Hidden Paths: Vampire Revenge

Chapter Ten

After they were done school for the day, they all headed into town to show Isabella around. Isabella tried to memorize the layout. It was good to know your surroundings.

"We'll walk around town after dinner," Tony told her as he saw her studying every turn. "Everything looks different at night," he continued as they walked by the entrance of the club they went to the night before.

"Yes," she said knowingly.

They went to an Italian restaurant for dinner. Tony and Isabella did eat a little to get a taste of their homeland's cooking. Tony had ordered wine for Isabella and him, of course, it was wine from his vineyards.

"What are everyone's plans for Thanksgiving?" Jake asked.

"I've got none," George replied.
"My parents are in Germany. My dad just got stationed there for a year, so I won't be going anywhere for a while."

"Ray?" Jake asked.

"I hadn't really thought about it."

"Well, my parents have invited everyone to our place if everyone would like to come. You too, Isabella," Jake announced.

"What is involved with Thanksgiving?"

"Nothing really,"Ray told her. "You just sit and eat a turkey dinner."

Emily frowned at him. "It's more than that. It's about giving thanks for your friends and your family."

"And for football," George snickered.

They all laughed.

"It sounds too personal for me to attend. I think I should decline," She turned to Jake. "But thank you. It was kind of you and your family to invite me."

"Come on, Isabella,"George pleaded, "you're our friend now, too."

"It just...wouldn't be right," she said, getting up. "Excuse me." She walked quickly away from the table with tears in her eyes.

"I'll be back," Tony tossed his napkin to the side of his plate, and got up to follow her outside.

Isabella leaned against the brick of the building and breathed in the night air. It filled her nose and lungs with the refreshing scent of sea air. The breeze from the ocean cooled her from head to toe. She thought of the Mediterranean so far away.

"What's wrong?" Tony asked her.

"I needed some air."

"You're upset. Why?"

"They are too kind."

Tony laughed. "You're upset they are too kind?"

"I don't deserve it."

"Of course you do. Look, they like you. And I know you like them," he put his arm around her shoulders. "Besides you're my family. And I'm thankful for you," he said, kissing her cheek. Tears slid down her face. "Hey, don't cry. I'm not good with tears." He reached with his other hand to wipe them away.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, hugging him. She was sorry for everything that was planned. He didn't deserve it. He couldn't have done what Max had said he had. She knew that. She had always known that. But here she was. "I'm so sorry," she sobbed.

"Hey!" he said, hugging her tight, "Come on, there's nothing for you to be sorry about. Come back inside with your friends. They are your friends too."

"I will. In a minute," she said, tying to compose herself.

"You sure you're okay?" he asked hesitantly.