Brynne, Non-Vampire (The Non-Vampire Series)

by Taylor, Jennie

  “Why don’t you say grace, Brynne.” Bob said. “Um, sure.” Great. How do I do this? It’s been a really long time. And if I say something stupid, it’s going to be bad. Teresa looks terrified for me. That makes me feel just so much better, let me tell you.

  “Um, bless us lord, and thank you for this great meal laid before us. We give our thanks for our friends, and for the special ones in our life. Please help us all be good to each other, to be

  understanding of one another, and to forgive each other for any wrongs we do. We thank you lord for all the blessings you’ve given us. Amen.”

  “Amen.” the others chorused. Bob looked annoyed and Teresa looked relieved, so I guess I didn’t completely blow it. I bet Teresa is like Jess, probably thought I’d burst into flames for daring to pray to God.

  “So how did you two meet?” Sabrina asked me. “We went shopping together with Jess and Tony.” I said. “So how’d you get from going shopping together to... to...” “Dating?” Teresa asked her mother. “We just kind of clicked.” “Is that how it was with your past... relationships... past

  girlfriends?” Sabrina asked me.

  “Subtle, sis.” Mike said to her.

  “I’ve never... um... dated before.”

  “How long was it before you decided to ask my daughter on a

  date?”

  “I didn't ask, I...”

  “Oh.” she said. She looks confused. “I just assumed...” “I asked her out.” Teresa said. “Please stop this, Mom.” “Oh you...”

  She nodded and buried her face in her plate. She seems a little embarrassed. I guess because she thought I somehow seduced her daughter, and now it turns out her daughter is the one that started this.

  Bob and Mike started talking about fishing. It’s weird how they can just talk about fishing strategy, about how to catch the best fish, what bait to use, right here at the table. It was actually starting to make a couple of people uneasy, judging from the looks on their face.

  “So you talk about fish while we’re eating chicken?” I said. “What, you can’t talk about chicken, at least?” Everyone was looking at me. “Like, how would you go about catching a chicken?” I looked over at Mike and he shrugged. “No, seriously. Like, if there were wild chickens around, how would you guys catch them?”

  “Good luck getting them to bite on your crappie jigs.” Andre said.

  “For birds you’d use a shotgun.” Bob said.

  “But doesn’t that leave little pellets inside?” I asked.

  “You just have to be careful while cleaning them.”

  “And birds bleed a lot more than fish.” Mike said.

  “Ugh, blood.” I said, giving a bit of a disgusted shiver. Teresa laughed. “I think I’ll take my chicken from the store, thanks.”

  “Usually in nugget form.” Andre said.

  “Exactly.” I agreed.

  After dinner we paired off and played Trivial Pursuit. Tony and Andre killed us all. Teresa and I didn’t even have one piece of pie. And while we were playing, Teresa slid up against my side, and then later held my hand. Later still she had her arm around me. Her mother looked really upset at first, but she seemed to relax a little as the night went on.

  “I’ve got to get going.” I said. “It was nice to get to know you all better.” I told them.

  “It was good to get to know you.” Stephanie told me.

  “Come back any time.” Mike said.

  “I’ll miss you.” Teresa said. She kissed me on the mouth quickly. “Will you dream of me?”

  “I’m sure I will.”

  “Sleep well, my love.” she said. She kissed me again. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Her parents didn’t like that real well. Bob at least seems to be able to hold his feelings about it in mostly, though. Sabrina looks angry, or disturbed somehow. But she didn’t say anything about it. Not there in front of everyone.

  “I’ll give you a ride home. It’s late.” Sabrina said. “Great, let me grab my shoes.” Teresa said. “No, I’ll just run her home, you stay here.” “That’s not necessary, thanks.” I told her. “I insist.”

  We got into their car and she asked how to get to the Sloan’s house. I gave her directions, and she drove that way, very slowly. “You seem like a nice girl.” she said.

  “Um, thanks.” I guess.

  “That’s part of the problem. My daughter is not gay.” “Um, with all due respect, Ma’am, you’re not really the one to

  say one way or the other. Only she knows what she feels.” “If she were to go out with a girl that was mean to her then

  maybe she’d get this out of her system, but she’s going out with you

  instead.”

  “Sorry I’m nice.” I said, trying not to be too sarcastic. “I’ll give you a thousand dollars to break up with her. To be

  mean while doing it.”

  “I... that’s ridiculous.” What nerve!

  “A thousand dollars is a lot of money to someone like you.” “Like me?” Condescending.

  “Your age.”

  “I don’t want your money. I can’t believe you’d think I’d do

  that. I love her.”

  “You don’t know what love is, you’re just a child.” “Fine, whatever. I know I care about her and she cares about

  me. That’s all that matters.”

  “Fifteen hundred.”

  “I don’t need your money!”

  “It’s a lot of money.”

  “I... have a lot of money, and I don't need yours.”

  It was quiet after that. She can’t buy me off, so she doesn’t know what to do. What kind of person tries to get rid of their daughter’s love interest by paying them?

  I said I love Teresa. Do I? Do I really? Do I even really know? I care about her a lot. I mean I guess that’s love of some sort. But does that mean I’m in love with her? I think I am, but we haven’t known each other long enough to be sure. Great, now she’s got me doubting our relationship.

  “Is this the place?” she asked.

  “Yes. Thanks for the ride.”

  “Brynne,” She grabbed my arm to keep me from getting out of

  the car. “Don’t misunderstand, please. I love my daughter, and I just don’t want her getting involved in something she’ll regret later. If she gets it in her head that she’s gay then a year from now, when she figures out that she’s not, she’s going to feel trapped. She’ll get depressed and embarrassed and not know what to do about it.”

  “Maybe she already knows herself better than you think.” I suggested.

  “You’re a good girl, and if she were gay, I’d be thrilled for her to have someone like you. But she’s not.”

  “Mrs. Bittel, Teresa told me she has always been attracted to girls. She’s just been hiding it from you and your husband because she thought you’d have a problem with it. I’m not going to stop seeing her.”

  “Okay.” she said. She let go of my arm. “I can tell you really care about her. All I can do is hope for the best, at this point. Don’t tell her I offered you money, okay?”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  I went into the house, up to the bedroom, and climbed up to the top bunk. I wonder where Jess disappeared to. Not with Tony, he was still at home when I left. I need to talk to her. To someone, anyway.

  I heard Barney come in. I guess he was driving Jess’s new car. That’s fine. At least until she gets her license. This sucks, I don’t want to be alone right now. I guess I’ll go eat a snack with Barney.

  “Is that extra butter?” I asked. He was making popcorn in the microwave.

  “Yeah.”

  “Can I have some?”

  “Sure. Grab a bowl.”

  “So I need to ask you something.” I said. I pulled a bowl down from the cabinet. “I mean... well I guess I should ask if you’ve ever really dated.”

  “Ha ha.” he said, sneering at me.

  “No, no judgement, just...
I was just curious. Hey, I’m like ten times your age and I’ve never seriously dated anyone.”

  “Oh.” He dumped part of the popcorn into my bowl. “I went with a girl for a few weeks back in ninth grade. Other than that, just a few dates with different girls.”

  “Did... did you love her? No, hey, really? I mean... I won’t tell anyone if you’re embarrassed or something, I just kind of... would like to know.”

  “I thought so at the time.” he said. At least he doesn’t look too embarrassed to talk to me about this.

  “So now?”

  “Well,” He shrugged and shoveled his mouth full. “I guess so. I mean there are degrees of love, I think. Obviously it wasn’t enough.” “So... what, like a friend?” “More than a friend, I guess.”

  He stared for a minute. It was making me a little

  uncomfortable. And then he moved over to a chair next to me, and his hand was on my shoulder, squeezing.

  “Whatever is going on, it’s going to work out.” he said. “Maybe.”

  “So come on, what’s this about?”

  “I told Teresa’s mom that I love her tonight. Teresa, not her

  mom.”

  “Why is that a problem? I’ve heard you tell Teresa you love

  her.”

  “I don’t know.” I shrugged. “It seems like a bigger deal now.

  Like it has some kind of permanence.”

  “And you don’t really love her?”

  “No, see, that’s the problem. I do. I think. But how much?” “Okay.” he said. “Brynne, don’t sweat it. You don’t have to

  figure this all out. You’re young, you have time.” He made a sound

  resembling a laugh. “I guess you have a really long time.” “I don’t know what to do!”

  “Calm down. You don’t have to do anything. If you’re scared

  of how you feel, or you want to back out, just talk to Teresa. She

  seems like a cool chick, she’ll understand.”

  “No, I... I just... I’ve never had feelings like this, I don’t know

  how to deal with it.” Great, I think I’m crying.

  “Jeez, you really are worked up.” he said, laughing. “Relax.

  The world won’t end if you don’t figure this out tonight.” “I know, I know.”

  “Hey, you’re going to be fine. Just go with it and enjoy

  yourself, whatever comes of this. Okay?”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  “It feels really weird giving you advice like this. You’re really

  old, ya know.”

  “Oh thanks.”

  “Hey, you’re looking good for your age, though.” he said,

  laughing.

  “Thanks, I guess.” Still feels a little creepy to hear from him.

  “But like... I mean I don’t know what’s next.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “We’ve started dating. I like her, she likes me. I mean we love

  each other, I guess. So what’s next? I mean... what do we do?” “Oh.” He looks more confused than I feel. “Well just from

  what I’ve seen... and it’s not like I watch, like, porn or anything, but...” “I’m not asking about sex.” Now would probably not be a good

  time to point out that I hear everything he does in his room. “Oh.” And now he really looks confused. “Well then what are

  you asking?”

  “I mean... I mean is that the next step? I’m not sure I want

  that.”

  “You honestly haven’t dated, have you?” he asked. I shook my

  head no. “Don’t you even watch television?”

  “But... I mean... do we just keep dating? Without... without like

  any goal in mind?” And what happens when she gets old and I still

  look fifteen? She will get older, and I'm still going to be the girl I am

  now.

  “Spending time with her isn’t enough?”

  “Um... well of course, I just... I mean... okay.” Yeah, he’s right.

  Spending time with her is amazing. “So, yeah, um... thanks, Barney.” “Happy to help.”

  I went back upstairs to contemplate the advice Barney gave me. How did I get to a point that Barney gives me advice on my love life? I don’t know whether to be impressed with him, and thankful, or really disturbed that I’ve sunk so low.

  “You awake?” Jessica asked. It’s after midnight and she’s just getting home.

  “Yeah. Where ya been?”

  “Out.” She tossed her purse on the desk.

  “Obviously.”

  “With Alan Brite.”

  “I thought you and Tony...”

  “Not really. I told you before, there’s just nothing there. He’s nice and all, but...”

  “But just like a friend?”

  “Yeah, I guess.” She sat on the bed and slid her shoes off and started undoing her pants. She almost banged heads with me as she straightened, I was hanging over the side. “How’d your night go?”

  “Pretty good.”

  “Uh-oh.” She gave me a sad look. “I know that tone.”

  “No, it really went well, all things considered.”

  “But?”

  “Her parents don’t like me.”

  “Then they’re stupid.”

  “More specifically, they don’t like me and Teresa.”

  “Oh.” She ruffled my still upside down hair. “They’ll get over it.”

  “Her mother especially doesn’t like it. She offered to give me money to stop seeing Teresa.”

  “Bitch.”

  “And then she said something that kind of confuses me.”

  “Well, you confuse easily, hon.” she said, laughing. “Just messing with you, Brynne.”

  “No, it’s... sorta true. I’m easier to confuse than a lot of people that are fifteen. And probably more gullible, in a lot of ways. And definitely I get caught up in things and sometimes go forward with something just expecting the best to happen without ever thinking about the consequences.”

  “So you’re fifteen.”

  “Yeah. But... she said if Teresa really were gay then she’d be glad for her to have someone like me.”

  “Doesn’t sound like someone that doesn’t like you.”

  “Hence my confusion.”

  “Just don’t worry about it. Take it as it comes, Brynne.”

  “You sound like Barney now.” I slid off the top bunk and sat beside her. “I actually felt desperate enough to ask his advice earlier.”

  “Wow. About what?”

  “Um... how to move forward. Because... like... I sorta... love her. I told her mother I love her.”

  “Oh.” She hugged me. “And you asked Barney for advice?”

  I replayed the whole conversation with her while she finished getting ready for bed. She pretty much agreed with Barney on every point, which is still a little disturbing.

  I slept fitfully. How do I do this? I laid there wondering what would happen if I tried to have a long term relationship with her. I mean... she’s going to age, and I won’t much. So at some point she’ll look like an adult who is dating a child. And she could get in trouble. And I mean... can I deal with being tied to someone so long? Like... this is already the longest I’ve been in one place in over a century.

  Thursday, June 16 I woke up in the morning and laid in bed, listing to the television next door, which was turned up way too loud. The neighbors are watching the news. There’s a new body down near Tulsa. They’re trying to come up with a name for the serial killer, or killers, who is now on the loose in the area. They have experts talking about how to avoid being the next victim.

  I heard Teresa on the sidewalk before she ever reached the door, but I stayed in bed and waited. The doorbell rang, and I could hear Barney moving to answer it. And then she came up the stairs and knocked on our door.

  “Come in Teresa.” I said.

  “How’d you know it was me?” she asked. She closed
the door behind her as she entered. “Two ways,” I said. I sat up and turned to face her. “A lot of people have a pace to their

  walking, each person is a little different. And of course that isn’t foolproof, because people change their pace if they’re nervous or excited, or tired or upset. Also, I could... um... smell you.”

  “Oh.” she blushed. “Actually, I heard you say hello to Barney when he answered the door, too.”

  “So... so I smell funny or something?” she asked. She looks upset now.

  “Your conditioner has a distinct smell, that’s all.” I told her. I didn’t want to explain to her that she does actually have her own scent. It would embarrass her even more.

  She climbed up and sat next to me. She keeps fumbling her fingers together. And she’s breathing erratically. “So, um, are we still... still...” Her eyes closed, and I think she was trying not to cry. “I guess Mom and Dad were pretty rough on you.” she said.

  “It wasn’t bad. Your dad, especially, seemed like he was okay.” “Yeah. Maybe. They both tore me apart. And then Mike and Steph got into an argument with them.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Mom forbid me from seeing you.” she said. A couple of tears

  escaped her eyes.

  “So this is a goodbye visit?” I asked. As much as I was trying

  not to let it show, you could hear that I was upset.

  “No. I got all dramatic and told her I’d run away, or that I’d kill

  myself, that she couldn’t keep me away. And even if she could, it

  would just be a different girl next time, it wouldn’t change anything.” “How did she take that?”

  “She whined a little. And then she nodded and said okay.” “I’m sorry you argued with your parents, sweetheart.” I said. I

  grabbed onto her hand.

  “I’m not.” She wiped her cheeks with her other hand. “Maybe

  it got it out of their system. Or maybe now they see I’m not kidding.” “I hope so.”

  “So um,” She glanced away from me. “When I woke this

  morning I had this really strong need to, um, have you kiss me.” “Oh really?” I said. I smiled. “Strong need, huh?” “Can you kiss her somewhere else?” Jessica said from her

  bunk below us. “I have a really bad headache.”

  We quietly made our way out into the hall before I pulled her face down to mine and kissed her. We then went downstairs to try to dig up some food.