, the last one she hadn't counted on.
Malcome Landgraab collected pretty things and then set them on a shelf, and Peyton was quickly discovering she was one of them. Malcome never spent the night. It was hi, how are you, let's go to bed, and then bam, he was gone. No dinners or romantic trips to Venice. Just her, in her house, like Barbie in a box, hidden from the world like he was ashamed of her. Or worse, bored.
And for that, she hated him. She hated the casual way he treated her, like she wasn't special. When she pouted he pointed out he'd spent quite a pretty penny on this nice house and if that wasn't good enough she was free to move out. So she'd try to pretend she was leaving, but he always beat her at her own game. And she'd end up backing down, and staying. And to get back at him she'd go out with some other guy, who, if he gave her nice presents, might get lucky. Peyton liked presents.
She was a little afraid of Malcome and worried, sometimes, what he might do if he found out she was cheating. She had seen his dark side and it wasn't pretty. Like when his long lost sister had returned. He hadn't been happy at all, and Peyton had borne the brunt of his anger. He hadn't harmed her, but he had frightened her. He had been so cold, so angry. And Peyton didn't frighten easily.
Oh, how she hated him. But she lacked the strength to leave. She was afraid to, and besides, this is what she had always wanted.
And Peyton had a secret. An exciting, naughty secret whose very touch thrilled her to the core. If Malcome ever found out ... well, he wouldn't. He just wouldn't. They were very careful.
So tonight as soon as Malcome was gone she lay in bed waiting, tingling with anticipation. She heard a poof outside and a knock on her second-story balcony door.
"He gone?" asked Drake Callahan.
She pulled him to her with a kiss.
"Guess so," he said, smiling, and tossed her onto the bed.
Here We Go Again
"Nwad," Henry asked mildly, looking out the window onto the darkened front lawn, "Why does a vampire keep knocking over my trashcan?"
She came to stand beside him and his entire body was aware of her presence, like a cool breeze on a hot day. He knew that was corny but that's exactly what she reminded him of.
"Oh," she said, watching the vampire's retreating back. "That's Drake. I'm sorry about that."
They went outside together to pick up the trash.
"Remember when I said I was an example of, be careful what you wish for?" she asked as she set the can upright.
"Yes," he said, putting the rest of the trash back into the bag, which fortunately hadn't spilled much, and returning it to the can. They headed back to the house.
"At one time in my life I wanted nothing more than a man to call my own," she admitted. "Now I realize I should have been more specific."
Henry laughed, and she smiled ruefully.
"I mean, sure, it was fun for the first ten years or so," she said, "Don't get me wrong. It's just, well, Drake's idea of elevated conversation is discussing the difference between a Ducati and a Harley, and his idea of culture is a football game."
They washed their hands together at the kitchen sink. Henry loved the way she smelled, like jasmine. They were alone. Alexandra was on yet another date with Nicholas.
"Just how long do faeries live, anyway?" he asked, amazed that she would shrug off a decade like that. Sure, there was the green stuff, but overuse had its price.
She shrugged. "Here? I don't know. Where I come from, forever."
Henry shook his head. Forever. What would that be like, he wondered. Would life seem more precious, or less so, if you had forever, if you never aged? It would be a bit like being a vampire, and that was something Henry had never wanted for himself.
"So, it grew old," he said.
"Yes," she said, snuggling up to him. "I love that you take me to art shows, and can talk about things that I am interested in, and that you are truly mine." She pulled back and looked at him askance. "You are mine, right?"
"Honey, I don't have the energy or time to cheat," he said, truthfully, and when she frowned he added, "And who would want to when he had you?"
She seemed satisfied.
They sat together on the sofa and cuddled, not saying much for a while.
"I am sorry about the trashcan," she said after a pause.
He shrugged. "No big deal."
"I would like to move in with you, I think," she said. "The toddlers are driving me mad. Luna lets River do whatever she wants and gets cross if I try to discipline her. And besides with two of them, there's always someone underfoot. It's not a big house, and there are too many of us there."
"How is Sparrow?" Henry asked, feeling guilty for not spending more time with the child, who was after all his grandson.
"Fine," she said. "Happy, I think. He and River are quite good friends, and his dad comes to see him often."
"Good," Henry said, distracted, not forgetting what she had said, but delaying answering her. Was he ready for her to move in? Would she one day cheat on him too? He knew it was in her nature, even if she said or thought otherwise. He didn't blame her for it, but he wasn't sure he wanted to get his heart broken, again.
"You do not answer me," she said, sadly. "You don't want me to move in."
"No," he said, "it's not that. I do want you to move in. I'm just ... "
"You are worried that I will cheat on you, like what's her name," she said.
"Maybe."
"Love doesn't come with guarantees," said Nwad. "And life is full of surprises. Who knew you and I would find each other again, after all these years, and that I would end up carrying your baby?"
"My ... what?!!!" Henry stared at her.
She smiled at him. "Your baby. I didn't want to say anything until I knew if you wanted me in your life for real, or not. But I think you do."
Henry felt ... he didn't know how he felt. But he did love her, and giving up present happiness for future what-ifs felt cowardly and silly. "Yes, of course I do," he said, and kissed her. "When can you move in?"
"Tomorrow," she said, "Only, I will not marry you, OK? I just ... faeries don't do well when we're constrained. We're much better if not. Do you understand?"
He smiled. "Honey, been there, done that. A piece of paper," he said, slightly bitterly, "means nothing. You want to stay, you'll stay."
"I knew you'd understand," she said, and then suddenly jumped up and ran for the bathroom, looking slightly green.
Here we go again, Henry thought, and followed her to see if she needed him.
She came to stand beside him and his entire body was aware of her presence, like a cool breeze on a hot day. He knew that was corny but that's exactly what she reminded him of.
"Oh," she said, watching the vampire's retreating back. "That's Drake. I'm sorry about that."
They went outside together to pick up the trash.
"Remember when I said I was an example of, be careful what you wish for?" she asked as she set the can upright.
"Yes," he said, putting the rest of the trash back into the bag, which fortunately hadn't spilled much, and returning it to the can. They headed back to the house.
"At one time in my life I wanted nothing more than a man to call my own," she admitted. "Now I realize I should have been more specific."
Henry laughed, and she smiled ruefully.
"I mean, sure, it was fun for the first ten years or so," she said, "Don't get me wrong. It's just, well, Drake's idea of elevated conversation is discussing the difference between a Ducati and a Harley, and his idea of culture is a football game."
They washed their hands together at the kitchen sink. Henry loved the way she smelled, like jasmine. They were alone. Alexandra was on yet another date with Nicholas.
"Just how long do faeries live, anyway?" he asked, amazed that she would shrug off a decade like that. Sure, there was the green stuff, but overuse had its price.
She shrugged. "Here? I don't know. Where I come from, forever."
Henry shook his head. Forever. What would that be like, he wondered. Would life seem more precious, or less so, if you had forever, if you never aged? It would be a bit like being a vampire, and that was something Henry had never wanted for himself.
"So, it grew old," he said.
"Yes," she said, snuggling up to him. "I love that you take me to art shows, and can talk about things that I am interested in, and that you are truly mine." She pulled back and looked at him askance. "You are mine, right?"
"Honey, I don't have the energy or time to cheat," he said, truthfully, and when she frowned he added, "And who would want to when he had you?"
She seemed satisfied.
They sat together on the sofa and cuddled, not saying much for a while.
"I am sorry about the trashcan," she said after a pause.
He shrugged. "No big deal."
"I would like to move in with you, I think," she said. "The toddlers are driving me mad. Luna lets River do whatever she wants and gets cross if I try to discipline her. And besides with two of them, there's always someone underfoot. It's not a big house, and there are too many of us there."
"How is Sparrow?" Henry asked, feeling guilty for not spending more time with the child, who was after all his grandson.
"Fine," she said. "Happy, I think. He and River are quite good friends, and his dad comes to see him often."
"Good," Henry said, distracted, not forgetting what she had said, but delaying answering her. Was he ready for her to move in? Would she one day cheat on him too? He knew it was in her nature, even if she said or thought otherwise. He didn't blame her for it, but he wasn't sure he wanted to get his heart broken, again.
"You do not answer me," she said, sadly. "You don't want me to move in."
"No," he said, "it's not that. I do want you to move in. I'm just ... "
"You are worried that I will cheat on you, like what's her name," she said.
"Maybe."
"Love doesn't come with guarantees," said Nwad. "And life is full of surprises. Who knew you and I would find each other again, after all these years, and that I would end up carrying your baby?"
"My ... what?!!!" Henry stared at her.
She smiled at him. "Your baby. I didn't want to say anything until I knew if you wanted me in your life for real, or not. But I think you do."
Henry felt ... he didn't know how he felt. But he did love her, and giving up present happiness for future what-ifs felt cowardly and silly. "Yes, of course I do," he said, and kissed her. "When can you move in?"
"Tomorrow," she said, "Only, I will not marry you, OK? I just ... faeries don't do well when we're constrained. We're much better if not. Do you understand?"
He smiled. "Honey, been there, done that. A piece of paper," he said, slightly bitterly, "means nothing. You want to stay, you'll stay."
"I knew you'd understand," she said, and then suddenly jumped up and ran for the bathroom, looking slightly green.
Here we go again, Henry thought, and followed her to see if she needed him.
Corwin
It's a boy. His name is Corwin, and he's perfect. He arrived in the middle of a sunny fall afternoon on a day when his daddy had the day off from work. Ten fingers, ten toes. Ellis held him and cried. He's feeding him now while I rest. We've been married two months and he still doesn't let me do a thing for myself. We're happy, just like I'd hoped we would be, and I know he's going to be a good father.
I'm a mother. I'm still in shock over that. In one instant my entire life changed forever. In one instant it was no longer all about me, or Ellis, or anyone except our son.
Our beautiful, beautiful son.
I'm a mother. I'm still in shock over that. In one instant my entire life changed forever. In one instant it was no longer all about me, or Ellis, or anyone except our son.
Our beautiful, beautiful son.
Taking the Plunge
Just because he's won doesn't mean I have to let him know. I'm enjoying being wooed. He's really good at it. I barely have to lift a finger. Right now I'm taking a bubble bath while he makes dinner.
Tofu isn't that bad once you get used to it.
I rise from the bubbles and pull the plug, feeling more like Orca than mermaid at the moment, and wrap myself in my favorite robe. Something smells good so I waddle to the dining area.
There are flowers everywhere. A woman sings in French on the stereo and Ellis has lit about a million candles. He gets down on one knee and holds out the ring, the one I threw back in his face all those months ago.
What can I say? I love him. It may not be the smartest thing I'll ever do, but I can't do otherwise. Not doing it means a lifetime of what if. What if we're deliriously, wonderfully happy? What if that little nagging voice in my head is wrong? I owe it to me, to my baby, to at least try to make this thing work.
And so I become Mrs. Lily du Maurier.
Tofu isn't that bad once you get used to it.
I rise from the bubbles and pull the plug, feeling more like Orca than mermaid at the moment, and wrap myself in my favorite robe. Something smells good so I waddle to the dining area.
There are flowers everywhere. A woman sings in French on the stereo and Ellis has lit about a million candles. He gets down on one knee and holds out the ring, the one I threw back in his face all those months ago.
What can I say? I love him. It may not be the smartest thing I'll ever do, but I can't do otherwise. Not doing it means a lifetime of what if. What if we're deliriously, wonderfully happy? What if that little nagging voice in my head is wrong? I owe it to me, to my baby, to at least try to make this thing work.
And so I become Mrs. Lily du Maurier.
Grief
London said nothing at the funeral, didn't even touch Spike, didn't look at him, and he knew that meant trouble. She was holding something in and when it exploded he had better be there to pick up the pieces. So he kept a close eye on her all the way home in the taxi and as they sat in their house, quietly, like regular people after a funeral, she staring at the fire, he pretending to read.
Raven and her boy were off commiserating. She'd be all right. Losing an elderly parent was a normal part of life. Sad, but not unexpected.
Losing a child, on the other hand. That was something else.
As the dawn approached London rose silently and walked toward the room where they kept their coffins, as if intending to go to bed, but she suddenly changed to a bat and flew toward a broken window and out into the approaching dawn.
Swearing, Spike ran after her, not bothering to transform, sprinting for all he was worth and catching her as she transformed into herself in the front yard. She struggled against him, hitting him with her fists, screaming and crying like a wild thing, finally giving way to her grief.
"Let me go, let me go, let me die, I want to die ... " she howled.
"No," he said, and he was crying too. "No, I won't." He started to drag her towards the house but she fought him. She had always been nearly his equal in strength and he was having a hard time getting her to budge. "Please, London, I'm nothing without you, please, luv, come inside ... I couldn't bear it without you ... " He repeated it over and over as he half-dragged, half carried her toward the house. "I love you, London," he shouted, finally. "If you die, it will kill me."
She stopped fighting and collapsed, still crying as he lifted her easily in his arms and ran back inside, just as the sun crept across the pavement toward their front door. He dropped her into her coffin and climbed in with her, shutting the lid behind them with a bang. It would be crowded, but he had to be sure.
He could not lose her too.
It would be the end of him.
Raven and her boy were off commiserating. She'd be all right. Losing an elderly parent was a normal part of life. Sad, but not unexpected.
Losing a child, on the other hand. That was something else.
As the dawn approached London rose silently and walked toward the room where they kept their coffins, as if intending to go to bed, but she suddenly changed to a bat and flew toward a broken window and out into the approaching dawn.
Swearing, Spike ran after her, not bothering to transform, sprinting for all he was worth and catching her as she transformed into herself in the front yard. She struggled against him, hitting him with her fists, screaming and crying like a wild thing, finally giving way to her grief.
"Let me go, let me go, let me die, I want to die ... " she howled.
"No," he said, and he was crying too. "No, I won't." He started to drag her towards the house but she fought him. She had always been nearly his equal in strength and he was having a hard time getting her to budge. "Please, London, I'm nothing without you, please, luv, come inside ... I couldn't bear it without you ... " He repeated it over and over as he half-dragged, half carried her toward the house. "I love you, London," he shouted, finally. "If you die, it will kill me."
She stopped fighting and collapsed, still crying as he lifted her easily in his arms and ran back inside, just as the sun crept across the pavement toward their front door. He dropped her into her coffin and climbed in with her, shutting the lid behind them with a bang. It would be crowded, but he had to be sure.
He could not lose her too.
It would be the end of him.
Sad Week
This has been a sad week. On Monday, Ellis's great-grandfather, Apollo, passed away. We went to the funeral, which was at dusk, a weird time unless your family is full of vampires like theirs is.
Holden du Maurier was Apollo's son, which means he broke up his own nephew's marriage. Lovely guy. He looked truly broken, though, standing with his twin sister, who is a vampire. She had her arm around him. They didn't cry, just stared at the grave.
Spike and his wife were there, standing far apart from everyone else. Apollo was their only child. How weird it must be to have your child die of very old age while you're still young. They didn't speak to anyone, just stood quietly side by side.
Both of Apollo's wives, his current and his ex, attended as well. They just hugged each other and cried. I guess if that much water has gone under the bridge it might seem silly to hold a grudge. What's done is done. I wonder if Rory and I will be the same at Ellis' funeral, which I hope is a long time from now.
The thought of Ellis dying made me panic and I realized how much I love him, how little I care what the future holds, and how much I want him in my life. I held his fingers and he squeezed mine back. Our eyes met and he smiled at me sadly, then leaned down to kiss my forehead. I leaned my head against his chest and gave in, finally, to the inevitable.
If he asks me again to marry him I'm going to say yes.
I love him too much not to.
Holden du Maurier was Apollo's son, which means he broke up his own nephew's marriage. Lovely guy. He looked truly broken, though, standing with his twin sister, who is a vampire. She had her arm around him. They didn't cry, just stared at the grave.
Spike and his wife were there, standing far apart from everyone else. Apollo was their only child. How weird it must be to have your child die of very old age while you're still young. They didn't speak to anyone, just stood quietly side by side.
Both of Apollo's wives, his current and his ex, attended as well. They just hugged each other and cried. I guess if that much water has gone under the bridge it might seem silly to hold a grudge. What's done is done. I wonder if Rory and I will be the same at Ellis' funeral, which I hope is a long time from now.
The thought of Ellis dying made me panic and I realized how much I love him, how little I care what the future holds, and how much I want him in my life. I held his fingers and he squeezed mine back. Our eyes met and he smiled at me sadly, then leaned down to kiss my forehead. I leaned my head against his chest and gave in, finally, to the inevitable.
If he asks me again to marry him I'm going to say yes.
I love him too much not to.
Reconciliation
"I'm a bloody hypocrite," I say when Scarlett opens the door. "And I miss you."
Her face crumples and she hugs me tight. "I miss you too." She releases me and holds the door so I can enter the house. "Come meet my baby."
Tallulah is beautiful, brown skinned and bubbly. I make a fuss over her until her grandmother, Jaden, takes her upstairs for her nap. "You two have a nice visit," she says, beaming at me. "I'll take care of Missy here."
"So," Scarlett says, looking at my bump.
"Like I said, hypocrite," I say.
"Does your dad want to roast him on a spit, too?" she asks.
"Pretty much." We laugh, though it's not all that funny.
"What are you going to do?" she asks.
"I don't know," I say. "I don't trust him, so I don't think I can marry him."
"But you love him," she says.
"Of course."
She sighs. "Tell me about it. I'd offer you a drink, but under the circumstances ... tea?"
"Yes," I say, privately thinking I may float away on a wave of Oolong. "Tea would be great."
Her face crumples and she hugs me tight. "I miss you too." She releases me and holds the door so I can enter the house. "Come meet my baby."
Tallulah is beautiful, brown skinned and bubbly. I make a fuss over her until her grandmother, Jaden, takes her upstairs for her nap. "You two have a nice visit," she says, beaming at me. "I'll take care of Missy here."
"So," Scarlett says, looking at my bump.
"Like I said, hypocrite," I say.
"Does your dad want to roast him on a spit, too?" she asks.
"Pretty much." We laugh, though it's not all that funny.
"What are you going to do?" she asks.
"I don't know," I say. "I don't trust him, so I don't think I can marry him."
"But you love him," she says.
"Of course."
She sighs. "Tell me about it. I'd offer you a drink, but under the circumstances ... tea?"
"Yes," I say, privately thinking I may float away on a wave of Oolong. "Tea would be great."
Henry's New Girlfriend
Henry's got a new girlfriend, Aurora's aunt, Nwad. I've seen them around town together. She's really beautiful. He seems happy, and I should be happy for him, but something inside me hurts.
I want to trust Ellis, but I don't. I want to be happily married to someone I know is sleeping in my bed, and no one else's. I know Ellis can't offer me that, and yet ...
Every time I see him I feel happy. He takes care of me. He fixed my toilet the other day, and cleaned the whole house, and even washed my car. I want to believe he'll be like this when we're married but I don't. I don't know that much about men, I'm the first to admit it, but I do know this: They like the chase. At least men like Ellis do.
But what happens when he catches me?
I want to trust Ellis, but I don't. I want to be happily married to someone I know is sleeping in my bed, and no one else's. I know Ellis can't offer me that, and yet ...
Every time I see him I feel happy. He takes care of me. He fixed my toilet the other day, and cleaned the whole house, and even washed my car. I want to believe he'll be like this when we're married but I don't. I don't know that much about men, I'm the first to admit it, but I do know this: They like the chase. At least men like Ellis do.
But what happens when he catches me?
Friends No More
Aurora is playing with her son Sparrow in the front yard of her house. It's green, the color of moss, with latticed windows and a greenhouse in back. I heard she shares it with her birth dad and his sisters.
"I'd like to talk to you," I say.
She looks up and frowns. I hate that. We used to be friends.
"Please," I say.
She shrugs, and leads the way inside, holding Sparrow's small brown hand in hers. He's really cute but doesn't look much like Ellis. I look up and see a man looking at me, at least I think he's a man. He's so perfect looking he might be a statue. The grown-up Sparrow, except for the eyes. His are teal like Aurora's, Sparrow's are violet.
"My father," Aurora says. "Fenris, this is Lily."
"Ah," he says, and takes his grandson by the hand, leaving us alone.
"Tea?" Rory asks.
"OK."
The house is nice, filled with plants. The walls are green inside the house, too, and there's a bubble blower in the foyer. No one's using it right now.
"When are you due?" Rory asks, handing me a teacup as we sit down.
"Four months from now," I say, putting my hand automatically on my stomach.
"Boy or girl?"
I shrug. "We'll find out when we find out."
"So," she says, "What's up?"
"I want us to be friends," I say. "I'm not sure we can, anymore, but I'd like us to try."
"Even though we both have kids by the same man."
"Yes."
"That seems optimistic," she says, sipping her tea.
"Maybe," I say, "but you already said you don't want him full time."
She looks at me.
"What if I do?" I ask. "I'm not saying I've decided, I just want to know."
She's quiet for a long time. Finally, she says, "You didn't come here to be friends again, Lily. You came here to stake out your territory with my man."
"Your--"
She stands up. "I don't want him full time, you're right, but be honest, Lily. If you know he's seeing me on the side you won't be happy. You're here to break us up."
I stand up too. She's right, but I didn't realize it until this moment. "So, you're going to keep seeing him?"
"Of course," she says. "There's the door. Don't let it hit you on the way out."
I changed my mind. I don't want to be friends after all. I want her to stay away from Ellis.
Her man. We'll see about that.
"I'd like to talk to you," I say.
She looks up and frowns. I hate that. We used to be friends.
"Please," I say.
She shrugs, and leads the way inside, holding Sparrow's small brown hand in hers. He's really cute but doesn't look much like Ellis. I look up and see a man looking at me, at least I think he's a man. He's so perfect looking he might be a statue. The grown-up Sparrow, except for the eyes. His are teal like Aurora's, Sparrow's are violet.
"My father," Aurora says. "Fenris, this is Lily."
"Ah," he says, and takes his grandson by the hand, leaving us alone.
"Tea?" Rory asks.
"OK."
The house is nice, filled with plants. The walls are green inside the house, too, and there's a bubble blower in the foyer. No one's using it right now.
"When are you due?" Rory asks, handing me a teacup as we sit down.
"Four months from now," I say, putting my hand automatically on my stomach.
"Boy or girl?"
I shrug. "We'll find out when we find out."
"So," she says, "What's up?"
"I want us to be friends," I say. "I'm not sure we can, anymore, but I'd like us to try."
"Even though we both have kids by the same man."
"Yes."
"That seems optimistic," she says, sipping her tea.
"Maybe," I say, "but you already said you don't want him full time."
She looks at me.
"What if I do?" I ask. "I'm not saying I've decided, I just want to know."
She's quiet for a long time. Finally, she says, "You didn't come here to be friends again, Lily. You came here to stake out your territory with my man."
"Your--"
She stands up. "I don't want him full time, you're right, but be honest, Lily. If you know he's seeing me on the side you won't be happy. You're here to break us up."
I stand up too. She's right, but I didn't realize it until this moment. "So, you're going to keep seeing him?"
"Of course," she says. "There's the door. Don't let it hit you on the way out."
I changed my mind. I don't want to be friends after all. I want her to stay away from Ellis.
Her man. We'll see about that.
Decor Wars
"I hate this house," Tika said.
"Good," Malcolme said, smiling for the first time since she'd arrived. "There's the door."
"Oh, I'm not leaving. It's just that is place is way too stuffy. It needs something new." Tika pulled a can of spray paint from her jacket pocket.
Malcolme looked like he might faint.
"Relax," Tika said, grinning. "This is for later. Unless you'd like?"
"No, no," he said.
Tika opened the door. "OK, you can come in now."
A troupe of people all in black carrying cans of paint, tarps, and brushes entered the foyer.
"What in the ... " Malcolme spluttered.
"Interior designers," Tika said.
"Forget it. No way."
Tika shook the spray can.
"Where would you like to set up?" Malcolme asked the designers, faintly.
"Good," Malcolme said, smiling for the first time since she'd arrived. "There's the door."
"Oh, I'm not leaving. It's just that is place is way too stuffy. It needs something new." Tika pulled a can of spray paint from her jacket pocket.
Malcolme looked like he might faint.
"Relax," Tika said, grinning. "This is for later. Unless you'd like?"
"No, no," he said.
Tika opened the door. "OK, you can come in now."
A troupe of people all in black carrying cans of paint, tarps, and brushes entered the foyer.
"What in the ... " Malcolme spluttered.
"Interior designers," Tika said.
"Forget it. No way."
Tika shook the spray can.
"Where would you like to set up?" Malcolme asked the designers, faintly.
Breaking it to Mom and Dad
Finally, I tell my parents. They sit in stunned silence for an unbearable age before Dad says, real quiet, "Are you going to marry him?"
"I ... haven't decided."
Mom puts her hand on mine across my kitchen table and says, "Whatever you decide, honey, we'll support you."
I can barely look at Dad. I'm afraid to see the disappointment in his eyes. But I force myself to look and all I see is concern. He starts to say something but Mom repeats, "Whatever you decide, Lily."
They stand up to leave and I watch them walk across my small front lawn to the car. I hear Dad say, "I want to have a talk with him."
"No," Mom says. "They need to work this out for themselves, David."
"Can I at least punch him?"
"Now, what kind of an example would that be for the Chief of Police to set?"
Dad mumbles something I can't hear as they get into the car.
I watch them drive away.
"I ... haven't decided."
Mom puts her hand on mine across my kitchen table and says, "Whatever you decide, honey, we'll support you."
I can barely look at Dad. I'm afraid to see the disappointment in his eyes. But I force myself to look and all I see is concern. He starts to say something but Mom repeats, "Whatever you decide, Lily."
They stand up to leave and I watch them walk across my small front lawn to the car. I hear Dad say, "I want to have a talk with him."
"No," Mom says. "They need to work this out for themselves, David."
"Can I at least punch him?"
"Now, what kind of an example would that be for the Chief of Police to set?"
Dad mumbles something I can't hear as they get into the car.
I watch them drive away.
Left for Dead
Malcolm Landgraab opened the door to see ... "You," he croaked. "I thought you were dead."
"Left for, you mean," Tika corrected, pushing past him. "Nice," she said, looking around. "Yes, this'll do."
"What do you mean?"
"You owe me, big brother. After trying to have me killed and all, I mean. It nearly worked, too. Took me a long time to piece it all together."
"You're a v--"
"Vampire, yes," Tika said, smiling to show her fangs. "And your new roommate."
"Over my dead body," he said, but he was trembling.
"Oh, believe me," she said, "That can be arranged." She pulled an urn out of her bag and kissed it. "Honey," she said, "we're home."
Malcolm looked disgusted.
"Oh, didn't I mention?" she said. "Vampire sister Barbie comes equipped with her own ghost. Now, where's my room?"
"Left for, you mean," Tika corrected, pushing past him. "Nice," she said, looking around. "Yes, this'll do."
"What do you mean?"
"You owe me, big brother. After trying to have me killed and all, I mean. It nearly worked, too. Took me a long time to piece it all together."
"You're a v--"
"Vampire, yes," Tika said, smiling to show her fangs. "And your new roommate."
"Over my dead body," he said, but he was trembling.
"Oh, believe me," she said, "That can be arranged." She pulled an urn out of her bag and kissed it. "Honey," she said, "we're home."
Malcolm looked disgusted.
"Oh, didn't I mention?" she said. "Vampire sister Barbie comes equipped with her own ghost. Now, where's my room?"
Lily Makes a Discovery
I found out what Peyton's been up to. And may I just say, I'm not really all that surprised. A little shocked, yes. Surprised, no.
She's got herself a sugar daddy. He's set her up in a nice house downtown, a huge townhouse all to her little lonesome. Wonder if he's the only Richie Rich on her string ...
Meow, I know. But I can't stand that woman.
Speaking of men of mystery, I finally found out who the father of Scarlett's baby is. Ellis told me that his dad told him because it turns out that the daddy is ... Ellis's uncle, Ivan Gorey.
I hear Scarlett's dad is out for blood.
She's got herself a sugar daddy. He's set her up in a nice house downtown, a huge townhouse all to her little lonesome. Wonder if he's the only Richie Rich on her string ...
Meow, I know. But I can't stand that woman.
Speaking of men of mystery, I finally found out who the father of Scarlett's baby is. Ellis told me that his dad told him because it turns out that the daddy is ... Ellis's uncle, Ivan Gorey.
I hear Scarlett's dad is out for blood.
Life with a Teenager
Alexandra wasn't mad at him. He'd been worried she might be, but all she said after Nwad had sashayed into the bathroom, having decided to stay the night after all, was, "That your new girlfriend?"
"Possibly."
"Good for you." She kissed his forehead. "Don't wait up. Nick is taking me to the late show." She and Nicholas Sullivan had been seeing a lot of each other, lately.
"Come home right after," he said. "I will wait up."
She sighed. "Yes, Daddy. Have fuuuun," she sang, running out the door as Nick honked the horn.
"Smart aleck," he said, but he smiled.
"Possibly."
"Good for you." She kissed his forehead. "Don't wait up. Nick is taking me to the late show." She and Nicholas Sullivan had been seeing a lot of each other, lately.
"Come home right after," he said. "I will wait up."
She sighed. "Yes, Daddy. Have fuuuun," she sang, running out the door as Nick honked the horn.
"Smart aleck," he said, but he smiled.
Inevitable
Somehow they ended up in bed. Somehow, with Nwad, he always seemed to end up in her bed. Only this time it was his bed, in the new house he shared with Alexandra. Nwad got up and started rummaging for her clothes.
"What's your rush?" he asked. "Stay for breakfast."
She eyed him askance. "Nice guys always say that, but what they really mean is, that was fun but so long."
"I'm not that nice."
"Oh, yes, you are, Henry."
"Too nice?"
She smiled at him, tipping her head to one side. "Uh, no, I wouldn't go that far."
"Good." He reached for her and pulled her, laughing, back into the bed.
"What's your rush?" he asked. "Stay for breakfast."
She eyed him askance. "Nice guys always say that, but what they really mean is, that was fun but so long."
"I'm not that nice."
"Oh, yes, you are, Henry."
"Too nice?"
She smiled at him, tipping her head to one side. "Uh, no, I wouldn't go that far."
"Good." He reached for her and pulled her, laughing, back into the bed.
Drinking Buddies
"Hey, Henry," said a familiar voice. He looked up to see Nwad, who took the stool next to his and ordered a beer of her own. She drank a swig and made a face. "Bleeaaah."
"Why do you drink it, then?"
"I wanted to see what all the fuss was about."
"And?"
"Bartender? Martini, please."
Henry smiled. "It's been a while. How've you been?"
She shrugged. "Fine."
"Uh-huh."
She sighed. "Ever hear of be careful what you wish for? I'm a walking example."
"How so?"
"I don't want to talk about it. What about you? Last I heard you married some sweet girl and settled down to have babies."
He frowned. "I don't want to talk about it."
She tipped her martini glass to his bottle in a toast. "Here's to not talking about it."
"I'll drink to that."
"Why do you drink it, then?"
"I wanted to see what all the fuss was about."
"And?"
"Bartender? Martini, please."
Henry smiled. "It's been a while. How've you been?"
She shrugged. "Fine."
"Uh-huh."
She sighed. "Ever hear of be careful what you wish for? I'm a walking example."
"How so?"
"I don't want to talk about it. What about you? Last I heard you married some sweet girl and settled down to have babies."
He frowned. "I don't want to talk about it."
She tipped her martini glass to his bottle in a toast. "Here's to not talking about it."
"I'll drink to that."
Birth Announcements
Emily and Matthew Hourvitz are proud to announce the arrival of their twin sons, Aaron and Moses, born this week. Mother and sons are doing well. Emily's parents are popular Broadway star Spencer Kane and Senator Skylar Nova Kane. Matthew is the son of renowned artist Blossom Moonbeam Hourvitz and businessman Jake Hourvitz.
Alexandra's Sweet Sixteen
Alexandra has a birthday party, and Ellis begs me to attend, though I'd rather do just about anything else. Things are strained and awkward between Ellis and Henry, though they refrain from arguing for the birthday girl's sake.
"Happy birthday," I say to Alexandra. We're standing apart from the others, having cake.
She glares at me. "I don't like you," she says. "You're the reason my dad and my brother aren't speaking."
"I wouldn't like me either," I say sadly and walk away. I knew coming was a mistake.
"You OK?" Ellis asks, rubbing my back.
I nod. Stupid pregnancy. Everything seems like such a drama. I wipe my eyes.
Alexandra's back, looking mulish. "My dad says I owe you an apology," she says.
"No," I say, "I think I owe you one."
She stares at me as I turn to Ellis.
"Can you take me home now, please?" I ask.
He puts his arm around my shoulders and we leave.
"Happy birthday," I say to Alexandra. We're standing apart from the others, having cake.
She glares at me. "I don't like you," she says. "You're the reason my dad and my brother aren't speaking."
"I wouldn't like me either," I say sadly and walk away. I knew coming was a mistake.
"You OK?" Ellis asks, rubbing my back.
I nod. Stupid pregnancy. Everything seems like such a drama. I wipe my eyes.
Alexandra's back, looking mulish. "My dad says I owe you an apology," she says.
"No," I say, "I think I owe you one."
She stares at me as I turn to Ellis.
"Can you take me home now, please?" I ask.
He puts his arm around my shoulders and we leave.
Cops Bust Up Mayor's Birthday Bash
Mayor Max du Maurier threw a huge birthday bash last Saturday night for his 55th birthday. No fewer than 40 people, most of whom are related to His Honor, appeared.
The party got out of hand and was broken up by a rookie policewoman who immediately realized her mistake ... after all, dignitaries can party all they like.
Mayor Max is reported as saying with a wink he'd have been disappointed if the party hadn't been broken up. Those of you too young to remember may be surprised to know our beloved leader was once known as a trouble making punk.
The party got out of hand and was broken up by a rookie policewoman who immediately realized her mistake ... after all, dignitaries can party all they like.
Mayor Max is reported as saying with a wink he'd have been disappointed if the party hadn't been broken up. Those of you too young to remember may be surprised to know our beloved leader was once known as a trouble making punk.
Goodbye Cap'n Crunch
It's 8 a.m. and my garden has been weeded. It wasn't weeded before and now it is. And someone who wasn't me paid my electric bill, and raked my lawn.
The doorbell rings. It's Ellis, with a bag of groceries. "May I come in?"
I stand aside, sleepy and not in the mood for a fight. He starts going through my fridge. "Just as I thought," he mutters, and throws out my chocolate milk.
"Hey!" I shout. "I NEED that."
"No, you don't," he says, putting what looks suspiciously like tofu into my crisper. Have I mentioned he's a health food nut? Drives me insane.
"I'm not gonna eat that," I whine, and shuffle to the coffee maker.
"Trust me, you'll love it once I've worked my magic on it." He slaps my hand as I reach for the filters.
"Ow." I nurse my fingers.
"Coffee is poison for the baby, idiot," he says. "Sit. I'll make you some tea."
"Well, aren't you just a barrel of fun," I mutter, but I sit down.
He feeds me breakfast, some kind of not-quite-an-omelet which I would rather die than admit I like. I closed my eyes so I wouldn't see him add the tofu.
"I don't remember inviting you to invade my life," I say.
"Tough." He grins at me, an evil grin. "You're stuck with me."
"Lucky me." I moan and drink my tea. Great. Health food Harry's on the job.
Guess that means goodbye Cap'n Crunch.
The doorbell rings. It's Ellis, with a bag of groceries. "May I come in?"
I stand aside, sleepy and not in the mood for a fight. He starts going through my fridge. "Just as I thought," he mutters, and throws out my chocolate milk.
"Hey!" I shout. "I NEED that."
"No, you don't," he says, putting what looks suspiciously like tofu into my crisper. Have I mentioned he's a health food nut? Drives me insane.
"I'm not gonna eat that," I whine, and shuffle to the coffee maker.
"Trust me, you'll love it once I've worked my magic on it." He slaps my hand as I reach for the filters.
"Ow." I nurse my fingers.
"Coffee is poison for the baby, idiot," he says. "Sit. I'll make you some tea."
"Well, aren't you just a barrel of fun," I mutter, but I sit down.
He feeds me breakfast, some kind of not-quite-an-omelet which I would rather die than admit I like. I closed my eyes so I wouldn't see him add the tofu.
"I don't remember inviting you to invade my life," I say.
"Tough." He grins at me, an evil grin. "You're stuck with me."
"Lucky me." I moan and drink my tea. Great. Health food Harry's on the job.
Guess that means goodbye Cap'n Crunch.
Tea and Conversation
We sit at my new kitchen table for the longest time. I made tea. It’s what my mom always does when company comes.
“I miss you,” he says finally, putting his hand on mine.
I can’t help it. My eyes fill with tears. It would be so easy to just forgive and forget. Everything would be so much better if we were back together. But then I remember why I left and I withdraw my hands.
“How have you been?” he asks.
“Pregnant,” I say, and get up to take our cups to the sink.
There’s a stunned silence behind me. I hear his chair scrape the floor and his hands are on my shoulders. “What?”
“Congratulations,” I say bitterly. “You’re going to be a daddy. Again.”
He turns me to face him. He looks shaken, but his eyes are full of concern. “You OK?”
I shrug.
“Lily.”
“Yes, everything’s fine. I just … barf a lot, is all.”
“Marry me,” he says.
“Ellis, we’ve been through this.”
“Everything I’ve done, I’ll make it up to you,” he says. “I promise. Just marry me and I promise it will all be OK.”
I want to believe him. I really do. “What about your other family?”
“Rory gets ill at the very idea of a permanent man in her life. She told me so. She wants me to be there for Sparrow, but she doesn’t want me to live with them. I offered because that was the right thing to do, but she doesn’t want it any more than I do.”
“And yet, you love her. And you have a kid with her. And how do I know there won’t be more? How do I know you won’t be with someone else every time I turn my back?”
“All I can do is promise I’ll be faithful. It’s up to you whether you believe that or not.”
“I don’t,” I say. “I wish I did, but I don’t.”
He bites his lip. I can tell he’s making an effort not to say something.
“Just go, Ellis,” I say. I just want to cry, I’m so tired. “Just go. I’m tired and I can’t think about this right now.”
“Get some sleep,” he says, and leaves.
“I miss you,” he says finally, putting his hand on mine.
I can’t help it. My eyes fill with tears. It would be so easy to just forgive and forget. Everything would be so much better if we were back together. But then I remember why I left and I withdraw my hands.
“How have you been?” he asks.
“Pregnant,” I say, and get up to take our cups to the sink.
There’s a stunned silence behind me. I hear his chair scrape the floor and his hands are on my shoulders. “What?”
“Congratulations,” I say bitterly. “You’re going to be a daddy. Again.”
He turns me to face him. He looks shaken, but his eyes are full of concern. “You OK?”
I shrug.
“Lily.”
“Yes, everything’s fine. I just … barf a lot, is all.”
“Marry me,” he says.
“Ellis, we’ve been through this.”
“Everything I’ve done, I’ll make it up to you,” he says. “I promise. Just marry me and I promise it will all be OK.”
I want to believe him. I really do. “What about your other family?”
“Rory gets ill at the very idea of a permanent man in her life. She told me so. She wants me to be there for Sparrow, but she doesn’t want me to live with them. I offered because that was the right thing to do, but she doesn’t want it any more than I do.”
“And yet, you love her. And you have a kid with her. And how do I know there won’t be more? How do I know you won’t be with someone else every time I turn my back?”
“All I can do is promise I’ll be faithful. It’s up to you whether you believe that or not.”
“I don’t,” I say. “I wish I did, but I don’t.”
He bites his lip. I can tell he’s making an effort not to say something.
“Just go, Ellis,” I say. I just want to cry, I’m so tired. “Just go. I’m tired and I can’t think about this right now.”
“Get some sleep,” he says, and leaves.
The Moment of Truth
Scarlett had a girl. Tallulah Thibadeux. Still no sign of the mystery fiance, and she's still not speaking to me. I sent a nice present for the baby. I miss my friend. I really need someone to talk to.
I haven't taken Spike's advice yet. Dad's gonna flip, and Mom will probably cry and I can't face it. I'd tell Fisher but he'd feel obligated to tell the parentals and I'm just not ready for that.
The doorbell rings and I open the door to see Ellis standing there, looking apprehensive. "Can we talk?" he says.
I open the door and let him in, my heart pounding so hard I'm sure he can hear it.
I guess the moment of truth has come.
I haven't taken Spike's advice yet. Dad's gonna flip, and Mom will probably cry and I can't face it. I'd tell Fisher but he'd feel obligated to tell the parentals and I'm just not ready for that.
The doorbell rings and I open the door to see Ellis standing there, looking apprehensive. "Can we talk?" he says.
I open the door and let him in, my heart pounding so hard I'm sure he can hear it.
I guess the moment of truth has come.
A Talk with Spike
Of course, I'm hardly one to talk. What a mess I'm in now. I went to the doctor and she confirmed it. I'm definitely "expecting."
So now what. Do I tell Ellis? Do I run home to Daddy? Do I tough it out? Do I throw myself off a bridge? All in their own horrible ways about as tempting as a trip to the dentist.
"So wot's the rotter's name?" asks a voice. I look up to see Spike looking at me. I haven't seen him since that one night in high school, what seems like a century ago.
"Uh, pardon?"
"The guy who knocked you up and left you feeling miserable," he says. "What's his name?"
"How did--"
He taps his ear. "Fantastic sense of hearing's part of the vamp deluxe package," he says. "You've got two heartbeats."
"Uh, wow," I say, a little creeped out but impressed, too.
He sits down across from me and orders a beer. "Want me to beat the stuffin' out of him?"
"No, thanks, not necessary," I say, not really sure why the sudden interest. "What are you, some kind of undead Lone Ranger?"
He laughs so hard he chokes on his beer. "Nah," he says, after he recovers. "I just took a fancy to you is all. Hate to see you feeling so blue."
"I don't know what to do," I say, not sure why I'm confiding in a vampire. "This is such a mess."
"Come clean, that's my advice," he says. "They always find out anyway."
"Well, thank you," I say, standing up. "I'd better be getting home."
"You change your mind about pounding his face in, you know where to find me," he says.
"Thanks," I say. "I'll keep that in mind."
So now what. Do I tell Ellis? Do I run home to Daddy? Do I tough it out? Do I throw myself off a bridge? All in their own horrible ways about as tempting as a trip to the dentist.
"So wot's the rotter's name?" asks a voice. I look up to see Spike looking at me. I haven't seen him since that one night in high school, what seems like a century ago.
"Uh, pardon?"
"The guy who knocked you up and left you feeling miserable," he says. "What's his name?"
"How did--"
He taps his ear. "Fantastic sense of hearing's part of the vamp deluxe package," he says. "You've got two heartbeats."
"Uh, wow," I say, a little creeped out but impressed, too.
He sits down across from me and orders a beer. "Want me to beat the stuffin' out of him?"
"No, thanks, not necessary," I say, not really sure why the sudden interest. "What are you, some kind of undead Lone Ranger?"
He laughs so hard he chokes on his beer. "Nah," he says, after he recovers. "I just took a fancy to you is all. Hate to see you feeling so blue."
"I don't know what to do," I say, not sure why I'm confiding in a vampire. "This is such a mess."
"Come clean, that's my advice," he says. "They always find out anyway."
"Well, thank you," I say, standing up. "I'd better be getting home."
"You change your mind about pounding his face in, you know where to find me," he says.
"Thanks," I say. "I'll keep that in mind."
Disposable
"He proposed," Scarlett said over our monthly girls' night out, holding out the ring for me to see.
"I thought he had a fiancee already," I say, frowning.
She shrugs. "She cheated on him."
"So what are you, runner up?"
Now she frowns. "Don't be like that."
"How else am I supposed to be? I'm worried about you. This guy seems to think fiancees are disposable."
"He doesn't, OK?" She's getting really mad now but I can't help it. She's my best friend and I think she's making a huge mistake.
"Who is it, Scarlett."
"Never mind," she says, getting up. "You wouldn't understand."
"I wouldn't understand what? His name?"
"Har de har, smartass." She throws her money on the table. "I'll see you later." She storms out in a huff.
I put my face in my hands. Maybe I was too judgmental, but honestly, I thought she had more sense.
"I thought he had a fiancee already," I say, frowning.
She shrugs. "She cheated on him."
"So what are you, runner up?"
Now she frowns. "Don't be like that."
"How else am I supposed to be? I'm worried about you. This guy seems to think fiancees are disposable."
"He doesn't, OK?" She's getting really mad now but I can't help it. She's my best friend and I think she's making a huge mistake.
"Who is it, Scarlett."
"Never mind," she says, getting up. "You wouldn't understand."
"I wouldn't understand what? His name?"
"Har de har, smartass." She throws her money on the table. "I'll see you later." She storms out in a huff.
I put my face in my hands. Maybe I was too judgmental, but honestly, I thought she had more sense.
Feeling Sorry for Herself
So here I am, just me and the cats. I’ll be a crazy old cat lady and all the little kids will egg my house at Halloween. My dad’s left me a few messages but I can’t bring myself to call him back, not yet. He’s going to be upset, and I don’t want to relive this.
My cat has a boyfriend and I don’t. And to top it all off, the minute I moved in I got the flu.
So I hope you'll forgive me for feeling a little sorry for myself.
My cat has a boyfriend and I don’t. And to top it all off, the minute I moved in I got the flu.
So I hope you'll forgive me for feeling a little sorry for myself.
Lily Moves Out
"I think I'd better move out," I say when he gets home. It's all I can do to keep from throwing things at him. We were so happy, and he just tossed it away.
“Please don’t,” he says.
“I think you need to think about what it is you want,” I say. “I think we went into this too fast.”
“I already know what I want,” he says. “I want to be married to you.”
“Then maybe you need to convince me of that,” I say. “Getting married is one thing, Ellis. Staying married is another.”
"I don't want you to go," he says.
"You don't really have a say," I say. "I can't think straight, here. I need some space to figure out what it is I want."
"I thought you loved me," he says.
"I thought you loved me too," I say. "Now I'm not so sure."
I buy a house in Bluewater Village, a cottage with room for a garden. I can’t bear to move in with relatives, like someone’s lost luggage. I’m packing my stuff, and Ellis is watching me. “Do you want your cat?” I ask, putting Mayhem into her cage. We bought another cat, Mischief, to keep Mayhem company. Ellis said she needed a boyfriend. The irony is not lost on me now, believe me.
"No," he says, "let's not split them up. Let's not split us up."
"If you love me, you'll stop trying to convince me to do what you want," I say. "You'll let me do what I want to do and stop making it so hard." I manage to get Mischief into the cat cage as well. He hisses.
“I do love you,” he says.
“Even if you do, that’s beside the point,” I say. “I need to be able to trust you, and right now I don’t.”
“I’ll call you,” he says.
I pick up the cat cage and go downstairs to the waiting cab.
“Please don’t,” he says.
“I think you need to think about what it is you want,” I say. “I think we went into this too fast.”
“I already know what I want,” he says. “I want to be married to you.”
“Then maybe you need to convince me of that,” I say. “Getting married is one thing, Ellis. Staying married is another.”
"I don't want you to go," he says.
"You don't really have a say," I say. "I can't think straight, here. I need some space to figure out what it is I want."
"I thought you loved me," he says.
"I thought you loved me too," I say. "Now I'm not so sure."
I buy a house in Bluewater Village, a cottage with room for a garden. I can’t bear to move in with relatives, like someone’s lost luggage. I’m packing my stuff, and Ellis is watching me. “Do you want your cat?” I ask, putting Mayhem into her cage. We bought another cat, Mischief, to keep Mayhem company. Ellis said she needed a boyfriend. The irony is not lost on me now, believe me.
"No," he says, "let's not split them up. Let's not split us up."
"If you love me, you'll stop trying to convince me to do what you want," I say. "You'll let me do what I want to do and stop making it so hard." I manage to get Mischief into the cat cage as well. He hisses.
“I do love you,” he says.
“Even if you do, that’s beside the point,” I say. “I need to be able to trust you, and right now I don’t.”
“I’ll call you,” he says.
I pick up the cat cage and go downstairs to the waiting cab.
Rock Bottom
After Rory leaves we stand there looking at each other for a long time. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but I hope he’s suffering. I want to hit him but he looks like he’s already been hit pretty hard.
“Say something,” he says.
I shake my head. I don’t want to cry.
“Lily,” he takes a step toward me but I hold up my hand.
“What are you going to do?” I ask.
“I don’t know.”
“What does she want you to do?”
He looks miserable. “She says it’s up to me.”
“Do you love her?”
“Yes,” he says, quietly.
“Oh,” I laugh, and recognize my father’s laugh in my own, the you’d better duck one. I guess he does too because he looks wary. “And, um, when were you planning to share this with me?”
“I love you too, Lily,” he says.
“Stop it,” I say, “You can’t have it both ways.” I take off his ring and fling it at him. “Here. You’re going to need this.”
“I don’t want to marry her. I want to marry you.” He picks up the ring and tries to give it back to me but I won’t take it.
“Oh, and see her on the side?”
He looks even more miserable, which makes me angry.
“Don’t look at me like that," I say. "You caused this mess.”
“I just feel terrible.”
“Join the club.”
“I don’t know what to do.”
“Yes, you do. And if you think I’m brave enough to tell you what that is you’re wrong.” I want to scream. I can’t bear losing him and I’m angry at him for making this so hard.
“I need to go for a walk,” he says, grabbing his coat.
I just stand there for a long time, feeling like the bottom has dropped out of my world, again. I know I'm being selfish but I wish doing the right thing didn't always involve breaking my heart.
“Say something,” he says.
I shake my head. I don’t want to cry.
“Lily,” he takes a step toward me but I hold up my hand.
“What are you going to do?” I ask.
“I don’t know.”
“What does she want you to do?”
He looks miserable. “She says it’s up to me.”
“Do you love her?”
“Yes,” he says, quietly.
“Oh,” I laugh, and recognize my father’s laugh in my own, the you’d better duck one. I guess he does too because he looks wary. “And, um, when were you planning to share this with me?”
“I love you too, Lily,” he says.
“Stop it,” I say, “You can’t have it both ways.” I take off his ring and fling it at him. “Here. You’re going to need this.”
“I don’t want to marry her. I want to marry you.” He picks up the ring and tries to give it back to me but I won’t take it.
“Oh, and see her on the side?”
He looks even more miserable, which makes me angry.
“Don’t look at me like that," I say. "You caused this mess.”
“I just feel terrible.”
“Join the club.”
“I don’t know what to do.”
“Yes, you do. And if you think I’m brave enough to tell you what that is you’re wrong.” I want to scream. I can’t bear losing him and I’m angry at him for making this so hard.
“I need to go for a walk,” he says, grabbing his coat.
I just stand there for a long time, feeling like the bottom has dropped out of my world, again. I know I'm being selfish but I wish doing the right thing didn't always involve breaking my heart.
More From Lily
My brother Fisher and his family bought a farm! He moved there with his wife Rebecca and my nephew Nicholas and his in-laws, Jack and Julia, and this nice elderly lesbian couple who have lived with them, like, forever for reasons unknown to me. Their names are Jane and Allegra, and in the category of small world, are my friend Will's grandparents on his father's side.
Fish said his mother in law, Julia, always wanted to live on a farm, so Jack, who would get her the moon if she said she always wanted to wear it on a chain, sold the house and moved them to a farm. Fisher loves it. He says there's nothing like good hard work. Nicholas is becoming quite the fisherman. They have a pond in the back, next to which is buried James, this guy who committed suicide (and rumor has it, is Will's actual grandfather). Oh, and Henry's birth dad, too. This town is too small!!! Even Ellis and I are distantly related, but I don't like to think about that.
So, they invited me out to see it, and it's real nice. I teased Fish because he's taken to wearing overalls. Everyone seemed real healthy from all the gardening and fishing they'd been doing. I noticed a container of the green stuff in the kitchen, which might explain it as well. They have this great dog named Rags who's very dignified. He's kind of a Heinz 57 variety dog. He sniffed my hand politely when I held it out to him.
Jack said he sold his business to help pay for the farm, and the ice rink behind the farmhouse. It's a big house, but not for seven people and a dog. It only has two bathrooms, though there's another one in the barn. I think I'd go mad, but they all seem to get along real well. They invited me for dinner, and there's nothing like fresh-caught fish to fill you up. Yummy.
Nicky and I went fishing after--I caught a boot!--and caught some snowflakes on our tongues and chased each other around and Jack told me some stories that I'm pretty sure are made up, like how he used to date my great-great-gran the movie star and how he once worked for the mob until they took a contract out on him and he had to be rescued by vampires who used to be his enemies. He's got quite an imagination, or so I thought until I went upstairs to use the loo and saw a picture on the wall of him and Lola. I stared at it. Huh. Maybe it all is true ... nah.
Anyway, I had a blast and took a taxi home to find the lights all on. "Ellis?" I called. I heard voices upstairs and walked up to see what was going on.
Rory was there with him, and she wasn't alone. A cute little boy toddled over to me and pulled at my pant leg. I smiled at him, and looked up, puzzled.
Ellis looked a bit green, and scared, as he said, "Lily? I'd like you to meet my son."
Fish said his mother in law, Julia, always wanted to live on a farm, so Jack, who would get her the moon if she said she always wanted to wear it on a chain, sold the house and moved them to a farm. Fisher loves it. He says there's nothing like good hard work. Nicholas is becoming quite the fisherman. They have a pond in the back, next to which is buried James, this guy who committed suicide (and rumor has it, is Will's actual grandfather). Oh, and Henry's birth dad, too. This town is too small!!! Even Ellis and I are distantly related, but I don't like to think about that.
So, they invited me out to see it, and it's real nice. I teased Fish because he's taken to wearing overalls. Everyone seemed real healthy from all the gardening and fishing they'd been doing. I noticed a container of the green stuff in the kitchen, which might explain it as well. They have this great dog named Rags who's very dignified. He's kind of a Heinz 57 variety dog. He sniffed my hand politely when I held it out to him.
Jack said he sold his business to help pay for the farm, and the ice rink behind the farmhouse. It's a big house, but not for seven people and a dog. It only has two bathrooms, though there's another one in the barn. I think I'd go mad, but they all seem to get along real well. They invited me for dinner, and there's nothing like fresh-caught fish to fill you up. Yummy.
Nicky and I went fishing after--I caught a boot!--and caught some snowflakes on our tongues and chased each other around and Jack told me some stories that I'm pretty sure are made up, like how he used to date my great-great-gran the movie star and how he once worked for the mob until they took a contract out on him and he had to be rescued by vampires who used to be his enemies. He's got quite an imagination, or so I thought until I went upstairs to use the loo and saw a picture on the wall of him and Lola. I stared at it. Huh. Maybe it all is true ... nah.
Anyway, I had a blast and took a taxi home to find the lights all on. "Ellis?" I called. I heard voices upstairs and walked up to see what was going on.
Rory was there with him, and she wasn't alone. A cute little boy toddled over to me and pulled at my pant leg. I smiled at him, and looked up, puzzled.
Ellis looked a bit green, and scared, as he said, "Lily? I'd like you to meet my son."
World War III
Ellis is still on tour two nights later, and Scarlett shows up at my door with her pillow and night bag. "Can I spend the night? It's World War Three at my house."
"You told them."
She nods.
"And?"
"How would YOUR dad react?" she asks. Her dad Tristan and my dad have been best friends for a long time, so I know him pretty well. It's safe to say he's not happy, with a side of homicidal.
"Come on in," I say. "I'll make us some popcorn."
"You told them."
She nods.
"And?"
"How would YOUR dad react?" she asks. Her dad Tristan and my dad have been best friends for a long time, so I know him pretty well. It's safe to say he's not happy, with a side of homicidal.
"Come on in," I say. "I'll make us some popcorn."
Best Friend Ever
"What's his name," I say, standing up. "I'll get my brothers to mash him to a pulp."
She takes my arm. "Sit down, it's not like that." She's a little calmer now, sitting in bed with her jammies on. She says it's the hormones that are making her cry, but I think she's got a pretty good excuse.
"I want to hit him," I say.
"I know you do. Thanks for being such a good friend."
Her parents think she has the flu. "You've gotta tell your mom, Scarlett."
She nods. "I will. It's just too soon after great-gran's death, is all. I want to pick a better time."
"So, he's not going to do the right thing?"
"He has another girlfriend. They're engaged."
"That rotten--"
"No, no, it's not his fault," she says. "We had a few drinks, it just got out of control. They were on a break, and now they're ... not."
"Did you tell him?"
She bites her lip.
"Scarlett, he doesn't know?"
She shakes her head.
"Oh, girl," I say, flopping down on the bed. "And people say I'm crazy."
She giggles, a bit hysterically. I sit up and take her hand. "Whatever you need, you know I'm there."
She nods, then bursts out crying again. "You're the best friend ever," she sobs.
"You'd do the same for me," I say, holding her and patting her back.
She takes my arm. "Sit down, it's not like that." She's a little calmer now, sitting in bed with her jammies on. She says it's the hormones that are making her cry, but I think she's got a pretty good excuse.
"I want to hit him," I say.
"I know you do. Thanks for being such a good friend."
Her parents think she has the flu. "You've gotta tell your mom, Scarlett."
She nods. "I will. It's just too soon after great-gran's death, is all. I want to pick a better time."
"So, he's not going to do the right thing?"
"He has another girlfriend. They're engaged."
"That rotten--"
"No, no, it's not his fault," she says. "We had a few drinks, it just got out of control. They were on a break, and now they're ... not."
"Did you tell him?"
She bites her lip.
"Scarlett, he doesn't know?"
She shakes her head.
"Oh, girl," I say, flopping down on the bed. "And people say I'm crazy."
She giggles, a bit hysterically. I sit up and take her hand. "Whatever you need, you know I'm there."
She nods, then bursts out crying again. "You're the best friend ever," she sobs.
"You'd do the same for me," I say, holding her and patting her back.
Phone Call
"I miss you," he says over the phone.
"I miss you too," I say, and I'll spare you the ten minutes of gushy talk that follow. My other line beeps. I ignore it. It beeps again.
"Your other line is beeping," he says.
"Let it."
"I gotta go anyway," he says. "Love you."
"Love you too," I say, and pick up the other line. "Hello?"
"Lily?" Scarlett's been crying. "Can you come over?"
"On my way," I say.
"I miss you too," I say, and I'll spare you the ten minutes of gushy talk that follow. My other line beeps. I ignore it. It beeps again.
"Your other line is beeping," he says.
"Let it."
"I gotta go anyway," he says. "Love you."
"Love you too," I say, and pick up the other line. "Hello?"
"Lily?" Scarlett's been crying. "Can you come over?"
"On my way," I say.
22 and in Love
So we moved in together. I know, I know, spare me the lecture. I'm young, I'm in love, and she who hesitates ends up a crazy old cat lady. So I said yes and jumped right in.
Especially after he showed me the ring.
"Who is this kid again?" Dad asked.
"Ellis du Maurier."
"As in Henry's son? THAT Ellis du Maurier?"
I bit my lip. "It's complicated."
"I'll bet," Dad laughed. It wasn't his ho-ho that's funny laugh. It was his isn't the world just peachy laugh, the one that if you're smart you duck after hearing it. "What does he do for a living?"
"Hmmm?" I said, packing, pretending not to hear.
"What. Does. He. Do. How does he plan to support you?"
"Oh, Daddy, get your head out of the fifties," I said. "That's so yesterday." I picked up Mayhem's cage and kissed him on the cheek. "Bye."
"Lily," he said.
"David," Mom said. "Just let her go."
I gave them a finger wave goodbye with the hand holding my purse and duffle bag.
"This isn't over," Dad yelled after me.
See, I always know I can count on him to treat me like I'm twelve. Kind of cute, actually.
He's a roadie. Dad would LOVE that, which is why I dodged the question.
He's my roadie. He looks so cute in his T-shirt and jeans, going off on tour. He sends me postcards with little XX's and OO's on them.
My ring is so pretty.
Oh, stop looking at me like that.
Like you were never 22.
Especially after he showed me the ring.
"Who is this kid again?" Dad asked.
"Ellis du Maurier."
"As in Henry's son? THAT Ellis du Maurier?"
I bit my lip. "It's complicated."
"I'll bet," Dad laughed. It wasn't his ho-ho that's funny laugh. It was his isn't the world just peachy laugh, the one that if you're smart you duck after hearing it. "What does he do for a living?"
"Hmmm?" I said, packing, pretending not to hear.
"What. Does. He. Do. How does he plan to support you?"
"Oh, Daddy, get your head out of the fifties," I said. "That's so yesterday." I picked up Mayhem's cage and kissed him on the cheek. "Bye."
"Lily," he said.
"David," Mom said. "Just let her go."
I gave them a finger wave goodbye with the hand holding my purse and duffle bag.
"This isn't over," Dad yelled after me.
See, I always know I can count on him to treat me like I'm twelve. Kind of cute, actually.
He's a roadie. Dad would LOVE that, which is why I dodged the question.
He's my roadie. He looks so cute in his T-shirt and jeans, going off on tour. He sends me postcards with little XX's and OO's on them.
My ring is so pretty.
Oh, stop looking at me like that.
Like you were never 22.
Porta de Luca Times
Two Local Women Hit by Lightning
In unrelated incidents, local residents Ariel Delacroix and Nwad Fey were each struck by lightning this week, Delacroix during a storm when she went outside to get her cat, and Fey while flying a kite on a seemingly clear evening.
Both women escaped with minor injuries. Both report buying a lightning rod the next day. Residents should exercise caution at all times during an electrical storm, and also, it appears, when flying a kite.
And don't forget those lightning rods!
In unrelated incidents, local residents Ariel Delacroix and Nwad Fey were each struck by lightning this week, Delacroix during a storm when she went outside to get her cat, and Fey while flying a kite on a seemingly clear evening.
Both women escaped with minor injuries. Both report buying a lightning rod the next day. Residents should exercise caution at all times during an electrical storm, and also, it appears, when flying a kite.
And don't forget those lightning rods!
So Much for Resistance
I'm working late because I had to put the final touches on a tribute to Heather Huffington and her work. OK, so the arts page isn't hard-hitting journalism but a girl's got to pay her dues. Anyway, she was my best friend's great-gran so I worked extra hard. I hope Scarlett likes the story.
Plus, of course, exhausting myself at work means I don't have the energy to think about Ellis, or Henry.
So now I seem to be hallucinating because he's standing right there. Ellis, not Henry. And good god, growing up suits him. The boy--excuse me--man, is devastating. Why didn't I notice that before?
Too busy resisting him, I guess. Not that I did that good a job of it.
"Hi," he says, looking almost shy.
"Uh, hi."
"You, ah, want to go for coffee or something?"
I tilt my head and manage a smile. "Ah, yes, the famous beverage that got us in all this trouble in the first place."
He actually smiles. A real, six thousand megawatt smile. My heart goes crazy all on its own, like I'm back in high school again and I realize two things.
One, he can wrap me around his little finger.
And two, I'm madly in love with him.
This can't be good.
Plus, of course, exhausting myself at work means I don't have the energy to think about Ellis, or Henry.
So now I seem to be hallucinating because he's standing right there. Ellis, not Henry. And good god, growing up suits him. The boy--excuse me--man, is devastating. Why didn't I notice that before?
Too busy resisting him, I guess. Not that I did that good a job of it.
"Hi," he says, looking almost shy.
"Uh, hi."
"You, ah, want to go for coffee or something?"
I tilt my head and manage a smile. "Ah, yes, the famous beverage that got us in all this trouble in the first place."
He actually smiles. A real, six thousand megawatt smile. My heart goes crazy all on its own, like I'm back in high school again and I realize two things.
One, he can wrap me around his little finger.
And two, I'm madly in love with him.
This can't be good.
Beyond Words
"You were seeing Henry du Maurier?" Dad asks.
"Dad, I ... " I hold up my hand to stop him. I can't discuss this right now.
"He's almost my age."
I seem to have lost my ability to speak today. I can only stare at him.
"Lily," he starts, but Mom touches his arm and shakes her head slightly.
I push past them and run upstairs.
I love them but I can't stand living here. I can't wait until I can afford my own place. I can't even cry. I just lie on my bed and stare at the ceiling and pet the cat, who comes in to comfort me.
Somehow Mayhem seems to be the only one who understands.
"Dad, I ... " I hold up my hand to stop him. I can't discuss this right now.
"He's almost my age."
I seem to have lost my ability to speak today. I can only stare at him.
"Lily," he starts, but Mom touches his arm and shakes her head slightly.
I push past them and run upstairs.
I love them but I can't stand living here. I can't wait until I can afford my own place. I can't even cry. I just lie on my bed and stare at the ceiling and pet the cat, who comes in to comfort me.
Somehow Mayhem seems to be the only one who understands.
Apologies and Goodbyes
I moved in with Mom, Dad and the aunties after college. They're living in a new house in Bluewater Village, sans ghosts. The old house got flooded and great-gran and grandpa kind of sank into the pond, so now they live in this monstrosity that Dad hates. I think they'll move again soon, and I don't want to go with them.
It's depressing being here, even though it's nice to be with my family and pets again. I really missed my cat, Mayhem, while I was away. She missed me too. She scorned me at first but she's warming up again slowly. Can't say I blame her! I'd be mad if I were her.
It's a beautiful summer but I'm not in the mood. Mom keeps asking what's wrong. I know she means well but I want to be left alone.
Thank goodness for my new job on the paper. It keeps my mind off the mess I've made of everything.
"Lily, there's someone at the door for you," Dad says, and he's frowning so I know it's not good.
It's Henry. "Can we talk?" he says.
"Sure." I go out on the porch, avoiding Dad's eyes. Henry and I sit side by side on the bench, staring across the street.
"I had no idea you and Ellis were seeing each other," he said. "I admit I was a little surprised."
"Surprised?" I raise an eyebrow.
"OK, hurt."
"We were broken up," I said. "I didn't plan for it to happen. Ellis can be very persuasive. I was waiting for a good time to tell him about you and me."
"I'm sorry I stepped right in the middle of it," he says.
"There's no need ... "
"Yes, there is. Lily, I love you," he says, holding my hands and looking into my eyes, "but I love my son more. I don't want to stand in the way of his happiness."
"You're not," I say bitterly. "He wants nothing to do with me."
"Don't be so sure," he says, quietly. He kisses me gently and stands up. "Goodbye, Lily. I ... " he lets it trail off and walks away.
I can't say anything. I don't seem to have a voice. So I just sit there like an idiot and watch him walk out of my life.
It's depressing being here, even though it's nice to be with my family and pets again. I really missed my cat, Mayhem, while I was away. She missed me too. She scorned me at first but she's warming up again slowly. Can't say I blame her! I'd be mad if I were her.
It's a beautiful summer but I'm not in the mood. Mom keeps asking what's wrong. I know she means well but I want to be left alone.
Thank goodness for my new job on the paper. It keeps my mind off the mess I've made of everything.
"Lily, there's someone at the door for you," Dad says, and he's frowning so I know it's not good.
It's Henry. "Can we talk?" he says.
"Sure." I go out on the porch, avoiding Dad's eyes. Henry and I sit side by side on the bench, staring across the street.
"I had no idea you and Ellis were seeing each other," he said. "I admit I was a little surprised."
"Surprised?" I raise an eyebrow.
"OK, hurt."
"We were broken up," I said. "I didn't plan for it to happen. Ellis can be very persuasive. I was waiting for a good time to tell him about you and me."
"I'm sorry I stepped right in the middle of it," he says.
"There's no need ... "
"Yes, there is. Lily, I love you," he says, holding my hands and looking into my eyes, "but I love my son more. I don't want to stand in the way of his happiness."
"You're not," I say bitterly. "He wants nothing to do with me."
"Don't be so sure," he says, quietly. He kisses me gently and stands up. "Goodbye, Lily. I ... " he lets it trail off and walks away.
I can't say anything. I don't seem to have a voice. So I just sit there like an idiot and watch him walk out of my life.
Porta de Luca Times Obituaries
Renowned artist Heather Huffington died this week of old age. She is survived by her daughter, Waverly Huffington Thibadeux, granddaughter Jaden Thibadeux and great-granddaughter Scarlett Thibadeux.
Huffington left behind a legacy in her art but will be missed by all who knew her.
Huffington left behind a legacy in her art but will be missed by all who knew her.
Guilt
I go back inside. I just want to talk to my dad over a cup of warm tea and have my mom kiss me and tuck me in like she did when I had a bad day. I'm just tired and sad. I stink.
I broke up a man and his father. I didn't mean to, but that's no excuse. I'm a worm. Worse than a worm.
Will and Peyton are fighting. I can hear them in the living room. Texas could hear them in the living room.
"That wasn't cool, sis," Will is saying. They're step siblings but they act like the real thing, and I know Will's good opinion is the only one that matters to Peyton. Good. Serves her right.
"Butt out," she snarls.
"You do know he's just using you, right?"
Peyton is silent and I almost feel sorry for her. Ellis comes back in and we stare at each other. Then he heads silently into the living room.
"I hate you," Peyton says, slapping Ellis hard across the face. "Never come near me again."
She runs upstairs. Ellis looks lost and I want to comfort him but I know he won't let me. This is all my fault.
I go upstairs to find Rory coming out of the bathroom, wiping her face.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
"Nothing," she says.
"Ror."
"Jason. He found out I'm some kind of loose woman and he dumped me like yesterday's trash." She sniffles, then tosses her head. "Well, good riddance." She walks off, head held high.
I find a bed and fall into it. We kind of all live dormitory style except for the "special" wink, wink, nudge, nudge room. Boy do I wish there was no such room right now.
I hate myself. I don't want to call my dad because I'm afraid he'll hate me too.
I stare at the wall for a long time, not able to fall asleep.
I broke up a man and his father. I didn't mean to, but that's no excuse. I'm a worm. Worse than a worm.
Will and Peyton are fighting. I can hear them in the living room. Texas could hear them in the living room.
"That wasn't cool, sis," Will is saying. They're step siblings but they act like the real thing, and I know Will's good opinion is the only one that matters to Peyton. Good. Serves her right.
"Butt out," she snarls.
"You do know he's just using you, right?"
Peyton is silent and I almost feel sorry for her. Ellis comes back in and we stare at each other. Then he heads silently into the living room.
"I hate you," Peyton says, slapping Ellis hard across the face. "Never come near me again."
She runs upstairs. Ellis looks lost and I want to comfort him but I know he won't let me. This is all my fault.
I go upstairs to find Rory coming out of the bathroom, wiping her face.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
"Nothing," she says.
"Ror."
"Jason. He found out I'm some kind of loose woman and he dumped me like yesterday's trash." She sniffles, then tosses her head. "Well, good riddance." She walks off, head held high.
I find a bed and fall into it. We kind of all live dormitory style except for the "special" wink, wink, nudge, nudge room. Boy do I wish there was no such room right now.
I hate myself. I don't want to call my dad because I'm afraid he'll hate me too.
I stare at the wall for a long time, not able to fall asleep.
Another Reason
I can't believe my eyes. Or rather, I can but I don't want to. Ellis is making out with Peyton, in the freaking living room of our house. Right in front of everyone, almost as if he wants me to catch him.
I thought all that sneaking around we were doing was for the sheer naughty fun of it.
Turns out there's another reason.
"Ellis?" I say. I still can't believe it. How could he do such a thing?
"Oh, hi, Lily," he says, his lips curling into a sneer. "Or should I say, Stepmother?"
I stare at him.
"Oh, she's speechless," he says. "That's a first." He pokes me in the chest. "I trusted you."
"Henry and I are through," I said. "I was trying to figure out how to tell you."
"You slept with my dad--"
"I did not," I say, fiercely. "We went on a few dates. We did not have sex. And then he broke it off. He broke my heart," I say, my voice breaking.
Peyton sniggers. I whirl on her. "You stay out of this," I say, poking her. "You always have to put yourself in the middle of everything, don't you, you pathetic, greedy, selfish--"
"That's enough," Ellis says.
"Oh, sure, defend the diva." Tears are running down my face but I don't care. "You wanted to hurt me, well, mission accomplished."
"That makes two of us," he says. "Come on, Peyton, let's get out of here."
Peyton simpers at me. God do I hate her.
As if this evening couldn't get any more perfect, the doorbell rings and Henry's standing there.
"Lily, what's wrong?" he says.
I wipe my face. "Hi Henry, what's up?"
"I miss you," he says. "I wanted to talk to you."
"This isn't a good time."
He touches my face and I melt. He gives me a kiss and of course Ellis chooses that moment to head out the door.
That's when things really get ugly.
I thought all that sneaking around we were doing was for the sheer naughty fun of it.
Turns out there's another reason.
"Ellis?" I say. I still can't believe it. How could he do such a thing?
"Oh, hi, Lily," he says, his lips curling into a sneer. "Or should I say, Stepmother?"
I stare at him.
"Oh, she's speechless," he says. "That's a first." He pokes me in the chest. "I trusted you."
"Henry and I are through," I said. "I was trying to figure out how to tell you."
"You slept with my dad--"
"I did not," I say, fiercely. "We went on a few dates. We did not have sex. And then he broke it off. He broke my heart," I say, my voice breaking.
Peyton sniggers. I whirl on her. "You stay out of this," I say, poking her. "You always have to put yourself in the middle of everything, don't you, you pathetic, greedy, selfish--"
"That's enough," Ellis says.
"Oh, sure, defend the diva." Tears are running down my face but I don't care. "You wanted to hurt me, well, mission accomplished."
"That makes two of us," he says. "Come on, Peyton, let's get out of here."
Peyton simpers at me. God do I hate her.
As if this evening couldn't get any more perfect, the doorbell rings and Henry's standing there.
"Lily, what's wrong?" he says.
I wipe my face. "Hi Henry, what's up?"
"I miss you," he says. "I wanted to talk to you."
"This isn't a good time."
He touches my face and I melt. He gives me a kiss and of course Ellis chooses that moment to head out the door.
That's when things really get ugly.
Educational Field Trip
Ellis grabs me by the arm and pulls me behind the stairs, where we make out until I have to come up for air. We've been sneaking away in private for about a week now. Makes it all seem more fun, somehow.
"I want to show you something," he says.
"I think I've already seen it."
"Hah," he snorts. "Come on."
It's this big electric whirly thing. "What in the--"
"We pooled our money."
"We being?"
He shrugs.
"What a good investment," I say.
He kisses me again.
"I thought this was an educational field trip," I say, pretending to fend him off.
"Oh, it will be," he says.
I roll my eyes. "Oh, please."
"I love it when you beg," he says, and pulls me down on the grass.
"That wasn't ..."
"Lily?"
"Hmmm?" I say around his lips.
"Shut up," he says, pleasantly.
"I want to show you something," he says.
"I think I've already seen it."
"Hah," he snorts. "Come on."
It's this big electric whirly thing. "What in the--"
"We pooled our money."
"We being?"
He shrugs.
"What a good investment," I say.
He kisses me again.
"I thought this was an educational field trip," I say, pretending to fend him off.
"Oh, it will be," he says.
I roll my eyes. "Oh, please."
"I love it when you beg," he says, and pulls me down on the grass.
"That wasn't ..."
"Lily?"
"Hmmm?" I say around his lips.
"Shut up," he says, pleasantly.
Temporary Keeper
Rory comes in and flops down on the couch. "You will NOT believe the date I just had!" she said.
"Jason Larson's a cad?" I say.
"No, no, he's a sweetie," she said. "As in potential sugar daddy sweet. But there was this old biddie there, and oh my god she would not leave us alone! Kept hitting Jason with her purse, and yelling at me for being in a swimsuit."
"You were in a swimsuit?"
"Honey bun, it's a spa."
"So, didn't the management throw her out?"
"No, and that's not the worst ... apparently the entire du Maurier clan had, like free passes or something because all of a sudden I'm getting the evil eye from no less than four of Holden's relatives. As if I'm some sort of scarlet woman who's going to break his heart. Please. The guy doesn't have one."
I have to agree with her. Holden du Maurier broke up Henry's marriage and dated Aurora the next week. Sounds to me like his family's being a bit hypocritical.
"So, what did you do?"
"This vampire chick was getting up in my face so I did the look at my finger, flick your nose thing. Boy, did she get mad."
I choke on my tea. "You did that to a VAMPIRE? Are you nuts?"
Rory shrugs. "She was getting on my nerves."
"What happened next?" I'm on the edge of my seat.
"We left. We went to that place, Toulouse Lips, you know, with the hot tub ... " she smiles mysteriously.
"And?"
"And? Use your imagination, girlfriend."
"Ah."
"Yeah," she says. "Ah. And I do mean, ah."
"So, he's a keeper?"
She shrugs. "For now."
I roll my eyes. I just do not understand some people.
"Jason Larson's a cad?" I say.
"No, no, he's a sweetie," she said. "As in potential sugar daddy sweet. But there was this old biddie there, and oh my god she would not leave us alone! Kept hitting Jason with her purse, and yelling at me for being in a swimsuit."
"You were in a swimsuit?"
"Honey bun, it's a spa."
"So, didn't the management throw her out?"
"No, and that's not the worst ... apparently the entire du Maurier clan had, like free passes or something because all of a sudden I'm getting the evil eye from no less than four of Holden's relatives. As if I'm some sort of scarlet woman who's going to break his heart. Please. The guy doesn't have one."
I have to agree with her. Holden du Maurier broke up Henry's marriage and dated Aurora the next week. Sounds to me like his family's being a bit hypocritical.
"So, what did you do?"
"This vampire chick was getting up in my face so I did the look at my finger, flick your nose thing. Boy, did she get mad."
I choke on my tea. "You did that to a VAMPIRE? Are you nuts?"
Rory shrugs. "She was getting on my nerves."
"What happened next?" I'm on the edge of my seat.
"We left. We went to that place, Toulouse Lips, you know, with the hot tub ... " she smiles mysteriously.
"And?"
"And? Use your imagination, girlfriend."
"Ah."
"Yeah," she says. "Ah. And I do mean, ah."
"So, he's a keeper?"
She shrugs. "For now."
I roll my eyes. I just do not understand some people.
Porta de Luca Times
July Song and Scout Delacroix welcomed twins September and April Song this week. The couple plans a wedding later this month and plan to take the bride's name. Congratulations to the happy couple and older brother August on the new arrivals.
Rollercoaster
We've studied for about an hour and the words are starting to blur. I guess my heart just isn't in it right now.
"What do you say we get out of here?" Ellis asks.
So we go to a bar. I'm not much of a drinker. I kind of sip my beer, and Ellis says, "So you gonna tell me what's wrong?"
I shrug.
"Some guy, I'll bet."
I nod. I'm NOT going to tell him it's his dad. Too weird.
"He's an idiot," he says, stroking the top of my hand. Our eyes meet and he picks up my hand and kisses it and I feel shivers. I know what kind of guy he is, but right now I don't care. Being young is for being stupid, right? Maybe my problem is that I'm always too smart for my own good.
I'm always talking myself out of having fun, ever since the vampire incident when I was a kid. Maybe it's time I got back to the old Lily. Maybe it's time to have a little fun. What was I thinking, getting involved with an older man with a kid? Where's the fun in that? Going straight from college to motherhood? Was I crazy?
Not all of me is convinced but I decide to roll with it.
I lean forward and kiss him on the lips.
Wow. Either he's a really good kisser or I just got a lot better at it. It feels so good I do it again and pretty soon we're making out. My heart is thudding and I feel giddy.
"Uh, wow," he says.
"My sentiments exactly."
"You want to go somewhere more ... "
"Yeah," I say. I know exactly which part of my body is doing the thinking but it's thinking pretty clearly so I let it do the driving. I'm not drunk, I don't know what it is, and right now I don't feel like analyzing my feelings. I feel good. That's all I need to know.
He practically has my clothes off in the cab but I manage to hold him off until we get into the house. Fortunately, no one notices us. I get a brief glimpse of Matt, on the computer, and then we're hurrying upstairs, to the private room at the top of the house.
No regrets, Lily, I promise myself. Just enjoy yourself. Some day you'll be married and boring, but that's not today.
Lips locked, hands everywhere, we fall onto the bed.
"What do you say we get out of here?" Ellis asks.
So we go to a bar. I'm not much of a drinker. I kind of sip my beer, and Ellis says, "So you gonna tell me what's wrong?"
I shrug.
"Some guy, I'll bet."
I nod. I'm NOT going to tell him it's his dad. Too weird.
"He's an idiot," he says, stroking the top of my hand. Our eyes meet and he picks up my hand and kisses it and I feel shivers. I know what kind of guy he is, but right now I don't care. Being young is for being stupid, right? Maybe my problem is that I'm always too smart for my own good.
I'm always talking myself out of having fun, ever since the vampire incident when I was a kid. Maybe it's time I got back to the old Lily. Maybe it's time to have a little fun. What was I thinking, getting involved with an older man with a kid? Where's the fun in that? Going straight from college to motherhood? Was I crazy?
Not all of me is convinced but I decide to roll with it.
I lean forward and kiss him on the lips.
Wow. Either he's a really good kisser or I just got a lot better at it. It feels so good I do it again and pretty soon we're making out. My heart is thudding and I feel giddy.
"Uh, wow," he says.
"My sentiments exactly."
"You want to go somewhere more ... "
"Yeah," I say. I know exactly which part of my body is doing the thinking but it's thinking pretty clearly so I let it do the driving. I'm not drunk, I don't know what it is, and right now I don't feel like analyzing my feelings. I feel good. That's all I need to know.
He practically has my clothes off in the cab but I manage to hold him off until we get into the house. Fortunately, no one notices us. I get a brief glimpse of Matt, on the computer, and then we're hurrying upstairs, to the private room at the top of the house.
No regrets, Lily, I promise myself. Just enjoy yourself. Some day you'll be married and boring, but that's not today.
Lips locked, hands everywhere, we fall onto the bed.
Free Coffee
I will not sit around and mope. I hate mopey whiny people and I refuse to be one. Besides, I've got a lot of homework to catch up on.
"You OK?" It's Ellis. "You just seem kind of down lately."
Because your dad dumped me, I think, but all I say is, "I'm OK."
"Want to go out for coffee?" He has this look that tells me that's not all he wants.
"Trying to make every girl in this house hate you?" I ask.
He frowns. "What do you mean?"
"Rory, Peyton, me, what, you have a quota?"
"It's just coffee, Lil."
"Uh huh."
"Coff-ee. And you need to get out." He took my hand. "Come on."
"Pushy, pushy," I say, but I go. Having someone want your company that much is kind of flattering, and I need to think of something other than Henry or my physics homework.
Henry. My heart aches at the thought. How could I have fallen for someone in just three weeks? I was just so sure he was the one.
"Come on, Lily, before they close?"
"All right, all right. Sheesh. I don't think you actually need more coffee."
"You kidding? It's midterms."
"Ah hah."
"Ah hah what."
"You need help with your homework, don't you."
"A little. But there's free coffee in it for you."
"Why didn't you just say so?"
He shrugs, and grins. He's charming, if a bit obvious.
"Let's go," I say, rolling my eyes.
"You OK?" It's Ellis. "You just seem kind of down lately."
Because your dad dumped me, I think, but all I say is, "I'm OK."
"Want to go out for coffee?" He has this look that tells me that's not all he wants.
"Trying to make every girl in this house hate you?" I ask.
He frowns. "What do you mean?"
"Rory, Peyton, me, what, you have a quota?"
"It's just coffee, Lil."
"Uh huh."
"Coff-ee. And you need to get out." He took my hand. "Come on."
"Pushy, pushy," I say, but I go. Having someone want your company that much is kind of flattering, and I need to think of something other than Henry or my physics homework.
Henry. My heart aches at the thought. How could I have fallen for someone in just three weeks? I was just so sure he was the one.
"Come on, Lily, before they close?"
"All right, all right. Sheesh. I don't think you actually need more coffee."
"You kidding? It's midterms."
"Ah hah."
"Ah hah what."
"You need help with your homework, don't you."
"A little. But there's free coffee in it for you."
"Why didn't you just say so?"
He shrugs, and grins. He's charming, if a bit obvious.
"Let's go," I say, rolling my eyes.
Heartbreak
It's been three weeks. I've gone out with Henry so much my grades are slipping, and for the first time in my life I don't care. But tonight at dinner he was so quiet I knew immediately something was wrong.
Uh oh, here it comes. I wondered when the "I'm too old for you speech" was coming.
"I'm too old for you," he said.
"No, you're not." Yeah, I know, three weeks to come up with a counter argument and that's the best I could do. Orator, I'm not.
"Lily, you've got your whole life ahead of you ... "
"And you've got what, one foot in the grave?"
"You can joke all you like, but the fact remains I'm old enough to be your father."
"And you were old enough to be my father last week too."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means, don't be a wimp, Henry. You think you're being all noble but you're not. Either you want to be with me or you don't." I hated the way my lip trembled when I said that.
Henry looked miserable. "I just don't think this is a good idea."
"And breaking my heart is?" Tears rolled down my cheeks but I didn't care.
He said nothing.
"Say something," I said fiercely.
"It's just so soon after my divorce," he said finally. "I don't want to drag you into my mess. I just ... I like you so much I lied to myself. But it's not fair, and I'm not ready, and I've got to think of my daughter."
"Oh, sure, bring the kid into it," I said, trying to smile, my heart falling. How could I argue with that? If my dad dumped my mom--the thought made me feel sick--I wouldn't want some college girl taking her place, and I'm a lot older than Alexandra.
"I'm sorry," he said.
"I have to go." I stood up and walked out of the restaurant. I will not cry, I thought. But as soon as I got into the cab I broke down and cried like a baby.
Uh oh, here it comes. I wondered when the "I'm too old for you speech" was coming.
"I'm too old for you," he said.
"No, you're not." Yeah, I know, three weeks to come up with a counter argument and that's the best I could do. Orator, I'm not.
"Lily, you've got your whole life ahead of you ... "
"And you've got what, one foot in the grave?"
"You can joke all you like, but the fact remains I'm old enough to be your father."
"And you were old enough to be my father last week too."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means, don't be a wimp, Henry. You think you're being all noble but you're not. Either you want to be with me or you don't." I hated the way my lip trembled when I said that.
Henry looked miserable. "I just don't think this is a good idea."
"And breaking my heart is?" Tears rolled down my cheeks but I didn't care.
He said nothing.
"Say something," I said fiercely.
"It's just so soon after my divorce," he said finally. "I don't want to drag you into my mess. I just ... I like you so much I lied to myself. But it's not fair, and I'm not ready, and I've got to think of my daughter."
"Oh, sure, bring the kid into it," I said, trying to smile, my heart falling. How could I argue with that? If my dad dumped my mom--the thought made me feel sick--I wouldn't want some college girl taking her place, and I'm a lot older than Alexandra.
"I'm sorry," he said.
"I have to go." I stood up and walked out of the restaurant. I will not cry, I thought. But as soon as I got into the cab I broke down and cried like a baby.
Rebound Girl
It's me, Lily, again. So, anyway, Ellis slept with Aurora, who cheated on him (although he doesn't know it) with the same guy who broke up his parents' marriage, that sleazy actor Holden du Maurier, and then he cheated on her with Peyton and Rory gets mad. And here I thought Rory was a rational person. Guess I was wrong.
Will and this guy in a stupid cow suit have this big feud going on. The cow guy is such a pest. I'd like to bop him one. He keeps making Emily cry. Yesterday Matt punched him out. And then he proposed to Emily, and she said yes. Where was I when those two were falling in love? Must have been during midterms.
Ellis is on probation. He forgot to go to exams. I think his parents' divorce has hit him kind of hard. I tried to comfort him but he pushed me away.
And today the weirdest, scariest ... I can't describe it. I was alone in the house, which almost never happens, and Ellis's dad, Henry, showed up. I'd never met him before, but he introduced himself. He's devastating, I mean, soooo much more handsome than Ellis or that Holden, I've never met anyone so mesmerizing. He smiled and asked if Ellis was there and I said no and he asked if he could just, you know, hang out, and I said OK and I got him some tea and we started to talk, you know, about dumb stuff. He just seemed so sad so I put my hand on his and he started to cry.
I didn't know what to do, so I put down my tea and just held him. This complete stranger. He needed a hug, I guess, so I gave him one, and then ... we were kissing.
I know it's total rebound stuff. I know my heart is really in danger of getting smashed to pieces. But I don't care.
He asked me out to dinner, you know, to talk, and I said yes.
I'm so scared. I think I'm in falling in love!
Will and this guy in a stupid cow suit have this big feud going on. The cow guy is such a pest. I'd like to bop him one. He keeps making Emily cry. Yesterday Matt punched him out. And then he proposed to Emily, and she said yes. Where was I when those two were falling in love? Must have been during midterms.
Ellis is on probation. He forgot to go to exams. I think his parents' divorce has hit him kind of hard. I tried to comfort him but he pushed me away.
And today the weirdest, scariest ... I can't describe it. I was alone in the house, which almost never happens, and Ellis's dad, Henry, showed up. I'd never met him before, but he introduced himself. He's devastating, I mean, soooo much more handsome than Ellis or that Holden, I've never met anyone so mesmerizing. He smiled and asked if Ellis was there and I said no and he asked if he could just, you know, hang out, and I said OK and I got him some tea and we started to talk, you know, about dumb stuff. He just seemed so sad so I put my hand on his and he started to cry.
I didn't know what to do, so I put down my tea and just held him. This complete stranger. He needed a hug, I guess, so I gave him one, and then ... we were kissing.
I know it's total rebound stuff. I know my heart is really in danger of getting smashed to pieces. But I don't care.
He asked me out to dinner, you know, to talk, and I said yes.
I'm so scared. I think I'm in falling in love!
Henry Moves Out
"Hi Dad," Henry said, standing on Max's front steps, his eight-year-old daughter Alexandra in tow. "Can we come in?"
Max stepped aside to let them enter.
"Hi Grandpa," Alexandra said, smiling at him shyly.
"Hey, Peanut," Max said. "What do you say we find your Grandma and get her to put you to bed?"
"I assume you've heard," Henry said a few minutes later over tea at the kitchen bar.
"I think it's safe to say everyone has," Max said. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm angry," Henry said, "and a little ... " He shook his head.
"What?"
"Relieved? I know that sounds terrible, like I'm some passive guy who just sat around waiting for something to end it for me, but honestly, Dad, things haven't been good for a while."
"So, no counseling?"
Henry shook his head. "I think it's time for both of us to move on."
"You got custody of the kid?"
"She didn't even contest it. She wasn't all that excited when she found out she was pregnant. I've been the primary parent for a while now."
"You know you can live with us," Max said.
"That's what I was counting on," Henry said. "Thanks, Max. It's nice to know I can always count on you."
Max patted his son's hand and went to make more tea.
Max stepped aside to let them enter.
"Hi Grandpa," Alexandra said, smiling at him shyly.
"Hey, Peanut," Max said. "What do you say we find your Grandma and get her to put you to bed?"
"I assume you've heard," Henry said a few minutes later over tea at the kitchen bar.
"I think it's safe to say everyone has," Max said. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm angry," Henry said, "and a little ... " He shook his head.
"What?"
"Relieved? I know that sounds terrible, like I'm some passive guy who just sat around waiting for something to end it for me, but honestly, Dad, things haven't been good for a while."
"So, no counseling?"
Henry shook his head. "I think it's time for both of us to move on."
"You got custody of the kid?"
"She didn't even contest it. She wasn't all that excited when she found out she was pregnant. I've been the primary parent for a while now."
"You know you can live with us," Max said.
"That's what I was counting on," Henry said. "Thanks, Max. It's nice to know I can always count on you."
Max patted his son's hand and went to make more tea.
Busted! Movie Star Holden du Maurier Caught in Tryst with Married Woman
Rumor has it that our favorite heartbreaker has broken up the marriage of a college friend. Naughty, naughty, Holden! But as they say, it takes two to tango and it looks like his lady love didn't need much encouragement.
More juicy gossip as it unfolds! Remember, you heard it here first.
More juicy gossip as it unfolds! Remember, you heard it here first.
Lily Goes to College
Hi, it's me, Lily, again. Well, we townies all had so much money from scholarships that Will du Maurier got this great idea that we should all chip in and get a real house instead of staying in the dorms. So we're living in this nice Federal style home with four bedrooms and two baths and I guess it's kind of nice but ...
The thing is, I was basically an only child. My brothers left the house when I was still pretty young to go off to college themselves. And now ... oy vey. I'm living with the cast of the Real World. And now someone--I think it was Ellis--had this bright idea to turn it into a Greek house. So now it's like a non-stop party around here. Don't get me wrong, I like to have fun, but I came to college with the idea that I'd, oh, I don't know ... learn something.
I know, I know. Call me crazy.
So here's the cast of characters, don't worry, there won't be a quiz.
Scarlett's like a sister to me. We've been close since high school and share everything but our toothbrushes. Which reminds me I have to get my favorite T-shirt back. She tells me all about her dates, and I'd tell her about mine if there was anything to tell ... the last date I went on was in highschool, with Will ... and he was wearing his llama uniform from his afterschool job. Not exactly romantic, though the kiss was nice. Scarlett, now, she's another story. We've been at college five seconds and she's already had three dates with three different guys. She says, how's she gonna find Mr. Right if she doesn't shop a little first?
Peyton, oy. The girl thinks she's living on her own sitcom and we're the supporting players. Can you say diva? She throws a major hissy if she doesn't have everything just so. She says she wants to major in drama. Quelle no surprise.
Emily's a sweetheart. I think she and I are going to be friends. She's nice and quiet and picks up after herself unlike Ms. Divapants, who seems to think we're her maids. Yesterday I tossed Peyton's dirty laundry at her. Boy did she get mad. Teach her to leave it in the bathroom.
And then there's Rory. I'm not sure what to make of her. She's gorgeous but not stuck on herself like some Peytons I could name. She doesn't really seem to notice how pretty she is. The boys follow her around a lot but she's so cool about it you can't really hate her. One time the bathroom door was open and I swear I saw something that looked like butterfly wings, but it was only for a second. Maybe it was a trick of the light. Maybe it was a costume. Who knows. Teach me to snoop.
Oh, yeah, there are three boys, too. Scarlett's related to all three, so to her they're like brothers. For the rest of us, well ... not so much.
Will's really cute but he's not serious about anything and never studies or anything. He seems to think life will just take care of itself. Matt's the dark broody silent type. He's always got his nose in some mathematics book, and he's the one who knows how to fix the computer when it crashes. And Ellis ... hoo boy. He's super handsome, and while I wouldn't call him stuck on himself he's not unaware of his own charms. He's the kind of guy who could talk a girl out of her clothes before she knew it.
Not that I'm boy crazy or anything.
A girl can't help but notice, is all.
The thing is, I was basically an only child. My brothers left the house when I was still pretty young to go off to college themselves. And now ... oy vey. I'm living with the cast of the Real World. And now someone--I think it was Ellis--had this bright idea to turn it into a Greek house. So now it's like a non-stop party around here. Don't get me wrong, I like to have fun, but I came to college with the idea that I'd, oh, I don't know ... learn something.
I know, I know. Call me crazy.
So here's the cast of characters, don't worry, there won't be a quiz.
Scarlett's like a sister to me. We've been close since high school and share everything but our toothbrushes. Which reminds me I have to get my favorite T-shirt back. She tells me all about her dates, and I'd tell her about mine if there was anything to tell ... the last date I went on was in highschool, with Will ... and he was wearing his llama uniform from his afterschool job. Not exactly romantic, though the kiss was nice. Scarlett, now, she's another story. We've been at college five seconds and she's already had three dates with three different guys. She says, how's she gonna find Mr. Right if she doesn't shop a little first?
Peyton, oy. The girl thinks she's living on her own sitcom and we're the supporting players. Can you say diva? She throws a major hissy if she doesn't have everything just so. She says she wants to major in drama. Quelle no surprise.
Emily's a sweetheart. I think she and I are going to be friends. She's nice and quiet and picks up after herself unlike Ms. Divapants, who seems to think we're her maids. Yesterday I tossed Peyton's dirty laundry at her. Boy did she get mad. Teach her to leave it in the bathroom.
And then there's Rory. I'm not sure what to make of her. She's gorgeous but not stuck on herself like some Peytons I could name. She doesn't really seem to notice how pretty she is. The boys follow her around a lot but she's so cool about it you can't really hate her. One time the bathroom door was open and I swear I saw something that looked like butterfly wings, but it was only for a second. Maybe it was a trick of the light. Maybe it was a costume. Who knows. Teach me to snoop.
Oh, yeah, there are three boys, too. Scarlett's related to all three, so to her they're like brothers. For the rest of us, well ... not so much.
Will's really cute but he's not serious about anything and never studies or anything. He seems to think life will just take care of itself. Matt's the dark broody silent type. He's always got his nose in some mathematics book, and he's the one who knows how to fix the computer when it crashes. And Ellis ... hoo boy. He's super handsome, and while I wouldn't call him stuck on himself he's not unaware of his own charms. He's the kind of guy who could talk a girl out of her clothes before she knew it.
Not that I'm boy crazy or anything.
A girl can't help but notice, is all.
New Business
Mom's talking about buying an art gallery, but Dad wants a biker bar, and they've been talking about it a lot, and one morning I came downstairs to them hugging.
"Thank you, honey," Mom said. "I have such great plans for that place."
"I know you do," he said, kissing her as she ran out the door for her carpool to the hospital.
"I thought you wanted a biker bar," I said.
"I did," Dad said. "But your mother wanted her gallery more."
"You're just a big ol' softie," I teased.
"Let's keep it between us, OK?" he said.
"Thank you, honey," Mom said. "I have such great plans for that place."
"I know you do," he said, kissing her as she ran out the door for her carpool to the hospital.
"I thought you wanted a biker bar," I said.
"I did," Dad said. "But your mother wanted her gallery more."
"You're just a big ol' softie," I teased.
"Let's keep it between us, OK?" he said.
Mayhem
"Happy Birthday, honey," Mom said, setting the box on my bed. It bounced and howled so I opened it and a calico cat shot out and ran across the room, ears back, tail swishing.
"She's kind of crazy," I said.
"Do you like her, Lily?"
"Yes, and I've got the perfect name for her. Mayhem."
Mom laughed. "It certainly seems to suit her."
So now we have two pets. Mom's talking about getting a bird, so we're going to have a regular menagerie.
Cool.
"She's kind of crazy," I said.
"Do you like her, Lily?"
"Yes, and I've got the perfect name for her. Mayhem."
Mom laughed. "It certainly seems to suit her."
So now we have two pets. Mom's talking about getting a bird, so we're going to have a regular menagerie.
Cool.
Mozart
David came home late from work one night, and he didn't come home alone. "Everyone," he said, "this is Mozart."
The large shaggy dog greeted everyone calmly, tail wagging.
"Oh, he's adorable!" Lily cooed.
"I figured I was outnumbered by women around here, so I'd even the odds with this guy," David said. "He's a stray that was hanging around the police station. He's a really good dog, so I said I'd take him."
Lily gave Mozart a hug and got a lick on the cheek in return.
"He'll need food, and a place to sleep," Olivia said.
"Got it all in the car," David said. "Give me a hand?"
The large shaggy dog greeted everyone calmly, tail wagging.
"Oh, he's adorable!" Lily cooed.
"I figured I was outnumbered by women around here, so I'd even the odds with this guy," David said. "He's a stray that was hanging around the police station. He's a really good dog, so I said I'd take him."
Lily gave Mozart a hug and got a lick on the cheek in return.
"He'll need food, and a place to sleep," Olivia said.
"Got it all in the car," David said. "Give me a hand?"
A Good Life
Xander sat in the garden behind the house, in a lawn chair, the newspaper forgotten in his lap. Emily came out with a pitcher of lemonade.
"Need a refill, Grandpa?" she asked.
"Sure, honey," he said, holding out his glass so his great-granddaughter could fill it for him. She sure was blossoming into a beautiful young woman, both inside and out. Xander hoped this Ellis person she was so crazy about would appreciate what a wonderful girl she was.
"Need anything else?" she asked.
"No, Sweetie, I'm fine," he said with a smile. "Thank you."
She went back inside. Ever since Orlando's death the entire family had been very solicitous of Xander's needs, never letting him mope for too long, and he was grateful. But sometimes a man needed time alone with his thoughts.
Abbey, his faithful dog, came and lay down under his chair and put her large head on her paws. After a rough start she was shaping up to be a good dog.
"Good girl," Xander said. She raised her head to look at him before settling down for a nap.
His life was good, Xander realized. He'd had the love of the same person for nearly sixty years. Not many people could say that. He had three sons who had turned out, well, OK, maybe not the way he'd hoped, but they were living their lives the way they wanted to. He still hoped that one day Antonio would give up his life of crime, but as his youngest son was over fifty he knew that was probably not going to happen. Carlo seemed happy running LolaWood, his great-grandmother's haunted estate, and Dante had a good life, with a loving wife, a good career and several children and grandchildren.
All in all, not a bad life. Not bad at all. He and his non-vampire siblings were close, and he and Xena had reached an understanding of sorts, an agreement to disagree. He couldn't run her life for her, after all.
Feeling drowsy in the hot sun, Xander sighed with contentment, closed his eyes, and died.
"Need a refill, Grandpa?" she asked.
"Sure, honey," he said, holding out his glass so his great-granddaughter could fill it for him. She sure was blossoming into a beautiful young woman, both inside and out. Xander hoped this Ellis person she was so crazy about would appreciate what a wonderful girl she was.
"Need anything else?" she asked.
"No, Sweetie, I'm fine," he said with a smile. "Thank you."
She went back inside. Ever since Orlando's death the entire family had been very solicitous of Xander's needs, never letting him mope for too long, and he was grateful. But sometimes a man needed time alone with his thoughts.
Abbey, his faithful dog, came and lay down under his chair and put her large head on her paws. After a rough start she was shaping up to be a good dog.
"Good girl," Xander said. She raised her head to look at him before settling down for a nap.
His life was good, Xander realized. He'd had the love of the same person for nearly sixty years. Not many people could say that. He had three sons who had turned out, well, OK, maybe not the way he'd hoped, but they were living their lives the way they wanted to. He still hoped that one day Antonio would give up his life of crime, but as his youngest son was over fifty he knew that was probably not going to happen. Carlo seemed happy running LolaWood, his great-grandmother's haunted estate, and Dante had a good life, with a loving wife, a good career and several children and grandchildren.
All in all, not a bad life. Not bad at all. He and his non-vampire siblings were close, and he and Xena had reached an understanding of sorts, an agreement to disagree. He couldn't run her life for her, after all.
Feeling drowsy in the hot sun, Xander sighed with contentment, closed his eyes, and died.
Not Anymore
"I don't want you kids playing with that stray dog while I'm at work," Ricardo said. "Lord knows where he's been. He probably has fleas."
"But he's hungry," Will said.
"And really sweet," Peyton added.
"I mean it," Ricardo said. "I don't want that dog in our house."
"Can we get a dog of our own? Please?" Peyton asked.
"Yeah! A puppy!" Angel said, bouncing up and down.
"We can't afford one right now," their father said.
"Augh! We can't afford anything!" Peyton shouted. "I'm sick of being poor. I hate this house. I hate my clothes. I hate my life!" She ran upstairs.
Will rolled his eyes. "Drama queen."
"Yeah," Angel said, copying Will's gesture. "Drama Queen."
Ricardo, tight-lipped, said, "I'm going to work. No dog, Will. I'm counting on you."
Upstairs the baby started crying.
"Who has time for a dog?" Will asked, sprinting up the stairs.
Ricardo came home late that night, looking tired but happy. He kissed Isadora on the forehead.
"Hard day?" she asked.
"Yes and no," he said, sitting down at the table with her. "I got a bonus."
She looked at him. "That's great, honey. We could use a little money."
"It's more than a little money," he said. "How'd you like a new house?"
"Are you sure we can afford it?" she asked. "With five kids?"
"Iz, I know I'm tired, but I'm pretty sure we only have four," he said.
"Um, not anymore," she said, biting her lip.
They bought Max's childhood home, overlooking the ocean. After their tiny house on its small lot the new house felt like a mansion. It had four bedrooms and three baths, two living rooms and a screened in porch.
"Your grandfather grew up in this house," Isadora told her two boys as she bounced baby Carmen on her hip.
"Uh huh, that's great," Peyton said. "Which room is mine?"
"But he's hungry," Will said.
"And really sweet," Peyton added.
"I mean it," Ricardo said. "I don't want that dog in our house."
"Can we get a dog of our own? Please?" Peyton asked.
"Yeah! A puppy!" Angel said, bouncing up and down.
"We can't afford one right now," their father said.
"Augh! We can't afford anything!" Peyton shouted. "I'm sick of being poor. I hate this house. I hate my clothes. I hate my life!" She ran upstairs.
Will rolled his eyes. "Drama queen."
"Yeah," Angel said, copying Will's gesture. "Drama Queen."
Ricardo, tight-lipped, said, "I'm going to work. No dog, Will. I'm counting on you."
Upstairs the baby started crying.
"Who has time for a dog?" Will asked, sprinting up the stairs.
Ricardo came home late that night, looking tired but happy. He kissed Isadora on the forehead.
"Hard day?" she asked.
"Yes and no," he said, sitting down at the table with her. "I got a bonus."
She looked at him. "That's great, honey. We could use a little money."
"It's more than a little money," he said. "How'd you like a new house?"
"Are you sure we can afford it?" she asked. "With five kids?"
"Iz, I know I'm tired, but I'm pretty sure we only have four," he said.
"Um, not anymore," she said, biting her lip.
They bought Max's childhood home, overlooking the ocean. After their tiny house on its small lot the new house felt like a mansion. It had four bedrooms and three baths, two living rooms and a screened in porch.
"Your grandfather grew up in this house," Isadora told her two boys as she bounced baby Carmen on her hip.
"Uh huh, that's great," Peyton said. "Which room is mine?"
Obituaries, Porta de Luca Times
Ashley Pitts died this week of old age. He leaves behind his longtime companion Heather Huffington, their daughter, Waverly Huffington Thibadeux, her husband, former Mayor Aries Thibadeux, a granddaughter, Jaden Thibadeux and her husband Tristan du Maurier Thibadeux, and a great-granddaughter, Scarlett Thibadeux. Pitts was a celebrated local chef with his own nationally syndicated cooking show, Cooking With Ash. The tattooed, irreverent chef with a flair for spicy, fun food will be sorely missed by his friends, family and fans alike.
Orlando Centowski Nova, former Chief of Police, passed away in his sleep unexpectedly this week. He was 80 years old. Nova leaves behind his spouse of more than 50 years, Xander Nova. The couple had three sons, Dante, Carlo and Antonio Nova, a daughter-in-law, Stella Nova, four grandchildren, Wyatt, Riley, Ezra and Skylar, and three great-grandchildren, Emily and Elijah Kane and Alexa Nova. Nova will be remembered as a fair and honest cop who made sure everyone on his force lived up to his high standards. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Orlando Centowski Nova, former Chief of Police, passed away in his sleep unexpectedly this week. He was 80 years old. Nova leaves behind his spouse of more than 50 years, Xander Nova. The couple had three sons, Dante, Carlo and Antonio Nova, a daughter-in-law, Stella Nova, four grandchildren, Wyatt, Riley, Ezra and Skylar, and three great-grandchildren, Emily and Elijah Kane and Alexa Nova. Nova will be remembered as a fair and honest cop who made sure everyone on his force lived up to his high standards. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends.
At the Phoenix Estate
"Explain to me again why we need the urns," Zaid Mustafa said to his business partner and roommate, Carlo Nova.
"I told you, it's good for business. People are gonna flock to this place, hoping to see Lola's ghost. Or at least Tyson's."
"Well, good, when I'm in the hospital for a heart attack I'll just tell them it was good for business," Zaid said.
"That's the spirit."
"I told you, it's good for business. People are gonna flock to this place, hoping to see Lola's ghost. Or at least Tyson's."
"Well, good, when I'm in the hospital for a heart attack I'll just tell them it was good for business," Zaid said.
"That's the spirit."
The Girl's Got Wings
"Uh, Mom? Can you come in here for a minute?" Aurora yelled downstairs.
Aphrodite put down her book and went upstairs. Aurora stood in the hallway.
They stared at each other for a few minutes, and then Aphrodite said, "I think we'd better call your father."
Aphrodite put down her book and went upstairs. Aurora stood in the hallway.
They stared at each other for a few minutes, and then Aphrodite said, "I think we'd better call your father."
Not You, Too
"I'm sorry I never told you," Aphrodite said later that night, in their room.
"It doesn't really matter," George said. "I love you, and Rory, regardless. It's not like I've never had other lovers. For all I know I've got a dozen children out there somewhere."
"Well, let's hope they don't all move home at once," she said, and he laughed.
"I have been doing a lot of thinking, however," he said, "about our future."
"You have?"
"I want us to be married."
She stared at him.
"Aphrodite, will you marry me?"
"Not you, too," she said.
He looked taken aback. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Fenris was acting all proprietary earlier this evening, and now you, with this marriage stuff. I told you, George, I'm not the marrying type."
"You think I am? I love you, and I plan to spend the rest of my life with you, and until a week or so ago that was enough. But now we have our child to think about."
She said nothing.
"Aphrodite, are you having second thoughts about us?"
"What? No," she said.
"Then, think of it as a partnership. The merger of Liebowitz and Longman."
"We sound like a law firm," she said, but she smiled.
"So," he said, "how about it? Will you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. George Longman?"
"It doesn't really matter," George said. "I love you, and Rory, regardless. It's not like I've never had other lovers. For all I know I've got a dozen children out there somewhere."
"Well, let's hope they don't all move home at once," she said, and he laughed.
"I have been doing a lot of thinking, however," he said, "about our future."
"You have?"
"I want us to be married."
She stared at him.
"Aphrodite, will you marry me?"
"Not you, too," she said.
He looked taken aback. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Fenris was acting all proprietary earlier this evening, and now you, with this marriage stuff. I told you, George, I'm not the marrying type."
"You think I am? I love you, and I plan to spend the rest of my life with you, and until a week or so ago that was enough. But now we have our child to think about."
She said nothing.
"Aphrodite, are you having second thoughts about us?"
"What? No," she said.
"Then, think of it as a partnership. The merger of Liebowitz and Longman."
"We sound like a law firm," she said, but she smiled.
"So," he said, "how about it? Will you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. George Longman?"
Meet Your Father
"Hi," Fenris said. He felt like an alien on a strange planet. He had a child. She was lovely, and he could see bits of himself and bits of Aphrodite in her. She had his eyes, and brows, and nose, but red hair and Aphrodite's amazing cheekbones. Pale skin, that was weird, but hey, who knew how sidhe/human genetics interacted.
"You're my dad," she said. She had a lovely voice, a little husky. It reminded him of Nwad.
"It appears so," he said.
"Huh," she said, tilting her head and regarding him.
He smiled. "Your aunt does that."
"My what?"
"Your aunt. I have two sisters. Luna's always tilting her head like that."
"Huh," she said again. "Wanna see me do a cartwheel?"
"Sure," he said, chuckling.
"Well, thank you for coming," Aphrodite said.
George and Fenris eyed each other warily, like combatants in a ring.
"Are you coming back?" Rory asked.
"May I speak with you privately?" Fenris asked Aphrodite.
They stepped outside.
"I think the child belongs with me," he said.
"What? No. Forget it."
"She's half Sidhe, Aphrodite. Do you have any idea what that means?"
"She's my daughter, Fenris. I'm not handing her over to you like lost luggage."
"She's my daughter too."
"You don't really strike me as the fatherly type, Fenris."
"That is irrelevant. I am a father, and as a Sidhe I am in a much better position to guide her in that regard."
"Then, fine. Guide all you want. At my house. You are not taking my child from me."
"You could come too."
"That is out of the question," she said. "This conversation is over."
"I'm afraid it's far from over," he said. "But for now, good night." He walked away, and she swore she saw sparks of anger fly off him like fireflies in the gathering dusk.
"You're my dad," she said. She had a lovely voice, a little husky. It reminded him of Nwad.
"It appears so," he said.
"Huh," she said, tilting her head and regarding him.
He smiled. "Your aunt does that."
"My what?"
"Your aunt. I have two sisters. Luna's always tilting her head like that."
"Huh," she said again. "Wanna see me do a cartwheel?"
"Sure," he said, chuckling.
"Well, thank you for coming," Aphrodite said.
George and Fenris eyed each other warily, like combatants in a ring.
"Are you coming back?" Rory asked.
"May I speak with you privately?" Fenris asked Aphrodite.
They stepped outside.
"I think the child belongs with me," he said.
"What? No. Forget it."
"She's half Sidhe, Aphrodite. Do you have any idea what that means?"
"She's my daughter, Fenris. I'm not handing her over to you like lost luggage."
"She's my daughter too."
"You don't really strike me as the fatherly type, Fenris."
"That is irrelevant. I am a father, and as a Sidhe I am in a much better position to guide her in that regard."
"Then, fine. Guide all you want. At my house. You are not taking my child from me."
"You could come too."
"That is out of the question," she said. "This conversation is over."
"I'm afraid it's far from over," he said. "But for now, good night." He walked away, and she swore she saw sparks of anger fly off him like fireflies in the gathering dusk.
Surprise!
Fenris, thanks for meeting me for lunch," Aphrodite said.
"Finally come to your senses and leaving George for me?" Fenris asked, caressing her hand.
"Ah, no." She withdrew her hand. "George and I are very happy."
Fenris sighed. "So what couldn't you tell me over the phone?"
"You're a daddy."
Fenris choked on his wine.
"You're just telling me this now?" he asked, coughing.
"Well, I wasn't sure whose it was," she admitted. "It was between three candidates, but she's got your eyes. She's definitely yours."
"How old is she?"
"Eleven. She'll be twelve soon."
He said nothing, and she waited for it to sink in.
"What would you like from me?" he asked, finally.
"She wants to meet you," she said.
"Finally come to your senses and leaving George for me?" Fenris asked, caressing her hand.
"Ah, no." She withdrew her hand. "George and I are very happy."
Fenris sighed. "So what couldn't you tell me over the phone?"
"You're a daddy."
Fenris choked on his wine.
"You're just telling me this now?" he asked, coughing.
"Well, I wasn't sure whose it was," she admitted. "It was between three candidates, but she's got your eyes. She's definitely yours."
"How old is she?"
"Eleven. She'll be twelve soon."
He said nothing, and she waited for it to sink in.
"What would you like from me?" he asked, finally.
"She wants to meet you," she said.
Yours, Mine, and George's
They moved next door. The house looked the same on the outside as Walter and Xanthe's house, but the interior layout was completely different. Xanthe gave them the living room set and many other pieces, saying she'd wanted to redecorate for ages anyway. George sensed she felt badly about the tension Sam had caused.
The house was sunny, and quiet, and theirs. Rory was excited because she had a bigger room, and her own swingset. They had very little artwork so she drew a picture for them to hang in the kitchen.
The first night at dinner she looked from her mother to George and back again, and finally asked, in a timid voice, "So. Who is my father? The one who made me, I mean."
"His name is Fenris Fey," Aphrodite said, avoiding George's gaze. "You have his eyes."
"What's he like?" Rory asked.
"He's, ah, well, he's different," Aphrodite said. "He's very handsome, and charming."
"Does he know about me?"
"No, honey, he doesn't."
"I want to meet him."
Aphrodite finally met George's eyes, reluctantly. She was afraid of what she'd see there. His expression was solemn.
"Um, I'll see what I can do," Aphrodite said, suddenly feeling queasy. "Excuse me." She ran for the toilet.
"I'm sorry, Mama," Rory said at the bathroom door. "I don't have to see my father. Please, don't be sick because of me."
"Oh, sweetie," Aphrodite said, opening the door and giving her a hug. "I'm not sick because of you."
She met George's eyes and saw the beginning of a smile creep across his face. He raised an eyebrow, and she nodded, smiling sheepishly.
"Then what is it?" Rory demanded.
"We're going to have a baby," her mother said.
"Whose is it?" Rory asked.
George covered his mouth to hide a laugh as Aphrodite actually blushed.
"Ours," she said. "Mine, George's, and yours."
The house was sunny, and quiet, and theirs. Rory was excited because she had a bigger room, and her own swingset. They had very little artwork so she drew a picture for them to hang in the kitchen.
The first night at dinner she looked from her mother to George and back again, and finally asked, in a timid voice, "So. Who is my father? The one who made me, I mean."
"His name is Fenris Fey," Aphrodite said, avoiding George's gaze. "You have his eyes."
"What's he like?" Rory asked.
"He's, ah, well, he's different," Aphrodite said. "He's very handsome, and charming."
"Does he know about me?"
"No, honey, he doesn't."
"I want to meet him."
Aphrodite finally met George's eyes, reluctantly. She was afraid of what she'd see there. His expression was solemn.
"Um, I'll see what I can do," Aphrodite said, suddenly feeling queasy. "Excuse me." She ran for the toilet.
"I'm sorry, Mama," Rory said at the bathroom door. "I don't have to see my father. Please, don't be sick because of me."
"Oh, sweetie," Aphrodite said, opening the door and giving her a hug. "I'm not sick because of you."
She met George's eyes and saw the beginning of a smile creep across his face. He raised an eyebrow, and she nodded, smiling sheepishly.
"Then what is it?" Rory demanded.
"We're going to have a baby," her mother said.
"Whose is it?" Rory asked.
George covered his mouth to hide a laugh as Aphrodite actually blushed.
"Ours," she said. "Mine, George's, and yours."
George and Aphrodite
"Samantha," George said, advancing on her later that night after Aurora was in bed, "don't you ever do something like that again."
"Well, how was I supposed to know she was listening?" Sam said.
The two stood glaring at each other as the front door opened. Aphrodite, looking exhausted, had just come home from work. She looked from one to the other and said, "What's going on?"
"I'm warning you, Sam," George said. "Keep your opinions to yourself."
"I was," Sam said.
"No, you weren't. You made it abundantly clear you disapproved without saying a word. How dare you judge us."
"What is going on?" Aphrodite repeated.
"I'll tell you in private," George said. "Come on, let's go to bed."
"I'll kill her," Aphrodite said, starting to get up and get dressed again.
George pulled her back to the bed. "There's no point in arguing it further."
"How dare she." Aphrodite was amost trembling with rage. "Well, we're moving out. I won't have Rory raised in this kind of atmosphere."
"I agree. The house next door is up for sale."
"But, she'll still see Sam that way."
"And Walter, and Xanthe, and Ellis, don't forget. She thinks of them as family."
"I guess you're right."
"Besides, we're broke," George said. "That house has been standing empty for years. They'll probably cut us a deal."
Aphrodite yawned mightily.
"Right now," George said, "it's time for you to get some sleep."
He tucked her in and kissed her forehead.
"Night, George."
"Night."
"Well, how was I supposed to know she was listening?" Sam said.
The two stood glaring at each other as the front door opened. Aphrodite, looking exhausted, had just come home from work. She looked from one to the other and said, "What's going on?"
"I'm warning you, Sam," George said. "Keep your opinions to yourself."
"I was," Sam said.
"No, you weren't. You made it abundantly clear you disapproved without saying a word. How dare you judge us."
"What is going on?" Aphrodite repeated.
"I'll tell you in private," George said. "Come on, let's go to bed."
"I'll kill her," Aphrodite said, starting to get up and get dressed again.
George pulled her back to the bed. "There's no point in arguing it further."
"How dare she." Aphrodite was amost trembling with rage. "Well, we're moving out. I won't have Rory raised in this kind of atmosphere."
"I agree. The house next door is up for sale."
"But, she'll still see Sam that way."
"And Walter, and Xanthe, and Ellis, don't forget. She thinks of them as family."
"I guess you're right."
"Besides, we're broke," George said. "That house has been standing empty for years. They'll probably cut us a deal."
Aphrodite yawned mightily.
"Right now," George said, "it's time for you to get some sleep."
He tucked her in and kissed her forehead.
"Night, George."
"Night."
Her Real Dad
"Just what is your problem with me, Sam?" George asked one day out of sheer frustration. Sam had been sending no-so-subtle sighs and significant looks his way for months now, and it was getting on his nerves.
"Nothing," she said, "Everything's fine."
"Everything is not fine," he said with a growl, "and cut the passive aggressive crap. You have a problem, you come out and say it."
"OK, you want to know what it is? It's you and that woman of yours and the way you're destroying that child's life."
George stared at her open-mouthed. "Des-- have you lost your mind?"
"She's going to figure it out, you know," Sam said, sniffily.
"Figure what out, Sam," George asked in a dangerous tone.
"That you're not her real father," Sam said.
Behind them they heard a small squeak.
They turned to see Aurora, hand over her mouth, blue-green eyes huge as she backed away from George.
"Rory, honey," George said, but Aurora ran for it.
George had never been more furious in his life. "I'll deal with you later," he spat at Sam and went to find the girl he considered his daughter.
Rory sat on her bed, hugging her stuffed giraffe and looking about three years old, even though she was halfway to being a teenager. Big tears ran down her face and George wanted to strangle Sam. Where she'd gotten her holier-than-thou attitude, he'd never know. He didn't care. She'd hurt one of the people he loved most and he was nearly shaking with fury.
No one messed with his kid.
He took a deep breath and went to stand near the bed. "Mind if I sit down?"
She shook her head no. He sat down next to her carefully, as if she was made of china, and put his arm around her shoulders. She buried her face in his chest and cried for a long time.
When the sobs stopped she asked, hiccuping, "Is it true?"
"I think so, Sweetie. We never bothered to have a test done, but you don't really look like me at all."
"I don't understand," Rory said. "How can you not be my daddy? I thought Mama loved you."
"You know how it's possible for you to love me, and Mama?" George asked.
"Yeah."
"Well, your Mama once loved me, and someone else, at the same time. And sometimes when you love someone, you make a baby with them."
"Who is my daddy?" Rory asked.
"I want you to listen to me very carefully, because I'm going to tell you something very important right now," George said. "I may not have been the one that made you, but I am your daddy. For real and forever. I love you, Sugarplum. Don't you ever forget it."
She crawled into his lap and he held her for a long time.
"Nothing," she said, "Everything's fine."
"Everything is not fine," he said with a growl, "and cut the passive aggressive crap. You have a problem, you come out and say it."
"OK, you want to know what it is? It's you and that woman of yours and the way you're destroying that child's life."
George stared at her open-mouthed. "Des-- have you lost your mind?"
"She's going to figure it out, you know," Sam said, sniffily.
"Figure what out, Sam," George asked in a dangerous tone.
"That you're not her real father," Sam said.
Behind them they heard a small squeak.
They turned to see Aurora, hand over her mouth, blue-green eyes huge as she backed away from George.
"Rory, honey," George said, but Aurora ran for it.
George had never been more furious in his life. "I'll deal with you later," he spat at Sam and went to find the girl he considered his daughter.
Rory sat on her bed, hugging her stuffed giraffe and looking about three years old, even though she was halfway to being a teenager. Big tears ran down her face and George wanted to strangle Sam. Where she'd gotten her holier-than-thou attitude, he'd never know. He didn't care. She'd hurt one of the people he loved most and he was nearly shaking with fury.
No one messed with his kid.
He took a deep breath and went to stand near the bed. "Mind if I sit down?"
She shook her head no. He sat down next to her carefully, as if she was made of china, and put his arm around her shoulders. She buried her face in his chest and cried for a long time.
When the sobs stopped she asked, hiccuping, "Is it true?"
"I think so, Sweetie. We never bothered to have a test done, but you don't really look like me at all."
"I don't understand," Rory said. "How can you not be my daddy? I thought Mama loved you."
"You know how it's possible for you to love me, and Mama?" George asked.
"Yeah."
"Well, your Mama once loved me, and someone else, at the same time. And sometimes when you love someone, you make a baby with them."
"Who is my daddy?" Rory asked.
"I want you to listen to me very carefully, because I'm going to tell you something very important right now," George said. "I may not have been the one that made you, but I am your daddy. For real and forever. I love you, Sugarplum. Don't you ever forget it."
She crawled into his lap and he held her for a long time.
Anniversary Party
"Thank you for staying with me all these years," Xander said one night, looking up from his book and smiling at Orlando.
"Well, where else was I going to find a hottie like you?" Orlando asked with a wink.
"I want to do something," Xander said. "Something special."
"What's that?"
"Why, throw a party of course," Xander replied. "It's been much too long since all my siblings were in the same place at the same time."
"Well, where else was I going to find a hottie like you?" Orlando asked with a wink.
"I want to do something," Xander said. "Something special."
"What's that?"
"Why, throw a party of course," Xander replied. "It's been much too long since all my siblings were in the same place at the same time."
Devil Child
Seth McKenna was a sweet, happy baby, unlike his cousin August. Lucy secretly dubbed August "devil child" though she valued her friendship with July too much to call him that out loud.
She was startled to realize the depth of her love for her son and could only imagine it was the same for July, though what there was to love about cranky, ill-tempered Augie, she wasn't sure.
One evening when she woke up she was informed by a beaming Emmet that their son had rolled over that day and smiled for the first time and she felt such a feeling of loss it almost knocked her flat.
That was that, then.
She called the gypsy that same night.
She was startled to realize the depth of her love for her son and could only imagine it was the same for July, though what there was to love about cranky, ill-tempered Augie, she wasn't sure.
One evening when she woke up she was informed by a beaming Emmet that their son had rolled over that day and smiled for the first time and she felt such a feeling of loss it almost knocked her flat.
That was that, then.
She called the gypsy that same night.
Worth the Price of Admission
"Into the car, young ladies," Daddy said. The look on his face was dangerous, and I knew I'd be lucky if I got to go to Senior Prom, six years from now. "Thank you, Mr. du Maurier," he said to Spike. "Hope they weren't too much trouble."
"Nah," said Spike. "And please, call me Spike. Mr. du Maurier's my rotten old man."
"Thank you, Spike," Daddy said, nodding to Mrs. du Maurier as well. "Ma'am."
He took me and Scarlett by the arm and marched us to the car. We sat in the back seat, miserable and scared, as my dad drove Scarlett home first, and then me. He didn't say a word the entire trip, and I knew I was in for it.
I'd meant what I'd said to Spike. I'd never had more fun, despite all the danger and cold and everything.
But now I was going to pay for it.
When I got home Mama caught me in a fierce, wordless hug that nearly smothered me. I could feel her crying. That made me feel worse than any punishment could have. I'd really scared her. I was a terrible daughter.
She pulled away and wiped her eyes. "Are you hungry?" she asked.
I shook my head no. Those biscuits had been pretty filling.
"The vampires fed them," Dad said in a tight voice.
Mama stared at him. "V-vampires?"
"Yes. Fortunately for us, the friendly kind."
I didn't speak, hoping they'd forget I was there.
No such luck. "Lily," my Dad said, sounding tired, "You're grounded until the end of the school year."
That was months from now. I opened my mouth but the look Dad gave me made me shut it again.
"Go to bed," he said.
I felt awful, like he didn't love me anymore. I burst into tears and ran upstairs.
Dad knocked on my door a few minutes later. "Lily," he said. "Can I come in?"
I sat up in my bed and wiped my face. "OK."
He came in and sat at the end of my bed. "I just want you to know, I'm upset with your behavior but that doesn't mean I don't love you. If I didn't love you I wouldn't be so upset right now. Do you understand?"
I nodded.
"Honey, what you did was very dangerous. You could have been killed, or turned into a vampire. Your mother was worried sick. If anything had happened to you ... "
"I'm sorry," I said in a whisper. "I just wanted to have an adventure."
"Was it worth it?"
I bit my lip. "Not if it worried you and mom like that. I won't do it again."
He patted my hand. "Good. Get some sleep." He stood up and turned out the light. "Good night, Lily."
"Night, Dad."
I meant it. While I was under their roof I'd be a good girl. I guessed adventures would have to wait. I was just glad my Dad didn't hate me.
But when I went to sleep I dreamed about vampires, and what it might feel like to fly.
"Nah," said Spike. "And please, call me Spike. Mr. du Maurier's my rotten old man."
"Thank you, Spike," Daddy said, nodding to Mrs. du Maurier as well. "Ma'am."
He took me and Scarlett by the arm and marched us to the car. We sat in the back seat, miserable and scared, as my dad drove Scarlett home first, and then me. He didn't say a word the entire trip, and I knew I was in for it.
I'd meant what I'd said to Spike. I'd never had more fun, despite all the danger and cold and everything.
But now I was going to pay for it.
When I got home Mama caught me in a fierce, wordless hug that nearly smothered me. I could feel her crying. That made me feel worse than any punishment could have. I'd really scared her. I was a terrible daughter.
She pulled away and wiped her eyes. "Are you hungry?" she asked.
I shook my head no. Those biscuits had been pretty filling.
"The vampires fed them," Dad said in a tight voice.
Mama stared at him. "V-vampires?"
"Yes. Fortunately for us, the friendly kind."
I didn't speak, hoping they'd forget I was there.
No such luck. "Lily," my Dad said, sounding tired, "You're grounded until the end of the school year."
That was months from now. I opened my mouth but the look Dad gave me made me shut it again.
"Go to bed," he said.
I felt awful, like he didn't love me anymore. I burst into tears and ran upstairs.
Dad knocked on my door a few minutes later. "Lily," he said. "Can I come in?"
I sat up in my bed and wiped my face. "OK."
He came in and sat at the end of my bed. "I just want you to know, I'm upset with your behavior but that doesn't mean I don't love you. If I didn't love you I wouldn't be so upset right now. Do you understand?"
I nodded.
"Honey, what you did was very dangerous. You could have been killed, or turned into a vampire. Your mother was worried sick. If anything had happened to you ... "
"I'm sorry," I said in a whisper. "I just wanted to have an adventure."
"Was it worth it?"
I bit my lip. "Not if it worried you and mom like that. I won't do it again."
He patted my hand. "Good. Get some sleep." He stood up and turned out the light. "Good night, Lily."
"Night, Dad."
I meant it. While I was under their roof I'd be a good girl. I guessed adventures would have to wait. I was just glad my Dad didn't hate me.
But when I went to sleep I dreamed about vampires, and what it might feel like to fly.
Be Careful What You Ask For
The ruined mansion was beyond cool. It was lit with iron candelabras. Inside it was much nicer than you'd think, warm and cozy with a fire going in the fireplace. A gorgeous dark-haired woman sat on a lip-shaped couch. She set down her book as we entered.
"We've got guests," Spike said. "Girls, meet the Mrs."
"Hello," she said in a voice like Jessica Rabbit's. "Would you like something to drink?"
"Yes, please," I said.
She rose gracefully from the couch and glided out of the room.
"Have a seat," Spike said, perching on the bar.
We sat down on the couch. The fire was nice and warm. Scarlett sat so close to me she was almost in my lap.
"I'm Lily," I said. "This is Scarlett. She's a little freaked."
"I gathered as much." Spike grinned.
Two more vampires came running through the room, dripping wet and dressed in swimsuits, shrieking with laughter as they chased each other upstairs.
Spike shook his head but didn't bother to introduce them. "So, what brings you two out this time of night? Looking for a little adventure?"
I nodded.
"Found it, didn't you."
"Yeah," I said. "I guess we did."
"And?"
"Honestly?"
He cocked an eyebrow at me.
"I'm having the time of my life."
He laughed out loud.
Spike's wife gave us fruit juice and these big cookies Spike called biscuits. We ate them gratefully. I was starving.
"You wouldn't happen to be related to Ariel Nova, would you?"
"I think she's my great aunt," I said.
"Thought so. You remind me of her."
"I do? I don't know her very well," I admitted.
"I could tell you stories," Spike said with a grin. We heard footsteps outside. "That'll be your dad," he said.
"We've got guests," Spike said. "Girls, meet the Mrs."
"Hello," she said in a voice like Jessica Rabbit's. "Would you like something to drink?"
"Yes, please," I said.
She rose gracefully from the couch and glided out of the room.
"Have a seat," Spike said, perching on the bar.
We sat down on the couch. The fire was nice and warm. Scarlett sat so close to me she was almost in my lap.
"I'm Lily," I said. "This is Scarlett. She's a little freaked."
"I gathered as much." Spike grinned.
Two more vampires came running through the room, dripping wet and dressed in swimsuits, shrieking with laughter as they chased each other upstairs.
Spike shook his head but didn't bother to introduce them. "So, what brings you two out this time of night? Looking for a little adventure?"
I nodded.
"Found it, didn't you."
"Yeah," I said. "I guess we did."
"And?"
"Honestly?"
He cocked an eyebrow at me.
"I'm having the time of my life."
He laughed out loud.
Spike's wife gave us fruit juice and these big cookies Spike called biscuits. We ate them gratefully. I was starving.
"You wouldn't happen to be related to Ariel Nova, would you?"
"I think she's my great aunt," I said.
"Thought so. You remind me of her."
"I do? I don't know her very well," I admitted.
"I could tell you stories," Spike said with a grin. We heard footsteps outside. "That'll be your dad," he said.
What Kind of a Person Lives There?
It was the wrong way. No restaurants, and now we were standing across the street from a ruined mansion. Candlelight flickered through the windows, showing that someone was home. Problem was, I wasn't sure I wanted to ask for help from someone who would live in a place like that.
"We could ask those people for help," Scarlett said.
"Scarlett, think about it. What kind of a person would live THERE? They probably don't even own a phone."
"Uh, good point," she said, shivering. "It's just so cold."
"Well, you should have worn a coat," I said. I took mine off. "Here. Wear this for a while."
"OK, but just until I get warm." She shrugged into it gratefully.
She was right. It was cold. My feet hurt, I was starving, lost and scared. "I think we should just keep walking," I said. "Those people could be vampires, too, or criminals or something. My dad said I shouldn't talk to strangers."
"Very wise of him," said a voice.
He was pale, with blonde hair, dressed in leather pants and a T-shirt. He didn't seem to mind the cold. He also wasn't breathing.
"Poor lost little lambs," he said.
We backed away.
He chuckled. "Smart girls. But don't worry. Tonight, I'm your good Samaritan." He pulled out a cell phone and held it out to me. "Go ahead. Call your Pop."
I looked at him suspiciously.
"Go ahead, Luv. It's a cell phone, not a snake." He had a great British accent that I wasn't in the mood to appreciate just then.
I took the phone and called my dad. I was going to be in such trouble, but it beat being out past midnight in the company of a vampire. "D... Dad?" I said.
"Lily?!!! Where the hell are you? Do you have ANY idea how worried we've been? How dare you pull a stunt like this?"
"Dad, can you save the yelling until I get home?" I asked, starting to cry. "I'm downtown. Somewhere. I don't know where."
"Hand me the phone," said the vampire. "What's your dad's name, Luv?"
"D-David."
"Oy, Davey, this is Spike du Maurier. Found your little lambs wandering in my neck of the woods. I'll give you directions." He did, then hung up.
"He's mad, isn't he."
"Yeah, I think that's safe to say. Come on inside, kiddies. You can wait in the relative comfort of my domicile. That is, if you're brave enough."
Scarlett looked ready to run again, but I took her by the hand.
"Thanks," I said. "That would be great."
"We could ask those people for help," Scarlett said.
"Scarlett, think about it. What kind of a person would live THERE? They probably don't even own a phone."
"Uh, good point," she said, shivering. "It's just so cold."
"Well, you should have worn a coat," I said. I took mine off. "Here. Wear this for a while."
"OK, but just until I get warm." She shrugged into it gratefully.
She was right. It was cold. My feet hurt, I was starving, lost and scared. "I think we should just keep walking," I said. "Those people could be vampires, too, or criminals or something. My dad said I shouldn't talk to strangers."
"Very wise of him," said a voice.
He was pale, with blonde hair, dressed in leather pants and a T-shirt. He didn't seem to mind the cold. He also wasn't breathing.
"Poor lost little lambs," he said.
We backed away.
He chuckled. "Smart girls. But don't worry. Tonight, I'm your good Samaritan." He pulled out a cell phone and held it out to me. "Go ahead. Call your Pop."
I looked at him suspiciously.
"Go ahead, Luv. It's a cell phone, not a snake." He had a great British accent that I wasn't in the mood to appreciate just then.
I took the phone and called my dad. I was going to be in such trouble, but it beat being out past midnight in the company of a vampire. "D... Dad?" I said.
"Lily?!!! Where the hell are you? Do you have ANY idea how worried we've been? How dare you pull a stunt like this?"
"Dad, can you save the yelling until I get home?" I asked, starting to cry. "I'm downtown. Somewhere. I don't know where."
"Hand me the phone," said the vampire. "What's your dad's name, Luv?"
"D-David."
"Oy, Davey, this is Spike du Maurier. Found your little lambs wandering in my neck of the woods. I'll give you directions." He did, then hung up.
"He's mad, isn't he."
"Yeah, I think that's safe to say. Come on inside, kiddies. You can wait in the relative comfort of my domicile. That is, if you're brave enough."
Scarlett looked ready to run again, but I took her by the hand.
"Thanks," I said. "That would be great."
Lost Downtown at Midnight
"Aren't you kiddies out past your bedtime?" the vampire asked.
"Um," Scarlett squeaked.
"No," I said. "What's it to you?"
"Ballsy. I like that." The vampire grinned. She looked like maybe she was pretty when she was, you know, alive, but now she just looked scary. I gulped.
"You aren't going to, um, eat us, are you?"
"Hmmm ... an interesting possibility."
Scarlett looked like she was going to faint. She reached for my hand, and on an unspoken command, we ran for it.
We heard the vampire laughing behind us.
We were lost. We were in a part of downtown neither of us had ever visited before, not a cab in sight.
"We're lost," I said.
"Yeah." Scarlett looked scared.
"Scarlett, we're downtown, no cellphones, nothing's open. Do you know which way your house is?" Scarlett, unlike me, lived downtown.
"No." She gulped. "What are we going to do?" She gripped my arm so tightly I thought I'd lose the circulation. I wiggled a bit.
"Scarlett, that hurts."
"Sorry." She loosened her grip. "Lily, I'm scared."
"Shhh," I said. "I'm trying to think." I looked around. We were in the downtown office district. Huge skyscrapers blocked our view of what was on the next block. Everything was closed down. We could try to get a security guard's attention, I supposed, but it was a long shot. "We need to find a payphone," I said, finally. "Where there are offices, there's got to be places to eat, right?"
She nodded.
"And restaurants always have a payphone out front. So, we need to keep walking."
"But, which way?"
I looked around. "That way," I said finally.
"Um," Scarlett squeaked.
"No," I said. "What's it to you?"
"Ballsy. I like that." The vampire grinned. She looked like maybe she was pretty when she was, you know, alive, but now she just looked scary. I gulped.
"You aren't going to, um, eat us, are you?"
"Hmmm ... an interesting possibility."
Scarlett looked like she was going to faint. She reached for my hand, and on an unspoken command, we ran for it.
We heard the vampire laughing behind us.
We were lost. We were in a part of downtown neither of us had ever visited before, not a cab in sight.
"We're lost," I said.
"Yeah." Scarlett looked scared.
"Scarlett, we're downtown, no cellphones, nothing's open. Do you know which way your house is?" Scarlett, unlike me, lived downtown.
"No." She gulped. "What are we going to do?" She gripped my arm so tightly I thought I'd lose the circulation. I wiggled a bit.
"Scarlett, that hurts."
"Sorry." She loosened her grip. "Lily, I'm scared."
"Shhh," I said. "I'm trying to think." I looked around. We were in the downtown office district. Huge skyscrapers blocked our view of what was on the next block. Everything was closed down. We could try to get a security guard's attention, I supposed, but it was a long shot. "We need to find a payphone," I said, finally. "Where there are offices, there's got to be places to eat, right?"
She nodded.
"And restaurants always have a payphone out front. So, we need to keep walking."
"But, which way?"
I looked around. "That way," I said finally.
Vampire Spotting
So, it was Scarlett's idea. Mostly. I'm not trying to push it off on her completely because I went along with it, but we were talking at school one day and she said she had a way that we could get out, you know, past curfew, and have a little fun.
"It's the oldest trick in the book," she said. "You say you're sleeping over at my house, and I say I'm sleeping at yours. We meet at the movie theater and tell our parents we're being picked up after. Voila. We're free."
"But won't they see through that? My dad's seen every trick in the book. What if they talk?"
"You chicken?"
"No, but you don't understand. If I get busted I'm grounded until I'm ninety."
"Well, me, too," she saId. "Don't forget, our dads are on the force together." Her father, Tristan, is one of my dad's best friends. "Come on, Lil. You're always complaining there's nothing fun going on. Let's make some of our own."
"What do you want to do?"
"Well," she said, "I got a tip that there's a vampire living in this old house. We could, you know, try to get a glimpse of her."
"Oooh," I said. It sounded dangerous, scary, fun. "OK. But we've got to plan it carefully."
"Leave it to me," she said.
So I did.
My heart was still pounding in my ears. We'd gotten away with part one of our plan. The cab driver hadn't wanted to drop us off in this part of town but we told him our aunt lived right around the corner. Now we were crouched down behind a dumpster, watching the house. It was behind an apartment building, across the street from an old Victorian. It looked deserted. There was a gravestone out front in the scabby yard. I know, creepy.
Cool.
"Are you sure someone lives there?" I whispered.
"Shh," Scarlett said. "They have really good hearing."
"They do?"
"Yeah, we do," said a voice behind us that made us both jump a foot. We turned around.
She was wearing a leopard print jacket and no top underneath, scruffy jeans and sunglasses even though it was midnight. Her fangs gleamed in the moonlight. Her skin was paler than the sheets on my bed.
"Boo," said the vampire.
"It's the oldest trick in the book," she said. "You say you're sleeping over at my house, and I say I'm sleeping at yours. We meet at the movie theater and tell our parents we're being picked up after. Voila. We're free."
"But won't they see through that? My dad's seen every trick in the book. What if they talk?"
"You chicken?"
"No, but you don't understand. If I get busted I'm grounded until I'm ninety."
"Well, me, too," she saId. "Don't forget, our dads are on the force together." Her father, Tristan, is one of my dad's best friends. "Come on, Lil. You're always complaining there's nothing fun going on. Let's make some of our own."
"What do you want to do?"
"Well," she said, "I got a tip that there's a vampire living in this old house. We could, you know, try to get a glimpse of her."
"Oooh," I said. It sounded dangerous, scary, fun. "OK. But we've got to plan it carefully."
"Leave it to me," she said.
So I did.
My heart was still pounding in my ears. We'd gotten away with part one of our plan. The cab driver hadn't wanted to drop us off in this part of town but we told him our aunt lived right around the corner. Now we were crouched down behind a dumpster, watching the house. It was behind an apartment building, across the street from an old Victorian. It looked deserted. There was a gravestone out front in the scabby yard. I know, creepy.
Cool.
"Are you sure someone lives there?" I whispered.
"Shh," Scarlett said. "They have really good hearing."
"They do?"
"Yeah, we do," said a voice behind us that made us both jump a foot. We turned around.
She was wearing a leopard print jacket and no top underneath, scruffy jeans and sunglasses even though it was midnight. Her fangs gleamed in the moonlight. Her skin was paler than the sheets on my bed.
"Boo," said the vampire.
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