Melissa Baxter: Legacy Story © Christopher Sadlowski
This is Melissa. She is new to Sunset Valley and has just moved into a large plot of land bestowed upon her by her great grandfather. What she didn't know was that her grandfather had given her empty land and no cash to help her start her new life in a new town! "I left Riverview for this?" she mused as she turned her back to the large, empty space before her. "How am I supposed to live here without even a stove and bathroom to call my own?" Melissa pondered what her next move would be. "I guess I'll need to find myself a job and make due with whatever money I have in my bank account. I don't have much but I'm a smart girl, I'm sure I can figure something out. I still can't believe this is really happeneing. When I heard Great Grandfather Mortimer was leaving me with land I assumed he'd be leaving me land with a HOUSE on it too. Oh well, there's no turning back now..." With that thought in mind Melissa went out to explore her new town and see if any of the local businesses or services were in need of help.
Melissa only had about a thousand dollars in her bank account when she arrived in Sunset Valley. Desperate to make something of the huge space she now had in her posession she hired a few local workers to help her out. They scoffed as she explained her situation and nearly turned their back on her when she pleaded with them for help. "I know I don't have much but please there must be something you can do. Maybe you can use leftover materials from other jobs? I really can't sleep under the stars; I hate nature! Bugs will be crawling all over me while I sleep! This is no way for a person to live!" Begrudgingly the men went to work scraping up materials from their warehouse and making a ramshackle structure for Meilissa to live in for the meantime.
"Listen lady this is the best we can do," the foreman explained, "just keep your head low and try not to tell anyone where you live. If the building inspector finds out about this he'll have my head and evict you from...whatever this...is and then we're both screwed. We've done all we can here. I can't stick around to finish the walls or lay down carpet. You're going to have to do that on your own."
"I will. I will keep quiet and trust me, no one will ever know you were here. I don't know how I'll repay you but thank you so much. You really don't know how much you've helped me out." Melissa looked at her new house with a heavy heart. This was not what she had in mind at all. But, it was better than nothing and at least now she had a roof over her head to keep to rain out and walls around her to keep the bugs off. She shuddered to think of the bugs. She really hates nature, and while this house won't do much to keep it out, it'll do the job for the meantime. Melissa sighed as she looked up and down her block, noticing how nice and big the mansions around here were. "Maybe one day," she thought, "I'll have a house just like that. If not me then at least my children, or their children." She opened her new front door, listened to it creak on it's hinges, and setlled in for a long night.
"Listen lady this is the best we can do," the foreman explained, "just keep your head low and try not to tell anyone where you live. If the building inspector finds out about this he'll have my head and evict you from...whatever this...is and then we're both screwed. We've done all we can here. I can't stick around to finish the walls or lay down carpet. You're going to have to do that on your own."
"I will. I will keep quiet and trust me, no one will ever know you were here. I don't know how I'll repay you but thank you so much. You really don't know how much you've helped me out." Melissa looked at her new house with a heavy heart. This was not what she had in mind at all. But, it was better than nothing and at least now she had a roof over her head to keep to rain out and walls around her to keep the bugs off. She shuddered to think of the bugs. She really hates nature, and while this house won't do much to keep it out, it'll do the job for the meantime. Melissa sighed as she looked up and down her block, noticing how nice and big the mansions around here were. "Maybe one day," she thought, "I'll have a house just like that. If not me then at least my children, or their children." She opened her new front door, listened to it creak on it's hinges, and setlled in for a long night.
The next day Melissa went to work on finding herself a job. "You know, I've always thought of myself as someone who likes to help people. I'm friendly and thought I'm a bit shy I'm sure I can make a few new friends. Maybe a job at the hospital would be right for me? I don't have any experience in the field but I'm quick to learn. It won't hurt to try at least. And if they turn me down I did see a diner down the road. I could always pick up waitressing again, not that I really want to."
Melissa walked into the beautifully appointed hospital lobby and took in a deep breath that smelled of cleaner and disinfectant. "Hi,' she said as she approached the receptionist, "My name is Melissa Baxter. I'm new in town. Do you have any open positions?"
The receptionist eyed her up, seeming to take note of Melissa's every feature. Melissa shifted under her gaze. "I know I'm a bit disheveled," she said, "but it's been a rought few days."
The receptionist glared down, "Well you're certainly no doctor, that I can see plain as day. But we do have something open that you may be interested in if you're serious about a job in the medical field. It's a tough position and requires a lot of hard work and to be honest most people we hire for it don't last very long. We need to find...patients...to help with clinical trials."
"Oh, well, that sounds fine, I guess" Melissa hesitantly answered. Medical trials? This sounded dangerous. But never one to back down from a challenge, Melissa acepted. "This stuff is safe though right? I mean, clinical trials and all." The receptionist smiled, "Yes certainly, safe enough." Safe enough was just enough for Melissa to hear. She took her hosptial issued scrubs and headed home, ready for her shift the next morning. The pay was low and the hours were long but it would at least put some cash in her pocket. "Even doctors and trauma surgeouns have to start somewhere" Melissa thought as she took the cab home. She still didn't feel much better, but if anything she was hopeful.
Melissa walked into the beautifully appointed hospital lobby and took in a deep breath that smelled of cleaner and disinfectant. "Hi,' she said as she approached the receptionist, "My name is Melissa Baxter. I'm new in town. Do you have any open positions?"
The receptionist eyed her up, seeming to take note of Melissa's every feature. Melissa shifted under her gaze. "I know I'm a bit disheveled," she said, "but it's been a rought few days."
The receptionist glared down, "Well you're certainly no doctor, that I can see plain as day. But we do have something open that you may be interested in if you're serious about a job in the medical field. It's a tough position and requires a lot of hard work and to be honest most people we hire for it don't last very long. We need to find...patients...to help with clinical trials."
"Oh, well, that sounds fine, I guess" Melissa hesitantly answered. Medical trials? This sounded dangerous. But never one to back down from a challenge, Melissa acepted. "This stuff is safe though right? I mean, clinical trials and all." The receptionist smiled, "Yes certainly, safe enough." Safe enough was just enough for Melissa to hear. She took her hosptial issued scrubs and headed home, ready for her shift the next morning. The pay was low and the hours were long but it would at least put some cash in her pocket. "Even doctors and trauma surgeouns have to start somewhere" Melissa thought as she took the cab home. She still didn't feel much better, but if anything she was hopeful.
For the next few days Melissa showed up to work on time, worked hard, and gave the hospital team plenty of blood samples to work with. Some of the test were quite uncomfortable but all seemed relatively safe. Except for one that left her tounge and lips swollen for 5 hours, but if it was in the name of medical and scientific advancement Melissa felt it was for the best.
One day her boss approached her with a beaming smile. "Melissa, I have to talk to you!" her boss excited said as she waved her down while running across the lobby. Melissa was tired from another long day and really in no mood to listen to her boss rant about her pet llamas she kept on some ranch in Simrue. Melissa turned and mustered a smile. "Sure, I was heading out but I guess I have a few minutes to spare" Melissa replied.
"Great! I just spoke to the seinor board members and one of them noticed how hard you've been working. The head of Clinical Trials and Human Experimentation, you know the guy who runs the department you're in. We don't usually get people as...willing...as you and he told me we have a position open. It's not much of a raise but it's better than nothing. What do you say? Will you take it?"
"What kind of job is this?" Melissa quesitoned. While she had dreams of becoming a trauma surgeon like her boss, Melissa knew she would have to work hard to get noticed. She'd also need to have the hospital foot the bill for her medical schooling. There was only so much she could learn on the job. And while she would sometimes watch through the windows of the operating rooms, she could never hear what the doctors working were saying. She would need proper training. If this was some dumb lateral move with more work and barely any more money she would have to decline. But she was torn. If she declined she would probably stay in this crappy position for the rest of her life, but if she accepted she may be stuck in another position that she really hated.
"Well, it's cleaning up after the patients who've been admitted. You'll be in a new department. It's not glamorous and sometimes it's a bit messy, but it puts you on the floors instead of keeping you to the basement of the building where the Clinical Trials Deprtment is located. Plus you'll be working by the nursing staff and they can sort of teach you some medical stuff as you go along. What do you say? Please say yes. We really need someone to fill Doris' position since she retired."
"Well, alright I'll do it." Melissa's boss looked simply elated and gave her a full, grandiose hug.
"I'm so happy! Before you know it we'll be working side by side saving lives! Here, take this electronic text book. It's a little outdated but it's got some great basic knowledge about medicine, surgery, and anatomy in it. Study up so tomorrow you can impress the nursing staff!" Melissa accepted the token and headed home.
"Well that sure was interesting," Melissa noted as she walked outside, "I didn't think I'd be getting a promotion today. I guess I really am lucky. You know what, I feel like things are starting to look up for me. I think I'll go take a walk down by the beach before I head home."
Melissa strolled by the water and let her mind wander. She thought about whatever she fancied; her new job, her giant vacant lot, the possibility of meeting someone to fall in love with. Then it happened to suddenly. She took a moment to realize that an older woman was frantically waving from up the bluff of the beach. "HELP! Someone please help! My husband is terribly sick! Is there a doctor around?"
Melissa ran up the bluff as fast as she could. "I'm not a doctor but I do work at the hospital. Please ma'am move aside, let me look at him." Melissa had no idea what she was doing, and was nearly shaking from nerves. If she flubbed this she could really hurt this man, or worse kill him. She took out the electronic textbook her boss had given her. She had to time to sit and read now, but she could at least glance at the pictures and maybe figure something out from one of the tabs that would open when a certain body part was selected. Strangely enough, the book begam to beep. Melissa help it up to her patent and was shocked to see the screen say "Scanning". Scanning for what? Melissa watched the progress bar quickly fill up and then the screen displayed what was wrong with the man and step by step instructions on how to cure his ailment. "What will science think of next?" Melissa wondered as she quickly read through the directions on the screen.
"Okay, that's that. You should be all set. It was just a touch of food posining. Try not to eat any more food that's green and smells funny."
"Thank you so much!" the woman replied, "I think you may have saved his life!"
"Don't mention it," Melissa replied. If this didn't get her noticed as word of her heroic actions spread around town, she didn't know what would.
One day her boss approached her with a beaming smile. "Melissa, I have to talk to you!" her boss excited said as she waved her down while running across the lobby. Melissa was tired from another long day and really in no mood to listen to her boss rant about her pet llamas she kept on some ranch in Simrue. Melissa turned and mustered a smile. "Sure, I was heading out but I guess I have a few minutes to spare" Melissa replied.
"Great! I just spoke to the seinor board members and one of them noticed how hard you've been working. The head of Clinical Trials and Human Experimentation, you know the guy who runs the department you're in. We don't usually get people as...willing...as you and he told me we have a position open. It's not much of a raise but it's better than nothing. What do you say? Will you take it?"
"What kind of job is this?" Melissa quesitoned. While she had dreams of becoming a trauma surgeon like her boss, Melissa knew she would have to work hard to get noticed. She'd also need to have the hospital foot the bill for her medical schooling. There was only so much she could learn on the job. And while she would sometimes watch through the windows of the operating rooms, she could never hear what the doctors working were saying. She would need proper training. If this was some dumb lateral move with more work and barely any more money she would have to decline. But she was torn. If she declined she would probably stay in this crappy position for the rest of her life, but if she accepted she may be stuck in another position that she really hated.
"Well, it's cleaning up after the patients who've been admitted. You'll be in a new department. It's not glamorous and sometimes it's a bit messy, but it puts you on the floors instead of keeping you to the basement of the building where the Clinical Trials Deprtment is located. Plus you'll be working by the nursing staff and they can sort of teach you some medical stuff as you go along. What do you say? Please say yes. We really need someone to fill Doris' position since she retired."
"Well, alright I'll do it." Melissa's boss looked simply elated and gave her a full, grandiose hug.
"I'm so happy! Before you know it we'll be working side by side saving lives! Here, take this electronic text book. It's a little outdated but it's got some great basic knowledge about medicine, surgery, and anatomy in it. Study up so tomorrow you can impress the nursing staff!" Melissa accepted the token and headed home.
"Well that sure was interesting," Melissa noted as she walked outside, "I didn't think I'd be getting a promotion today. I guess I really am lucky. You know what, I feel like things are starting to look up for me. I think I'll go take a walk down by the beach before I head home."
Melissa strolled by the water and let her mind wander. She thought about whatever she fancied; her new job, her giant vacant lot, the possibility of meeting someone to fall in love with. Then it happened to suddenly. She took a moment to realize that an older woman was frantically waving from up the bluff of the beach. "HELP! Someone please help! My husband is terribly sick! Is there a doctor around?"
Melissa ran up the bluff as fast as she could. "I'm not a doctor but I do work at the hospital. Please ma'am move aside, let me look at him." Melissa had no idea what she was doing, and was nearly shaking from nerves. If she flubbed this she could really hurt this man, or worse kill him. She took out the electronic textbook her boss had given her. She had to time to sit and read now, but she could at least glance at the pictures and maybe figure something out from one of the tabs that would open when a certain body part was selected. Strangely enough, the book begam to beep. Melissa help it up to her patent and was shocked to see the screen say "Scanning". Scanning for what? Melissa watched the progress bar quickly fill up and then the screen displayed what was wrong with the man and step by step instructions on how to cure his ailment. "What will science think of next?" Melissa wondered as she quickly read through the directions on the screen.
"Okay, that's that. You should be all set. It was just a touch of food posining. Try not to eat any more food that's green and smells funny."
"Thank you so much!" the woman replied, "I think you may have saved his life!"
"Don't mention it," Melissa replied. If this didn't get her noticed as word of her heroic actions spread around town, she didn't know what would.
And quickly that word did spread around town. Before long the residents of Sunset Valley would stop and wave and say hello as Melissa passed them by on the street. But she remembered what her contractor had said. She kept to herself mostly and never invited people over to her house. Not only because she didn't want the city building inspector to pay her an unwanted visit, but she was also embarassed with the fact that she lived in a thrown-together shack made of leftover construction material that was between two gorgeous mansions.
But one sunny day Melissa decided to take a walk through the park on her day off. The bright sun and fresh air would do her spirits good. She had at least a place to live and a job that was putting cash in her pocket, and a nice walk on a beautiful day would clear away the subtle sadness that had been slowly draping over her.
"Oh excuse me," Melissa said as she looked up at the man she had bumped into, "I'm sorry. My mind was elsewhere." She noticed at first his eyes. Then the rest of him.
"Oh, it's no problem. I get lost in my own head too sometimes. My name is Stiles. You must be new in town. I don't think I've seen you around before."
"Yeah, I am new. Melissa. Melissa Baxter. Again, I'm sorry to have run into you."
"Actually, did you want to grab a cup of coffee? You look like you could use someone to talk to. There's something in your eyes. A certain...sadness? I'm sorry. I really shouldn't be prying like this. And asking such a pretty lady out for coffee when I don't even know her. You must think I'm crazy."
"Actually, you know what, a cup of coffee sounds great." Melissa heard the words coming out of her moth before she had a chance to stop them. Was she really thinking this was a good idea? She doesn't even know this man and she's accepting an invitation to get a cup of coffee with him? He could be anybody and some people just weren't that nice these days. There must be some sort of catch. Melissa shook those feelings away and scolded herself for being to mean. "Maybe he does just want to sit with me and maybe chat for a bit. He could be just as lonely as I am. If I don't take this chance it may never come up again. I'll just keep my wits about me and see how this goes."
"Great" Stiles said, "there's a place across the street. We can even walk there. I'm takig a risk enough asking you out like this, I'm not about to ruin it by asking you to get in my car. C'mon, let's go."
"Yeah, okay, good. Um, I'm a bit short of cash though. Maybe we should go another time? I'd hate to have you pay for me."
"Nonesense! I can afford a cup of coffee and maybe a slice of homemade pie that Trudy at the diner makes. You look a bit peckish; pie makes everything better right?"
"I guess it does," Melissa said as they made their way to the local diner.
But one sunny day Melissa decided to take a walk through the park on her day off. The bright sun and fresh air would do her spirits good. She had at least a place to live and a job that was putting cash in her pocket, and a nice walk on a beautiful day would clear away the subtle sadness that had been slowly draping over her.
"Oh excuse me," Melissa said as she looked up at the man she had bumped into, "I'm sorry. My mind was elsewhere." She noticed at first his eyes. Then the rest of him.
"Oh, it's no problem. I get lost in my own head too sometimes. My name is Stiles. You must be new in town. I don't think I've seen you around before."
"Yeah, I am new. Melissa. Melissa Baxter. Again, I'm sorry to have run into you."
"Actually, did you want to grab a cup of coffee? You look like you could use someone to talk to. There's something in your eyes. A certain...sadness? I'm sorry. I really shouldn't be prying like this. And asking such a pretty lady out for coffee when I don't even know her. You must think I'm crazy."
"Actually, you know what, a cup of coffee sounds great." Melissa heard the words coming out of her moth before she had a chance to stop them. Was she really thinking this was a good idea? She doesn't even know this man and she's accepting an invitation to get a cup of coffee with him? He could be anybody and some people just weren't that nice these days. There must be some sort of catch. Melissa shook those feelings away and scolded herself for being to mean. "Maybe he does just want to sit with me and maybe chat for a bit. He could be just as lonely as I am. If I don't take this chance it may never come up again. I'll just keep my wits about me and see how this goes."
"Great" Stiles said, "there's a place across the street. We can even walk there. I'm takig a risk enough asking you out like this, I'm not about to ruin it by asking you to get in my car. C'mon, let's go."
"Yeah, okay, good. Um, I'm a bit short of cash though. Maybe we should go another time? I'd hate to have you pay for me."
"Nonesense! I can afford a cup of coffee and maybe a slice of homemade pie that Trudy at the diner makes. You look a bit peckish; pie makes everything better right?"
"I guess it does," Melissa said as they made their way to the local diner.
Stiles was the perfect gentleman the whole time they were out. He held the door for Melissa, let her sit in the booth first, ordered for them when the waitress came around. Melissa was wary at first, but as they started talking she became more comfortable around Stiles. There was something about him that put her at ease. She felt like she could trust him and there was a certain sort of calm that he seemed to exude from just his presence.
"Listen Stiles, there's something you should know," Melissa ventured as the lively conversation they were having gave way to something tinged with quiet and undertoned with seriousness, "I'm really in a jam. My great grandfather left me this huge plot of land after he died and it took the estate lawyer some time to find me. I guess he was glad he could be finally finished with my great grandfaters estate as I was the last family member he had to contact. He had me sign some paperwork and told me to enjoy the 'wonderful piece of property' that was now mine. I should have done some more research before leaving Riverview I guess because when I got here I found out the property was empty. I just sort of figured that since my great grandfather was so weathly he would have given me property with proper accomodations on it. I'm really quite embarassed to tell you all this."
Stiles gazed at her with that calm twinkle in his eye. "So you've been in town all this time living on empty land? You're a lot tougher than I thoght you were. How have you been managing?"
"Well I work over at the hospital and they have free lunch for the employees. And I found this 24 hour gym that must be a service of the town because there's no one ever at the desk checking memberships. I go there to shower when I have to. And I do have a house of sorts. When i first got to town and saw what I was left with some, um, guys I saw working on a new house were nice enough to help me out. I know this all sounds too strange to be true, but, there it is."
Stiles simply smiled and looked at Melissa. She was starting to become self conscious with all this gazing and staring he was starting to do. "Well, I'm no great builder but I do know my way around some sheet rock and carpeting. Maybe I could stop over some day and see what I can do to get you fixed up proper. I have a few friends around town. Someone might be getting rid of some of old stuff that I can put in my truck and bring over."
"I really wouldn't want to bother you. I'm sure you're busy. But," Melissa thought it over quickly and decided she had nothing more to lose, "I guess I could use some help. I live at 15 Summer Hill Court."
"Summer Hill? If you're up there then your great grandfather must have been loaded! You're living right between the mayor and the wealthiest business tycoon in town. Alright, yeah I'll move some things in my schedule around and stop by tomorrow and help you out. A fine, dignified woman such as yourself shouldn't have to live under such rough terms."
Melissa enjoyed the rest of her time she spent with Stiles that day. She felt much better knowing that her secret was out but safe with this new friend of hers. As she watched Stiles over the course of the few hours she spent with him, she felt somethign stirring deep within her. She brushed it away as being nothing more than a little girlish crush on this strong, handsome man. But try as she might she just couldn't shake the feeling completly. They said goodbye when the last crumb of Trudy's delicious pie was picked off the plate. She walked home, deciding against the cab because she didn't have the money and she felt like walking would give her more time to straigthen the events of the day out in her head. She didn't have much to take care of at the house, but she would wipe off her few posessions and wait for Stiles to show up tomorrow. She found herself excited at the thought of seeing him again and secretly wished she would be seeing him again and again for many days to come.
"Listen Stiles, there's something you should know," Melissa ventured as the lively conversation they were having gave way to something tinged with quiet and undertoned with seriousness, "I'm really in a jam. My great grandfather left me this huge plot of land after he died and it took the estate lawyer some time to find me. I guess he was glad he could be finally finished with my great grandfaters estate as I was the last family member he had to contact. He had me sign some paperwork and told me to enjoy the 'wonderful piece of property' that was now mine. I should have done some more research before leaving Riverview I guess because when I got here I found out the property was empty. I just sort of figured that since my great grandfather was so weathly he would have given me property with proper accomodations on it. I'm really quite embarassed to tell you all this."
Stiles gazed at her with that calm twinkle in his eye. "So you've been in town all this time living on empty land? You're a lot tougher than I thoght you were. How have you been managing?"
"Well I work over at the hospital and they have free lunch for the employees. And I found this 24 hour gym that must be a service of the town because there's no one ever at the desk checking memberships. I go there to shower when I have to. And I do have a house of sorts. When i first got to town and saw what I was left with some, um, guys I saw working on a new house were nice enough to help me out. I know this all sounds too strange to be true, but, there it is."
Stiles simply smiled and looked at Melissa. She was starting to become self conscious with all this gazing and staring he was starting to do. "Well, I'm no great builder but I do know my way around some sheet rock and carpeting. Maybe I could stop over some day and see what I can do to get you fixed up proper. I have a few friends around town. Someone might be getting rid of some of old stuff that I can put in my truck and bring over."
"I really wouldn't want to bother you. I'm sure you're busy. But," Melissa thought it over quickly and decided she had nothing more to lose, "I guess I could use some help. I live at 15 Summer Hill Court."
"Summer Hill? If you're up there then your great grandfather must have been loaded! You're living right between the mayor and the wealthiest business tycoon in town. Alright, yeah I'll move some things in my schedule around and stop by tomorrow and help you out. A fine, dignified woman such as yourself shouldn't have to live under such rough terms."
Melissa enjoyed the rest of her time she spent with Stiles that day. She felt much better knowing that her secret was out but safe with this new friend of hers. As she watched Stiles over the course of the few hours she spent with him, she felt somethign stirring deep within her. She brushed it away as being nothing more than a little girlish crush on this strong, handsome man. But try as she might she just couldn't shake the feeling completly. They said goodbye when the last crumb of Trudy's delicious pie was picked off the plate. She walked home, deciding against the cab because she didn't have the money and she felt like walking would give her more time to straigthen the events of the day out in her head. She didn't have much to take care of at the house, but she would wipe off her few posessions and wait for Stiles to show up tomorrow. She found herself excited at the thought of seeing him again and secretly wished she would be seeing him again and again for many days to come.
As promised, Stiles arrived at Melissa's house the following day. She was elated to see him drive up with a truck full of kitchen appliances, a few rolls of carpeting, and a few cans of opened paint. Nothing looked new or even in great shape but well-used stuff was better than nothing at all. As she watched Stiles get out of the truck and begin unloading she couldn't help but notice that something seemed off about him. He looked awfully pale and the bright sunlight seemed to be bothering him.
"Hi Stiles," she said as she approached the truck, "how are you?"
"Hi Melissa. I'm okay" he replied curtly as he shaded his eyes from the blazing sun. He worked quickly, getting everything out of the truck as fast as he could. He seemed to be eager to get into the car as quickly as he could. Something was definitely going on and Melissa was set on finding out what it is before he left. If her short time working at the hospital taught her anything was that when a person was that pale it was an indicator of serious illnes.
The pair began their work after all the materials Stiles had brought over were safely in the house. They worked efficiently and Melissa was conscious of the fact that they weren't talking very much. They worked in relative silence, catching each others glaces but a barrier had be cast between them and this upset Melissa. She tried to brush it off as her reading too much into it, but she couldn't quite shake the feeling completly. As they finished their work and began to clean up, Melissa decided now was a good time to break the silence. She walked him out to the truck and before he had a chance she grabbed him and kissed him.
Melissa pulled back in shock. "Are those...fangs?" Stiles pulled away, turning his head obviously ashamed.
"I meant to tell you. I really did. I knew if I told you about me you wouldn't believe me anyway."
"I"m not getting it Stiles. You've been awfully quiet today. We had such a good time yesterday laughing and chatting and today you're quiet and aloof. Did I do or say something that bothered you?"
"No, no you didn't do anything trust me. You know how you felt embarassed or whatever telling me you live here in this house and have no money. I have something to tell you too. A secret of sorts. Well, not of sorts. It is a secret and one I'm not sure how you're going to react to it. Those were fangs you felt. I was out a few weeks ago and met a girl. We were laughing and drinking and having fun and she started to get, uh, friendly. She was kissing my neck and then she started to get weird on me. She had this look in her eyes. I started to get nervous because she looked hungry as she stared at me. It all happened to fast but before I could react she bit me. On my neck."
"Wait. You're kidding me right? This is all a joke. Am I really to believe you're a...vampire?"
"That's the long and short of it" Stiles said, turning away and staring at the ground obviously embarassed.
Melissa was embroiled in a flood of emotions. She really liked Stiles, but now he appeared dangerous and predatory. The thoughts swirling through her mind were overwhelming. She felt as if the world was slipping away from her, becoming distant and foggy. She sat on the grass as if touching the cool earth would ground her in reality again. If she didn't she thought she would fly away into space never to return to her body. It was all too much to handle. "I'm sorry Stiles. I appreciate you coming here and helping me out, but I'm not sure this is going to work out. It's just too, too complicated."
"I undertstand," Stiles replied with a tinge of hurt in his voice, "but I really do like you. I wish i didn't have to come to this, but I couldn't keep something like this from you. I had a feeling it would drive you away, but I have to respect your wishes."
Melissa started to get up but the gravity of the moment was too great. She slumped back down on the grass with tears in her eyes. "Goodbye Stiles" she said simply. She didn't know what else to say. They took a minute to look at each other, then Stiles turned away dejected. Melissa watched him get into his truck and put on heavily tinted sun glasses. She watched him turn to look at her once last time then turn the engine, put the truck into gear, and drive off. She didn't know where he lived or where he was going, but he heart was heavy and laden with sadness. Just when she felt like things were starting to look up, the Earth had shifted under her and sent her spinning. After sitting on the grass she became suddently aware of nature closing in around her. Each blade of grass like a sword trying to stab her, their roots attempting to reach out of the soil and entagle her and trap her forever.
She quickly picked herself up and stumbled into the house, the smell of fresh paint like poision in her nostrils. The carpeting and new kicthen appliances a reminder of the brief flicker of happiness that had grazed her heart. Her tiny, ramshackle place seemed a prision now with Stiles imprinted in every corner. She lay in the bed she purchased at the consigment store with last weeks pay check and faced the wall. If she concentrated hard enough she could push the thought of Stiles from her mind, and ignore the sorrow eating at her heart. After some time she fell asleep, and the next morning woke up and went to work down trodden.
"Hi Stiles," she said as she approached the truck, "how are you?"
"Hi Melissa. I'm okay" he replied curtly as he shaded his eyes from the blazing sun. He worked quickly, getting everything out of the truck as fast as he could. He seemed to be eager to get into the car as quickly as he could. Something was definitely going on and Melissa was set on finding out what it is before he left. If her short time working at the hospital taught her anything was that when a person was that pale it was an indicator of serious illnes.
The pair began their work after all the materials Stiles had brought over were safely in the house. They worked efficiently and Melissa was conscious of the fact that they weren't talking very much. They worked in relative silence, catching each others glaces but a barrier had be cast between them and this upset Melissa. She tried to brush it off as her reading too much into it, but she couldn't quite shake the feeling completly. As they finished their work and began to clean up, Melissa decided now was a good time to break the silence. She walked him out to the truck and before he had a chance she grabbed him and kissed him.
Melissa pulled back in shock. "Are those...fangs?" Stiles pulled away, turning his head obviously ashamed.
"I meant to tell you. I really did. I knew if I told you about me you wouldn't believe me anyway."
"I"m not getting it Stiles. You've been awfully quiet today. We had such a good time yesterday laughing and chatting and today you're quiet and aloof. Did I do or say something that bothered you?"
"No, no you didn't do anything trust me. You know how you felt embarassed or whatever telling me you live here in this house and have no money. I have something to tell you too. A secret of sorts. Well, not of sorts. It is a secret and one I'm not sure how you're going to react to it. Those were fangs you felt. I was out a few weeks ago and met a girl. We were laughing and drinking and having fun and she started to get, uh, friendly. She was kissing my neck and then she started to get weird on me. She had this look in her eyes. I started to get nervous because she looked hungry as she stared at me. It all happened to fast but before I could react she bit me. On my neck."
"Wait. You're kidding me right? This is all a joke. Am I really to believe you're a...vampire?"
"That's the long and short of it" Stiles said, turning away and staring at the ground obviously embarassed.
Melissa was embroiled in a flood of emotions. She really liked Stiles, but now he appeared dangerous and predatory. The thoughts swirling through her mind were overwhelming. She felt as if the world was slipping away from her, becoming distant and foggy. She sat on the grass as if touching the cool earth would ground her in reality again. If she didn't she thought she would fly away into space never to return to her body. It was all too much to handle. "I'm sorry Stiles. I appreciate you coming here and helping me out, but I'm not sure this is going to work out. It's just too, too complicated."
"I undertstand," Stiles replied with a tinge of hurt in his voice, "but I really do like you. I wish i didn't have to come to this, but I couldn't keep something like this from you. I had a feeling it would drive you away, but I have to respect your wishes."
Melissa started to get up but the gravity of the moment was too great. She slumped back down on the grass with tears in her eyes. "Goodbye Stiles" she said simply. She didn't know what else to say. They took a minute to look at each other, then Stiles turned away dejected. Melissa watched him get into his truck and put on heavily tinted sun glasses. She watched him turn to look at her once last time then turn the engine, put the truck into gear, and drive off. She didn't know where he lived or where he was going, but he heart was heavy and laden with sadness. Just when she felt like things were starting to look up, the Earth had shifted under her and sent her spinning. After sitting on the grass she became suddently aware of nature closing in around her. Each blade of grass like a sword trying to stab her, their roots attempting to reach out of the soil and entagle her and trap her forever.
She quickly picked herself up and stumbled into the house, the smell of fresh paint like poision in her nostrils. The carpeting and new kicthen appliances a reminder of the brief flicker of happiness that had grazed her heart. Her tiny, ramshackle place seemed a prision now with Stiles imprinted in every corner. She lay in the bed she purchased at the consigment store with last weeks pay check and faced the wall. If she concentrated hard enough she could push the thought of Stiles from her mind, and ignore the sorrow eating at her heart. After some time she fell asleep, and the next morning woke up and went to work down trodden.
Melissa worked that dayfeeling like a zombie. She was aware of what she was doing, but felt somehow seperated at the same time. She smiled to herself imagining her body as that of automoton programmed for certain functions and never being able to deviate from what her creator determined. It wasn't funny but for whatever reason the thought struck her as such and she laughed out loud.
The day was relatively uneventful, but it took a turn during lunch. As she was eating and looking out of the large plate glass window of the employee cafetria, Melissa's coworker walked up to the table with his tray in hand. "Hi Melissa. Mind if I join you/" Milton asked.
Melissa shot out of her reverie with a start. Her heart fluttered in her chest from being so startled and she scolded herself for being so nervous and edgy. She realized she just experienced a trauma but she really should calm down she thought. "Oh Milton you gave me a fright! I'm sorry. I was deep in thought is all. I wasn't expecting anoyone to come over here."
"Geeze sorry. I couldn't help but notice you're on edge today. I know you usually keep to yourself here and all, but I thought you could use some company today. You're not acting yourself. Even though you're quiet you're always working with a smile. You just seem off is all."
"Yeah. I am off Milton. I had a rough day off yesterday. A friend told me some pretty awful news and we can't hang around each other anymore because of it. I'm just in a funk from it is all. I'll be okay though."
"Wow, sorry to hear that," Milton offered. Melissa looked at him across the table. She appeciated that someone took the time to approach her. She was sually shy around most people, but she had gotten to know Milton while they worked together. He was almost always messy and Melissa had to spend most of her time cleaning up after him. But he worked hard and was gentle and caring with their patients. She admired that about him. He could be oblivious to his surroundings and his version of clean was askew most of the time, but he was funny and carefree and melissa enjoyed working with him.
"Listen Milton thanks for coming and sitting with me. I know I'm usually reserved and some people may take that as me being stand-offish. Thanks for seeing past that. I feel a little bit better actually. If you ever wanna hang out after work let me know," Melissa offered as she got up from the table.
Milton watched her get up to leave and couldn't help but to stand up too. "I would love to hang out, yeah" he said. He looked down at his feet and scuffed his right foot across the linoleum tiles. He was never really good at stuff like this, but there was something about Melissa's confidence that he admired. But that confidence she had also made him nervous, as if she was approachable with her stunning smile but unattainable at the same time. Melissa picked up on his sudden bout of nervousness and put her hand on his shoulder.
"Milton, relax. I don't bite I promise," Melissa said with a chuckle as she turned and left the room. Milton could do nothing but watch her go and then sit back down and finish his lunch with a smile and a lightness in his heart he hadn't felt in a while. "I wouldn't mind if you did bite," he said to himself under his breath as he finished up and went on with the rest of his day.
The day was relatively uneventful, but it took a turn during lunch. As she was eating and looking out of the large plate glass window of the employee cafetria, Melissa's coworker walked up to the table with his tray in hand. "Hi Melissa. Mind if I join you/" Milton asked.
Melissa shot out of her reverie with a start. Her heart fluttered in her chest from being so startled and she scolded herself for being so nervous and edgy. She realized she just experienced a trauma but she really should calm down she thought. "Oh Milton you gave me a fright! I'm sorry. I was deep in thought is all. I wasn't expecting anoyone to come over here."
"Geeze sorry. I couldn't help but notice you're on edge today. I know you usually keep to yourself here and all, but I thought you could use some company today. You're not acting yourself. Even though you're quiet you're always working with a smile. You just seem off is all."
"Yeah. I am off Milton. I had a rough day off yesterday. A friend told me some pretty awful news and we can't hang around each other anymore because of it. I'm just in a funk from it is all. I'll be okay though."
"Wow, sorry to hear that," Milton offered. Melissa looked at him across the table. She appeciated that someone took the time to approach her. She was sually shy around most people, but she had gotten to know Milton while they worked together. He was almost always messy and Melissa had to spend most of her time cleaning up after him. But he worked hard and was gentle and caring with their patients. She admired that about him. He could be oblivious to his surroundings and his version of clean was askew most of the time, but he was funny and carefree and melissa enjoyed working with him.
"Listen Milton thanks for coming and sitting with me. I know I'm usually reserved and some people may take that as me being stand-offish. Thanks for seeing past that. I feel a little bit better actually. If you ever wanna hang out after work let me know," Melissa offered as she got up from the table.
Milton watched her get up to leave and couldn't help but to stand up too. "I would love to hang out, yeah" he said. He looked down at his feet and scuffed his right foot across the linoleum tiles. He was never really good at stuff like this, but there was something about Melissa's confidence that he admired. But that confidence she had also made him nervous, as if she was approachable with her stunning smile but unattainable at the same time. Melissa picked up on his sudden bout of nervousness and put her hand on his shoulder.
"Milton, relax. I don't bite I promise," Melissa said with a chuckle as she turned and left the room. Milton could do nothing but watch her go and then sit back down and finish his lunch with a smile and a lightness in his heart he hadn't felt in a while. "I wouldn't mind if you did bite," he said to himself under his breath as he finished up and went on with the rest of his day.
As the days turned into weeks Milton and Melissa would get together frequently after work. They would catch a movie together or go to the diner and eat and have lively conversations. Milton felt awkward at first meeting up with Melissa, as if they were doing something illicit, but as time went on he became more comfortable and felt that maybe some of Melissa's confidence might be rubbing off on him. Melissa even brought him by her house and explained the situation there. He couldn't help but admire her more after hearing her story and was impressed with how well she was actually doing given her circumstances. Milton began giving Melissa small gifts as their relationship began to blossom. Flowers, chocolates, whatever he came across that he thought she might like. They began to share secrets and eventually began to express their attraction to each other. And finally one day everything coalesced perfectly and both his and melissa's lives would be changed forever.