For the Love of my Fang

FOR THE LOVE OF MY FANG

 CHAPTER ONE - THE VISIT

    Dentistry was both, a safe and boring profession.  At least that’s what my fiancé Michael kept on telling me.  I, on the other hand couldn’t disagree with him more.  My job was not only safe but it provided me with the peace of mind and stability that I had always dreamed of having.  Like life itself, it had it challenges every now and then.

    Michael, unlike me, could easily be considered to be somewhat of an adrenaline junkie.  Very different from myself as I was content with just reading a book over by the fire place, with a cup of hot coco in my hands.     

    “We are done here, Mr. Long.” I stated, straightening in my chair as I completed yet another routine clean up.  “I could see that you listen to my advice and changed your toothpaste.  The improvement is already visible.”  I added sincerely, looking at the Chinese man that was sitting up before me.

    “Thank you Doctor Holloway.” Mr. Long stated standing.

    “I’ve already told you Mr. Long, I prefer if you call me Melanie.” I stated sincerely, turning on my chair to the folder on the table behind me, writing down the improvement in Mr. Longs teeth.  

    I hated when people called me by my last name.  It reminded me so much of the family I had left behind, to become the woman Michael needed me to be.  It wasn’t a big family but my adoptive family had loved me from the get go.   They had never once made me feel unwanted or unwelcome.  But no matter how much love they gave me, I just couldn’t keep myself from feeling like the fifth wheel around them.

    Michael and his stubbornness had been the sole reason I no longer had family or friends.   

    A few years ago, in one of our weekly summer barbecues, a fight had developed between Michael and my one of my adoptive brothers, Timothy. Till this day, I had no idea as to what had started the fight but soon after that, Michael had left me with no other choice but to pick between them.  My family or him.  

    I was young and stupid back then.  I’d believed that by me choosing him, I would finally have a family of my own.   A place where I would finally fit in…   Not a week had gone by that I’d moved in with him, that he told me he’d gotten a vasectomy when he was twenty two.  My idea of having my own family, flying out the door.

    “Doctor?” Ellie, one of my assistants asked concerned, gently knocking on the open door, breaking me free from my thoughts.

    Looking up at her concern expression, I realized that I had been so deep in my own thoughts that I hadn’t even realized that Mr. Long had exited my office.  Apparently sometime ago.    

    “Sorry Ellie.  You needed me?” I asked, standing from my chair and heading out of the examining room and in to my office, which was just a few steps away.

    “Mel, are you okay?” she asked, clearly worried, following me into the office, and placing a few files on my desk.

    “I’m okay.  Just a bit…” I began, unable to find the words to finish the sentence.

    “Getting cold feet?” Ellie pressed on, clearly hoping I would share with her what was bothering me as she sat on the chair before me.

    My wedding to Michael was now only just twelve days away.  I could tell her it was cold feet and get over with it, but deep down I know I couldn‘t.  I couldn‘t keep lying to myself.  How could I tell her that I was rethinking every decision I had ever made throughout my entire lifetime.

    “I don’t think it’s cold feet.   I’ve been waiting for this for so long, planning it for years… I’m just wonder if this is really what I want or if I’m doing this because everyone expects me to.” I confessed.  Looking up at Ellie, I could clearly see that my words had come as a complete surprise to her and I knew why.  We’d been working together for the past two years in a half and not once had we talked in such a personal level.  Yes we did have occasional girls night out, but I was a very private person.  My personal life was and always had been off limits to everyone around me.  “I’m sorry Ellie.   I didn’t mean to drop this on you.  I guess I… arghh…” I said exasperated.

    “Melanie its okay.  I understand.  I went thru this once too, remember?” she stated a bit shyly.  “I didn’t have anyone to support me back then.  To tell me that the decision was only mine to make.  To not let myself be bullied into it...  I want you to know that I am here for you.  Don’t let anybody push you into something you are not ready for.” Ellie stated sincerely, getting to her feet.  “Mr. Long was the last patient for the day.  Will you be closing?”

     Ellie, as my assistant, was in charge of closing and opening the office.  She was obviously offering me the chance to stay behind and take the time I needed to think on my own.  Grateful at Ellie’s concern I smiled at her.  “Thanks Ellie.”     

    As soon as she pulled my door close behind her, I pulled away from my desk and stood over by the window, staring at the beauty before me.  Tonight there was a full moon.  Just beautiful.  I’d always considered myself to be somewhat of  an night owl.  Something that was bound to change, since Michael had made it very clear to me that he expected me to change my office hours, to daytime hours.

    Not a minute after her departure, Ellie returned, a strange, unfocused look in her eyes.  “Doctor Holloway.  You’ve got another patient.” she stated, without once looking at me.  

    “Ellie what’s wrong?” I asked concerned coming to stand before her.

    “Exam room one.” Ellie stated turning around and heading to exam room one.  

    Clearly worried for her and concerned as to what was going on, I followed her.  Completely ignoring the man that was already standing inside the room waiting for me as I went to stand in front of Ellie again.  This time waving my hands back in forth before her, wanting to break her out of whatever trance she was in.   And without a single word Ellie just turned around and left the examining room.

    Staring after Ellie, I was surprised when the man in the room talked.  “Ellie is fine.” he stated in a very deep, masculine voice, making me instantly aware of the authority in it.

    Knowing that my patients came first, I decided to push  Ellie away from my mind.  At least for now.  As soon as I finished here, we were having a serious talk.  

    “What can I do for you?” I asked the man, coming to sit on my chair and signaling him to vacate the empty one in front of me.

    A worried expression clear in his eyes as he laid down.  “I can’t read you.” the man stated fully surprised, staring up at me with concern.

    “Okay.” I stated, a bit taken back by his weird comment.  What the hell did he mean he couldn’t read me? “How can I help you tonight?” I asked pulling out my tools from one of the drawers.

    “I chipped a tooth.” the man stated seriously, watching me closely, making me feel as if I were an animal, ready to attack him at any given moment.

    “You came to the right place.” I stated pushing to the back of my mind the uneasiness he made me feel as I pulled my chair closer to him.  “Let me see.” I said, getting closer to his mouth.

    But as he opened his mouth, I was surprised to see that all his teeth were perfectly align.  No chipping in sight.  In fact, his teeth were every dentist sought out when looking for perfection.

    “Mr. , I don’t see it.” I said honestly. A moment later jumping out of my chair as I watched his teeth contract and shift.  Slowly producing a pair of fangs.

    “You… you are … vampire?” I stuttered, back tracking until my back hit a wall.