Page 45 of Top Secret Vampire

She shrugged. “I’ve got it down to a science. She’s getting better every day. She only needs me there now to help her bathe and with meal prep. I think she’s tired of me hanging around.” Her bright laugh rang out, and she tugged on her silver hair. I remembered her having black, so she must’ve dyed it.

“What have you been up to otherwise? I could’ve sworn I’ve seen you in town,” I said. “I called out, but you didn’t turn or look my way.”

“I’ve mostly been with Mom.” She frowned. “Maybe you were mistaken?”

“I must’ve been.” I glanced up at Wolf. “Do we have a few minutes?” When he nodded, I shut the door. “Come into the living room. I’d love to catch up. But if you need to go help your mom, I understand.”

“I have time; that’s why I felt I could stop by after picking up some groceries in town. I set her up with a snack and a full glass of water. She could get those things by herself, but she’s still using a walker and that makes it a challenge. She won’t need me for a little while, though.”

We walked into the living room, sitting, Wolf next to me on a sofa with Charmaine taking one of the high-back chairs across from us.

“What have you been up to since we graduated?” I asked, still unable to believe she was sitting in my home. We hadn’t parted on the best of terms, but she must’ve put her irritation behind her because she’d reached out. It was so good to see her again. She’d been my buddy through college, my friend who did all she could to support me, and I’d done the same.

“Like you, I left this small town and found a job in Orlando at Disney, would you believe. I started by playing the role of Cinderella, costume and all, but worked my way up into a management position. They were gracious enough to give me a leave of absence so I could come home to be with Mom.” Her easy smile rose, though it faded a bit when she glanced Wolf’s way. “You don’t need to tell me what you’ve been up to. Look at you, a bestselling author. I’ve bought all your books, and they’re so well written. I love how you twist the plots. I can never guess who committed the crime.”

“Thank you.” I lowered my laptop case onto the floor beside the sofa.

“How’syourmom?” she asked.

“Great. I was visiting with her yesterday. My aunt Beverly was there too. She moved back to town several months before I did. She bought the house next to Mom’s.”

“They always were close.”

Charmaine would know. She’d gone with me to Mom’s for dinner many nights while in college. We’d both lived in the dorms, my mother feeling I’d get a better experience living among other students rather than commuting from her house. We’d gotten into the habit of going home on the weekend to do our laundry and raid my mother’s fridge of whatever leftovers she was willing to part with. She always cooked us a big meal and packed up what was left for us to take to our dorms.

“Is your aunt still making a stink?” Charmaine asked.

“I try not to let her get to me.”

Wolf put his arm around my shoulders.

“Did you know my brother’s now an actor?” she said. “I know he’s going to be big one of these days. He lives with my dad and plans to move out when his career takes off. He’s been performing in off-Broadway shows.” She named some I’d actually heard of, though I wasn’t a theatre fan. “He’s amazing on stage. You live in New York City, so you’d know.”

“Not any longer,” I said. “I sold my apartment and moved back home two months ago.”

“Bummer for him.” Her shoulders curled forward before she straightened them and nodded. “Did you happen to see him while you were living there?”

“No, I didn’t. Charmaine’s older brother used to visit us in college a lot,” I told Wolf. “He was into acting even back then.”

“He was a theatre major like me,” Charmaine told Wolf. “My parents divorced when I was little, and Dad lives in New York City, which is perfect for my brother.”

Good thing the city was enormous; otherwise, I might’ve run into him while I lived there. Although, he must’ve forgotten about me by now.

“I’m glad to hear he’s doing well.” A neutral enough response. Still living with his dad, and he had to be at least thirty-two? But then, the economy was tough right now. And he hadn’t finished his degree, the last I knew, nor done any training, though that wasn’t why I hadn’t been interested. There was no spark between us, and you couldn’t push something like that.

“I should probably go,” Charmaine said, standing. “But it was great connecting with you again. Let’s not let a bunch of years go by without reaching out again. I missed you so much!”

“I’d love to talk again. How long will you be in town?” I rose, and we all walked into the foyer.

“I’m not sure. We can do lunch. I told my brother he should come help her when I leave, but he hasn’t committed to doing that yet.”

“It would be nice to see him again.” Another neutral statement. I opened the front door, and fresh air and sunshine poured in.

“I’ll tell him.” Charmaine stepped out onto my porch. “I’m sure he’d love to see you.” Her narrowed gaze slid across Wolfram. “Are you a vampire?”

“I am.” He dipped forward in a bow. “Any friend of Reese’s is a friend of mine.”

Her shrill laugh rang out. “Does that mean you won’t come knocking on my window one night asking if I’ll let you in?”

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