Portia called to let me know that she would be over around nine. I needed to find something fairly nice to wear. I settled on a pair of khaki slacks and a pink twinset. Pam came into the room shaking her head. "This will not do, Sookie," She said and started raiding my closet. She pulled out a red dress and black pumps. "This is much better. Eric will be pleased," she said.
"I'm not trying to please Eric. I'm going to support a friend."
"That rather plain attorney Eric hired? I thought you didn't like her."
"Portia is not bad. She comes from a different world is all. She is high class."
Pam laughed. "She is not what I would consider high class. It's still beyond me what Eric sees in her," she said shaking her head.
I took Pam's fashion advice and went with the red dress. Not to please Eric, but because Pam understood what I was getting into more than I was. Besides, the dress was just as conservative as my first choice. Boy, I can't wait until Pam moves back to her life and away from mine.
The clock said eight fifteen when I heard the doorbell chime. I went to answer it. Standing there was Eric again. Dressed in a navy suit with a pinstrip shirt and red tie. His hair pulled back in a tight braid. I swear my body tempature just rose a few dregrees at the sight. "Do you think I could pass for human, Sookie," he asked with that signature smirk of his.
"Yes. What are you doing here, Eric? Shouldn't you be on your way to the conference?"
"I have come to collect Pam. Where are you going looking that way? You look good enough to eat."
"I'm going your way. Portia asked me to come."
"She is not bringing that brother of hers? I like her second choice much better."
Eric rubbed my cheek. He leaned in closer. He was ready to kiss me when Pam pushed past us. He growled at her. Clearly upset about ruining the moment. I was grateful for it. Eric is always trying to get into my pants.
"Are you coming or not," Pam said. She is sick of being cooped up and ready to leave the house any chance she got. She was standing next to Eric's Corevette. Pam had on a blue sheath with pearls. Tonight she took her fashion cue from Jackie O. The only thing missing was the pillbox hat.
"I shall see you at the conference, Sookie," Eric said and kissed my cheek.
The Corevette drove off. Going to Shreveport to the conference. The vampires are hoping to have some positive media from this conference. Most news outlets are making Amber Sue Smith out to be some sort of marytr instead of the criminal she really is.
Portia pulled up in her Jaguar. I made sure the house was locked and all the secuity lights on. Portia moved her breifcase to the backseat. The woman was broadcasting loud and clear she is extremely nervous.
"Thank you for doing this for me, Sookie. After tonight I'm going to be out in the open on this."
"You are doing the right thing, Portia. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise."
She shook her head and kept her eyes on the road. "I wish this didn't have to go as far as it has. The court date is only a week away and their isolating the jury. They are not allowed access to television or any other media. I hope we have a fair jury. I want this to be a fair trial," Portia said.
With all the laws our goverment is passing for vampire rights. There is still a lot of prejudice. People are still afraid of vampires.
"I hope it is a fair trial, Portia," I said.
We stood in a hotel conference room. Eric and Pam were talking to two vampires I have never seen before. One was a short stout woman. She didn't look like most peoples idea of a vampire. She had on a navy blue suit with a ruffled shirt. She had mousy brown hair and a round face. She looked like a teenager dressed like an adult. The other vampire was a tall gaunt man wearing a black suit. This vampire looked kinda like Abraham Lincoln, but younger. They had AVL pins on their lapels. I assumed they must the representives for the American Vampire League.
Eric saw me and smiled. He motioned for Portia and I to come over. "Sookie and Portia, I would like you to meet Susan David and Arlo King. They are with the American Vampire League," he said. We both nodded.
"Ms. Bellefluer, we have heard so much about you," said the vampire Arlo. His voice was thick and warm. The vampire was much taller then even Eric. My guess was well over a foot taller than the Viking. Arlo must have had a form of gigantism when he was human. He didn't move like his affliction didn't effect him anymore. He took Portia's hand and kissed it.
"I hope all good," Portia said. She is extremely nervous. I swore I saw her legs shake.
"Why yes, Ms. Bellefluer. You are doing a great service here," he said.
"Please call me Portia, Mr. King," she said with a blush.
"It's time," said the vampire Susan.
The two AVL reps started to the stage, followed by Pam. "You stay back here, Sookie," Eric said. He motioned for Portia to walk ahead of him as they walked to the stage.
Camera lights filled the room and flash bulbs went off. I looked out at the crowd from my spot behind the curtains. There were about ten vampires, five werewolves and the rest were human. About fifty people, give or take. The vampire Susan was the first to speak, making introductions and talking about the plight of the fanged. Vampire Arlo spoke of the case of an honest working bar owner and his establishment. Then they did a question and answer session. Portia was there to make sure Eric and Pam said all the right things. Things seem to go smoothly. The whole conference lasted twenty minutes.
Portia drove back to Bon Temps. Pam hitched a ride with us and Eric went back to the bar. Portia drove through town and as she passed her office, there was a few picket signs and a smashed window. Portia just kept driving. A few of the picketters ran after the car.
Portia pulled over onto a quiet street. She pulled out her cell and dialed Andy's number. "Hey Andy. Can you come by my office," she asked in a calm tone. Her thoughts told me that she was far from calm. Andy's voice sounded upset. "Look, I have protesters in front of my office! Can you at least chase them off? I have a broken window," she said in a less calm voice. I heard Andy grumble. "Thanks Andy," she said and hung up.
Portia stayed quiet while she drove Pam and I home. She thanked me again for coming and then drove off. Poor Portia Bellefluer, her world is changing.