My Gentleman Vampire: The Undead Have Style

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Eye on the Prize

“If you’re not first, you’re last.”

Ricky Bobby, Talladega Nights

Little did I know what I had gotten myself into. David took on the project of getting us ready for the Competition with a single-minded focus that was beyond obsessive. I reminded him that I did work, that I had a deadline and a contract to fulfill. But, he was completely oblivious to anything except redecorating my home, creating my new wardrobe and emerging style, and the ridiculous schedule he set up for me in preparation for the Competition. Notice the capital C.

“Don’t think for a minute that Dirty Diva is resting on their laurels. Every moment of every night is spent on dance classes, choreography, networking, and--since you have Iris--finding a fab costume designer. Selena’s costumes are always drop-dead gorgeous. I made a little joke. We have to work harder and smarter. I have a list of things you need to do while I’m resting.”

The list was, I had to admit, well thought out. I was to start my ballet class up again, two times per week minimum. Yoga was good because it would keep me limber. I was left fabric swatches to approve for the furniture and pillows and any other items David was allowing me to choose. Allowing? There weren’t many, so I couldn’t decide if I was nervous or relieved. Even with his to do’s, I managed to get three hours or so of writing in. It wasn’t enough, but I decided to let my small circle of close friends know that I was under deadline, and that they wouldn’t hear from me for a while.

The sun had set and I heard the basement door unlock. Arabella jumped down from the pile of folded drop cloths and stretched. I had already poured myself a glass of chardonnay and was finishing a phone call confirming my spot in a ballet class on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. David went to stand in the freshly painted family room. Just when I thought I had gotten somewhat used to our living arrangement, his startling good looks would catch me off guard. He was quite beautiful. He walked around the room, barefoot, and inspected the dry, newly painted walls. The simplicity of his jeans and t-shirt couldn’t hide his lean, muscled frame. He turned as I concluded my call and ran a hand through his hair.

“The color is perfect, don’t you think?”

“Yes, it is, David. Incidentally, I did everything you had on the list, including setting up the ballet classes. What do you want to do for dinner?”

“Iris is coming for dinner, and we’ll eat the vegan casserole in the fridge. I made it yesterday; I just need to bring it up to room temperature. We can’t eat meat with Iris here, she would consider that categorically rude. She eats very little, only veggies, and I have some freshly made peach nectar for her to drink. We just have to do this when she’s around. You can reheat the chicken mole after she leaves.”

“What time is she coming?”

“We’ll just need to be ready. Fairies are not known for punctuality, but she has taken a shine to you. Hah. Do you have any silver jewelry you don’t want any more? Something dainty? Iris loves silver, and a small gift is always a good idea.” A fairy was coming to dinner. Well, why not?

I decided to go through all my jewelry in search of something Iris might like. I didn’t have a large inventory to search through; I had never bought myself luxuries like that. I had gone through a silver phase, and finally I found, at the bottom of the drawer, a small box of items that Mike had given me. He was cheap, so there wasn’t a lot, but there were three slightly oxidized silver bangles we had gotten in Cozumel. I knew I would never wear them again as they were a token of Mike’s love from a blissful time. I sat on the bed, shined them up with a polishing cloth and put them in a spare velvet box. Hopefully, Iris would like them.

David had changed and set the table by the time I returned. He approved of the bracelets and returned to the kitchen to focus on the dinner. I had changed into a pair of grey Ralph Lauren slacks and a pale lilac cashmere pullover. David looked me over quickly and smiled his approval.

“Iris will want to know what colors we are thinking of for your dress. She will make everything herself; so the sooner she can get started the better. After she leaves, we have an appointment with Ron de Jamme to see if he will be our dance coach. He is the best. Rumor has it that Selena pissed him off so badly the last time that he doesn’t want to work with her again. He was a bit hot for Dirty, and Selena picked up on that—went completely ballistic! Oh, here’s Iris now.”

A soft tapping on the door, which I never would have heard the first time, was the signal that the ethereal Iris had come to dinner. Tonight she wore a soft yellow dress in much the same style as the first, but her hair was pulled back on one side and anchored with a yellow camellia. Her shoes were green, formed by interconnected leaves and vines to keep them on her feet. I tried not to stare, but I was flabbergasted by her ability to use nature in such a fashionable manner. Stunning. We greeted each other and sat down at the kitchen table for a cocktail.

David had poured peach nectar into my smallest sherry glass. I only had one, inherited from my grandmother, and Iris held it up appreciatively. David made me a peach martini, and it was sublime. He finally sat down at the table with us and his eyes told me it was time to give Iris her gift.

“Iris, I hope you will accept this small gift,” I said handing her the box. “I noticed you wear silver, and I thought you would like them.”

Iris opened the box and her eyes glowed with pleasure. She slipped them onto her left wrist and held her arm out to admire them.

“Thank you, Natalie. How thoughtful. I prefer silver to gold, and they make a lovely tinkling sound. David, peach nectar is my favorite.”

I could read relief in David’s face. Fairies could be touchy he’d told me, and it was easy to insult them. Iris sipped her nectar delicately and began to discuss colors.

“Have you thought of any color you would particularly like to wear?” she asked. “My bet is Selena will wear red or black. I think you need to go in the opposite direction.”

“I agree,” David added. “Natalie would look fab in silver. You can see her skin tone for yourself. She needs to shine, and the skirt of the costume needs to move. What if there were layers of color under the skirt? I mean, what if it looked like it changed colors when the lights hit it?”

“I can do that,” Iris agreed. “It is a trick in the weaving of the fabric. That’s what we fairies do best of all.”

I listened to the shoptalk and picked at David’s casserole. Iris had eaten about five bites and finished her nectar. David offered her another glass, but she declined. She had an engagement and needed to leave.

“Thank you for dinner,” she said. “I know what you want and will show you a sample soon. By the way, Ralph is sponsoring Natalie, so he is paying for the dress. I don’t get involved in the drama. It brings out my mischievous side, which is better left buried. Have fun with Ron, and thanks for the bracelets!”

David was ready to burst with excitement.

“Selena totally pissed Ralph off,” he exclaimed. “I’ve never heard of him sponsoring anyone for the Competition. The dress isn’t going to be cheap, so now we have more money for our other projects!”

I couldn’t help but laugh as I changed into a leotard, tights, and a sweat suit. This adventure was assuming fabulous proportions, and I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.