Jessica started laughing. “You guys are great. I love it.”
Bob nodded like it made sense.
“No, for real, we’re vampires. I was born in 1367, the year of our lord, the second son of Vlad the Destructor.”
“Oooh!” Dr. R leaned forward. “This is so much better than Christmas at my mom’s house.” In an exaggerated stage whisper, she turned to the crowd and explained, “Don’t worry. I’m pretty sure they’re just a cult.”
“We’re not a cult,” Vlad spat out, insulted by the accusation. “We’re vampires for real.”
He turned to me. “I can’t change the rules immediately, but we can pull a Harry and Meghan.”
“What do you mean?” I’d already tried baking and it wasn’t for me.
“We’re already doing it,” he explained. “Even if we can’t change the system, we can move to Montecito, or Vermont as the case may be, and make our own rules. I started that podcast. And you and Heaven—what is Radiance, if not a lifestyle brand?”
The whole world stopped for a moment. I had always imagined change as something drastic, maybe Vlad rewriting all the rules of vampiredom. No more serving the devil and perseverating on the Dark Gift. Instead, change looked like the scene around me, creating our own life, celebrating small moments in cozy spaces with friends. And when was the last time he killed someone? I actually couldn’t recall.
“We can start our own coven,” he said.
I looked at the group of people trying to follow his thoughts on covens and mouthed, “He gets like this when he’s drunk.” But inside, I was melting.
Dr. R was getting really into the coven idea. “You know, there aren’tenough third places in Valentine. We have the church and the tavern, but what if you aren’t religious or don’t drink?” She gestured to the group. “Just look at us. Valentine needs places to gather and exchange ideas without judgment. I don’t care if you want to talk about vampirism, you should have a place to do it. If you became an official vampire club, it would be great.”
Bob popped a cocktail weenie in his mouth. “What’s a third place?”
“A place where people can gather outside of work or home, a place where people know your name. We’ve been losing places like that for over a century. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that loneliness is on the rise.” Dr. R made eye contact with me. “Tiffany, I’m proud of you.”
“Does Valentine really need an official vampire den?” Vlad asked, clearly amused.
“We could call it an artists’ salon or even just a gathering place,” I suggested.
Heaven had been listening quietly. “I can work with this,” she said. “It’s called Radiance. I think that’s very flexible.” Heaven was in.
“Don’t forget both of you bit the city inspector on separate occasions and the house is condemned.” Vlad slapped his knee and laughed. “We’re just lucky no one’s going to jail.”
Everyone laughed uncomprehendingly as I pretended to do the same.
As the night was winding down, I found myself in the kitchen with Heaven, washing dishes besides cups for the first time since we’d arrived in Vermont. The sink was full to the brim with soapy water and plates. There was something beautiful about seeing the inn full of people, if only for a night.
“Thank you, Heaven,” I said as I took a plate from her. I dried it and set it on the dish rack with a satisfyingclank.
“You’re welcome. Here’s another one.” She passed me another freshly washed plate.
I turned to her, holding the dripping plate. “I’m sorry for dragging you into this craziness. I didn’t mean to.”
“I know. I was mad, but…” She absent-mindedly trailed a finger through the soapy dishwater. “I guess this is part of my journey. Losing Gemma was hard, but I know she wasn’t the one. You know”—she trailed her finger through the water again—“if I’m being honest, I wasn’t ready to be ‘the one’ for anyone yet.”
There was so much else to say, but for once I was out of words. I put my arm around her and hugged her.
She hugged me back. “I’ve got you.”
“I’ve got you too, Heaven. For eternity.” I laughed a little too hard, my words landing somewhere between a threat and a promise. I guess it was both.
The week between Christmas and New Year’s was officially the dumbest time of the year. Continued snowfall prevented travelandprevented the city from knocking down the house. I continued to bingeBuffy the Vampire Slayer.Heaven had comments about the diversity representation, which were valid, not to mention the portrayal of vampires in general. Still, Buffy was Buffy.
Even though she’s a vampire killer, Buffy is my favorite. Beautiful, smart, great at cartwheel kicks, only kills the bad guys. And Angel—how is he not Vlad? Re-ensouled in the body of a hottie, loyal to Buffy, and atoning for centuries of wrongdoing? Ugh.
Just like Angel, Vlad left me at prom. Well, I guess bidding on the bachelor I wanted to date was the opposite of leaving me.
