Hours later, Justine and Patrick took warm showers and fell exhaustedly into the bed that they now shared. Justine was aware of Patrick's quiet contentment as he held her warmly in her arms, softly kissing her hair. As she fell asleep she made a small prayer to the gods, please give us this time, this love, let it be strong, let it last. She fell asleep with a confident smile on her face.
September approached with a sense of quiet restfulness. The leaves still remained bright green on the trees, the flowers still proudly blooming. The calm was beautiful and much needed by the two lovers. Siam was quickly growing into a large cat who adored his parents and was abundantly spoiled as his traditional royalty required.
Alice finally called Justine, proclaiming how lonely she was. Nervously yet desperately Justine invited her mother over for a quiet dinner with Patrick and herself. She slaved tediously over the meal of Chicken Saltimbocca, twice baked potatoes, and a crisp, fresh salad. Patrick was nervous, which was something Justine had never seen before excluding while on their Spectrum Investigations. They had chosen to offer only iced tea or soda during the meal in consideration of Alice.
Alice arrived on time, which both relieved and exasperated Justine. She wasn't quite done preparing the meal. But Patrick, always the congenial and friendly host kept Alice occupied while Justine put the finishing touches on the meal.
At their meeting, Alice had stared
contemplatively at Patrick, the mother in her shooting out concern from her eyes. However, she quickly relaxed in Patrick's company and realized two very important things, Patrick loved Justine whole heartedly and he was very good to her.
Justine was nervous while eating her meal, her mother's eyes seeming to take everything in cynically. Alice was quieter than usual; she seemed to have lost a part of herself through her drunken fog. Justine was concerned about it, but hoped that it would settle her, bringing a calm stability with it.
Alice was ready to leave shortly after the meal had been eaten, she very politely said goodbye to Patrick and turned her eyes pleadingly towards her daughter.
"Justine, will you walk me out to my car?" It was a demand, not a question, but said simply, almost kindly.
"Yes, Mom."
Patrick watched the two of them go, and couldn't help but feel instant resentment bubble up as he wondered what Alice would say to Justine. All he could offer her was his arms, when she came back in stricken with sorrow.
Alice and Justine were both silent on the walk out to the car in the gradually darkening sky. Justine walked, with what she hoped was casualness, her hands secretly, knotted tightly together behind her back. Alice unlocked and swung open the door of her Volvo before stopping to look at her only child.
She was beautiful. Her father's eyes and spirit, her mother's stability. Justine was exactly what Alice had hoped out of her as an infant. Seeing her mother seat belted safely into the car, Justine gave her a noncommittal goodbye and started back towards her apartment.
Alice unlatched herself and stood up.
"Justine." The complete sincerity in her voice stopped Justine in her tracks.
Justine turned, inquisitive yet fearful.
"Yes?"
"I love you Justine." Alice paused, her eyes growing misty. "I understand baby, I do, I would have done the same thing to you if situations were reversed."
Justine paused, debating between hurt and love. She turned and walked back to her mother embracing her warmly, holding her tighter than she had in years.
"Oh Momma, I'm sorry, but I was so worried. I love you so much."
Alice hugged her baby girl tightly, knowing that Justine was the one thing she had left to care about. Realizing that in some ways her daughter still needed her mother and she had terribly let her down.
"Its okay baby, I understand."
Mother and daughter clung to one another, oblivious of the world, of the time. When finally they both giggled and stepped back whipping away the tears from their eyes.
"One more thing, "Alice said while giggling and wiping away the tears, "I really like Patrick, he's a wonderful man and I can see how happy he makes you. Justine all I ever wanted for you was happiness and now you have it. I love you, you make me proud Justine, and your father too, for I now know that he does look after us."
Justine cried when she watched her mother drive away. But they were not tears of sadness that ran from her eyes; they were tears of love and acceptance. Finally, she had found equal ground with her mother and she couldn't help but thinking, everything happens for a reason.
Chapter Twenty Three
As she watched the car finally disappear down the road, Justine felt a sudden dread despite the warm feelings she had experienced moments before. She waved it off as just being residual worry.
Alice smiled to herself, feeling more confident than she had in quite a while. She had done her job and done it well. Her daughter was a successful, self sufficient woman now.
The neon sign blinked lazily as a charge of welcome warmth surged through her body. She parked the car and nonchalantly walked into the small store. Two minutes later, she was smiling again as she stepped back into her car an opened the brown paper bag that seemed to contain liquid heaven.
Just one sip, she told herself, one tiny, harmless sip. She eagerly uncapped the bottle, leaning forward slightly to smell the treasure of amber liquor that it held. She wanted to inhale it, to gulp it all down, to love it as it warmed her body into mindless delight. She took a sip with shaking hands, sensation storming in a warm rushing pleasure that lacks comparison to any other physical sensation known to the human species or at least to Alice Ramsey.
One sip. She stared, dazed at the Spiced Rum. One sip was but a tease. She considered the bottle for a moment, feeling the solid weight of it in her hands and resting on her lap. Tears of desperation sprang to her eyes.
One more, oh please god, just one more. She promised to herself, to Doctor Redman, to Justine, to the world, one more sip, that's all she needed. All she would drink. And she did drink, once again feeling the fantastic cascade of fire burning a trail through her body and her mind, calming her, seducing her and finally embracing her.
She was repeating this very same promise to herself while slowly driving home.
Just one more sip.
*****
After dinner, Justine and Patrick decided to go out and watch a movie, which ironically, was about a team of parapsychologists investigating a haunted mansion. They laughed about it, figuring it would be corny and light hearted. Something they would both get a kick out of.
On the way to the theatre while Patrick drove, Justine relayed the conversation to him that she had shared with her mother. He was both relieved and delighted. He'd been nervous about what Alice would say to Justine in private. He was especially happy to note how relaxed and pleased Justine was.
They stopped for chocolate dipped ice cream cones, eating them while enjoying the air conditioned walk through the large mall. Both of them felt the freedom of children that adults so rarely feel, a moment in pure bliss. Patrick intently watched Justine's pink tongue lap innocently over the ice cream and considered forgetting about the movie. It seemed as if Justine could read his thoughts, when she laughed brightly, nudging him with her elbow.
"You're bad!" She giggled. He grabbed her free hand and swung their arms together between them. To an observer they must have looked like a pleasant combination of newlyweds and a pair of children in puppy love.
To their surprise the movie actually turned out to be pretty good, and was even quite accurate on some points. Although, they had had to hold in their laughter a few times during it.
The night seemed so peaceful and stress free that neither of them wanted to end it and go home. They sat in the car in the darkened parking lot and discussed what they could do next.
"We could go to a club," Patrick suggested. "Hmm..well we're not really dressed for it. Besides, I'm not in the mood for a crowd and loud noise.
Patrick
sat back and mused for a moment, when Justine beamed at him. She patted his thigh.
"Get out of the car." The mischievous look in her eyes sent a playful warning to his brain.
"Why?" The question drawled out slowly as he simply looked at her.
"Just do it."
He couldn't ignore the excitement in her voice and finally acquiesced. She jumped out of her side of the car and walked across the front jumping into the drivers seat,
"Go get in."
Patrick obeyed her playful command, but still slowly placed himself in the car, just to agitate her, like he knew it would.
She only giggled as he put on his seat belt and she pulled out of the mall parking lot. He let her drive for two whole minutes before he could no longer contain his curiosity.
"Okay, so where are we going?"
"Just wait, you'll know soon enough."
Patrick grunted, he hated not knowing what was in store for him, but sat back and attempted to appear patient, even bored. Justine knew better.
Justine finally turned into a packed parking lot full of bright signs offering all types of fun family entertainment. Patrick stared at the signs and back at her. His tongue was becoming sore from practically biting it to hold back his curiosity.
Before he could ask, Justine parked and leaned towards him patting his thigh again.
"I'm going to kick your ass at a game of miniature golf, Air Hockey and maybe even a game of pool."
Huge, delighted laughter erupted out of Patrick's chest.
"Ha! You might, and notice I said might, come close to beating me at Miniature Golf, but there is no way on this earth that you'll beat me at Air Hockey and especially not at pool."
Justine simply laughed not really caring who won or lost and got out of the car without saying another word. Patrick caught up with her and grabbed her hand before plastering a noisy kiss on her cheek.
The Miniature Golf game was close, but Justine had indeed beaten him by three points. Justine's prowess at Air Hockey had impressed and delighted Patrick, she was like a wily momma badger
protecting her young, from the vicious intruder. But, as Patrick pointed out laughing, he had won, albeit barely, two games out of three. Patrick had once again claimed victory of the pool game, Justine was humbled but still pleasantly happy.
The two of them rode home in a content silence intending to end their night with the pleasure of each other. Before Justine was even able to get completely out of the car, Patrick scooped her up and threw her over his shoulder.
"Patrick," she giggled breathlessly. "Put me down, the neighbors are going to think that you're abducting me." He ignored her words and smacked her rear playfully.
"Oh, but I am Princess Justine, and you know how a rouge treats a lady he's just kidnapped. I plan to devour you. Slowly. Over and over again."
Patrick set her down only long enough to unlock the front door, and before she could react he swooped up her up again, this time cradling her in his arms. His eyes slowly went from gleeful to intent.
"I love you Justine, I just can't get enough of you, I love you so much."
The sudden sweet sentiment sent instant tears of emotions into Justine's eyes. She stopped squirming and held on to him tightly, resting her head on his shoulder. His bold words and intense feelings were at times still so overwhelming to Justine. She had never known that a man could be so affectionate or passionate. She only knew that Patrick owned her heart, her soul and it seemed every part of her. It was starting to be a lot less frightening, and a lot more exhilarating.
Patrick finally set Justine down on her feet once they had entered the apartment, through the dark she could see the answering machine blinking
demandingly in piercing red. Out of habit, while Patrick turned on a few soft lights, Justine approached the answering machine. She pulled off her silver earrings and kicked aside her sandals before she could hit the 'play message' button on the machine. The phone connected to it, rang loudly, startling her. She knew that it was well after midnight and wondered who would be calling so late. A feeling of dread balled up in her stomach like an angry fist. Calls after midnight have a way of setting ones nerves into instant worry.
"Hello?" She cradled the phone hesitantly.
"Yes, I'm trying to locate a Justine Ramsey." The voice was male and sounded very official.
"That's me, sir."
"Miss Ramsey, this is Deputy Roberts of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. You are the daughter of Alice Ramsey, I assume."
She couldn't speak, her throat tightened up, her lungs seemed to explode from lack of air.
She knew it was her voice that she was hearing, but she felt completely detached from it when responding,
"Yes sir, I am."
"Ma'am, we need you to come down to St. Vincent's Hospital right way . . ." The rest of his words seemed to blur and tumble over onto one another.
Patrick quietly drove Justine to the hospital. He kept glancing at her to make sure she was keeping it together. Her pallor was white, her hands knotted together so tightly in her lap that they hurt. Patrick knew how close she was to slipping into a state of panic and occasionally patted her thigh or brushed her shoulder just to remind her that he was there and there for her.
The hospital was nearly empty at the late night hour. Patrick led the entire way guiding her, his arm comfortingly over her thin, tense, shoulders. They approached a pale yellow nurses' station right outside of the intimidating Intensive Care Unit hidden behind glaring red doors. A tired looking nurse stared up at them unenthusiastically.
"Yes?" Her voice was stern and non-committal.
"Alice Ramsey," was all Justine could force out.
"Are you a relative?"
"I'm her daughter, Justine."
The nurse glanced questioningly at Patrick but turned her eyes back to Justine when she demanded,
"Who is he?"
"My fiancé." The words popped out on their own accord. Patrick's heart bumped and rolled, but he knew that it was neither the time nor place to remark about it.
"Okay," the nurse muttered, "Go through those double red doors." She pushed a small green, square button which buzzed annoyingly while the doors slowly yawned open.
The second the doors opened, a young, athletic looking doctor approached them, his face somber and inquisitive. Pale blue eyes clearly conveying his concern and sincerity. A uniformed police officer who had been sitting in a metal chair that seemed too small for his large bulk stood up and joined them.
"Justine Ramsey?" The doctor asked gently.
"Yes."
"Justine, I'm Dr. David Kirkland, please come with me and take a seat." Feeling awkward, Patrick simply followed them, keeping his arms firmly in place across Justine's shoulders.
The doctor seated her on the uncomfortable metal chair that the cop had just vacated and sat in the one next to it. Patrick stood next to her, wanting to stay close, his hand still resting protectively on her shoulder.
"Justine your mother is in critical condition due to the accident." He paused, staring into her eyes, trying to keep the news slow to prevent shock.
"She was driving while intoxicated, way over the legal limit," Deputy Roberts added in, his voice almost accusatory. Dr. Kirkland snapped his eyes over to Roberts, glaring at him in silent
admonishment. When he turned his attention back to Justine there were silent, slow tears rolling down her cheeks. Patrick stared disgustedly at the deputy, almost as if sizing him up.
"Her injuries are serious," Dr. Kirkland continued while reaching over to a small table and grabbing the box of tissues, very likely placed there for that exact purpose, and handed her one before proceeding.
"First things first, Justine. She's lost a lot of blood and we're hoping that we can use you as a donor. Do you know what blood type you have?"
"O positive, same as Mom's." Her voice was deflated and empty of emotion.
"Oh good," Dr. Kirkland perked up, "When was the last time you have eaten
?"
Justine stared blankly at him for a moment, folding and refolding the crumbled tissue in her hands.
"We had dinner around six," Patrick finally piped in. He didn't want to include or remind Justine that they had shared that same dinner with Alice. "Then we had an ice cream cone around eight o'clock."
Deputy Robert's leaned in, his manner superior and somewhat intimidating.
"Justine, I'll need to speak to you when they're done with you." He sauntered off casually to a coffee vending machine, ignoring Dr. Kirkland's glare.
Like the blind, Justine simply followed Dr. Kirkland to a small room that contained the usual cabinets and wash sink along with a large chair and that could be both raised and lowered and become a narrow hospital bed. A young nurse walked in behind them smiling encouragingly, she closed the door behind Patrick quietly.
Justine sat in the chair and laid her arm on the small wedge of surface attached to the chair that was meant to hold the arm comfortably while the blood was being drawn. Her wrist was turned over revealing her blue veins seemingly as if in mindless surrender.
Feeling her pain, hating it, wishing the entire situation was just a dream that the two of them were sharing and would soon end with them waking up in each others arms, Patrick contemplated sitting in the chair next to Justine. He was tired, so tired. But he was confident that Justine was in a much worse emotional and mental state than he. So he chose to continue standing next to her. Close enough for her to reach out and grab him if she felt the need to.
The nurse quickly pricked Justine's middle finger and tested the blood with a small kit before
proceeding to insert the needle into Justine's arm to drawl out the necessary blood.
Justine sat silently and unresponsively during the vampirism, only moving her fist to help pump the blood as indicated. Once they were done collecting two units of blood, Justine was both dizzy and nauseous. She had been a blood donor on several occasions while attending college, the normal amount of blood taken was one unit; however, the doctor had specified that she give two units as long as she felt well enough to do it.
Journey of Souls (The Mortality Series) Page 20