Chapter 20
Hanging Out
We arrive at the pool hall and looking through the window we see Elijah, Isaac, Alexander Nathanial, and Matt.
Ebony had told us that Matt had moved to Wenham in the spring of sophomore year and was the new kid until we came along. He’s a really nice guy. He fought for her when she attempted to shut people out of her life after finding out she was a witch. She needed to figure things out for herself, but he adores her and waited for her to be ready to open up again. I remember he was the one who took her home the day she used her powers at school to put that nasty Mel in her place. Ebony has great timing, too, for she is finally coming out of her shell and letting him back in–just in time for formal. Matt has never given up on her; he even hangs out with us at lunch to prove to Ebony he will always be there for her. Just like I gave up pushing Nathanial away, she is doing the same. Last week, when Matt asked her to the formal, of course she agreed to go with him. They were friends for a long time before they became a couple, it was only a few short weeks ago that she finally agreed to date him and stop shutting him out. Matt told Alexander and Nathanial one day that he’s always felt a connection to Ebony. Matt is different, and Alexander cannot read him, as if there is some kind of road block to his brain.
Matilda, on the other hand, sees much about him, as if his soul is an open book, pure and genuine. She calls him a “white soul,” as pure as they come. Matilda has only ever seen one white soul once before. I remember the story like it was yesterday. Our family moved back to Europe during the 1950’s. We met a young man by the name of Walter, a worker at the local orphanage.
“I was just thinking about Matt and how Mati told us he is a white soul. Do you remember Walter?” I ask.
“Oh yeah. Who could ever forget Walter?” Matilda says.
“Who is Walter?” Ebony inquires.
Matilda smiles at the memory. “We met Walter back in Europe. He had a similar soul to Matt’s.”
“What is his story?” Danika asks with sincere interest.
“Walter was one of the most caring men our family has ever met. He ran the local orphanage, where he, himself had grown up. Once he was old enough, he decided to give back to the only place he knew as home. He cared for each and every one of the kids that lived in that orphanage. Walter made it his life’s work to help as many of those orphans find homes as humanly possible. Our family became benefactors to the orphanage after Isaac and Constance met Walter in the hospital one night. He stayed with a sick orphan all night long, holding the young boy’s hand as he died,” I explained.
“It was because of Walter and this young boy that Isaac became a hematologist.” Constance says as she looks to see if anyone is interested in the story and then continues when she sees that they are. “Back in the 1950’s, cholera was a major problem. The boy Walter brought into the hospital had a rare homological form of the disease, and we were unable to save him. His death took a toll on Isaac. After that, we became benefactors to the orphanage. That is when Mati met the young Walter and realized his soul was white, just like Matt’s.”
“That is a sad but amazing story,” Ebony states.
Constance smiles at the thought. “After that, Isaac decided to learn more about blood. He never wants to be put in another situation like that again.”
“Walter and Matt are the only two white souls I’ve ever met. The weird thing is I still don’t know what causes a white soul or what it means. Maybe one day I will figure it out,” Matilda admits.
S S S
Entering the pool hall we see the boys; they are horsing around as boys always do. I can see the smile on Elijah’s face, beaming like a spotlight from outside. He enjoys normal human interaction and is happy we have made some connections in Wenham. This is the first time in a long time when we have actually been able to put down some roots and live with some semblance of peace and happiness.
When we enter the pool hall, Nathanial’s back is to the door, and he does not notice us come in. I admire him. I can see just by his interaction with others and with my family what a wonderful man he truly is. As I get closer, I begin to take in the wonderful aroma coming from him. I stand and watch as he takes his shot and runs his fingers through his truffle-brown hair.
I sneak up behind Nathanial and wrap my arms around him from behind, running my hands from his waist up his rippled abdomen to rest on his amazing pectorals. Lifting myself up on my tiptoes, and I gently blow in his ear.
He slowly spins around and wraps his arms around me as well. “Hello, beautiful. Did you find a dress?”
“I have something that will do.” I grin and he gives me a soft kiss on my cheek.
“Now that my good luck charm is here, I just might win a game,” he says, hopeful.
“Well, I am here, but I’m not too sure you could call me a good luck charm,” I reply with a chuckle.
He just smiles and gives me a big squeeze. “You’ve got to stop being so hard on yourself. You’re a wonderful human being, and I just wish you would realize that.”
He’s so sweet and convincing, to the point that I almost believe him myself. I smile back at him, knowing that no matter how convincing he is, it’s not true. I can’t be a wonderful human being because I’m not even human anymore.
It is now December, and it’s getting colder outside, but the pool hall has a nice stone fireplace. Although the cold does not affect us, we decide to curl up in front of the fire, and we all order some hot drinks. Once the boys finish their game, (which Nathanial won), they come over and join us. Only those who are close to us know that Alexander and Matilda are a couple. Since we are hidden in a corner booth by the fire, Alexander slides beside Matilda, wraps his arm over her shoulder, and gives her a little kiss on the cheek–nothing too obvious, in case someone sees. That way, it still looks like they are nothing more than siblings.
I look at my watch and realize it is about nine o’clock, time to head home. After all, we still have two more days of classes before the winter formal. “How about I walk you home, Nate?” I ask.
“Isn’t it customary for the man to walk the lady home?” he jokes back.
“Nate, you live about two blocks away from the pool hall and my house is a few miles away, just on the outskirts of town. Don’t you think this makes more sense?”
He nods in agreement.
S S S
We take off slowly down the dimly lit street toward the McCord house. Hand in hand, we begin chatting, always trying to learn more about each other.
Tonight it is his turn to ask questions. “Favorite color and song?” he blurts out.
“Red and I like a variety of songs. I could list a favorite from any decade really. I like anything Frank Sinatra, ‘Alberta Bound’ by Paul Brandt, most classical music and even stuff like Pink. I find classical very calming. I have always hoped to have it played at my wedding...maybe a beautiful waltz or something like that.” I stop, realizing I am revealing too much.
“I will have to listen to it so I can learn to dance to it. Do you give lessons? I would not want to embarrass you.” He gives me a little nudge and smiles.
At this moment, even though I think he is joking, we have an amazing connection, and I can tell he feels it too. It could be a possibility. I have all these feelings I never knew existed until he came into my life.
He continues with the questions. “Have you ever been in love before?”
“Ask me that one again later.” I give a little smile.
“What is your biggest weakness?”
“You!”
“Me?” He looks a little concerned.
“Yeah. I can’t seem to stay away from you, and I can’t hide anything from you. Around you, I feel like an open book that has no cover,” I admit.
“Hmm. Well, isn’t that a good thing? Do you want to stay away from me and hide things? Is there some deep dark secret you are keeping from me, young lady?” he asks.
“Maybe just a few,” I say in a joking
manner, even though it’s the truth. Even though I love being with him every minute that I can, I’m glad we are finally at his house, because his questions are getting more dangerous than he knows.
We say our goodnights and our goodbyes, but as I turn to walk back to the pool hall, he pulls me back, spinning me around to face him. Then he gently kisses my forehead, then my nose, and then our lips meet, pressing ever so gently against one another.
“Goodnight, my sweet Sophia,” he whispers, weakening my knees with his breath.
I turn again to leave, still holding Nathanial’s hand. Our fingers start to slide through each other’s until we are fingertip to fingertip.
“See you in my dreams.” I wink.
He enters his house, and I take off as fast as I can.
S S S
I am back at the pool hall in seconds. Matt has already taken Ebony home, so our family decides to go hunting for food. Isaac just got another fresh batch of donated blood from the hematology clinic. Because our house is near the outskirts of town, we are near the forest, which is perfect for our hunting trips. There is a vast array of animals to choose from, so we always catch something, but we are careful never to drain them to death.
“I have all the supplies to bank the animal blood in the trunk of my car. Do you ladies want to come or just go back to the house?” Isaac offers.
“I would like to come tonight. I am in the mood for a good chase,” Florence says, and the rest of us agree.
After the hunt, tonight, like so many other nights, I dream of Nathanial and the life we could have had if we had only met a hundred years earlier. I dream of growing old with him, of having a family and children and grandchildren of our own. It is wonderful and perfect, but then reality sets in. Vampires only get the ever after–without the happily.
Immortal Embrace Page 20