Chapter twelve
Chapter Twelve
Just before the sun streamed into the bedroom, Henry had closed the blinds. “I’m feeling brave but not stupid. Until I know this is working I’m playing it safe” Later as he drifted off to sleep, instead of passing out like the dead, Vicky again asked Henry where her clothes were. Sleepily he’d replied “In the dresser, with mine” and he grinned.
As he slept, Vicky had dressed and went to her office.
She was sitting there at her desk when Mike Celluci walked in. “Hey Vick, can we talk?”
“Hi Mike. Have you had any sleep?” he looked like he’d been awake for quite awhile.
“Not much, and that’s what I want to talk to you about.” He sat across from her desk and took a sip of her coffee. “Strong, you must have had a late night too.” He gave her a look that said he had an idea how she’d spent her night. “Fang Boy must be back.”
“Mike….” She’d started to answer him.
“That’s ok Vick, I understand. Believe me I understand” and she knew he did.
“I think I’ve fallen in love with a total stranger.” Vicky raised her eyebrows and he continued “I’ve been spending a lot of time with your client. Kathy Owens. And well we’ve really clicked, the problem is she is keeping something serious from me and I have no idea what. I feel like I’ve been hit by a speeding train here. On one hand I want to spend the rest of my life with her and on the other I want to know what is so terrible that she’s afraid to tell me about.” He raked his fingers through his hair, confusion clearly visible on his face.
Vicky didn’t say anything. After a moment Mike stood up.
“You know what it is, don’t you? Damn it Vicky what’s going on here?”
“It’s not up to me to tell you that Mike, but I will tell you that it’s nothing that should stop you from being together. The only one who can do that is you.”
“Well Hell. You’re a big help. Speaking of which have you heard from Coreen yet? Shouldn’t she be back by now?”
“Just a message on the machine saying she was fine and would be home in a day or so. She’d met some guy, a CPA or something and had a surprise for me” Vicky told him.
“Oh yea, Kathy wants us to get together tonight, is here ok about 8?” Mike asked, assuming it would be.
“Not here, better bring her to Henry’s, I’ll be over there”
“You want me to bring her where?” Mike was incredulous. “Why should I take her anywhere near Henry? He’s a vampire for God’s sake.” He was not happy about that idea she could tell.
“He’s not going to bite her Mike, we’ll just meet there that’s all. I promise he’ll be on his best behavior” even if she had to threaten him first, she thought to herself.
Just before 8p.m. Vicky had made Henry swear to ‘play nice’, and not give Mike a hard time if Kathy chose to tell him about her being a vampire when they were all together.
“For her sake, not his” he’d agreed. After all it wasn’t an easy thing to tell someone you cared about that you were a vampire. He’d learned first hand that most people did not take it well. He only hoped that seeing him and Vicky together all these months would help ease Mike into the situation.
A few minutes later there was a knock on the door.
“It’s Miller time” Henry said as Vicky went to open the door. While she opened the door Henry had disappeared into the kitchen.
Kathy and Mike walked in and Henry put a tumbler of whiskey into Mikes’ hand.
“Here, you’ll need this” he whispered to Mike.
Then he went over and kissed Kathy on the cheek.
“Good evening Henry. Did you try it?” she asked. At his nod and smile, she beamed back at him.
“What the hell is this for?’ Mike looked at the drink in his hand ‘and what’s going on with you two. Have you met before?” Mike was thoroughly confused at this point.
“You might say that” Kathy said. “Sit down Mike this is going to take a while”
Fifteen minutes and two whiskeys later Mike sat silent on the sofa. Kathy had explained what she was and how she had met him as a child. Then went on to tell him that she loved him and hoped he could accept her for what she was. Mike sat there just gulping his drink and occasionally looking over at Vicky for confirmation. After the first drink Henry whispered to Vicky “Duck and cover” then walked over to the door to block Mikes exit. Suddenly Mike stood and headed for the door. Henry with arms across his chest stood in his way.
“Move Fitzroy or I’ll move you” he hissed.
Henry looked at Kathy and she nodded her head. Henry stepped aside and Mike stormed out.
“Well I’d say that went well” Henry announced. “Sorry sis.”
“It’s better than I expected Henry, at least he listened. What do you think Vicky?” Kathy asked.
“Well aside from the ‘I want to be alone and get drunk’ look on his face I couldn’t tell anything.” Vicky added “but your right he did listen so that’s a plus. I’d give him some time to himself before you try approaching him again. He’s got a lot to sort through.”
“Your right, of course,’ Kathy said ‘now tell me about last night. Did you take a vitamin too Vicky?”
“No but I did this morning.”
“You didn’t tell me that” Henry was pleasantly surprised.
“You were sleeping and I just thought ‘What the hell’.” But added quickly “I hate to say this but nothing’s happened. I don’t feel any differently than I did last night.” Vicky went over to look out the window. There was a sad look on her face.
“As I said Vicky, you’re human. It will take a bit longer to have any effect on you. Did you notice any difference in her taste Henry?” “A spicier taste will tell you the change is taking effect.”
“I didn’t bite her” he said a bit curiously.
“Well there you go, try it next time. What am I going to do with you little brother?” With that she started to head out the door. “I’m just going to keep an eye on Mike and make sure he stays safe” and walked out leaving them alone.