Page 71 of The Cannon
“You’ll change your mind when you see how much fun it is to dance to “The Monster Mash”. Everybody does it. You need a partner. Or we can be a threesome. Like a family of vampires.”
Shit. As soon as the words leave my mouth, I regret having said them. His face goes from relaxed to tense in a fraction of a second.Damn it, Bristol! Think before you speak. I give myself an imaginary kick in the ass.
“Hey, you know how vampire families are made?” Sawyer asks.
Only a slight shaking of Jude’s head responds.
“It’s really cool and creepy. Just like the three of us are going to be. What happens is every vampire is alone until they bite someone. Then that person becomes an immortal like they are and becomes part of their pack. Family is another way to say it.”
My man is smart. He made lemonade out of the bitter taste of my comment. And now there’s a positive reaction from Jude. First a nod.
“The pack. I like the sound of that. So who bit me, you or her?”
Sawyer and I meet in a stare.
“I think it was Sawyer. He pounced on you in a dark alley.”
“No it wasn’t! I distinctly remember you sinking your fangs into his innocent flesh.” Then turning to Jude, “She said you looked like you had tasty blood.”
This makes Jude laugh out loud.
“Or it could have been that she thought I’d look good in a cape.”
That was the first joke I’ve heard him say. I wiggle a finger in the air.
“You’re both wrong. The truth is I wanted to have a boy in our pack. Sawyer was getting awful boring.”
* * *
Our foster kidposse were all invited to the Swift Annual Halloween party, as well as the parents and siblings. Only Jude’s family sent their regrets. Can’t say I was surprised. The last time Sawyer spoke to Dan things were bleak.
There was hope up until last week. Now with the pancreatic cancer diagnosis things have taken the worst turn possible. The conversation Sawyer had with Dan and Julie was tough to hear, even once removed. For Sawyer to hear the defeat in their voices and be witness to their tears really affected him for days.
Every time we speak to Jude we’re conscious of the fact he doesn’t know just how dire things are. They decided to let the children have one last holiday before their worlds change forever. After tonight all will be revealed.
For Jude it means more than his foster siblings. Not only will he be losing the father figure, but also the chance for permanent placement with this family. All dreams dashed.
I can’t get it out of my mind. Neither can Sawyer.
Our plan is to try to make this the most fun Halloween ever for him. Let him feel the warmth of the pack. He’s spent the day with Sawyer and they got dressed in their costumes together. Dan and Julie asked if he could spend the night, so they could trick or treat with their other children. It’s going to be their last one as a family.
“Hold still! I’m trying to dribble this blood right,” I say.
Jude lifts his chin so I can get a better angle. The master bathroom light casts a spooky shadow against the wall.
“Lookin good. I’m next.”
Sawyer walks up behind me and nuzzles my neck. And in his best vampire voice tells us what he’s thinking.
“Ohhh. My dear, that little vein right here, I’m going to bite it and suck your bloooood.”
Leaning my neck to give him a clear shot, I lock eyes with Jude.
“He doesn’t realize I’m already a vampire and have no blood,” I whisper. One finger touches my lips, silencing him from telling the secret.
“I can hear you, woman, and I don’t care what’s flowing through your veins. I’m going to bite you anyway.”
I scream and push him away. It’s all in fun and Jude is enjoying the scene. I think he likes that Sawyer and I play with each other. I’m not sure he’s ever been around this dynamic.
