Dhampir Secrets

by Lewis, Shirlee

  “Everything is fine. Glad to meet you, Tony. I’m Jessica Pearl,” I said, holding out my hand.

  Tony looked down at my hand and then looked back at me. “Glad to hear that,” he said, with a half-smile. “But if there is anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask, okay?”

  I pulled my hand back crossing my arms.

  “I will keep that in mind.”

  “Good night, Jessica.”

  “Good night.”

  Standing in the doorway, I watched him walk back over to the Morison’s. When he was inside, I closed my door, leaned against it and smiled the biggest smile in my life.

  Lying in bed, I wondered why Tony would come to make sure I was okay. Could he be the burglar? What if he came to see if I lived alone?? But he could be a nice guy, too. Erasing all the “what ifs” from my mind, I fell asleep.

  Usually I slept like a rock when I had a long day, but tonight I slept lightly, restless you could say. In my sleep I heard the wind starting to pick up and rain lightly tapping the awning over my window. Tossing and turning in bed, I decided to get up and get a glass of milk, not bothering to put on my robe. In the kitchen, out of habit, I glanced toward the window and noticed a shadow by the woods facing the house. I froze. Could it be the same shadow I had seen at the hospital and the diner? Slowly making my way to the window, I saw two cats run across the yard. If there was someone there, they didn’t notice.

  Lightning flashed across the sky and thunder cracked causing me to jump a little. Keeping my eyes on the spot where I saw the shadow, I waited for more lightning. Soon the night sky glowed brilliantly, but I saw only the trees that separated my yard from the forest. I waited for another lightning flash because I wanted to make sure no one was there. As the lightning flashed, trees were all I saw. Relieved, I went and got my milk. The rain picked up outside, I went to the bedroom.

  Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, I sighed, in two hours I had to be back at work. What a night? Deciding there was no point in lying down; I headed to the living room, sat on the sofa and turned on the television. Resting my head against the back of the sofa I was asleep in three seconds.

  My alarm was going off in the bedroom, but I didn’t hear it. My cell phone on the kitchen counter rang, I didn’t hear it either. What I did hear was the loud knock on my door.

  “Jess, are you okay?” Mr. King shouted from the porch.

  “Just a minute,” I said, hurrying to get my robe from the bedroom. I came back and opened the door.

  “I was worried when you didn’t show up for work this morning,” Mr. King paused. “I thought maybe you were attacked…”

  “Oh! Mr. King, I guess you have every right to think that,” I said embarrassed. “By the way, what time is it?”

  “One o’clock in the afternoon, Jess,” he said, not sounding happy.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. King. I didn’t hear the alarm or my phone,” I confessed, hanging my head. I didn’t go into much detail about my night. I didn’t think he needed to know everything that happened. He was my boss and only my boss.

  “I can still come in and finish my shift,” I offered. In the four years I worked for Mr. King at County, I never missed a day or called in. This was a first.

  “I can tell by the way you look you need more rest. Why don’t you take the rest of the day off? I’ll let everyone at the hospital know you’re okay,” he said, clearing his throat.

  “I can work for Michelle tomorrow since she worked for me today,” I offered. “You know I hate putting anyone in a bind.”

  “Just get some rest, okay. I’ll see you back at work in a few days.”

  “Thank you, Mr. King.”

  “No problem,” he said, heading to his car. “Anything you need, call.”

  “Thank you. I’ll do that,” and closed the door.

  Coffee was what I needed right now. Still tired from the night’s events, I went to the kitchen and started a pot. Not wanting to lay down, afraid I would go back to sleep if I did, I decided I would clean my house. It didn’t need cleaning, I kept it spotless, but it would help me to stay awake. I put a load of laundry on and went to make my bed. As I opened my bedroom curtain, I looked over at the Morisons’.

  Could Tony be the burglar or just a concerned neighbor? Hoping it was the latter, I went to get that cup of coffee.

  Chapter Two

  My house was clean; I had nothing else to do. In the kitchen I looked for something to eat and only found a box of macaroni in the pantry. Groaning, I closed the pantry door and went to the refrigerator hoping it would have a better offering. Taking one look at the cold, empty shelves I decided I was in dire need of shopping for groceries. In my bedroom, I dressed in a spaghetti top with cut-off blue jeans.

  Driving by the Morisons’, I looked at the house. It was so nice of Tony to check on me last night or rather earlier today. Why was he even at the Morisons’?

  On the way to the grocery store, Tony was on my mind and I started thinking of us together as a couple, I could feel my cheeks flushing. Immediately, I cleared the thought from my mind, I enjoyed and loved the freedom of my single life and the independence it gave me. Not having anyone to depend or rely on. My life was a nurse, and I was happy being one.

  At the grocery store, I bought meats, fruits, and vegetables. Eating healthy was a subconscious choice and I always watched what I ate. Growing up I was never given junk food, it was never allowed in the house, so sticking with my mother’s upbringing I kept up the tradition of healthy foods.

  Driving back home I decided to stop at the diner knowing Malinda would be at work soon. Her shift started at nine o’clock and it was a quarter to nine. She worked the night shift since she graduated high school. I didn’t spend the time I wanted with her because she slept during the day even on her days off. She was a regular night owl.

  At the diner I sat in my regular booth. Karen, the day waitress, brought me a cup of coffee. Through the window I saw Malinda pulling in and couldn’t wait to get her opinion on Tony.

  Malinda entered the diner very surprised to see me.

  “Hey! Aren’t you supposed to be at work?” she asked, cheery.

  “My boss let me have the day off.”

  “Is everything all right? You don’t ever take a day off,” she stated, with a puzzled look on her face.

  “Everything is fine. I wanted to talk to you about that guy that was in here last night.”

  “Sure, honey!” she said, with a huge smile on her face. “Let me relieve Karen and set up for my shift, and I’ll be right there.”

  I nodded and turned back toward the window.

  Malinda soon came over with the coffee pot, filled my cup, and sat the pot on the table. Still looking out the window, I asked her, “What do you think of him?”

  “Well…I think he was sincere. After all he did buy your coffee. He seemed like a really nice, and ooh so handsome. I noticed he couldn’t keep his eyes off you.”

  Ignoring her comment I said, “He came to my house last night.” I turned to Malinda for her reaction.

  “He what! Really, what happened? Tell me everything, and don’t you dare leave anything out,” she said, grabbing my hands.

  “He’s living at the Morisons’ and came to make sure I was okay because the police were checking on me.”

  “The police, why were they there?”

  “MaryAnn was attacked by the burglar. She’s over at County Hospital and I haven’t called or gone to check on her yet.”

  “Oh no,” Malinda gasped. “I hope she’s okay.”

  “Detective Cooke and Officer Sean came by to make sure I was okay, because the burglary—as you know—was so close to my house. After they left, Tony….”

  “Tony, his name is Tony,” she said, interrupting me.

  “Anyway, he came over to make sure I was okay, because I sent the police to check on him. He said if there was anything I needed, or that he could do for me, let him know.”

  “Wow!” Malinda mouthed.
r />   “So, I wanted to know what your thoughts were about it.”

  “Jess,” she said, taking a sip of her soda, “He’s a really good-looking guy and you’ve never dated in your life. You don’t want to rush into anything. The way he kept his eye on you makes me think he wants to be more than just friends, but be careful, you can’t trust anyone these days. Try it, and if it doesn’t work out, send him my way,” she said, winking at me.

  “Malinda, you should be ashamed of yourself, but I will keep it in mind to send him your way, okay?” I said, smiling. “It did bother me the way he stared at me. I hope he wasn’t planning on robbing me, but you never can tell these days,” I said, looking back toward the window.

  “I don’t think he has any plans on robbing you, Jess. If you ask me, I think he was thinking of a way to get to know you and ask you out on a date.”

  “Malinda, you know my career is more important than any guy and I have said over and over I don’t want any distractions,” pausing. “But of all the distractions I don’t need in my life, why did Tony have to be the distraction I can’t stop thinking about?” I asked. My gut was telling me, Tony and I were going to be more than friends.

  “Just don’t rush into anything. Take small steps,” Malinda offered.

  “I’m not going to date him,” I said, sarcastically.

  “You never know. You could change your mind,” she said, raising her eyebrow.

  “No, I don’t think so. I’m happy with my life the way it is. I love my job and not having to depend on anyone.”

  Malinda looked at the clock on the wall. Patting my hand, she got up. “I have to get to work.” As she headed to the counter she said over her shoulder, “Just take it one step at a time.”

  Sighing, I turned back to the window. My mouth dropped to the floor. I couldn’t believe it. Tony was walking toward the diner.

  “Come here, Malinda, quick! You’re not going to believe this.”

  “Jess, what’s wrong?” she asked, coming over to the booth.

  “Nothing is wrong,” I said, pointing out the window.

  Malinda looked out the window, and her mouth fell like mind did.

  “Speak of the devil, and he shows up,” she said, sounding smug.

  “I know, I know,” I said, not believing my eyes. My heart nearly thumped out of my chest watching him walk to the diner.

  “Take small steps, Jess.”

  “Yeah, take small steps.”

  Malinda went back to the counter. Quickly, I turned my head back to the window trying not to look when he came in; I fixated my eyes on a tree across the street. The bell rung on the door, and my heart thumped harder because Tony was here.

  “Is this seat taken?” he asked.

  Casually turning to him I said, “No, it’s not taken. Would you like to sit here?”

  “Thank you!”

  “You’re welcome,” I said, putting my hands around my coffee cup.

  Tony sat down across from me, putting both of his hands on the table and interlocking his fingers. I couldn’t believe this gorgeous guy was sitting across from me in my booth. I didn’t know what to say, so I sat there staring at my coffee cup.

  He broke the silence by asking, “Did you rest well?”

  “As well as I could, I guess. I’m still tired.”

  “I didn’t frighten you last night?”

  “Actually, I thought it was the police coming back,” I said.

  “I noticed them at your house. They told me about the burglary down the street.”

  “It happened at MaryAnn’s. She’s a friend of mine.”

  “Poor girl,” Tony said with empathy.

  Malinda came by with the coffee pot and filled my cup. Glancing up at her, she winked and smiled. “Thanks,” I said softly.

  “Are Rick and Jan Morison related to you?”

  “They’re my uncle and aunt.”

  “How are Jan and Rick?”

  “Their great, but at the moment they’re on vacation.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know.”

  “They asked me to house-sit because of the burglaries.”

  “How long are they going to be gone?”

  “Three weeks,” he half-grinned.

  “Ah,” I smiled back. “Are you from around here?”

  “No. I’m from England.”

  “What brought you to Mayville?”

  “I decided to see the world and ended up in Davenport.”

  “Davenport? Where’s that?” I asked.

  “Canada. I have a place there,” Tony paused, and then asked, “Are you from here?”

  “Yes.” Glancing at my watch, I couldn’t believe Tony and I had talked for an hour. Forgetting about the groceries in the car until now, I said, “Tony, I would love to stay and chat with you, but I have groceries in my car. It was very nice talking to you,” getting up from the booth. Leaning across the seat to get my purse he asked a question I wasn’t ready for.

  “May I get a lift with you?”

  Forgetting my purse, I straightened up and looked at him; he had a half-smile on his face so I knew I heard him right. My heart thumped erratically just thinking about him in my car. “Sure, I’ll drop you off at your house,” I said, working hard to keep calm. On my way to the register, Tony followed behind me. I glanced up at Malinda, she had a big smile on her face and mouthed, “Small steps.” I nodded.

  Digging in the bottom of my purse for change to pay for my coffee, Tony cleared his throat. Looking over at him, he handed Malinda a bill to pay for my coffee.

  “I will get this, Tony. You got my coffee last time.”

  “I don’t mind. It would be my pleasure to buy your coffee,” he said.

  Insisting, he put his money away. I paid for my coffee. Malinda smiled the entire time Tony and I were at the register. He held the door open for me, a perfect gentleman, and walked ahead of me to open my car door standing beside it waiting for me to get in. Reaching for the handle to close my door, I bumped my hand on it. Tony already closed it for me. I watched him walk around to the passenger side and get in telling my heart to calm down.

  “This sure beats walking,” he said, putting his arm on the back of the seat.

  My heart was pumping so fast I could feel my cheeks getting warm.

  Pulling up to the curb of his house, he turned to look at me. “May I come over later?” he asked.

  “It’s late, and I’m tired. Maybe some other time,” I said, nicely.

  “I won’t stay long,” he said, smiling his half-smile.

  His persistent paid off. I sighed. “Sure if you promise not to stay long. It’s been a long day.” My cheeks were warm, my palms were damp and my throat was dry, what was going on I wondered to myself.

  He got out of the car and leaned in the window. “See you in a bit then,” and backed away from the car.

  Smiling wide, I drove the fifty yards to my house.

  A noise behind me startled me as I opened the trunk. Jumping backwards and turning around at the same time, my hands came up in a defensive stance. It was Tony. Putting my hands down, I almost yelled at him. “Don’t scare me like that! I thought you were the burglar.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you. I couldn’t let you carry the groceries by yourself,” he said, trying not to smile. “Besides, it’s later.”

  “Thanks,” I said and handed Tony two bags and grabbed the other two. Together we took them to the porch. Setting my bags on the chair, I unlocked the door and held it open for Tony. He carried them to the kitchen sitting them on the counter. “I’ll get the other bags for you. Be right back,” he said, and was gone in a flash.

  As I put the groceries away, Tony was back sitting them on the counter, and then leaned against it with his arms folded across his chest watching me.

  “Would you like something to drink?” I asked, not wanting to be rude because it wasn’t my nature.

  “No, thank you. I’m fine.”

  After pouring myself a glass of tea, I headed
to the sofa and invited Tony to join me. He sat on the end closet to the door, while I sat on the opposite end.

  “Would you like to watch television?” I asked.

  “I don’t watch much television.”

  “What do you do to occupy your time?”

  “I read a lot. It helps to sharpen the mind and there’s a lot of good novels out there.

  “How long have you lived in Davenport?”

  “About five years,” he paused then asked. “How long have you lived here?”

  “I’ve been here all my life. Except, when I went to college in Portland, but then I moved back.”

  “Do you have a partner?” he asked.

  “Nope, it’s just me. My career is very important to me.”

  “So, no one’s sparked an interest for you?”

  “I’ve had several of the local guys ask me out, but then again I know everyone in town, and I never felt like I should date.”

  “Anyone now you might be interested in?”

  His eyes beamed when he asked me that question. Uncrossing his hands, he folded his arms across his chest patiently waiting for my response.

  Of course, I was interested in him, but I thought he was being very presumptuous considering we just met and answered, “Well, that’s beside the point.

  From my answer, he raised his eyebrows and asked, “Do you think I might get to meet your parents?”

  “My parents are gone. They were killed in a car wreck five years ago.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” looking at me with sadness. “What do you do when you aren’t at work?”

  “Sometimes I visit the park here in town. I enjoy the peacefulness and watching the children play reminds me of my childhood. There are animals I bet you’d like to see.”

  Very calmly Tony said, “Animals and I don’t get along.” Turning his hand away, he looked down at his hands. “They seem to run when I come around.”

  Watching as Tony hung his head, I couldn’t imagine why on earth an animal would run from him.

  “Why would an animal run from you? That doesn’t make any sense.”

  “There are some things better left alone,” he said, keeping his eyes on his hands.