Rosa nodded. “Yes. We’ve been married thirty five years.”
“That’s a long time.” It wasn’t from Coleen’s perspective.
“He’s a wonderful man.” Rosa sighed. “But marriage takes work, and heaven knows we have worked our bottoms off.” Coleen chuckled, genuinely amused by Rosa’s turn of phrase. “Have you ever been married, ma’am?”
“Yes. A very long time ago.” The truth seemed easiest.
“Oh, you’re silly. How long ago could it have been? You can’t be a day over thirty five.” Rosa grinned, and casually patted Coleen on the knee. “Did you love him?” Rosa’s voice was low as if she had asked Coleen to divulge the greatest secret in the world.
“No, but I loved his family.” Coleen worried she might begin to cry, and took a deep breath.
Rosa took Coleen’s hand in hers, only briefly glancing down. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”
Coleen pulled her hand away. The intimacy of Rosa’s touch and the soothing comfort of her voice was more than she could bear. “It was a long time ago.”
Rosa studied Coleen’s face closely, her brow furrowed with worried. “You had a child?”
Coleen recoiled at the question. “Shouldn’t you get to work?” She forced the harshness into her voice, knowing this was a conversation she could never have.
Rosa stood up quickly, clearly sensing she had gone too far with Coleen. “My apologies. I do have to get to work. I have two houses to go after this one.”
Coleen didn’t want to leave things unsettled with Rosa. The woman had been kind to her, and had no way of knowing how painful her question had been. “Rosa. Thank you for the groceries.”
“You’re welcome, ma’am.”
Rosa left the library, and the edges of Coleen still felt frayed. Even if she didn’t feel like it, she knew she had to move back into the world; so she picked up her phone, and scrolling through her contacts, tapped the call icon.
“Hi.” Rachel’s familiar voice brought a smile to Coleen’s face.
“Hello. I need to talk with you – and if she’s available – Sara.”
There was a long pause. “Is everything alright?” Rachel’s calm demeanor faltered.
“Of course.” Coleen couldn’t blame her friend for being suspicious. Coleen had not been particularly welcoming of Sara when she was a human, and had never warmed to her as a vampire. In fact, Coleen frequently went out of her way to extend invitations to Rachel, and purposefully exclude Sara.
“It’s just you never –”
“First time for everything. The Last Word, tonight at six?”
“Sure.” Rachel continued to sound doubtful.
“Thank you.” Coleen quickly hung up.
Chapter 8
“You can’t possibly be considering turning her?” Sara admonished.
Coleen reclined in a chesterfield style, black leather high back chair. Rachel, Sara and she sat across from one another in the downtown bar The Last Word. The bar’s low ceilings, with exposed ventilation shafts and pipes, along with the dim lighting, gave the establishment a subterranean feel.
“Of course I’m considering it. She’s smart and attractive with very few ties.” Coleen took a sip of an eighteen year old Dalmore Scotch whisky. The liquor tasted of toffee with hints of cinnamon as it coated the back of Coleen’s throat.
“But she does have a tie, Coleen. Her brother, Julian. He’ll be utterly alone.” Sara looked at Rachel, pleadingly, and then back at Coleen.
Coleen was in no mood to be lectured. She wanted solutions, not reprimands. “I shouldn’t have told you their names. It makes them more real.”
“Because they are real!” Sara gushed. “They’re not a series of hypothetical problems to be solved, Coleen. They’re people.” Sara sat at the edge of her chair, her eyes glowing an iridescent blue in the shadowy light of the bar.
Rachel cleared her throat, and reached for Sara’s hand. The two women looked at each other, and Coleen watched as something unspoken passed between them. A second later Sara’s posture relaxed, and she eased herself back in the chair.
“You can’t want the boy to be left alone.” Rachel stated plainly.
“Then he’s alone.” Coleen felt an uncomfortable feeling shoot through her as she uttered the words. The callousness of the statement didn’t sit well with her.
Rachel shook her head. “I don’t believe you’ll do it.”
“Don’t you know me well enough to know when I set my sights on someone –”
“You wouldn’t kill a child.” Rachel interjected, her gaze leveled at Coleen.
“What are you talking about?” Coleen hissed. “I’m not going –”
Sara, realizing where Rachel was going interjected. “If you take the only person that he loves, and trust, and shares his life with – you may as well murder him yourself.”
“You’re not a monster, Coleen.” Rachel leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees.
“Then you’ve forgotten our history, and everything you know about me.” Coleen emptied the glass of whisky, and set it back down on the marble table top harder than she had intended. Flinching, Coleen examined the hairline crack that ran up the side of the old-fashioned glass. “Ridiculous. A fifty dollar pour in a cheap glass.”
Coleen knew the crystal glass wasn’t cheap. Its weight and clarity were perfect. Her irritation had gotten the better of her, and she had forgotten her own strength for a second. She was loath to admit to her two drinking companions that she had been forgetting herself a lot lately.
Rachel frowned at the cracked glass in Coleen’s hand, but continued to make her point. “I know who you are. I know the fact we’re even having this conversation means you understand that what you’re contemplating is horrific.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s off the table.” Coleen ran her fingers through her long tresses as she crossed her legs.
Sara shook her head. “Jesus, listen to what you’re suggesting. Does it even occur to you that Isla has a say in this?”
Coleen had grown to not completely hate Sara over the years. It was because of that Coleen chose to state the obvious more kindly than she might otherwise have. “Sara, the choice you had is the exception, not the rule.”
Rachel sighed, clearly growing weary of the conversation. “How do you want this to go, Coleen? You couldn’t have thought we would condone turning Isla without her consent; so I have to conclude you want us to talk you out of it.”
“Or at least present you with alternatives.” Sara managed to strike a hopeful tone.
Coleen looked down at the arm of the chair, and absently picked at the stitching along its edge with her fingernail. The creases and grooves of the leather were more pronounced to her eyes, and reminded her of deep gorges and rugged peaks.
“It more than likely won’t matter anyway.” Coleen continued to avert her eyes, but could not hide the disappointment in her voice.
“Why?” Rachel asked.
Coleen took a deep breath, the scent of numerous liquors comingling in the air. “She isn’t particularly interested in me.” She glanced up at Sara and Rachel.
“Oh.” Sara managed, the surprise in her voice evident.
Coleen frowned. “Anyway, I might not be interested in consent to turn her, but I certainly won’t turn someone who shows no sign of even liking me.”
Rachel and Sara looked at each other, and it was Rachel who finally spoke. “I’m not encouraging anything, but won’t the turn itself trigger some affinity in Isla?”
Coleen rested her head against the back of the chair. “It’s true. The change does bring the two parties closer, but it can’t completely resolve indifference or animosities.”
Rachel looked down, her brow arched. “I certainly had no love lost for Ivan before he turned me, and I just managed graciousness towards him after.”
“And that does not an eternity together make, my friend.” Coleen stood up. “I have to go.”
“But we haven’
t resolved anything.” Sara stated the obvious. “Have another drink, and maybe we can figure something out.”
Though Coleen didn’t fool herself into thinking Sara’s sudden urge to problem solve was anything more than concern for Isla and Julian, she was grateful for the offer. “I’ve talked about as much as I’m willing to at this point, but thank you for your time.”
“You’re – you’re welcome.”
Coleen knew the hesitancy evident in Sara stemmed from the fact Coleen had never thanked her for anything, much less her time. “Ladies, I’ll be in touch.”
Coleen left the bar, and stood waiting for the valet to return with her car. She felt as if she were going in a large circle, being made to repeatedly revisit who and what she was. The story she had told herself, in fact the life she had lived, was being reshaped, and the process was becoming unbearable.
It occurred to Coleen that she was falling into the trap of allowing her past to decide her future. After all, she had eternity before her, and mere seconds behind her. Certainly she could invent something better.
***
“What are you doing here?!” A shocked and angry Isla stood in front of Coleen.
“It’s amazing what you can find out on Google.” Coleen smiled, and held out a bouquet of deep purple hydrangeas. “I brought a peace offering.”
Coleen had managed to find out where Isla and Julian lived. She didn’t want to manage a reconciliation with both Isla and her brother at the same time, so she had found Isla’s work address too. Now she stood in a stark white, windowless hallway, confident in her abilities to make things right with Isla.
Isla was dressed in a pair of faded jeans, and a t-shirt with If You Are Looking for a Sign This Is It scrolled across the front of it. Her brown hair was pulled back in a clip, and she wore a white lab coat with an ID badge clipped to the front breast pocket. Coleen tried not to stare, but the photo of Isla on the badge made her appear to be ten years older, and also drunk.
“You can’t be here.” Isla whispered.
Coleen feigned ignorance and frowned. “Why not?”
Isla looked over her shoulder. The two men hovering over a Bunsen burner had stopped what they were doing and were openly staring at the two women. Isla stepped the rest of the way through the door, and not waiting for it to close on its own, forced it shut.
“I’m working, and – and it’s been over a month since you wandered off.” In spite of her efforts to whisper, Isla’s voice began to gradually crescendo as she spoke. “Not a call, a note, an email – nothing!”
Coleen opened her mouth to speak, any number of charming and disarming turns of phrases were at the ready to calm the openly hostile human. “You see –”
Isla held her hand up in front of her, effectively silencing Coleen. “Hush, and just leave!”
Coleen’s natural instinct was to lash out at her aggressor, but she had committed to trying to get things back on track with Isla. This, and the fact she knew the woman had every right to be furious with her, kept Coleen’s otherwise sharp tongue in check.
“At least take the flowers. I have no skills. If they come home with me they’ll just die a slow and agonizing death.” Coleen held the lavish bouquet in between her and Isla.
Isla’s icy stare shot to the flowers. “They’re beautiful.” Though complimentary, her tone was harsh.
Coleen smiled, sensing a slight crack in the ice. “I took a chance.”
Hesitantly, as if the hydrangeas would bite her, Isla reached for the flowers. “This doesn’t change anything, but at least they won’t die as quickly.”
Coleen nodded. “Can we have dinner?”
Isla snatched the flowers from Coleen. “You’ve got ovaries, I’ll give you that.”
Coleen’s perfectly manicured eyebrow shot up. “Ovaries? What does that have to do with anything?”
Coleen caught the scent of coffee and honey. Suddenly a young woman who was Isla’s contemporary was standing next to them. “It’s the lesbian’s version of having balls, but who would want to bother with those?” She was taller and leaner than Isla, with short cropped blonde hair, and a defined jawline.
Before Coleen could address the woman, Isla interjected. “Coleen, this is my friend and associate, Cory Bayless.”
Extending her hand, Cory vigorously shook Coleen’s. “Isla’s mentioned you, and the awesome thing you did for Julian and her. Nice to finally put a face with the name.”
Coleen was surprised Isla had spoken of her to anyone. Her attentions toward Coleen seemed, at best, indifferent. I don’t know what she actually said to her friend. I might have been the topic of a particularly heated rant.
“Isla and you work together?”
“Yes.” Cory wrapped her arm around Isla’s tense shoulders.
Given Cory’s flirtatious tone, and her casual touching of Isla, some of Isla’s indifference toward Coleen was beginning to make sense. “Are the two of you dating?”
Coleen could hardly remember what it was like to be subtle. The surprised look on Isla’s face, followed by a flush of red to her neck and cheeks, reminded Coleen not everyone was as forthcoming as she was.
“No!” Isla hesitated. “I mean, we went out once, but that was a few years ago.”
Cory playfully nudged Isla’s upper arm. “What my awkward friend is trying to say is she’s completely available.”
“Cory.” Isla mumbled. “Weren’t you going somewhere – anywhere but here?”
“Right you are.” Cory released Isla, and extended her hand to Coleen. “Again, pleased to meet you.” She glanced down at the bouquet. “Gorgeous flowers.”
Isla and Coleen watched as Cory sauntered down the hall. Coleen liked the woman, and wondered if she wouldn’t make a better companion since she didn’t trigger the thoughts of self-assessment and betterment Isla did in her.
It would certainly be less complicated, and more fun than this humility crap.
“Thank you for the flowers, but I have to get back to work.” Isla reached for the door.
Undeterred, Coleen broke out her most charming smile. She could tell from the increase in Isla’s heartbeat, the ploy had worked. “Would you like to go to dinner when you’re finished here?”
Isla shook her head, but refused to make eye contact with Coleen. “I can’t. Thank you though.”
“Can’t or won’t?” Coleen struggled to manage her own frustrations. She was being perfectly pleasant and yet Isla refused to concede an inch.
“Why does it matter? It looks the same in the end.” Isla’s tone was sharp.
“You hate me then?” Coleen was on the verge of reminding the sullen woman that if it not for her gallantry, both she and her brother would be dead. Something deep in the recesses of Coleen’s mind, though, warned her that would be a counterproductive track to take.
Isla winced. “No.” She looked through the glass door. The two men from earlier had turned their full attention back to the Bunsen burner. “Look, I will be forever grateful for what you did for Julian and me. I can’t even pretend to find the words.”
Isla looked down at the flowers, and her first smile of the conversation broke through the scowl. “It’s great that you’re sorry about rushing off, and then blowing us off, but Julian and I don’t need that crap in our lives.”
“It won’t happen again.” Coleen found the resolve in her words to be what she felt in her heart. She had no desire to abandon Isla or Julian.
Isla looked intently at Coleen, her lower lip pinched nervously between her teeth. The silence seemed to stretch for hours, but finally Isla spoke. “I get off at five, but it can only be drinks. Julian’s after school sitter can’t stay past seven on Thursdays.”
Coleen felt elated, and fought the urge to pull Isla to her. “Wonderful.” Coleen glanced at the digital clock mounted above the door. It was only three thirty. “Should we meet somewhere?”
Isla nodded. “Text me.” She pulled the heavy glass door open. “Now, I really have to get back
to work.” Without another word, she left Coleen standing alone in the hallway, with a broad smile of accomplishment across her perfect lips.
***
Coleen glanced at her phone. It was nearly five thirty, and she was beginning to wonder if Isla had stood her up. She was sitting in a booth near the back of a local eatery, Stone Werks Grill. Though Coleen didn’t usually mix her drinking with the horrendous smell of cooked food, she thought Isla might change her mind about dinner, and would like the option to eat with her drink.
As Coleen scanned the rustic décor of the restaurant with its high ceiling and exposed rock fireplace, she was resolved to give Isla five more minutes before leaving.
“Sorry I’m late.” A flustered Isla stood next to Coleen.
Relieved she hadn’t been left, Coleen smiled, and gestured for Isla to sit in the booth across from her. “It’s no trouble.” Coleen raised her glass of Glenlivet whisky. “I’ve handled it.”
Isla managed a weak smile as she slid into the booth. “I’ve been here one other time to watch a Cowboys’ game with friends. The food was good.”
Seeing her opportunity to possibly extend their visit, Coleen slid the food menu across the table to Isla. “You should eat something then.”
Isla shook her head, and glanced at her watch. “I shouldn’t. As it is, I can only have one drink, and then I need to head home to Julian.”
“How is he?” Coleen was struggling to find her footing in the conversation, and her tendency to skip over small talk was making it that much more difficult.
Before Isla could answer, the waitress arrived at the table and was greeting her. “Good evening, what can I get you to drink?”
“Ah, vodka and cranberry with lime, please.”
“Do you have a preference on the vodka?” The waitress smiled.
Isla scanned the massive lighted bar-back. “Oh – Absolute is fine.” Isla fidgeted nervously with the edge of her black, cloth napkin as the waitress excused herself.
“You seem nervous.” Coleen asked.
Isla’s eyes shot up. “No. I just –” She frowned, and took a deep breath.
Coleen: Forever (Waking Forever Series Book 5) Page 9