Chapter 13: Can't Handle the Truth?
Biff had dozed off in his berth with the ear-buds to his iPod still in place. Frank was stretched out on his lower berth in the now dim cabin texting back and forth with Phil who had settled into one of the guest rooms in the Hooper farmhouse.
Did u try the new app?
Yep. Ur at the farm now.
Good, it works on the train!
Met Bud's hubby Sherman.
What's he like?
Nice. Good fit for Bud.
I'd drink a beer with him.
Ah beer. I could so go for a Heini right now.
So how is train food?
Much better than airplane food!
We had the steak.
We got a brick oven pizza near Sherman's work.
Shh, don't tell Tony, but it was to die for.
Your secret's safe with me.
How's your ass?
Lol. Sore. But good sore.
I hope I still feel you when I wake up tomorrow.
I could wank to that.
Don't u dare. Not w/o me to watch. ;D
Did Frank Hardy just send a smiley?
:D Only for you!
Damn straight! You're mine!
I'm yours.
Forever.
And always.
Marry me. 3
I asked first. But yes, I'll marry you.
A slightly muffled voice over the PA system announced the imminent approach to the Lynchburg station.
Pulling up to L-burg.
Gotta wake up Biff.
Tell Amy I said Hi.
Will do. Goodnight.
Goodnight.
Frank sat up and watched the lights of the rural area multiply as they neared the city. He stood from his bunk and nudged Biff's shoulder.
"Biff. Hey Biff."
"Humm? What?" The athlete's eyes snapped open and he looked around, disoriented.
"We're almost in Lynchburg."
"Mmm hmm. Kay." Biff snuggled down into the covers again.
"We'll be picking up Amy."
"So."
"So? Don't you want to speak to her?" Frank asked as he turned on the light over the small metal sink. Biff winced at the brighter light and rolled over.
"Unless she has some Earth shattering news, no. She's covering night, I'm covering day. End of story."
"You two aren't going to snap at each other all week are you?"
"Please Frank, don't kill the only thrill I'm going to get out of this week." Biff said sleepily.
Frank could feel the train slowing down and another announcement went out for those who were getting off the train in Lynchburg.
"You could explore the French Quarter while I'm in meetings, you know? Your being a guest does not require you to sit in on the seminars with me."
"Errgh, Frank, sleeping now."
"Yeah, Joe told me what a bear you can be when you're trying to sleep."
"Grrr…" The athlete growled for emphasis.
Frank laughed lightly and sat down on the end of his berth near the window. The train pulled up to a restored early twentieth century station with antique-looking reproduction gas lights hanging by the posts over the platform. Frank watched as a few people got off the train and a few more boarded. This station wasn't nearly as busy as the ones up north had been, but he could appreciate the architecture of the old building.
A familiar silhouette walked across the platform and handed her suitcase to a member of the crew. As if she could sense she was being watched, Amy turned and smiled at Frank. Moments later Frank could hear the clack of Amy's heals walking through the corridor and then the thump of her overnight bag hitting the floor of the adjoining bedroom.
"Miss? Would you like for me to turn down your bed?" Drawled the gravelly voice of the ancient Mr. Cobbs. The same attendant who had turned down Frank and Biff's berths earlier that evening while they were at dinner.
"Yes, top bunk please."
"Are ya sure Miss? You've got the suite to your self."
"I am certain. The top berth, please." she said in a breathy tone. Ah, the old vampire charm again.
"Yes Ma'am. Would you like a bottled water too?" Mr. Cobbs asked cheerfully.
"A mineral water, please."
"No problem, I'll getcha one from the lounge car." Frank waited a few more minutes until the attendant was finished taking care of Amy before he knocked on the door that connected their suites.
"Good Evening Frank, you can come in." Frank walked in only to step back out and close the door.
"Oh G-d! I'm sorry, you didn't say you were changing clothes!"
"Unless you have switched teams in the last couple of days I think we are both safe. And I am a bit too old to care about casual modesty."
"Just let me know when you're decent."
"Frank, I would really just love to meet your mother one day. She raised a gentleman, and that is indeed a rare thing these days." Amy called through the door. "Alright Frank, I am decent now."
Frank opened the door to find Amy in a powder blue, satin floor-length nightgown and matching dressing gown that had a marabou feather trim at the collar, hem and cuffs. Even her kitten heeled slippers had the fuzzy stuff on the tops.
"Expecting company?" Frank asked.
"No. I just enjoy nice things. You should know that by now." Amy said as she poured the mineral water in a cup.
"Mineral water?"
"No thanks."
"Then have a seat Frank dear." Frank sat on the couch that Amy gestured toward.
"I couldn't help but overhear, what was the deal with the top bunk?" Frank pointed to the prepared berth above his head. Amy gracefully sat on the opposite end and sipped her mineral water.
"Long story."
"I've got all night."
"My passage to the colonies. We were chained and packed in tight like the chattel we were believed to be. My mother and I were in a lower berth the entire voyage, the upper berths were mere planks of wood to support the weight of the people above us. I hope you can imagine how disgusting that can be without my having to go into great detail." Frank let out a breath as he pictured the horrid and inhumane conditions the slaves endured.
"Okay, so… yeah, I get the deal with the upper berth now."
"Otherwise I greatly enjoy train travel. Could you imagine after a lifetime of walking everywhere by foot or traveling via horse-drawn carriages to watch the birth and growth of passenger trains? They were the thrill ride of their time. Magnus and I used to love trains." Amy had a distant look on her exotic features.
"You still miss him?" Frank asked as he watched the somber look on Amy's face.
"Some days, yes. But please understand that after a hundred or so years we were like an old married couple. A very crabby, old married couple. We loved each other too much to leave, but our relationship had evolved into more of a business-like partnership. He eventually had other lovers, but by then I could have cared less. In the hierarchy of vampire families, after they were turned they all had to fall in line behind me."
"Did you ever take a lover in all those years? Or would that have been permitted?"
"Yes. One or two or ten. One night stands mostly. I think Magnus would have preferred that I'd had more lovers, just to keep things even between us."
"So what have you been up to the last few days? Don't tell me you've hung out in this small town the whole time."
"I went east early last night, to the place where my journey began."
"Benjamin's family estate?"
"Yes. I visited his grave. His son and descendents are buried there too. But it is no longer owned by that family. However, the family that bought the property did a good job restoring the home and remodeling the kitchen."
"You went inside?" Frank asked in disbelief.
"Yes, just to look around for old time's sake. Worry not Frank, they never knew I was there, and I did not harm the family. I cannot say the same for the child molester I came across in a nearby trailer park."
"What the hell happened?"
"I really do not feel like going into the gory details Frank. But the girl hightailed back to her parents' trailer, the bastard is dead, and I am more than well fed for the next week or so."
…..
"Rise and shine Night Owl. They just announced breakfast will be served in thirty." Biff said as he poked Frank's shoulder. Frank opened his eyes to see pastel colors flying past the window. The rising sun was on their side of the train.
"Is the door closed to Amy's side of the compartment?"
"Do you smell smoke?" Biff asked sarcastically. He was still damp from his shower in the incredibly tiny stall.
"Ha ha. Let me get a quick shower and we'll head to the dining car."
"Good luck with that. Barely enough room in there to cuss a cat."
"Where are we anyway?"
"Just north of Gainsville Georgia. And yes, I did talk to Miss Priss before she turned in for the day."
"Good. I don't know why you two have to be at each other's throats all the time."
"Why not? She's my natural born enemy."
"You weren't born a slayer, you trained to be one. And vampires aren't naturally born. She was once human you know." Frank reminded Biff as he gathered a clean change of clothes and his toiletries.
"Oh really? I had no idea." Biff snapped
"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed!" Frank retorted.
"Look, I get around her and something just… sets me off…" Biff said as he slipped his shoes on.
"I think you're just not used to encountering a female who's your intellectual superior."
"What are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying that I've known you since kindergarten and you've never dated anyone smart enough to be on the chess club or the debate team. You always gravitated toward any floozy who'd bat a pair of flirty eyes at you and listen to your tales of team-sports glory. But it never lasted, because of what? What did you always tell me? You were bored. The girl never held your interest because she only cared about one thing. Now you've met a woman who sees through your bullshit and challenges you on a higher level and you don't know how to take it."
Biff marched up to Frank, a scowl on his reddening face.
"You. Are. Out. Of. Your. Fucking. Mind!" The taller boy said through clenched teeth. Another announcement rang out that breakfast would be served in fifteen minutes. Biff turned away from Frank and opened the door to the corridor. "Hurry up. I'll save you a seat."
Biff slid the thin compartment door shut with a bang.
…
Biff gave Frank the cold shoulder until they were well into Alabama. They had gone through the lounge car on their way back to their suite and Biff noticed a pretty young woman wearing glasses reading a novel in the corner. Biff turned on the Hooper charm and walked up to her to ask about her book. Frank rolled his eyes at his friend's attempt to prove him wrong and headed back to the suite to catch a nap.
As he approached the bedroom suite he noticed Mr. Cobbs knocking on Amy's door. Frank was sure he had double checked that the "Do Not Disturb" switch was flipped before he left for lunch.
"Can I help you Sir?" Frank asked as he got closer.
"I'm just checkin' on Miss Johnson. She hasn't come out today for breakfast or supper." The older man said.
"She's a friend of mine. Miss Johnson works third shift. This is normal for her. Don't worry, she told me she had a good dinner before she boarded last night." At least that last part wasn't a bold-faced lie. Mr. Cobbs seemed satisfied with that answer and walked on down the corridor checking on other passengers.
Frank sighed with relief and entered his compartment. Realizing he had the perfect opportunity to be alone, he hit the speed dial on his smartphone and called Phil.
"Hey Babe!" Phil answered when he picked up.
"Hey there Hon. Are you on your lunch break?"
"Yup, in the break room though. Buddy insisted on driving me to work today. I'm sure he'll get tired of that pretty quick."
"Did the pack make rounds last night?"
"Good G-d yes. About ten thirty they started howling and barking like they'd run a cat up a tree. It was poor Zeke! One of them got a hold of his leg and was gnawing on him like a chew toy. Zeke swatted at the Were to get it off and knocked him into the side of the barn! Stanley got all up in arms because one of his men got a concussion. Buddy managed to soothe things over, but I'd never seen Zeke so mad. Well okay, once, but that was a different set of circumstances."
"Jesus! Is Zeke okay?"
"Sure, sure. The bite marks were gone in a couple of hours, he drank a little O neg and all was right with the world."
"Did anyone see or smell anything?"
"No." Phil sounded both relieved and frustrated. "Let's see, where are you now? Alabama?"
"Good guess!"
"Not really, I opened the app."
"I have an internet stalker." Frank laughed.
"Not even funny Babe." Frank could hear Phil chewing his food as he talked. They said their goodbyes and I love you's then Frank decided to check in with Joe.
"Frank, where the hell is Phil? Van tried to call him last night around ten thirty about checking out wedding venues this week and he didn't answer the house phone or his cell phone!"
"He's staying at the Hooper farm with Buddy while I'm gone. Just as a little piece of mind for me." Frank assured.
"Why do you need piece of mind Frank? I thought the vampire surveillance system Amy and the shrimp have self-imposed would be enough. What's going on that you're not telling me?" Frank sighed. He'd wanted to keep Joe out of the loop so the blonde would concentrate on Vanessa, and so far he and Biff and done a fine job.
"There was a werewolf sighting in our neighborhood. Biff enlisted the help of Stanley Wood's wolf pack to keep an eye on things. If it's a rogue, it wouldn't dare cross into their territory. Zeke's out there too."
"So you've circled the wagons around Phil? Not a bad idea, only one thing… why didn't you tell me?"
"It was a last minute thing." Liar, liar, pants on fire! thought Frank. He'd told his share of fiction when his life or someone else's depended on it, like he had when he was Eric's captive. But his brother? Frank hated lying to Joe and yet he felt his younger brother needed one less thing to worry about, or get involved in.
When Frank had been kidnapped and then rescued back in January, he'd seen his little brother throttled and nearly killed by a vampire twice, and that was two times too many. It was because of him that Joe had taken up vampire hunting with Biff after all. And every time he watched his Jewish fiancée partake of vampire blood in the morning with his coffee, he knew Phil was crossing a line with his heritage and spirituality, all because of him.
Maybe Frank would never be back to his former glory physically. Maybe he'd forever have to live with his limitations. Frank was beginning to come to terms with that. But he'd be damned sure to see that those he loved were safe, even if it meant a lie or two.
…
Author's Note:
Yeah… that last bit might bite Frank in the butt someday…