Victor Vladikis: Vampire With A Human Life

Chapter 3: Dinner with the Harkers

The last few days have gone pretty well between me and Jenny.  We see each other fairly often, and our friendship seems to grow each time we get together.  We find out more about each other every day, and we find out more about how we are alike.  We both have similar interests, want to have a life of goodness and joy, and we both desire love and friendship. 

True, Jenny did have many friends, but she wanted something more than just friendship.  She wanted someone, and turns out, so did I.  We began to see each other more and more often.  Even on days we weren't at school: Meeting at the park, going to the library, spending time at the beach, lots of places.

One day, Jenny invited me to have dinner with her family.  I was actually reluctant to go, mostly because I was afraid to meet her grandfather, but I eventually agreed.  She gave me her address, and told me to come at 7:00.

At 7 pm, I went to her house, where her mother greeted me at the door.  "Hello.  You must be Victor.  Jenny has told us so much about you," she said.  "Greetings, Mrs. Harker.  Yes, I'm Victor.  Victor Vladikis.  May I come in?" I asked.  "Of course.  Come on in," she said, stepping aside to let me in.  I stepped in, and Mrs. Harker guided me to the table. 

There sat the rest of her family.  "Victor!" Jenny exclaimed.  "Hello, Jenny," I said with a smile.  "It's nice to meet you, Victor," her father said, extending his hand toward me.  I shook his hand and said, "The pleasure is all mine."  "Well, you certainly are a polite young man," Mr. Harker said.  "Thank you," I replied.

"Hey, Victor. I'm Steven," said Jenny's brother.  "It's a pleasure to meet you, Steven," I said.  I looked at the old man at the opposite end of the table.  He stared at me sternly.  I stared back at him, slightly afraid.

"Grandpa," Jenny said.  He turned to her.  She looked at him and nudged her head toward me.  He turned back toward me.  He sighed, and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you........... Victor."  I stammered back, "I-It's nice to meet you too, Mr. Harker."

Mrs. Harker pulled a chair out from the table, and gestured for me to sit down.  "Thank you," I said, sitting down.  She then sat down next to her husband.  The Harkers then put their hands together and closed their eyes.  They were going to pray, and I felt uneasy. 

"Dear Lord," Jenny's father began.  "We thank thee for this food.  Please bless it will nourish and strengthen us.  We thank thee that Victor Vladikis could join us.  Please bless us, and him, for a long and happy life.  We say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."  "Amen," the rest of the family said.  I shuttered when Mr. Harker said the name of Christ. They all began eating.

"So, Victor," Jenny's father said.  "I hope you don't mind me saying, but I noticed that you didn't pray with us."  "Robert!" Mrs. Harker said sternly.  "No.  It's okay, Mrs. Harker," I said, then turned to her husband, and added, "No.  I'm not....... religious."  "Oh.  I'm sorry," Mr. Harker said.  "It's fine," I said. 

A second of silence, then Steven said, "So, you're from Europe."  "Yes," I replied.  "That's cool.  What part of Europe are you from?" He asked.  "Not exactly a specific place.  I lived near Romania, in an ancient castle with my father," I said.  "You lived in a castle?! Sweet!" Steven exclaimed.  "Not really," I said.  "Why not?  Living in a castle must have been awesome," he said.  "Well, living in a castle isn't all it's cracked up to be.  Especially when you live with my father," I replied.

"What brings you to America, Victor?" Mrs. Harker asked.  I looked at Jenny.  "You didn't tell them?" I said to her.  "Well, I didn't want my family to think badly of you," she said.  "What do you mean?  Why would we think badly of your friend, Jenny?" Mrs. Harker asked.  Jenny and I looked at each other.  I sighed, turned to Mrs. Harker, and said, "I...... ran away."  "Ran away?!" Mrs. Harker exclaimed.  "Why?"  "Mostly because of my father.  He is a mean, vicious, heartless man.  Everyone in town hates us because of him.  I don't want to be like him, so I ran away.  I stowed away on a lifeboat to get here."

Mrs. Harker was shocked.  "Oh, my!  I-I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to-"  "No.  It's fine," I said.  "I hate my father anyway.  I hope I never see him again," I added.  "And who is your father, exactly?" Jonathan asked.  I looked up at him.  I didn't know what to say.  I couldn't tell them who my father was.  I had to think of something quick. 

"Oh, he's just a crazy........ drunk," I said.  "A drunk, you say?  What's his name?" Jonathan asked.  "Dad!" Mr. Harker said.  "What does it matter what his father's name is?  I'm pretty sure that Victor doesn't want to talk about his father."  "Thank you," I said to Mr. Harker.  Jonathan turned to me.  He smiled and said, "My apologies, Victor."  I grew even more afraid of him.  My thirst began to grow, so I took out my Gatorade bottle, drank some of the liquid, and put it away. 

"What is that?" Jonathan asked.  I looked at him.  "You know what it is, Dad," Mr. Harker said.  "Jenny told us he has a stomach disorder, and he carries medicine for it."  "Right.  I forgot," Jonathan said.  Everyone went back to eating.  I still haven't even touched my food.  Mrs. Harker noticed.

"Are you okay, Victor?  You haven't even touched your dinner yet," she said.  "Oh. I'm fine.  I just....... I hate to be rude, but....... I'm just not....... hungry," I said.  "Not hungry?  Why is that?" Jonathan said.  "Dad!" Mr. Harker exclaimed.  He set his utensils down on the table.  "Can I talk to you outside for a second, Dad?"  "Very well," Jonathan said.  They both got up, walked outside, and Mr. Harker closed the door behind them.

"I should probably leave now," I said, and I got up from the table.  I began to walk away.  "Victor!  Wait!" I heard Jenny say behind me.  She got up and ran after me.  She put her hand on my shoulder, and said, "Victor, please don't go.  I'm sorry about my grandpa.  He's not usually like that." 

"He's from Europe, right?" I asked.  "Yes.  He lived in England when he was younger," Jenny replied.  "How did you know?" she asked.  "Because my dad and he know each other," I said.