Page 32 of Vampire so Virtuous
“Whattruth?”
“You told me she passed away not long after I was born.”
“She did.” He frowned, clearly wondering what she was implying.
“That makes sense for a father to tell a young child, but it’s not so simple, is it? When I turned eighteen, I looked up her death certificate.”
His eyes widened.
Cally blinked quickly, trying to hold back the tears. “She died because of me, Daddy.”
“No. No she didnot. Is this what you’ve been thinking? All these years?” He took her hand. “Your mother loved you very much. She had a medical emergency, and despite everything the doctors did, she left us too soon.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “But it was no one’sfault,Cally, least of all yours.”
“Complications of childbirth,” she said bitterly, dashing her sleeve across her eyes. “Hypovolemic shock secondary to postpartum hemorrhage.” She could remember reading every word, like it was yesterday.
“Stop,” he said. “Just stop. You were ababy, for God’s sake. This islife, Cally. It happens every day. You’re no more to blame than I was. Less, in fact. At least you were there.”
She blinked. “You weren’t there?” He’d never told her that.
“Your mother’s due date wasn’t for another week. I had a business trip. I didn’t want to go, but she was as stubborn as you. I turned around as soon as I heard, but I didn’t make it back in time.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “I should’ve anticipated you’d see it like this.” His voice grew firmer. “Listen, Cally. Your mother loved you as soon as she knew you were on the way, and she got to see you before she died. It was a tragedy, but it wastwenty-sixyears ago. And we’ve been happy, haven’t we?”
He was right. Mostly. “Yeah, we’ve been happy. But you seem so lonely. You always said Mom was your only love, but I know the real reason.”
“Uh-huh?”
“You did it for me.”
“No.” He shook his head. “You’re dead wrong on that one, too.” He gave a mock-exasperated sigh. “How long have you been thinking all this? No wonder you’re so screwed up.”
“Dad!I am not!”
He cracked a smile, then sobered. “The truth is, after your mom, I didn’t want anyone else in our lives. But it wasn’t just about you, it was about me too. I’m a selfish, grumpy old bastard, and I like my space.”
Grumpy was so far from the truth that she laughed. He’d always been able to make her feel better. “No, you’re not.”
“I do like my space though.”
“Mmm. But companionship?”
“I’m fine, okay? You don’t have to worry about me. I have friends, I have my health, I have porn. What more does a guy need?”
“Dad!”
“You brought it up.”
“Maybe I’ll stay after all,” she said, needing his presence after that conversation. “How much wine have you got?”
“Do you have work in the morning?”
“No. The benefits of being a specialist. No project, no work.”
He spread his hands. “Then I have more than enough.”
Ten – Antoine
Boston, Massachusetts, Present day.
Joy of joys, Minh was walking in the street below.
