Page 2 of Stranded with a Wounded Vampire

“The reception is bad out here. I have to get off the phone.”

“No, wait.”

I end the call, shaking my head. And keep driving.

It’s a beautiful afternoon and I have to focus. Yes, there’s going to be rain to contend with soon, but it’s probably just a light rain. I can be up there, do my meet and greet, and then be back halfway down the mountain before it even gets bad.

I glance at the pink box of cupcakes and donuts on my driver’s side seat.

My obsession for all things Bruce Bloodworth began exactly eight days ago, when I bumped into him at the grocery store.

I knew all about the alien vampire who’d moved into town, like everyone else in the county. It’s all we could talk about. He’d purchased and remodeled some of the interior of the historic Masson house, which we were all curious about. There had been sightings about town, so I knew that he came into town occasionally to get food, but I thought that had stopped. I thought he'd finally discovered he could get his groceries delivered.

Korn, as well as Voltare, now live on our planet, yet I've never seen any of them in real life, but these aliens are our friends and allies, not enemies. Many of them have even married human women and they've had kids, so they seem reasonably normal to me.

There aren’t that many aliens living on our planet so each of them is basically a celebrity. But we hadn’t heard anything in the news about Bruce. He must be on the down low. Maybe what Mom says is true, that we probably hadn’t heard of him because he wants to remain isolated.

One day I ended up at the local grocery store on main street, examining the wall of spaghetti sauce jars, in the mood for something new and different, because I’m a spaghetti sauce snob. I thought I was alone in this task and let out a squeak of surprise when suddenly a big man, dressed all in black leather was standing a little too close.

I moved over, to give more space between us and blatantly eyed this guy from head to toe. He was very tall and in a long black leather coat, with a white T-shirt and black boots. And he smelled amazing. It took a minute to realize he was otherworldly and not some motorcycle club guy.

Bruce Bloodworth, the only Korn living in this part of the world, was standing next to me in the pasta aisle?

What were the chances?

I did my best to remain calm and act normal and not like I was in the midst of a celebrity sighting. He was here to shop, like I was, and I’m sure wanted his privacy. And he appeared to be also staring intently at the spaghetti jars, trying to decide which was best.

Korn like spaghetti?

We both quietly gazed at the array of jars for a beat too long. Finally, I reached out and took the jar I’d decided to choose. It was the most expensive type, imported from Italy, sugar free with organic ingredients. I’d never seen it here before and it sounded very yummy.

Then he reached out and got the same jar too.

I turned my head and looked up, about to make a joking remark about how he had good taste. Our eyes met and I was stunned into silence because I swear I saw my unborn children in his hot gaze.

He inhaled and a growl rumbled in his chest.

I was immediately dazed and took a step closer because I couldn’t help myself. All my girly parts were sitting up and taking notice and I had to get closer. I reached out and…

And then he was gone.

He moved so swiftly it was a blur.

I was alone again in that aisle, holding a jar of spaghetti against my chest. “Whut…wait…” Where did he go? I walked around the grocery store, looking for him, but he was gone. And I haven’t seen him since.

Thus, I’m on a mission to come to him.

After lots of deep thought this last week, I'm determined to have a second chance meeting with Bruce Bloodworth from the planet Korn. Because I think there’s something there between us.

And also, I’m depressingly single and would love to be in the midst of a committed relationship. At twenty-eight years old I’ve gone out on many dates, had a few short-term relationships, but never anything truly serious. I would love to find a guy I could become serious about and start a family. And if that guy happens to be not of this planet, that’s okay. All that matters to me is the attraction, love and commitment. I suspect I can get this from Bruce. And if I’m right, I’ve got to try. And if I’m wrong…well at least I’ll know there’s nothing there and learn to let it go.

I'm going to have no expectations. This is a first foray and he'll learn my name.

My business card is tucked into the box I brought. Not to sell more cupcakes, but so he can get in touch with me again if he wants. He’ll learn that I own a bakery and that's where I can most likely be found. And maybe when he comes into town he can come to my store, even just to order something, it would give him a reason to see me again, or at least call. Again, not because I'm trying to sell more cupcakes. You think I would be trying for the sale, but I guess I’m not that great of a businessperson. This is only so that I can get more face time with Bruce.

I turn on one windy road and then another. My car isn’t brand new, but it's a good car. It's a smaller SUV I originally meant to have for a year or two and then get something bigger for the business. But I ended up really liking it and I’m always surprised at how much I can fit into this car. I've had it for six years and never had a moment's trouble, only needing new tires. I'm not pulling up to his house in a luxury vehicle, but my ordinary-looking car is paid for, works great and has low mileage, and this is what matters to me.

I did dress nice today though, in preparation for this quick meeting. He first saw me on a day off, with my long, red hair, frizzy, in a messy ponytail, and me in my baggy sweats. This time I’m in my favorite outfit, wearing makeup, and a sleek blow out of my hair. I even painted my nails.

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