Threading the Wrong Needle | Twilight [2]

dix

Rochester, New York 1970

Teaching a newborn wasn't so easy a task, and though Estelle had expected it to be difficult, she had not thought to question how she would manage if Thomas was gifted on top of it.

With a gift that made her much more easily persuaded by him, she was having a harder time than she would ever dare admit.

Allowing him a mix of diet, of human and animal alike, helped keep the thirst at bay better than she had originally thought. Traveling with him would prove to be an arduous task, getting him to Europe seemed near impossible, and Estelle wanted the situation to be more steady before she made the call to her maman for eventual assistance.

With Thomas steady for the moment, a full week has passed since waking from his change and emotions seeming settled after coming to terms with what had been one of him, Estelle slipped out after receiving the promise that he would remain here.

She had told Vera, after stealing away with her grandson, that she would let her know of the outcome. If her dear boy had survived.

While she did not approve of the fact that the human woman knew of their existence, she was old with not long left of her life.

She spent beyond the reach of the industrial complex until she reached a downtown area. She turned out of an alleyway in a light misting rain, taking advantage of the cloud coverage during the day, until she found an acceptable phone booth to place her call.

Vera answered upon the first ring, as though she was sat waiting next to it for news. "Hello?"

"Hello, Vera," Estelle murmurs. "How are you?"

The elder woman draws a shaky breath. "Tell me plainly, dear. Thomas?"

Estelle hums a laugh, a smile pinching at the corner of her lips. "He makes an exquisite immortal."

"Oh! Oh, thank god!" She cries, full of relief and a hint of tears. "How is he? Tell me everything, please!"

"There is not much to tell, truly. He was confused upon waking, certainly, but he took the news well. He was not violent so much with the change. It is taking him a moment to adapt to the diet, but he appears to be in good spirits," Estelle shares. "Thomas is gifted, Vera. A charming, persuasive quality to him that seems to put those around him into good spirits."

She pauses, for a moment, considering how it is she wants to say what is needed.

"Vera, you must understand, I'm afraid, that this is the last you could ever speak to us, now. Since you know, and even more so with Thomas, it's imperative that no attention is led back to us with his sudden disappearance," Estelle says softly, as gently as she was able to manage. "But Thomas, he knew I was to make this call eventually. He wanted me to tell you that he loves you dearly, that you were the best grandmother in the world, and that he wants you to always know that he will never forget you. Thomas wants you to understand that he will carry your memory everywhere he goes and hope that you can greet his parents for him again one day."

The other end is quiet, if not for the sound of the aged woman's sobs. "Thank you, Estelle. Thank you and your family for everything. We've lived a good life because of you all and now my Thomas will too."

The line drops abruptly, the dial tone beeping in her ear, and Estelle takes great care to move at a human pace to return hand it on the receiver, and exit the booth slowly. She walks the length of the street, finds the alleyway once more, and runs her way back to Thomas.

She does not dwell on the nature of her reply to Vera, or the creative liberties she took in her language. Thomas had not nearly been so graceful when Estelle had explained that he could no longer speak to his one remaining family member or any of his old friends. He had raged something beautiful, his anger palpable and fierce in the wake of his grief and denial.