Эллен Шрайбер - Royal Blood

Just then something flew overhead. My mom let out a scream.

"Sarah! Calm down," my dad said, "I thought I just saw a bird."

"Not a bird, Sarah," Mr. Sterling said, "It was a bat."

"A bat?"

"We are so sorry. That happens from time to time, this house being so old and all."

"Jameson!" Mrs. Sterling called.

"Can we take it home?" I asked.

"Of course not!" my mom exclaimed.

Alexander was growing paler by the moment, Jameson rushed in holding abroom, I found it comical watching the creepy man struggle as he chased the flying creature into another room, "Well, that doesn't happen every day." My mom laughed.

"As a matter of fact, it does," Mr. Sterling commented.

Alexander quickly changed the subject to the weather, but when the forecast called for sunny skies, Mrs. Sterling became antsy.

"What about having a few BloodyMary's ?" she suggested.

"I'm not sure the Madisons like those, Mom," Alexander said.

"Perhaps you prefer wine?" Mr. Sterling asked.

I wanted to steer my parents away from anything red, just in case there was a mixup in the kitchen.

"My parents love beer and martinis."

"Raven, don't be rude," my mother scolded.

"Of course," Mr. Sterling said."Jameson, two martinis."

"Make mine dry, please," my dad said.

And clear, I wanted to say.Very clear.

Jameson brought us trays of fancy finger foods. Tiny pastries and miniature sandwiches filled the pewter serving plates. I was afraid to ask what was inside, but that didn't stop my mother.

"Liver.Kidney.And-" Mrs. Sterling began before my mom cut her off.

"I'm still full from dinner," she remarked, and quickly switched to the pastries.

The pastries melted in our mouths and I craved more. I was scooping up a diamond-shaped one when my mom picked up the conversation.

"I couldn't help but notice," she said. "You don't have any mirrors. Not in the bathroom or the hallway."

"We have some in the basement," Mrs. Sterling answered truthfully. I remembered seeing them when Fd snuck in one time. "We just haven't hung them up," she continued.

"But how do you put on makeup?"

"Practice.Plus,Constantine will not hesitate to tell me if it is askew."

They all laughed.

We continued to eat and drink and converse aboutRomania and Dullsville.

"We really appreciate your inviting us to your home/' Mrs. Sterling said. "We have kept to ourselves since we returned here. This town doesn't seem to be very inviting to outsiders."

"Well, I'm hoping to fix that before it's too late," my mom said. "We wouldn't want you to feel unwelcome."

Mr. Sterling and Mrs. Sterling glanced at each other knowingly.

"I think we'll always be outsiders," Mrs. Sterling said, "no matter where we go."

As we all said our good-byes, I glanced over at my parents hugging and shaking hands with the Sterlings . I felt higher than a soaring bat, watching a scene I'd never have imagined even in my wildest dreams.

19

BOMBSHELL

"What an evening!" I said to Alexander later that night at the rail yard. He was waiting for me in the Mansion replica boxcar.

"Did they have a good time?" my handsome boyfriend asked, fishing for reassurance.

"The best time ever. On the way home, they couldn't stop talking about 'Constantine and Cassandra.' How interesting and worldly they are. They were so happy to have finally seen the inside of the Mansion.

Thank you so much for inviting my parents over-and me."

"I wasn't sure… with the whole bat thing happening."

"Are you kidding? They couldn't stop talking about it." "My family adores yours," he said with a twinkle in his eye. Then he placed his hand on mine. "But you must understand, I don't want you to get too excited-" "We all were excited. My dad was so impressed with the Mansion. It was a tour of a lifetime."

"I'm glad they liked it, but-," he started.

"These last few days were more amazing than I could have imagined," I said, cutting him off. "I love your parents. Can we trade?'' "Our parents?Sure. I think yours are cool."

"What?No way!"

"My mom carries an umbrella in the moonlight," he said with a chuckle. "And my dad insists on wearing a cape."

I had no idea Alexander viewed his parents like I viewed mine-slightly embarrassing. "I love your parents’ style. My mom and dad think plaids orpinstripes is all the rage."

"Yours are way cooler!" he said, tickling my side.

"That's just because they aren't your parents. If you lived with them, you'd change your mind."

"And you might, too," he said. "Especially when you know that-" "What was I thinking when I was spying on those two lovely people outside the Mansion. They don't have skeletons! Not in theircloset, or otherwise."

"There's something I need to tell you." Alexander turned serious.

"I was just being immature. Please don't tell them."

"I won't."

"Promise."

I began to kiss my boyfriend,then snuggled against his chest. "This is so much better than I imagined. I love having your parents in town. So we give up some independence. Who cares? We're gaining so much more."

"I have to tell you-" "No- there's something I really want to tell you." I stared into his deep, dark eyes. "I finally think my life is perfect."

Alexander looked shocked, then pleased.

"So what do you want to tell me?" I asked.

"It can wait," he said resignedly.

Alexander kissed me good night with such emotion it was as if he were kissing me for the first time-or the lust.

' I'henext morning, I arose from a dead sleep and walked glass-eyed downstairs in my slippers and pajamas. I headed straight for the coffeemaker.

My parents seemed strange-odder than usual. Solemn, like someone had died. My mom was hovering over the Sunday paper on the kitchen table.

"Maybe she already knows," she said.

I poured some coffee. "Knows what?"

"It's funny. The Sterlings didn't mention anything last night. You'd think they would have."

"Maybe they are buying a new house?Something more modern?Something without bats."

"What are you talking about?" I dragged my feet and leaned on the table.

My dad pointed to the paper.

Under the real estate column was a picture of the Mansion: For sale-Three acres.

Sterling Estate, Benson Hill.

Berkley Realtors My heart sank to my empty stomach.

The Sterlings were selling the Mansion!

This was what Alexander had been trying to say. Why his mother and father kept saying they'd be in town for only a few months. Why Alexander had been preoccupied and in an unusually dark mood. If there wasn't a Mansion-there 'd be no Alexander, Alexander, the love of my life, was moving back toRomania .

20

TORRID TOMBSTONES

I pedaled my bike the entire way to Dullsville's cemetery, tears streaming down my cheeks like dripping blood. Out of breath, I flung my Trek against the brick wall and scaled the fence. Votives on tombstones lit my way through the dusky graveyard.

As I ran through the graveyard, rain began to drizzle down and extinguish the votives as I passed them. Fog slowly enveloped the landscape as if it were trying to keep me away.

In the distance, Alexander was standing next to his grandmother's monument. I stormed over to him.

"I don't want you to leave!" I cried.

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

"I saw the ad in the paper! Your parents are selling the Mansion. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted to, but I just needed to get some answers first."

"Answers? You are moving back toRomania ! I don't want you to leave." I clutched my boyfriend for dear life.

"I know," he said, holding me tight. "I don't either- that's why I'm trying to figure out something."