Chapter X

Apparently Christmas was almost here. There is no change in the weather here so I had to trust the decorated redwood trees, holiday movies and TV spots. And if any of that failed to alert me, there was always my charge that would remind me at least once a day just how close it was.

Yes, once more money was an issue. I had very little since my girl loved going out and I tried to indulge her as much as I could. In addition I had to pay rent, cable, telephone, food and babysitting. Even if I stretched my budget it would not cover half of Summer's Christmas list. In fact it would not even cover a porch in the Barbie dream house that she'd asked for. Bloody doll, she was worse than Miss Edith.

But how could I deny her anything? I mean just think about it. Think about who she is and what she will do for the world. And I can't get her one lousy plastic house. What kind of guardian was I?

Summer remained blissfully unaware of my money woes. She was a happy little tike. Her teacher had desisted to get on her case after our "talk". Her friends had introduced her to the idea of Santa Claus and thus she believed that the man would grant himself all her wishes himself. After all, she had been a good girl this year. I did not have the heart to tell her otherwise.

My options were few. One was to go on one of my raids and try to accumulate a few thousand. The other was to get a job. Since Summer started going to school, I had tried to keep a low profile. It wouldn't do for the community to blacklist me. There would be questions and I didn't fancy having to uproot my girl. So I had to get a job. I had a few limitations to say the least. The one good thing was that overnight jobs tended to pay a little more. After a week of looking I landed work as a bouncer for a local club. I have a feeling that the owner had sensed that I was a vampire and wanted the extra security. What can I say? I was a pro at intimidating.

I was a week in a half into the job when I noticed that Summer wasn't happy. She snapped at me for any little reason. I could not do anything to get her off her funk. I tried to talk to her but she would give me the cold shoulder. Summer's sometimes-babysitter, informed me that my girl was upset with me working. She had been staying overnight in her apartment until I would pick her up in the morning and get her ready for school. When she came home I was usually asleep and we would spend only a couple of hours together before I had to go to work. This perceived lack of attention made my girl feel neglected. Once more I had done a piss poor job at parenting.

She was in her bedroom that afternoon after finishing her homework. I knocked softly and opened the door. The bit was stretched out on her bed playing with her Barbie doll. I cleared my throat loudly and she looked up.

"Hello there bit. How was your day" I asked in an everyday tone.

She looked at me briefly but did not say a word. I sighed and made my way towards her.

"S'alright bit. I know you're upset. You got a right to be upset. I guess I wasn't thinking that you are still pretty young and we need to spend as much time together as possible."

She turned towards me but the angle of her head revealed that she was far from forgiving me. No Miss Sunshine wanted a little more groveling.

"Tell you what I'll quit my job and we'll spend lots more time together. And don't forget you have a two-week vacation coming up. Maybe we can go on a trip. Tell you what we can go see the bridge. It looks nice in the evening"

The silent treatment continued.

"Listen luv, we needed money. I really don't have much left and I thought that if I worked for a few months we would be better off. I am sure that most of the parents of your mates work. Right?"

Green eyes stared at me coldly. "Not when its dark" she stated.

Oh yes. "You're right luv but you know I can't go out in the daytime. If I could I would get a job during the time you are in school"
"Because you are a vampire"

"Yes. Unfortunately I am a vampire"

"Can't you stop being a vampire?" She asked innocently but a chill ran through me nonetheless.

I shook my head. "It's not in the cards bit. I am a vampire for life"

"Oh" she said and turned back to her doll.

"Summer, I already told you that I'll quit so there is no need to be upset anymore"
"But you said that we have no money"

"We have a little, we'll get by somehow"

She turned and smiled knowing that she'd gotten her way after all. I managed to smile back.

So I was back to square one. I hadn't worked enough to cover her list but there were five days to go 'till D-day. I found out that there was a regular poker going one in one of the local bars. I was a pretty good poker player even without cheating. I decided to try my luck.

My limited means kept me from the high stakes game but I was able to find a table that I could afford. Soon enough (and to the misfortune of my demon opponents) I won a tidy sum. I had enough but my mercenary instincts took over. I moved into a higher table and when I did well on that one into another.

By dawn's early light I had collected over $7,200. Needless to say I was very happy when I got back to my girl.

I spent the next day planning on how to distribute my newfound riches. For one my girl was going to have quite the season. Our abode could also use some improvement, maybe something in the way of big screen and new carpeting.

So that evening I took the bit out to celebrate. We took in a movie and had baby-back ribs at a dinner. We were all pre-holiday cheer as we made our way home. Our joy vanished as we took in the condition of our apartment.

Furniture was strewn all over the floor, chairs and table were overturned. Our TV was gone, as was my stereo. I ran to my room and lifted my mattress.

It was gone. All of it.

The bit ran to my side. Tears were streaming down her face and she clung to my leg. I lifted her up and she buried her face in my neck.

And Christmas was only a few days away.

TBC.