Blood To Blood (30 page)

“So awesome,” Jules added
with a knowing nod.

Sawyer and I were working to
finish the song from the day of our first kiss, but since we could only hear it
when our lips met, we weren’t in much of a hurry to stop long enough to work it
out. In the meantime, we wrote other songs, played for and sang to each other,
and insulated ourselves in a world of music. He was the only mortal I spent a
lot of time with, and, luckily, he was okay; my presence didn’t affect him.

I caught sight of Justin
across the room and felt a fleeting pang of loss. Sawyer made sure I was
constantly sated with stored blood, and as a result, I hadn’t seen my eternal
donor since the night at the Nest. After a long pause and a quick, sad smile,
Justin turned his back to me and resumed talking to a curvy redhead in a blue
mini skirt.

Sawyer made his way over to
me through a sea of handshakes and pats on the back. “Congratulations, Kat
Trio!” he told us all before looking into my eyes. “It looks like your dreams
are coming true.”

With a smile and a wave, LaLa
and Julietta left us alone.

“My dream is definitely
coming true,” I said, taking his hands in mine. He was my boyfriend, and the
sounds of our celebrating family, friends, and colleagues faded away until his
voice, breath, and heartbeat was all I heard.

“Mine too,” he whispered
before kissing me, softly, in front of everyone. Our secret music began to
play…

Take it easy, sis.

I ignored Cici’s warning and
instead promised myself to love him with no hesitation. One day Sawyer would
die. But until then, his heartbeat would be my song in a major key. And while
music existed without him, there were no lovely notes without Sawyer.

The record deal and Sawyer.
Mom and Dad said it was all fleeting. But I had built my new world on that
which is fleeting. And I was willing to pay the price.

Acknowledgements

So many souls have helped get this book out into the
world. First and foremost I thank Papa, Grace and all those others who paved
the way. Thank you Eshu, Oshun, Shango, Oya and Obatala.

Thanks to my brother Jeff for helping when no one else
would. Thank you Boston Public Library for being the shelter in the storm where
I could write. Thank you to my personal angels: Burrell, Anestine, Alimi,
Michael T., Nina, and my father Hal. Many thanks to Baba Adeyemi for helping me
find the Light in the darkest of days. Thank you Elaina for being this book’s
first fan and encouraging me to stay the course.

Most of all I thank my child for unconditional love and
support through all the sunny afternoons that found mommy typing away at the
laptop instead of going to the park. You are my reason for being. You are my
heart. You are my all.