Alice: Recovered Memories

Suspending Disbelief

Melody's hand was a little shaky as she picked up yet another cup of black coffee.  "Would you like some?" she asked, and then smacked herself on the forehead.  "Oh yeah.  You don't drink."

I smiled wryly.  "Not coffee, anyway."  She sat back down.  I'd explained the basics to her: that I was a vampire who now lived in Washington, that I had visions and I didn't harm humans.  I know it was a lot for her to take in.  At this point, I believe she was just suspending disbelief, the same thing you do when you watch a fantastical movie. 

"I did a bit of research into our family tree recently," Melody continued, sipping the coffee.  "I knew that my great grandmother had an older sister.  I found Mary Alice's grave in Biloxi."  She paused.  "Your grave."

I nodded.  "I've seen it myself, a few years ago when I came down here.  From what I've pieced together, my father had me put in the asylum.  My mother died a short time before then, but I don't know the details."

"We should try to piece that together," Melody agreed.  "I'm really interested in what happened.  I can't believe I'm meeting you in the flesh!"

I smiled.  "Until I had my vision of you, I had no idea that I had surviving relatives.  It's such a great feeling."

:"My biggest regret is that you can't meet Mama and Daddy.  They're in their sixties. I know you'd just love them."  Thomas Phillips and his wife... I may have to find their place and at least catch a glimpse.  Of course, I couldn't run the risk of getting caught. 

Melody grabbed her cell phone and asked me to lean in.  We squeezed our heads together and she snapped our picture.  I looked at it with a smile.  We looked like sisters.  Blood really is thicker than water.  "I won't do anything with this picture, of course, " she assured me.  "I just wanted some proof that we met."  She had also entered my phone number into her phone, and I had done the same.

"I understand." I looked at the clock.  It was starting to get late and the guys were probably starting to wonder about me.  I sent Jasper a quick text message to let him know that everything was fine. "I won't keep you too long.  I just wanted to meet you.  Thanks so much for hearing me out."

She smiled widely.  "The pleasure is all mine." She laughed nervously.  "I guess you just never know what kind of turn your life is going to take, huh?"  I laughed with her.  Wasn't that the truth?

"I think I'll head over to the public library tomorrow to do a bit more research," I said.  "I'll probably be here for at least another day.  May I see you again before I leave?"

"Of course, Alice! We can grab lunch..." she trailed off, deep in thought.  She then shook her head.  "...or I can have lunch and you can hang out with me."

"Sounds like a plan." I leaned in and gave her warm shoulders a hug.  I tried not to inhale too much.  "It was so nice to meet you, Cousin Melody."  I giggled.

"Likewise, Cousin Alice!" she laughed.  She walked me to the front door, her dog following behind her.  I gave her a last wave and got back in my car, heading west to Biloxi and back to the guys.  While I enjoyed my visit, it was very mentally taxing.  I thought about spending some time in the hotel's hot tub and sauna when I returned.  I didn't regret meeting her, though.  I believed she would keep our secret - people would think she was crazy if she didn't.  She seemed like a nice, honest person, and a new friend.  Life sure can be strange but beautiful sometimes.