Good income, flexible hours." I refrained from adding the other perks. No boss to notice regularities in my time off. Space to make soundproof rooms t... muffle screams and growls, even in a crowded city. Arrangements to discreetly handle gnawed remains..."You're a landlord? I may have to hate you on principle." But she was smiling as she said it."Hey! Most of us aren't bloodsucking monsters, I'll have you know." That was true; only a handful of vampires went into real estate. She didn't notice. Her wavy hair was a color of strawberry blonde and it trailed over the baggy shoulders of her sweatshirt, nearly reaching her waste. She had a pretty face, small nose, but not too small, and full, pink lips. It was clear that he had startled her more than she had startled him, but he didn’t seem bothered by it as he immediately gave his usual friendly smile and quickly lifted a towel to help clean up the mess. ‘I’m sorry.’ He said, ‘I wasn’t expecting to run into anyone, I’m the painter,. " Somehow it still seems so unfair. I bore him within my womb for nine months, went through the pain of his birth, we raised him through the scraped knees and bloody noses, only for him to die just as he becomes a man. It is wrong. He should be here with us, he should have a wife and we should have grandchildren, but since God had to call him home when he was 19, we will never have those things with him. Nor, will we ever have him again. I am sorry, Erik."The man turned and looked at her. Chocolate cake, strawberry preserves between the layers and chocolate icing. He concealed the cake in his room.Pete hid the cake just as Allison received the food. At least she was wearing jeans and a work shirt. She and Pete put the volumes of munchies and snacks in the pantry and frig, finishing as the schoolgirls arrived like a mob of squealing kids. Up the stairs like a herd of elephants they ran, stopping by the kitchen long enough to meet Allison and Pete.Mary got out in front of the.