There's a moment when you know that everything is going to change. A glimpse at what is to come. When I first laid eyes on Keith, I knew it was one of those moments. I was dead. Well, almost dead. So close that I saw my former, dead husband and that thing they call "the light." I've never experienced something like that, and to be honest, I hope I never do again. There are some things that are better if only experienced once. I woke up to the taste of blood on my lips and the sight of these amazing eyes. You know how they say that the eyes are the windows to the soul? Well I don't know if that's the case or not, but I know they saw mine. Those gorgeous blue-green eyes that melted everything bad in my life away, were my salvation.
Fast forward through me realizing where I was and what was happening and to the party. I see him everywhere. In my head when I'm making breakfast. In my dreams when I'm trying to sleep. In my thoughts when I'm trying to hold a conversation with my 2 year old. No matter where I turn, I am consumed by even the thought of him. I have never been one to be dependent on a man. Sure, I've had my fair share of male suitors, but none really stuck until Terry. He was everything I wanted and envisioned for myself. I saw us growing old together. When he died I didn't know how to react or what to do next. I just stopped being.
As I arrive at the party, I can feel his presence. I know when he's there and I don't even have to see him. I get into the house, drop the food off in the kitchen and immediately look for Sookie. She's my lifeline in situations dealing with vampires. If anyone has experience, it's her. As I wander through, going room to room, I catch myself holding my breath as I enter a new part of the house. Will he be waiting in the next room? Does he long to see me as much I, him? I encounter Sookie, and the makeshift bar on my way through the parlor.
"How you holding up Arlene?" asked Sookie.
"To be frank, Sook, I'm doing pretty damn good. I feel alive; I feel free!"
"Well that's always good to hear," she replied. And at that moment, Keith walked in. I shouldn't even say walked in, it was more like he appeared. It was one of those scenes in the movies when everything slows down and you lock eyes. Suddenly we were the only ones in the room. Time wasn't an object and space seemed to close between us. Neither of us realized that Sookie was still present, and was at a loss for what was happening between the two of us, before her own eyes. "Keith! So good to see you, glad you could make it. Arlene, why don't we get another drink? After what happened the other day I know you could use a few," Sookie interjected. "What was that, Arlene?!"
"Sookie, I don't know what's happening. I know that when you take a vamps blood you become attracted to them, ya know, sexually, but that's not just physical."
Sookie was at a loss for words. "Do you think you might be falling for him? It wouldn't be the strangest thing to happen in this world."
"I can't like a vampire! I got kids! What kind of mother would I be if I brought someone like that into their lives?" I objected. "It's just the V talkin, it needs to get out of my system." As soon as the words left my mouth, I knew they were a lie. It wasn't the V talking.
A few drinks in, and a vampire boyfriend is beginning to look a lot more appealing. I'd save a ton of money on health insurance for the kids. Not to mention, he's probably learned a thing or two about making a woman happy over the past years, if you know what I mean. Terry told me himself, well kind of, to be happy and I really think that Keith could do that.
"Good evening, Arlene."
"Why do you keep making those looks at me? I can feel your eyes on me!"
"I'm sorry, I can't help it. You're the most beautiful women I've seen in over 300 years."
"Well don't you know just the right things to say to make a girl all giddy," I replied. "This is wrong ya know, a human and a vampire. I've been through so much, the last thing I need right now is a vampire problem."
"I understand, I'll back off. But don't think I won't be there. I'll be seeing you in your dreams," he said, with the most delicious tone to his voice. Even the words he uses make me putty in his hands. To say the night was uneventful for the rest of the evening was an understatement. I felt like the surprise had been shouted and all the cake eaten. The party was over for me, and it was time to head on home.