by T. F. Walsh
“So you did what?”
“I just lowered your inhibitions so you could act on what you felt without thinking it to death — before or after.”
I looked to Bianca for confirmation. She shrugged.
“I told you the spell was amateurish. Deidre won’t practice her craft, she’s still in denial.” She shot Dee an exasperated look. “But that’s basically what she did. You aren’t doing anything you don’t want to do, with anyone you wouldn’t normally be interested in. Your issues just aren’t getting in the way now. She went way round the block to get the job done, but it worked.”
Bianca was being kind speaking of my issues, but knowing she had gone to the same high school told me she knew more about those issues than she let on. I was the talk of Central High for the three years I attended. From my sophomore year my reputation was shot, thanks in no small part to my brother. Many guys tried to find out if the hype was true and most claimed it was, even when I didn’t put out.
The stories persisted. No one expects someone’s own brother to be a pervert. For some reason, my brother got off by spreading rumors about me. Then Jimmy got hold of him. That stopped him — but rumors never die.
Mom skipped out on us. One day we came home to an empty house. Our clothes, furniture, my retainer — and Mom, were gone. After a few weeks hiding out with friends — me, at Jimmy’s and my brother God knows where — we found a little house Dad’s support check would cover. I learned to forge Mom’s name, and the landlady didn’t ask questions when I handed her the cash each month. I kept a low profile and never missed a day of school.
Early in my junior year, my brother killed my boyfriend. The tragedy brought us to the attention of the authorities and I was put into foster care. It didn’t go well so I ran. Life on the street wasn’t easy and left me little energy to combat the lies … so I gave in to them. Senior year I was a slut with a capitol S. Instead of ‘Debbie Does Dallas,’ picture ‘Connie Claims Central’. Easy, who me? I had nothing left to lose, so why fight? By the grace of God, I hadn’t ended up pregnant or diseased.
Willy whimpered.
“Connie?” Dee touched my shoulder, waking me to the fact I was squeezing Willy a little too tightly.
I let him loose and he ran to his bed and began gnawing his chew stick. “So I’m a slut again?”
“I wouldn’t do that to you, honey.”
“I told you the incubus doesn’t count,” Bianca offered.
“In a week I’ve had sex with two men. Both strangers.”
“Two?” In chorus.
I glared at them, nosy witches. “How do we undo this?”
“Are you sure that’s what you really want?” Bianca asked. “The incubus would have seduced you no matter what. It’s what they do. You might have worried about it more, but the end result would have been the same.”
“Are you saying you can’t undo this — this?”
“No. What I’m saying is you’ve been given a second chance most people would kill for. She didn’t remove your memories. Those memories, events, make you who you are. Deidre just removed their ability to block you from finding happiness. Years of therapy in one simple spell!” Admiration she’d never admit to, shown in her eyes. “So, who was bachelor number two?”
“Tom?” Dee grinned like a lunatic.
My face heated.
“Yum!” Bianca moaned.
I stared her down.
“Hey. Don’t give me that look. I never said I didn’t try, only that I didn’t succeed.” She raised her brows, “Obviously I didn’t have what he was looking for, and you did.”
“A willing body?”
“Oh honey, you couldn’t get more willing than me. I did everything except wear a French maid’s outfit. He just wasn’t interested. Besides — I saw the way he looks at you.” She rummaged around in her tote and brought out some typed pages, candles and other paraphernalia. “I can leave these with you. It’s your decision but think it through. Since your friend took the long way round the block, the reversal is more complicated. If you decide to go through with it and need help — call me. You have my cell.”
I glanced over the pages. It seemed to be a matter of lighting incense, specifically colored candles placed in a certain pattern, repeating an incantation and then blowing out the candles. The dehexification must be started on a Tuesday at midnight and repeated for nine nights. It didn’t seem complicated, just boring. I expected pentagrams and blood offerings; instead it was — well — words and candles.
I scowled at Dee.
“Connie, I know you’re mad at me but I hope you’ll think before you do anything hasty. You really aren’t going to screw everything that walks.” She grinned and then sighed. “I didn’t tell you about being a witch ’cause I know you think I’m perfect and I’m so not. BettyJo is right. I don’t practice and the few times I’ve used magic went against our beliefs.”
“Perfect? Hardly.” I glared, but she seems so pitiful and earnest I couldn’t maintain it for long. “Dee I love you and all, but you are far from perfect in anyone’s eyes, except possibly Jimmy’s. I think even he has your number. Being a friend means caring for someone in spite of his or her imperfections. You were my friend when everyone else thought I was something they needed to scrape off their shoe. Do you honestly think being a witch would send me running for the hills? You being a bitch never did.”
Bianca sniggered and received a glare from both of us. It didn’t seem to phase her much. She shut up, but the grin remained.
Dee shook her head and sighed, “I guess deep down I knew you would accept this easier than I have. Why can’t you forgive yourself as easily? Maybe we both need therapy?”
A raised eyebrow told her what I thought of therapy.
“Hon, the spell was for your own good. You were so afraid if you fell off the celibacy wagon you’d lose control. If you weren’t in control, you wouldn’t have been able to go without in the first place. You need a little less control. Go with this.” She placed her hand on my heart — for which I was thankful — I’d thought she’d aim lower. “And give this a rest.” She moved her hand to the back of my head for a quick slap.
“I’ll think about it.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. Now dish about the boss. How was he?”
Smiling broadly, I crooked my finger to draw them closer. When they were within whispering range I said, “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Bitch!” They said in unison.
“Is that nice?” A voice from the stairs asked. Raf stood in black silk jammy bottoms, barefooted and tousled headed.
“Yum,” Dee moaned. Raf grinned.
“Dee, this, is Raf. Raf — my friend Dee.”
“He’s gay? Oh, I think I may cry,” Dee said with huge eyes.
“Married, remember?”
In Dee’s defense, Raf is adorable. The fact he looked like my all-time favorite actor, a young Tony Curtis, dark curly hair, dreamy eyes — channeling Richard Simmons, especially when he wore his gold lamé short shorts, made me wanted to eat him with a spoon. And here he was all bare-chested and snugly looking in his jammies. Yum indeed.
“I tried to tell you.”
“I thought you were exaggerating. But Da-a-mn,” Dee wailed. “How come he’s up?”
Raf made it to our floor and sashayed over to put his arm around me, take my face in his hands and kiss me right smack on the mouth. I thought Dee was going to faint. What I wouldn’t give for a camera. Bianca, Raf, and I dissolved into laughter.
“I’m special,” was Raf’s ambiguous answer.
“I want one!” Dee implored.
“Get your own,” I teased as I went to the refrigerator for Raf’s breakfast. “Flavor?”
“Something fruity and cold, I think.”
“Strawberr
y is the flavor du jour,” I told him as I retrieved a RR bottle with a basket of strawberries sticker on the front. I shook it vigorously, to distribute the flavor throughout, before setting it and a wine glass on the bar in front of Raf.
“Thank you, thank you very much!” Raf quipped, a la Elvis. It wasn’t until he began to pour that Dee tore her gaze away from his butt.
“Eww!” She cried and turned her face away when Raf presented her with his equivalent of a “milk moustache”.
“Mind your manners or leave. What’s your problem?”
Dee cringed. “Sorry. It’s just … I mean I knew, I just … never mind. I really am sorry.”
I nodded, and then turned my attention to Raf. “Well?”
“I think we have another winner,” Raf replied with a red grin.
“What’s the category?” Bianca asked.
“Flavor. Where are my manners? Would y’all like something to drink? I have juice, diet Dr. Pepper, and regular, tea?” I offered.
“I’ll take a Dr. Pepper,” Dee said.
“What do you mean flavor? Like O positive?’ Bianca inquired.
“No, we’re experimenting with something new. I’ve been adding artificial flavors to Razorback Red. You know how some vamps don’t like to watch humans eat?” I waited until Bianca nodded before continuing. “Well at least for some of them, it’s because they miss real food, which totally sucks!”
“So, Connie got this great idea to add flavoring. So far it is working out splendiferously!” Raf interjected.
“I think Raf was a fruit bat in a former life.” I giggled.
“Fruit flavored blood? Gag much?” Dee received three dirty looks.
“Interesting idea.” Bianca seemed impressed. “You like it cold? I thought it was warm or nothing with you guys.”
“It seems to depend on what flavor and personal preference.” I looked to Raf for confirmation.
He nodded. “We did a warm apple cinnamon thing the other day, sort of apple pie-ish.”
“Now Tom, is a more meat and potatoes kind of guy. He got me started with this by saying he missed steak the most.” I sat Dee’s Dr. Pepper on the bar. She had retreated to the sofa. I got the impression she didn’t want to be too close while Raf finished breakfast. Stepping around the bar, I carried her drink over to the sofa and sat it on the coffee table in front of her. “Use a coaster please ma’am.”
“Could I try one?” Bianca asked. “I mean I don’t normally in mixed company, but I keep it at home, sort of my version of an instant breakfast.”
“Whatever melts your butter. Fruit or steak?” I am nothing if not hospitable. I glanced at Dee to find her very pale and a little green around her lips. “You okay?”
She gulped. “Fine … fine. Would you like me to take Willy out?” She looked like she needed the fresh air.
“Let me find his leash. We haven’t needed it in so long; I remember seeing it in one of the boxes Cindy packed. Where did I put it?” I began searching drawers.
“I believe it’s hanging on the hook in the hall closet,” Raf said before excusing himself to go bake his lovely body.
Willy did his happy dance when he saw the leash. Auntie Dee snapped it on his collar, I handed her a poopy bag and the keycard. After a quick explanation of card use and a warning about the friendly construction workers, Dee and Willy disappeared into the elevator.
“I’m sorry, your preference?” I asked Bianca again as I stuck my head in the fridge.
“Steak I think, unless you have something fishy?”
I pulled out a steak flavored RR and stuck it in the microwave. “Fish? No, I hadn’t thought of fish. What could we use? Omega fish oil? Cod liver oil? Hmm … ” The microwave dinged and I shook the bottle gently this time, got a glass and sat both in front of Bianca.
“Um, cod sounds good. Thanks.” She popped the top and sniffed. “Smells like a steak.” She filled her glass and took a sip. “Salt and pepper?” She dosed the glass liberally with both and used the offered iced tea spoon to stir the seasonings in before taking another sip. Her smile grew as she swirled the beverage around her mouth before swallowing. “Almost as good a rare steak! Where was this when I had my root canal?” Dainty little canines showed as she grinned.
“I thought you guys didn’t get cavities?”
“We don’t. I broke a tooth on a piece of buckshot last Thanksgiving. It would have healed itself if I shifted. My brother had his girlfriend over so that was a no go. It hurt too damn bad to wait. Have you ever tried to find an emergency dentist on a holiday?”
“I can imagine.” I winced, just thinking about it.
“That’s the last time I eat anything my brother shoots.” She paused to drink more of her RR before continuing in a different vein. “So, you and Deidre have been friends a long time huh?”
“Seems like forever. You really need to stop calling her that. She hates it,” I told her.
“I’ll make a deal with her. I’ll call her Dee when she stops calling me BettyJo,” Bianca said with a grin.
“So this was really your idea?” She waved her bottle in the air. “I thought Dee was gonna hurl.”
“Yeah, I got the idea when I noticed Raf’s obsession with the fruit at Kroger. Tom said he missed steak the most. I started fooling around with flavorings.” I made a face. “Fruit flavored blood sounds pretty icky to me, but I’m not drinking it. Willy really liked it. He’s sort of a fruit bat himself. The only thing I’ve found he won’t eat is grapefruit.”
“He is a strange little guy. Most dogs growl at me or run. He doesn’t seem to have any cat issues. You sure he’s a dog?” Bianca laughed.
“I’m pretty sure he thinks he’s a person. He’s spent so much time at the clinic; hardly anything bothers him. He’ll chase rabbits — and cows too, as long as they are on the other side of the fence.”
“I can’t blame him. I do the same thing every chance I get.”
“What’s that like,” I asked hesitantly. I didn’t want to be rude but I was curious. “Do you mind me asking?”
“It doesn’t bother me,” Bianca shrugged. “What do you want to know?”
“Well, everything I guess. Does it hurt?”
“It’s messy and if you don’t get naked first you ruin a lot of clothes. If there’s a full moon, it’s not too bad. You have so much adrenaline and magic flowing through you it just happens. I mean you have some control — well most do — but the higher the moon gets the more control you lose. Now shifting without the moon is a whole different ballgame. That hurts like hell!”
“Then why do it?” I asked.
“It’s so liberating. You’re so in the moment. Animals live for the now, they don’t worry about what happened yesterday or what will happen tomorrow. You get to leave the human hang ups for a while.”
“So you can’t think like a human when you’re in your animal form?” That seemed dangerous to me.
“No, you can, but the animal takes over. I mean your human part is still there. It’s harder on those who weren’t born to it. It’s one of the reasons shifters aren’t supposed to bite humans.”
“I’m confused. I thought you had to get bitten to become a Were-anything.”
“Don’t believe what you see in the movies. Shifters — that’s the politically correct term — are born as a result of two shifters mating. Those things you see in the movies represent half-breeds, hybrids. When I change I become a cat. Usually I change into a panther, but if I’m going to be stuck in town I just turn into a domestic cat of some kind. It’s safer. When a hybrid changes at the full moon, they’re neither-nor, half human, and half beast. The two sides are always conflicted, which makes them very dangerous. Most shifters kill them and the one who bit them as well. It’s probably the biggest taboo we have. Of course accidents happen sometimes, usually
because of a blood transfusion gone wrong. Just like every now and then you hear of someone getting AIDS from blood, human error.”
“They test for it? You mean they know about you?” I felt my eyes grow to the size of dinner plates. Dee had mentioned something about the government.
Bianca nodded, “Connie, few things in this world the government doesn’t know about, have known about, since the beginning of time. Did you really think Area Fifty-One was just about little green men? In their opinion the human population cannot handle this information. They’re protecting you from yourselves.” She rolled those big green eyes. “But the times they’re a-changin’. The vamps are out in the real world now, not in hiding. If the laws don’t turn on them, maybe there’s hope for the rest of us.”
Many new laws had passed to protect vampire rights with just as many pending to revoke them all.
“So you’re saying the world governments know about the … ah … ah … ?”
“The different species?” Bianca offered.
“Thank you. They know about the different species but they think if everyone, all the little peons knew, there would be mass hysterics, Armageddon? What?”
“Who knows what goes on in their minds? But at least for now, vamps don’t have to hide who they are. They can vote and pay taxes just like John Q. Public. They can enlist. Hell, if Bill VM forty-one passes, they can marry humans.”
“If the Supreme Court doesn’t overturn everything!” Raf said from the stairs. Brown and barefoot, dressed in skintight jeans and a yellow polo shirt, his expression belied the seriousness of his remark.
“They wouldn’t dare!” I said, “There would be riots. Now that people know vamps are signing their paychecks? In this economy? We’d vote every single official out of office and start over, which now that I think of it, doesn’t sound like a half bad idea anyway.”
Raf grinned at my overzealousness. “Dee’s not back yet?”