Vampire Dreams_Int.indd Read Online Free PDF

over the span of six years, was enough to make it okay for her to like herself again. And so, although the hour was late, she continued to read.
    † † †
    I just couldn’t believe it. Last night he was actually furious with me. He entered through my window and stood there.
    “Where were you last night?” he said.
    “You sound upset.”
    “I am! I came and you weren’t here! I couldn’t sleep all day!
    I was worried sick that something had happened to you!”
    I looked at him without sympathy. “You were here last night, too? Wel that’s unusual. In six years, I don’t think you’ve ever come two nights in a row!” I teased him.
    “This isn’t funny!” he said loudly.
    I sighed in exasperation. “Only I could manage to upset a dream entity!”
    36

    Christina Moss
    He frowned and seemed to get himself under better control, although he remained obstinate. “Zoe, it’s not a joke to me.” He settled in the bed next to me and crossed his arms over his chest. Then he took in a deep breath and seemed to exhale with relief.
    “I’m sorry to worry you, Alexander. But as you can see, I’m perfectly okay. Do you feel better now?”
    “Well at least tel me the next time, or leave me a note or something?”
    “Sure. I’l leave a note right here on my pil ow so my dream doesn’t get furious with me.”
    He put his hands over his face in utter frustration and said, “I can’t do this anymore! It’s driving me craz y!”
    “What’s wrong, Alexander? Having a reality crisis?
    Realizing you’re just a dream and not taking it so wel ?”
    He turned and looked at me sadly. “As a matter of fact, I am having a reality crisis — of sorts. I’m trying to make my mind up about something. And it’s not easy. So where did you go last night?”
    “A girl at work had a party. I stayed at her parents’
    house down the Cape. I was just invited the other day. It’s not like I can always predict when you’l show up in my dreams, Alexander! Besides, why didn’t you just turn up there last night?”
    37

    Vampire of My Dreams
    “Because I didn’t know where you were!”
    “How could that possibly matter?” I was actually having a heated argument with a person who didn’t exist!
    “Just forget about it. I’m glad you’re okay.” He’d calmed down considerably.
    “I’m such a hermit, Alexander. All I do is go to work, come home and work more. Then I go to sleep and hope that I dream of you.” He seemed to like that. “But it’s pathetic.
    I need a life!” He frowned. “I have no family. I miss that.”
    I glanced at him sideways. “I met someone at the party.”
    His eyes got cold. “His name is Michael. He’s a computer programmer. Don’t look at me like that! The truth is, he’s kind of a strange guy, but he gave me a lot of attention and it was nice. It made me realize I should be doing something with my life, building a relationship with someone. A family.
    I have nobody!”
    “I’m not nobody.” Now he looked hurt.
    In one sense it was ironic that I found it necessary to comfort a fi gment of my imagination. But then again, it felt like the right thing to do. I rol ed over to face him and took his hand and kissed it. “It’s true, Alexander, you’re not nobody. In fact, the real truth is this — I wish more than anything . . .
    that you were real so we could be our own family.” At that he smiled. Finally.
    † † †
    38

    Christina Moss
    Zoe turned to the fi nal page of the last journal.
    † † †
    He was unusually cheerful when he arrived last night and I couldn’t wait to tel him the news.
    “How are you tonight, Zoe?” he asked brightly.
    “Alexander! Look!” I held up my hand and showed him the diamond ring. He looked as surprised as I had when I got it.
    “Did Michael give you that?”
    “Yes. Alexander! I’l fi nally have a family again!” Fat tears rol ed down my cheeks. Alexander began to cry as wel . I knew he’d be happy for me. He reached over and took my