Journeys – Chapter 5

With his the first breath of the night came the scent of dust and Vicki. He had to inch his way out from under her bed as the dust bunnies gave up the fight and remained behind. He heard her moving around in the other room muttering to herself and he showered quickly putting on his freshly laundered clothes.

He came out of the bedroom and joined her in the corner of her apartment where a home office had been set-up with computer, fax, and copier all humming. He came from behind and put his cheek next to hers saying, "Thanks for washing my clothes."

She turned her head enough to brush his lips with hers and said, "I had to do laundry and it made sense to do yours too. You didn't bring much with you."

"I didn't take the time to pack when I decided to come." He let his hands touch the circles of ivy that surrounded the blue green stars on her arms then added, "I needed to change these as soon as possible. Now we need to go and tie up the lose ends I left hanging."

She looked at him then and asked, "We?"

"Yes. We."

"I didn't mean to push myself into your business."

"You haven't. I want you with me. I may not have known it before, but you made me realize how tired I was of being alone. You're my partner, my friend, my lover, and I want you beside me every step of the way."

Vicki didn't take time to argue, but hit 'save' and powered down the computer. She checked the amount of paper in the fax machine, finished the mug of black coffee and said, "I'm ready. Where do we start?"

"Bettie Sagara."

"Your friend, the professor?"

"The same. We were lovers, but she wanted a family and I couldn't give her one. The last time I saw her she gave me some advice about relationships and I need to tell her she was right."

"Don't you think it would be better if you go alone?"

"You need to understand what it means to see someone you love age while you stay the same. She'll see me the way I've always looked and I'll see what over forty years of living has done to her."

"You're planning on giving me all of yourself aren't you?"

"Our lives are linked."

"This is going to be harder than I thought."

He guided her to his car and smiled, "I never claimed it would be easy, but I can promise it will be worth it."

They pulled up to the college and parked as evening classes were letting out. Henry walked around the car as she opened her door and stepped out.

"Vicki, I know you're independent and can open doors yourself, but please, let me be a gentleman and do it for you. It's a small thing, but it's one way I can show anyone whose watching us, how much I cherish you."

She gazed into his eyes and saw his look of love and nodded, "I can do that."

Henry knocked on the door marked Dr. Sagara, Professor of History, then held it open for Vicki to walk in first.

Bettie Sagara continued making an entry on the computer while saying, "If you've come here to tell me you need more time on your paper, forget it. If you're here for extra credit, there's a list of projects by the door, pick one and cross it off. Otherwise sit down and I'll be with you in a minute."

Henry laughed, "Still direct and to the point."

Bettie looked up from the computer, "Dear boy. It's good to see you again. It's been a year or more since I've seen or heard from you." She then turned to Vicki and said, " Are you two working on another odd case?"

Before Vicki could say anything, Henry moved forward and gave Bettie a hug, "I need to talk with you about our past."

Bettie tilted her chin and turned her thoughts back "The late 1960's. It was so new. Women standing up for their rights. Free love, the music, and the colors captured your imagination. I remember the colors. Bright, fun, clashing and blending. You didn't think about the drugs or sex harming anyone. Peace, love, and harmony. Tune in, turn on, and drop out. We were going to save the world. We'd all live and work together for the betterment of mankind."

Henry thought about the summer of love. "You changed though. You wanted to move on with your life by the early 1970's. You wanted a family, a career, and a home with all the responsibilities. I couldn't give you what you needed. You wished me luck and told me when I found real love, I wouldn't be able to walk away from it so easily. And you told me to keep myself open so that love could find me." Henry turned toward Vicki and added, "I've found my true love."

Bettie moved forward and stroked his cheek, "Good for you Henry." She turned to Vicki and added, "You're going to have to be very strong. He's special and a weak woman can't survive his needs."

Vicki shook her head, "Don't worry. I'm strong, and Henry's needs are my needs."

Henry placed his hands on Bettie's shoulders drew her close and gave her a passionate kiss, then his eyes darkened and his lips pulled back from his fangs. He moved his head to the side, bit her just behind the ear and took a sip of her blood. Stepping back he looked into Bettie's eyes while saying, "You're to forget about me and our past. Vampires aren't real. They've never existed. Your research into myths has proven that beyond any shadow of doubt."

Bettie blinked and said, "I'm sorry but I don't have any information on vampires. All my research has come up empty. As far as I can tell, the stories are based on old tales to keep children at home at night and churches full on Sunday mornings."

Henry nodded to Bettie and said, "Thank you for your time Dr. Sagara. Ms. Nelson and I will be on our way."

Vicki let Henry lead her back to the car without talking.

When they were almost back to the apartment she said, "She loved you."

Henry sighed, "Yes. She did for a time. I'm going to miss her. I miss them all after I've said good bye."

"Do you always take their memories of you away when you leave them?"

Henry pulled the car into the lot by her building, "Yes. It's kinder that way."

"I like you Henry."

A boyish grin lit up his face as he asked, "You do?"

She laughed, "Yeah. You're a good man."

The corners of his mouth turned down, "I'm not sure you'll continue to think that when you know all my secrets."

As they walked to the apartment Vicki said, "I don't want all your secrets. It's you I need."

Henry stopped and gave a half smile, "You've never said that to me before." Then he took her into his arms and added, "I need you too."