Always the Vampire

We put off our shopping trip to Walmart until after we’d exercised. And rested in each other’s arms. And exercised again. Hey, we were nothing if not willing students.

Besides, Walmart wasn’t as crowded at night.

The theme for Maggie’s Saturday afternoon bridal shower was Victorian High Tea. Okay, so it wouldn’t exactly be the highest of teas, not with me hosting it at the cottage. For starters, I didn’t have the floor space to seat all sixteen of us at tables. Instead, we’d sit on chairs, and I’d borrow extras from Maggie. Seating aside, I did have a few elegant touches planned.

Maggie was loaning me the double set of pink Depression glass grill plates, cups, and tumblers she’d inherited from her mother, and I’d bought pink cloth napkins woven with a white lace pattern to complement the dishes. I’d also purchased flatware in a Victorian pattern to use at the shower. True, the service for twelve was a reproduction in stainless steel, but it was lovely. Plus, I’d finagled six extra teaspoons and luncheon forks for the set. The flatware and napkins were my shower and wedding gifts to Maggie.

The florist was providing nosegays of miniature pink and white roses, and I’d ordered snack trays and teacakes from the caterer. The flowers and food would be delivered an hour before the party, and I’d serve two kinds of hot teas and have sweet and unsweetened cold tea on hand, too.

Now the couples shower on Sunday was to be way more casual. With twelve couples including Maggie, Neil, Saber, and me, there’d be seating in the den for those who wanted to watch football and seating under the tents for everyone else.

“Okay, we need plastic tablecloths and dinner napkins.”

“I have napkins, Cesca.”

“The big kind? Barbeque is messy.”

We moved up and down the aisles loading up with chips, condiments, soft drinks, and anything else we thought we’d need. As we doubled back to get picnic-sized salt and pepper shakers, I heard voices I recognized.

Two of them I welcomed hearing. The other one, not so much.

I motioned to Saber to follow me.

“Young man, you’ve followed us around for days. What do you want?”

Clarence Clarke spoke as Saber and I rounded the corner of the soup aisle. He and Melda were dressed much as they’d been at Triton’s. Senior chic.

Victor Gorman wore his usual redneck-ops outfit of black jeans, shirt, and sneakers, and sneered at Clarence.

“I’m waitin’ to catch you, and by damn, I will.”

“Catch us buying groceries?” Melda scoffed.

“We don’t want your kind in town.”

“Discriminating against retirees in Florida, Gorman?” I steered the cart straight for his knees but refrained from slamming it into him. “Mr. and Mrs. Clarke, how nice to see you. This is my friend, Deke Saber. Saber, I met the Clarkes on a ghost tour and again when they were out for a walk.”

Clarence and Saber shook hands. Melda smiled and winked at me.

Gorman glared at each of us, finally landing his beady-eyed gaze on me.

“So, you do know these two.”

“I just said I’d met them twice.”

“I’m tellin’ you, these are—” He stopped and looked around, then held curved index fingers to his mouth. “Vampires.”

Clarence leaned close to Saber. “Is he quite all there?”

“This is Victor Gorman, sir. He’s a member of the Covenant.”

“Is that like the Lions Club?” Melda asked, oh-so-sweetly.

Saber about lost it, so I answered. “No, ma’am, the Covenant is a group that watches vampires.”

Clarence scratched his head. “Watches them do what?”

Saber and I shrugged. Gorman ground his teeth.

“You’re gonna give yourselves away sometime, and I’ll be there.”

“Well, if you’re going to tag along,” Melda said, “you may as well help. Get that box of onion soup off the top shelf.”

“Oh, no, Mother. You know what onions do to my colon.”

“True. Shall we stick with the chicken noodle? Mr. Gorman, get that jumbo can of soup, if you please.”

Gorman strangled out a growl. “I ain’t your lackey.”

“Then I suggest you take yourself off, young man,” Clarence said. “You’re in our way.”

The elderly vampire locked Gorman in a stare-down, and I felt as much as saw a small, careful burst of “go” in Clarence’s eyes. Seconds later, when Gorman stomped off, I realized that Clarence had subtly enthralled Gorman to leave. Very cool and certainly not destructive. Point to Lia.

I smiled at Clarence and spoke softly. “I’m sorry I forgot to warn you about him, but that was masterful.”

“Not to worry,” Melda said with a pat on my arm. “We spotted him quickly and have led him all over town. I must give the man high marks for persistence, though.”

“Just don’t let down your guard,” Saber warned. “He’s made attempts on Cesca’s life.”

Clarence looked grave. “We shall be careful.”