Vicki thumbed through the magazine on her desk for the tenth time, logged onto to her computer for another rousing game of minesweeper and drummed her fingers on her desk. Sighing, she called for Coreen.
"Coreen!"
Bounding in with her usual perky bounce, the little goth smiled and said, "Yes?"
Rolling her eyes, Vicki responded, "Must you always be so damn happy? That was a rhetorical question. Anything yet?"
Coreen frowned and shook her head no. Nothing spooky or exciting had come there way in at least four days now.
"Alright, no sense in sitting around waiting for nothing to happen. What say let's call it an early weekend, huh?"
"Seriously? Wow! Thanks Vicki, I was…" before Coreen could finish her sentence, there was a knock on the outer door. Both women froze.
"Expecting Henry or Mike?" Coreen asked. Shaking her head no, Vicki smiled. Hopefully this was a new case, Lord knows they could use the money and Vicki was about to murder someone herself just to have something to do.
"Come in," Coreen called on her way out. Vicki busied herself with straightening her desk and trying to look busy. Pushing her glasses back, she grabbed a pen and opened a folder.
"Uh..Vicki, this woman says she's your aunt?" Coreen appeared puzzled. Vicki furrowed her brow and peered around Coreen. Her furrowed brow turned into a squeal of joy when Vicki saw it was indeed her Aunt Lisa.
"Oh my gosh, Aunt Lisa! What are you doing here? How long has it been?" Vicki nearly leapt over her desk to hug the woman tightly. Coreen's mouth fell open with the sight of seeing Vicki hug and embrace another human being in utter joy. This woman seemed to be an older version of Vicki. She had shorter hair but it was a thick honey blonde, her eyes were blue instead of hazel but that's where the differences ended. They had the same full lips, body build and cleft in the chin.
"Sweetie, it's been ages! How the hell are ya?" Yep, same vernacular too Coreen thought.
"Where are my manners, Coreen, this is my mom's sister Lisa Rizzo. Lisa, Coreen," Vicki introduced the two. True to Vicki's nature, Lisa extended her hand in a firm but feminine handshake.
"Nice to meet you," Lisa smiled warmly.
"Do you want something to drink, ma'am?" Coreen asked.
"Ma'am!? Oh hell no girl! I know you're tryin' to be polite, but ma'am I ain't, and no honey, I'm fine," Lisa gave a hearty laugh.
"Coreen, why don't you go. We've got some catching up to do," Vicki offered.
"Are you sure?" Coreen asked.
"Positive, get out of here, have fun while you're young," Vicki teased.
"Huh..well that's for damn sure, listen to this woman, she'll take care of you," Lisa told Coreen. Shaking her head at their similarities, Coreen left the office with a smile on her face.
"So, no work? I don't wanna keep ya Vicki," Lisa told her niece.
"Sadly, none right now," Vicki sighed, "Come, sit. Sure you don't want something to drink?"
"No, I'm good," Lisa said with a wave of her hand.
Sitting next to each other on the couch in Vicki's office, they faced one another. They appeared to be a younger version looking at an older version and both were content and happy. Lisa took Vicki's hand in hers and squeezed it.
"What's going on? Is everything okay?" Vicki sensed something was off. Her aunt had not been by in at least ten years. Although Vicki was beyond thrilled to see her, she was concerned at the notion of just stopping by as being an excuse.
"Well, not really. I've come to you because I need your help."
"Sure, anything," Vicki shrugged.
"First though," Lisa held up Vicki's left hand and eyed her ring finger, "why the fuck are you still single? And where are some grand nieces and nephews? I ain't getting' any younger! I'm fifty this year you know." Lisa said with a proud smile. She certainly did not look her age and Vicki told her as much.
"You're just sayin' that because I got you out of hot water with your mother so many times," Lisa reminded her.
"No, I mean it. Now, what's wrong? How's Mike?"
"Mike, oh he's wonderful," Lisa's eyes turned dreamy to this day when talking about her husband.
"Uh huh..that's a look that says my man is takin' care of me," Vicki observed. Both women laughed and relaxed a little. Vicki had been very close to her mother's younger sister growing up. Her Aunt Lisa was thirteen years older than her and Vicki looked up to her growing up. She and Lisa had so much in common and looked so much alike it seemed they should have been mother and daughter instead of aunt and niece. Vicki had been in Lisa's wedding, was there for the birth of her son and Vicki confided in Lisa about nearly everything. Vicki had been devastated when Lisa had to relocate with Mike to Vancouver for his work.
"No complaints here," Lisa sighed.
"You really love that man don't you?" Vicki asked.
"Yes, yes I do but you know that it was by default right?"
Vicki tilted her head and frowned, "Default? No I didn't, what happened?"
"Girl, I thought I told you this story?"
Vicki shook her head no, "Nope."
"I'll tell you but first, why no ring? And don't try to change the subject again," Lisa admonished.
"Still lookin' for the right man," Vicki said truthfully.
"Uh..no man at all in your life right now?" Lisa knew about Vicki and Mike and wasn't surprised. Vicki couldn't handle a man that wanted to change her or run her. Although Mike loved her, he was too worried about her safety and choices in life and that was something Vicki couldn't move beyond.
"Well…I wouldn't say that, there is this guy I've been seeing but.." Vicki paused, "it's complicated."
Lisa laughed out loud, "Honey, it's always complicated. What gives?"
Vicki's eyes bored into her aunt's. She knew that she trusted Lisa with everything and this was no different.
"If I tell you, promise to not only keep it to yourself but no laughing, got it?" Vicki pointed her finger in Lisa's direction.
"Cross my heart, sweetie. Your secret is safe with me," Lisa crossed her heart and held up two fingers as in a boy scout salute.
"His name is Henry, he's younger and.." Lisa cut her off.
"Well, well..you cougar you, you go girl!"
"Technically, he's younger but he's not." Vicki tried to think of a way to explain it better but couldn't seem to get the words out.
"Huh?" Lisa was thoroughly confused.
Sighing, Vicki let the words just slip out, "Henry Fitzroy, bastard son of Henry VIII is a vampire…"