Chapter 21: Money, Money
I told Tanya about my desire to be a doctor or a lawyer. I couldn't make up my mind. I kind of leaned towards medical, but wasn't sure if that was best anymore, not now that I was a vampire. Of course, I saw Carlisle flawlessly attend to humans daily, but he had hundreds of years of practice. It was like he had his own special gift. Me on the other hand, I still struggled with the newness.
We stopped to hunt just over the Pennsylvania line. We found a family of deer to satisfy our burning.
"I know you mentioned New York, Edward, but considering you want to be a doctor or lawyer, I think maybe you should consider Dartmouth College. I can go for business to sell my jewelry and you can do your doctor thing." she said throwing the carcass into the bushes.
I sighed, "Well, I'm not so sure about that. As I said before, Carlisle may be able to do that, but I can see myself sucking the life out of my patient at the first glance." I chuckled, but was quite serious.
"You have to have more confidence, darling. I bet you can handle yourself just as well as Carlisle. You are his son after all." She smiled.
"Son." I repeated with eyebrows raised. The venom had slowed and I felt full. I washed my hands and face in the nearby creek. Just a natural human instinct still lingering I was sure. I didn't make a mess of my meals anymore and was glad about that.
Tanya flashed to my side hugging me gently and then surprised me with a sweet kiss. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. It was all her fault that I was so content to do whatever.
"Ok, so where's this Dartmouth located?" I agreed. She smiled resting her chin in the crevice of my neck.
"New Hampshire. It's beautiful. I attended college there a hundred years ago. It was established way back in 1769. It's a private school, but one of the best in the country. I'm surprised you hadn't heard of it by now." She said still clinging to me. I wrapped my arms around her holding her close. It felt good having her warm body next to mine. I kissed at the top of her head getting a few hairs caught in my mouth. I heard her giggling.
Pulling back I smiled at her affable face. We kissed as we had done many times over the last days since my metamorphoses back home. My hands would slide up into her hair holding her head to my face as our lips tingled to the touch. I was feeling more and more like we belonged together. She must have been right the whole time.
When we finally gained composer again, I discovered our bodies twisted together on the ground. Untangling with a little laughter, we were on our way to Hanover, New Hampshire. I would attempt to get a medical degree while she focused on business. If we were successful, it sounded like a beautiful marriage would ensue.
New Hampshire:
When we arrived Tanya took the lead again. I could see a small home nestled in the woods all boarded up with a sign reading no trespassing. She just smiled pulling me along.
"What are you up to?" I asked.
"Just follow me. It's a surprise."
Back in the woods off the beaten path we stood in front of the very home she had visualized. She yanked the old ply wood pieces from the front door twirling her right hand in circles while extended her left towards the entrance.
I stepped into the quaint home noticing the covered furniture, the light fixtures dangling from the ceiling, and the familiar pieces of artwork hanging on the wall.
"This was once my home." She said following behind me as I took in all the details. "Like I said, my sisters and I were here a hundred plus years ago. We all attended Dartmouth, just for something to do. We went to Alaska after that and never came back."
I could see the memories of their time here as they raced through her mind. She was dressed formally in plain gray clothes. Her hair pulled up into a bun. She was completely different now. She was colorful, bold, and full of life. I wondered if I had anything to do with her happiness now.
She led me upstairs to her old bedroom. I noticed the brand new bathroom never used and the wood floors barely worn.
"Did you build this home when you came here?" I wondered.
"Yes, Kate designed the entire house. Irina and I decorated. It was a blast." And again I saw them in their excitement. It had been a new experience for all of them. Tanya had several advantages that I did not. She was much older, had many more experiences, and was used to humans.
"But how do we pay for college?" I inquired. The thought had never crossed my mind. She just grinned pulling me through her bedroom door.
"Tanya?" I objected but she smacked my chest playfully.
"Oh Edward, and you think all I do is seduce you. Get your mind out of the gutter." She teased.
She pulled out the bottom drawer and reached up under the drawer above that one. I heard a tearing sound just before she pulled out a long, thick piece of cloth. It was brownish in color from aging. She unraveled the cloth and exposed a wad of cash. My eyebrow rose.
"And why do you have a wad of cash hidden in your sock drawer?" I joked.
"There's more where this came from. When you've lived as long as we have, you need some cash lying around. Don't worry; I have more in the bank and some with a friend. In fact, I need to check and see if he's still alive. And that's not to mention the other locations here on the property." She shook her head answering her own statement, of course he wasn't alive, it's been a hundred plus years. I didn't bother asking where that money would have been. She seemed to have everything in order. What she held in her hand was more than enough for our first payment at Dartmouth.
"Well, we will have to wait for fall, but sign up is now so we're just in time. We can get the house cleaned up and go tomorrow if you like." She looked at me closely. "And maybe we better go into town and get us some new clothes. You need to practice human contact anyway."
"Why I'm heartbroken." I teased, "You don't like my rages?"
"Oh, I like them better on the bedroom floor. Let me give you a hand." And she pulled at my tucked in shirt. I backed grabbing at her hands playfully.
"Step back, woman. Don't make me hurt you." I smiled pushing her back gently.
"Ooh, threatening me Mr. Cullen. I think I like the sound of that." she pounced on me pushing me to the floor. I stopped fighting her as her hand slipped through my torn shirt while the other grazed through my now greasy hair. We both needed baths, but right now neither one of us cared.
If you've read this far, I would appreciate some type of review.
Scale of 1-101- it sucks, I have no idea why I'm reading this!
10- is this Stephanie Meyer? (I don't expect any 10's so don't be lying! LOL)
Thanks! My goal is 100
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