by Bones Monroe
“Would you like a flavor boost?” Oliver asked a young werewolf.
The boy nodded excitedly.
“I know exactly which one is for you! I have a nose for these things!” Oliver said. He spooned a serving of a viscous fluid over the boy’s ice cream cone.
The boy squealed in excitement when Oliver handed him the cone. The pup licked the side of the cone frantically before any drop of the precious ice cream or any flavor boost dripped on the ground.
“Now, like I told you, always ask if they want the flavor boost,” he taught Grace before the next customer stepped up. “They’ll always get it, but they love the sound of it. Flavor boost. It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”
“What is it? Chocolate? Raspberry?” Grace asked, looking into the various pots of multicolored liquid.
“A little of this, a little of that, a pinch of rainbow, some goldfish legs and some secret sauce,” he said mysteriously.
Before Grace could react, he cackled, “I can’t give you all my secrets. You just started!” With a sly wink, he turned to the next customer, “What would you like today, missy? Let me tell you what we have!”
Grace laughed at Oliver’s craziness. He was a kook, but she liked him. She readjusted her latex gloves and helped the next customer in line.
During a break and with Oliver’s blessing, Ben and Grace decided to visit Lamia. She proudly carried a cup of mint moose track ice cream with a double helping of flavor boost to Lamia’s home. She stopped at the porch entrance, not willing to go further unannounced.
Ben egged her on.
“Hello?” she asked timidly.
“Yes, child? I am here. Just enjoying the afternoon,” Lamia’s said in her thin voice. “I guess you must be Grace?”
“I am. I brought you something.” Grace stretched out her arm, offering the sweet treat.
“My, my, what a splendid gift. Whatever for?” she asked.
“I wanted to meet you. My dad and I talked, and we came to an agreement about working and being responsible. He said you helped him. I wanted to thank you.”
“That is sweet of you my dear. But you know, I had a snack just now. Could you do me a favor and put it in the freezer for me? The place is small, you’ll find the kitchen with no trouble,” she pointed at the door. “I’ll chat with your father meanwhile.”
Grace opened the screen door and went inside.
“That was very nice of her,” she told Ben, rocking in her chair. “I guess the ritual worked?”
Ben shrugged and sat on a worn bench across from her. “I’m reserving judgment until later. I don’t feel different. I keep thinking I’m being watched. Analyzed. Studied. You ever heard of that?”
Lamia shook her head. “Can’t say I have. The ritual is powerful. Just let it take its course. Can I ask you a question? Are you and Grace feeling ok?”
“I’m feeling ok. Grace is as well. Why do you ask?”
“Something is going around. Lots of inhumans in the neighborhood are not feeling well, and I was wondering if it affected you.”
Ben shot her a puzzled glance. “You’re telling me that zombies, vampires, shifters and the rest of you all can get sick? You’re all dead. That makes no sense!” he said, voicing his objections.
“Life is more complex than you give it credit for. Vampires can get sick from blood-borne infections, garlic, excessive sunlight, shifters are alive, and zombies get really nasty when they get mad cow disease. They have to make sure they eat fresh brains, if not, well, let’s say it’s not pretty.”
“Huh, go figure. I didn’t know that.”
“We aren’t all that different, Ben. But like I said, they have been telling me they aren’t feeling well. The rumor mill has it that it’s something in the water.”
“You think that’s the case?” he asked. “Should we buy bottled water now?”
“No. I think the people falling ill are just looking for a scapegoat. There’s nothing in the water. I’m not sure what is going on though. Can you keep an eye out and let me know if you hear something?”
“Sure thing.”
Grace and Ben left shortly afterward.
Lamia watched them shrink into the distance. She had hoped the ritual would have worked on him. He was a nice man burdened with blinders. There was still hope for him. At least he was making progress with his daughter.
She thought about the nice gift Grace brought her. Ice cream! She never had much of a sweet tooth but she was looking forward to indulging later.
Chapter 13
Grace’s first day was going well. She was getting the hang of customer service; the children liked her, and she maintained her willpower and took none of the ice cream that Oliver offered. She wanted to maintain her figure.
“I’m glad you like it here,” Oliver said while driving to the next stop.
Grace was riding shotgun. “I do. I like how everyone smiles when they see us. It’s cool.”
He beamed when he heard that. “That’s the best part, isn’t it? Like I told you, it’s the best job in the world.”
“Did you notice how a lot of the customers were sick though? They looked weak, some were coughing,” she said.
“I did. It must be something going around. You need to be careful that you don’t catch it.”
“My dad is making me take vitamins. Says it’ll keep my immune system strong. I have extras in my pocket. I might give some to Aisha, that little necrotic girl. She told me she looks forward to the ice cream truck every day, but she looks so sick. I feel bad for her.”
“Don’t waste your time on that stupid slackjaw,” Oliver spat out.
His venomous tone and words shocked Grace. So far Oliver was the kindest man with only nice things to say about everyone. This turn was unexpected.
“They’re zombies. The lowest of the inhumans,” he said.
He sighed. “I guess you don’t know about us, being an animate. Vampires like me are at the top of the inhuman hierarchy. Zombies are the lowest. They rot, they have to eat brains, they host maggots. Ugh! Have you seen a slackjaw full of maggots? They walk around thinking nothing of leaving a trail of vermin behind, not that they can think well, that is.” Oliver shuddered.
“I thought all the inhumans liked each other,” she said.
“That’s not … correct,” he said searching for the right word. He wanted to say something more forceful but thought better of it. “Humans don’t like each other, neither do we. Same difference, just on the other side of life. Things don’t miraculously get better when you die.”
“What about shifters? They are animate but not humans,” Grace asked.
“Good point. We are all inhuman but live in two societies. We undead have ours and the shifters have theirs.”
“Who’s at the bottom?”
“Hmmm, the chicken shifters. They get the foul treatment from the others.”
Grace lapsed into silence thinking about what Oliver had said. Her old friend, Ingrid and Glenn never told her any of this.
The inhumans also have their cliques? she thought. But they were so cool and had no drama. Maybe Ingrid and Glenn kept it from me since I’m human?
“Ok, we’re here! Let’s get started with the prep,” Oliver said as he parked the truck.
They both hurried to set up the truck. Grace wiped the counters and rinsed the scoops. She made sure the toppings were in order and everything was clean.
She set out the menu board with today’s flavors: Braaaainsss (for the zombie customers), Fangtastic lemon, Snout Mint and Blue Moon.
“Ohh no!” Oliver exclaimed. “I left the extra flavor boosts at home. We won’t have enough for more than a few customers,” he swirled the nearly empty bottles.
“Just tell them we ran out. We will have more tomorrow,’ Grace suggested. “It’s not a big deal.”
“It is a big deal. My customers expect my famous flavor boost and they will get it. I’m going to call a ride service to take me back home. I’ll pick them up and b
e right back. Write on the whiteboard we will open in 45 minutes. Just point to the sign; they’ll wait. Easy peasy.” Oliver punched a few buttons on his phone and watched the screen. “Great! My ride will be here in two minutes. Hold down the fort.”
A small hatchback arrived sporting the ‘U’ sticker letting riders know it was a sanctioned, bonded and reputable car from the ride-sharing service, Unter.
After Oliver left, Grace settled in to wait. She browsed her phone, politely chit-chatting with the customers who asked when they would open. Her answer was always the same: shortly.
“Hey,” a familiar voice greeted her.
Grace looked up, and saw Zach smiling at her.
“Hi,” she said trying to control the butterflies that suddenly fluttered in her stomach. “I—uhh—we’re closed,” she stammered.
He nodded at the sign, “Yeah, I saw.”
And now I feel stupid, Grace thought. She looked down, letting her hair hide her burning cheeks. She was sure that she was blushing, and she didn’t want Zach to see her like that.
“So Oliver left you in charge?”
“Sort of. Not much to be in charge of but, yeah, I guess.”
Zach leaned into the truck, invading Grace’s personal space. He peered down at her phone. “Whatcha doing?”
Grace let him see that she was just surfing the Web. He was wearing a light, musky cologne that sent her swooning.
He nodded and stepped back. She wished he would have stayed there a while longer. She took a deep breath before the scent dissipated.
“Are things okay between you and your dad now? He seemed pretty upset when he found me at your apartment.”
Grace shot him a side eye. “He was furious. He calmed down and actually let up a bit so we could talk. He said this job would teach me responsibility. He even let me stay out later. Seems like something has come over him but I’m not complaining.”
“That’s great.” Zach said, looking pleased. He checked over his shoulder, making sure they were alone. “So now that you are a responsible young lady, would you like to hang out with a responsible young vampire?”
Grace’s heart went aflutter. He was so charming. She couldn’t believe she didn’t notice his charm when she first met him.
“I’d love to. Tonight?” she suggested.
He raised an eyebrow in surprise, “Yeah, sure. It’s a date.” With a quickness that only vampires had, Zach leaned in and gave Grace a quick peck on the lips. He was gone in a flash.
The rest of the day, Grace worked with an extra spring in her step.
***
The excitement gnawed at Grace all afternoon. Not in a bad way, like a rat gnawing a leg off to free itself from a trap, but in a good way. More like a wolf gnawing on a meaty bone. That’s a good gnaw.
As the day waned, she got nervous. There was something she wanted to ask Zach, but she wasn’t sure how he would react. It was a big deal to her.
He gave me a kiss. A short one, but still a kiss, she thought. That has to mean that he’s into me. But would he?
Ben was out when Grace got home. He’d left a note on the fridge. He said he had to go to a few interviews for night shift work at a warehouse. He left a few sandwiches in the fridge for Grace. Her favorite! Chicken pesto with aioli. She carefully cut one in half.
He’ll love it. It’ll be so romantic. We can share a sandwich like in the movies, she fantasized while primping herself. He should be here any minute.
When she heard the knock on the door, her heart leaped into her throat.
He’s here!
Funny how a few days could change your perception of a person or just things in general. At first, Grace thought Zach was a weirdo; now she was smitten. To her, they were practically dating. She had seen him three times, and he’d been nothing but a gentleman. He’d already met her father. She was sure that Ben would come around and like him. Ben just had to give Zach a chance. Zach had even kissed her. Just a peck, but that was enough for Grace. Like Ben had told Grace, “Kissing is a slippery slope. First, it’s dry and innocent lip work, then BAM, there’s a tongue down your throat.”
That’s something I wouldn’t mind. We’re definitely an item, she thought walking to the door. We just have to make it official.
She opened the door and Zack grinned at her in all his undead splendor. His pallid, bloodless muscles, taut under his t-shirt made him look like a sexy mannequin. His desiccated veins hidden under his skin gave him a smooth, silky sheen. The alluring aroma of decay mingled with his perfume, creating a scent of death and dismemberment with a hint of musk set in a Western town.
This wasn’t just another boy, this was a vampire. Her vampire. She would see to that.
She knew her father would disapprove, but this was love. What did her father know of love? Nothing!
Grace and Ben had talked at length after Ben caught Zach in her room. “He’s no good for you,” she remembered Ben lecturing her. When she told her dad that Zach was a vampire, Ben turned serious. They had ‘the talk.’
“Listen Grace, honey,” he said. “You don’t understand how things work. When you’re older what I say will make sense, but just listen to me now and hear me later. This will not end well. It never does. You need to stay with your kind.”
Grace remembered shaking her head and telling him he didn’t understand. Zach was different. She felt it.
“He’s dead, Grace. Dead. You realize that? He can’t father any children. He won’t age. When you are old and gray, he will still be the same.”
“That doesn’t matter to us. That’s so shallow, Father! When has death ever kept people apart?” she countered.
“He’ll leave you for another vampire or a younger human girl,” Ben cautioned. “You don’t want that, do you? Because it’ll happen.”
“Why do you always look at the dark side of things? Can’t you be happy for me?”
“You invited a vampire into my home when I was out. I’m supposed to be happy for you?”
‘The talk’ continued, but they made no more progress. To Grace, Zach was different. It was clear as day. Why couldn’t her dense father see that?
Now, seeing Zach once again so close to her, giving her a lopsided smile, she knew her father was wrong. He was different. Adults, they know nothing. NOTHING!
Zach brought his hand out from behind his back.
Grace gasped. “Ohhh, are those for me! Why thank you, I love dead roses!” she gushed. “Let me put them in wate—uhhhh a vase. Come on in.”
“Are you sure? Your dad …” Zach glanced around warily.
Grace waved him in the door. “Dad won’t be back for a while. He left for a few interviews. We’re good.”
Grace offered Zach a seat in the living room while she found an empty vase and arranged the dead roses. She picked up the dead petals that fell on the counter and pocketed them. See? she murmured to herself, he is different.
She returned to the living room and put the flowers on the coffee table, batting her eyelashes at Zach. “I thought we could just stay here. You know, Netflix and chill,”
“Sure!” he said enthusiastically, though, from the disappointed droop in his eyes, it may not have been what he had in mind.
Grace brought out two plates, each with half a sandwich and chips. She set them on the table in front of the vase of dead roses and sat primly beside Zach.
Zach furrowed his brow, sniffing the air.
“What’s wrong? You don’t like chicken?” she asked.
“No, it’s not that. Well, that’s part of it but …” he gingerly picked up his half sandwich and sniffed it. He groaned and flung the food across the room back into the kitchen.
“What is wrong with you?” Grace asked, offended. “You’re ruining the date! If you don’t like it, just say you’re not hungry. No need to be mean about it,” she said crossing her arms.
“Chicken with aioli? Aioli? Aioli has garlic,” Zach said looking paler than usual, if that was possible.
The
realization hit Grace like a ton of bricks. “Zach! I had no idea! I mean, I knew but I didn’t know. I forgot. I wanted us to have a nice time.” Grace uncrossed her arms and obsessively stroked her knees in embarrassment.
“Please take your sandwich away. It is affecting me,” he said leaning far away from her and the repulsive smell of garlic.
Grace ran with her plate into the kitchen. She threw the meal in the garbage disposal and washed her hands vigorously removing any trace of garlic.
How could I be so stupid? she berated herself. She thought back to her online search where she was torn between buying ‘Undead Love - One Heart Is Enough for Two’ and ‘Loving the Unliving, It Can be Done’ but never got around to clicking the ‘Buy’ button. Those would have helped, she realized.
Grace walked back into her living room meekly. “Are you ok?” she asked timidly.
Zach nodded. “I’ll be ok.”
“Would that have … killed you?”
“No, the dosage was too low, but it would have burned like Hell. Luckily, I didn’t swallow any. That would have made things much worse.”
“I’m sorry, I’m soooo sorry,” Grace repeated several times.
“Hey, hey. It’s ok, you didn’t do it on purpose.”
“But what are we going to eat? I had everything planned out,” she said.
“About that, I really don’t eat … food. I can do so to be polite, but I don’t need it.”
Grace slapped her forehead. “Argh, of course. I’m so stupid. I’m sorry, I’m not that great at this undead dating thing. It’s different from dating an animate, not that I’ve dated much. At all. Ever.”
An uncomfortable silence fell between them like a soggy blanket.
“Do you mind if I have a snack?” Zach said, breaking the silence.
“Sure, now that I ruined dinner, you should eat something at least,” she said regretting her rash actions of throwing the sandwiches in the garbage disposal. Why couldn’t she have just put them back in the fridge?