The Turning (18 page)

“I’m fine, I’ll—” she started to say, but I interrupted her.

“Liar, tell me what you need, or I’ll just pick up everything on the list and not let you pay me back. I know you, you goof,” I snickered.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m positive. You’re a doctor for god sakes. I know someday soon you’re going to be making good money. I’ll get the stuff, and you’ll owe me some lunches or something. I’ll go out and get everything tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Kelly. I don’t know what I would do without you,” she muttered quietly.

“Good thing you’ll never have to find out. You’re stuck with me. I have to jet, but call me later when you guys leave the bar. I’ll call you when we leave the club and let you know. Bye, sweetie. Be safe.”

We moved our girl time into the bathroom so I could get to work on Julie’s hair. Julie didn’t have thick hair so it didn’t take me long to curl her hair into some pretty spirals. “Cover your eyes, Jules, I’m going to put some hair spray to hold it all in place.” She covered her eyes and when I was done she stared in the mirror in shock.

“Kelly, you did a great job. I look stunning. I did not mean to overhear your conversation. You really are a good friend and a generous woman. Something you share with Brian, being generous and all,” Julie hinted, and I knew what she meant. We went back to the bedroom and I helped her pick out some fetching undergarments that worked for the dress. She looked amazing, and nothing like her usual self. “And by the way, I like your nickname for me, Jules.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Julie. I had a friend in high school we always called Jules, it just kind of slipped out. I hope I didn’t offend you?” I asked, wanting to make sure I stayed on her good side.

“No, not at all. I took it as a term of endearment. I am happy that you are so comfortable with me that you speak to me like that. It is very refreshing compared to how people normally talk to me,” she said, smiling.

After we headed back into the bathroom again, I sat down so she could do my hair and dialed my parents’ number. “Hey, Ma, how are you and Dad doing?”

“Kelly! Hi, honey, we are doing fine. Matt, pick up the line!” my mom yelled in my ear.

“Ma, my ear.”

“Oh sorry, honey, I just wanted your dad to get on the line too.”

“Hello?” my dad said.

“Hey, Dad, it’s Kelly, how are you?” I asked.

“Hi, sweetie, how are you feeling? Nicole called us and let us know you were sick,” he said, sounding a little worried.

“I’m fine, was just a stomach bug. I rested up and drank plenty of fluids. I’m still a little weak, but on the mend. I’m calling because I got something in the mail I thought you would like to know about.” I paused, waiting for them to get excited. “I got my letter confirming my internship and it’s on schedule. So did Nicole actually.”

They knew Nicole’s situation. Her dad died when she was young, and her mom remarried some drunk that hated her. He had no problem telling Nicole often that she was a loser, and they didn’t help her in anyway, ever. She’d put herself through undergrad and med school, and never complained about any of it. She loved my parents like they were her own.

“Oh, Kelly, that’s fantastic,” my mom shrieked. “I’m so proud of you. Tell Nicole we’re proud of her too.”

“I will, and I got your tickets to our graduation. We are on for dinner afterwards, right? I mean it’s still okay if Nicole comes with us?”

“Of course,” my dad answered. “Nicole is always welcome to anything our family does. She’s a good friend to you and always a pleasure to see.”

“There’s one more thing,” I hedged. “I’ve been seeing someone, and I like him a lot, and I invited him to come too. I hope that’s okay.”

“Really? It’s fine with me as long as it’s fine with your dad,” Mom said. “What’s his name?”

“Brian. We met at the bar the night I disappeared. I guess I bailed on him too, but he got my number first. We’ve been out several times already, and he’s really a great guy, a complete gentleman.”

“He was there the night you went missing?” my dad asked. “How do you know he wasn’t the one who took you?”

“Because I had messages from him too, that he had been looking for me and was worried,” I answered firmly. “Dad, he had nothing to do with it. Please, Dad, it’s been so long since I’ve met someone I like. He is a good guy, with a great job, and treats me like a princess. Okay?”

“Okay, Kelly, it’s your day sweetie. If it makes you happy. What’s his last name?” My dad inquired, and I knew why he was asking.

“Dad, no, you’re not running his name. Please don’t make this an issue,” I begged him.

“Kel, you’re my baby girl. You were taken less than two weeks ago and you don’t remember what happened to you and that kills me. Please, let me do this. I need to know you’re safe,” he said calmly.

“Fair enough, Dad. His name is Brian Grady,” I conceded. I gave him Brian’s address and phone number so my dad could pull his record and calm down. “So I’ll meet you at University Hall at two pm on Saturday. I love you guys. Thanks for everything.”

“We love you too, Kelly. How are you on money?” my mom asked.

“I’m good. Don’t worry. I love you. Have a good night,” I told them.

“We love you too. See you Saturday. Bye,” my dad said as we hung up.

I sighed as I ended the call. Some things never change, and I love them both so much I couldn’t imagine what I would do if something ever happened to them. I also wanted to laugh, because my dad would always see me as his baby girl, and that was okay with me. That’s a dad’s job, to check things out and make sure his child is safe. It helps he’s a cop and all. Right then I realized Julie was saying something. “I’m sorry, Jules, what did you say?”

“I said that you are lucky to have parents who love you so much. You must be very close?”

“Yes, I am, and yeah, we are. All parents can be pains in the ass, but mine keep it to a minimum and I never ever have to think about their motives, because I know it’s always what’s best for me. Nicole had a shitty childhood and got the short straw on parents. My parents are so generous even to Nicole, and it’s not like my parents are loaded. But they always do what they can, and that’s better than ninety-nine percent of people, and that’s how I was raised.”

“It shows,” Julie praised and kissed me on the head. “They did a good job with you. Okay, I did the curling iron like you showed me. I think it looks good, but I hope you do too?”

I turned and glanced in the mirror. She didn’t do as good of a job as I would have, but considering I was injured, beggars couldn’t be choosers. Actually for her first time, she did a damn good job. “Jules you did great. Nice job for your first time. Okay, let me get dressed while you put on your makeup. You’re welcome to anything over there.”

“Makeup?” she puzzled.

“Cosmetics,” I clarified, and she nodded, understanding what it was by the other term. “You do know how to put on makeup, don’t you?”

“No, I do not recognize any of this,” she said, flipping through the makeup. “I do not apply anything to my face ever.

“Wow, okay, let me throw on my dress, then I’ll show you how to put it on.” I picked out a black silk lace bra, matching garter, and thigh high hose. I’d never worn anything like it before. But I felt like a sex kitten as I clipped the hose to the garter. I slipped the dress on, zipped it up, and found some great shoes that had way too high of a heel.

I looked damn good and showed a lot of my body. The dress had little straps and a plunging neckline that was very flattering. I went back in the bathroom and put on my makeup slowly, showing Julie the steps of how to do it. When we were both done, we looked in the mirror together and smiled.

We grabbed our purses and headed out to the living room where the guys all waited. Their mouths hung open. I knew I looked good, but I think they were so shocked at seeing Julie all dolled up. They were so used to her role as their elder. Now they got to see her as this hottie going clubbing with them.

The smile on her face spoke volumes about how she felt, and she was enjoying every second of the attention. “Close your mouths, young ones. I’m still lethal and your boss.”

Nice.

I walked over to Brian, put my hands on his chest, and planted a kiss on his lips. “My darling, you look indescribable. You look good enough to eat,” he whispered in my ear, “and I plan to later.”

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I told him. “You clean up real nice.” And he did. He wore charcoal pants that made his ass look fantastic, and a kelly green shirt that brought out his eyes.

“Ladies, are you ready? The limo is downstairs,” Charles said. “I’m sure that all the men agree, we are proud to be your escorts.” We nodded and walked to the elevator, my arm on Brian’s, and Julie looped hers in Andre’s and Charles’s arm.

Once we were in the limo, they filled me in on some of the protocols and congratulated me again on my good news.

“Brian, I’ve got to tell you a few things,” I whispered in his ear. “One, thank you for the clothes, cosmetics, and everything. Two, I told my parents I was dating you, and my dad is a cop. He said he’s going to pull your record, is that going to be a problem?”

“You are very welcome, my love. I cannot think of anything in the world better to buy than the dress you are wearing. And your dad can pull everything there is about me. I am as clean as snow. Thank you for the warning, and I have to say, I am glad your parents look out for you like that.” He leaned in and kissed me on the cheek.

“Good, I’m glad. Also, I told them you’re coming to my graduation, and they invited you to come out to dinner with us after, if you can?”

“Of course, I would love to join your family,” Brian said with a big smile. “I promise to be on my best behavior and take care of the dinner.”

“Brian, you don’t have to do that, my parents will pay for dinner,” I hedged. “They invited you, remember? I appreciate it, but my dad’s pretty old school, and it might offend him.”

“As always, you are correct, my dear. Again, may I say you look marvelous tonight?” I nodded, and we rode in silence until we got to the club. The place didn’t look like much more than an old warehouse that had been renovated into a club. We walked up to the doors and Julie nodded to the bouncer, who unclasped the velvet rope, and we went right in, much to the dismay of the huge line waiting to get in.

When we walked through the doors it was as close to being transported to Las Vegas as you could get. There were gambling tables in one huge corner and at least five bars I could see. There were partially naked girls dancing on poles that were on suspended platforms above the crowd and people, or I guess vampires, were everywhere. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“Holy shit, this place is amazing.”

“It is not my type of place, but at least here we do not have to hide what we are. The drinks are all made with blood, and you can order whatever alcohol you want in it,” Brian said, his eyes lit up to see how excited I was. We had a reserved table right in the middle of it all. It was a high top table with chairs that looked so comfy and plush.

“What type of alcohol mixes well with blood?” I asked quietly so I didn’t look silly.

“Any type really. You will not be able to taste it,” Julie answered me from across the table. I nodded to her. Damn vampire hearing. Brian was on my right, with Andre on my left, of course, then Julie and Charles. Andre stared at my chest way too often and I elbowed him and motioned for him to look up. I really didn’t want any issues tonight. I wanted to have some fun. Julie said something to the waiter and he scurried away seeming to be intimidated by who he was serving that night.

“I’ve got another stupid question. Am I calling you all Mr. and Ms. tonight?” I asked trying to not sound as unwise as I felt.

“That’s not a stupid question, Kelly,” Charles answered. “Call us by our first names. This outing is your party after all, but everyone else here will be talking to us formally. We like you, though, so you can get away with it.” He laughed, and it was a deep laugh, very rich and inviting.

The music was pretty good. You would assume some type of gothic hard rock, but it was great dance music. We sat right on the dance floor and it was fun to watch, and for the first time I really got to study some of the differences between vampires and humans.

Just then the waiter came back with five champagne glasses and a very large carafe. Brian leaned in. “Julie always orders Cristal Champagne with her blood. If you do not like it, we can get you whatever you want.” I smiled at him, and put my hand on his knee to let him know I was just fine. Charles filled up the glasses and handed them to each of us. I started to try mine but realized no one else had started drinking, so I waited.

“To Kelly,” Julie announced. “The brave woman who has touched all of our hearts as she will on all of humanity as a doctor. We wish you all the best in your new endeavor. We will support you in any way you might need, and we will always be cheering in your corner.”

With a “here, here” we clinked glasses and drank. I was the only one who didn’t immediately drain their glass. I took a sip and it was very good. I took another sip to make sure and then drained my glass, too.

“I guess the newbie likes it,” Andre teased. “The question is can the newbie keep up with us oldie vamps?”

“I highly doubt there is anything you can do better than me, Andre,” I blasted with attitude, and again everyone laughed. It didn’t take us long to finish the carafe, after we each poured our second glass it was empty. In a flash the nervous waiter grabbed the empty carafe and returned shortly with a filled one. Julie and I emptied our second glass, and starting to feel its effect, I nodded to her. “Jules, you ready to dance?”

“Oh, Kelly, I am not a very good dancer. I do not want to make a fool of myself.”

“Jules, you said it was my night, right?” I pushed, wondering if it was me or my buzz talking. She nodded and I continued. “Well then I want to dance with my friend, so get your ass up and let’s dance.” I realized I might have gone a little far with that one, and everyone looked around at each other and waited for her reaction. She laughed and got out of her chair. I took it as a good sign and got out of mine.