Tales of a Night Walker By Bert McKenzie Copyright 2010
Chapter 32
Jeff began reading.
May 3, 1955
Dear Diary,
I have never been one of those girls who has kept a diary. It just seemed a silly, girlish practice. But now my life has taken an incredible turn and I've decided to make a record of my experiences. I can hardly believe it is possible, but I have truly fallen in love. Yes, I thought that before, but this time it is real. I feel it deeply in my heart and soul. But my love isn't even human. He is a vampire. I never thought such things existed. Of course I've seen the movies and read Dracula. It was all just a scary bedtime story to get the adrenaline pumping. And now I find that all those legends were true. Vampires really do exist, and one is now living in my house and sleeping in my brother's bedroom.
He rescued me from an attacker. A man tried to molest me and my lovely Jefferson saved me. David has always accused me of being a sucker for the lost causes. As a little girl I brought home every stray cat and lost puppy. My parents were on a first name basis with all the men at the animal shelter. Well, once again I've done it. Jefferson seemed so lost and alone. I brought him home. At first I thought he was hurt, injured in the struggle to save me from that terrible man. But later I found out, he wasn't hurt at all, just in shock from his first clash with the 20th century.
I don't know what his feelings are for me, but I know I want to be there for him. He is the most incredible man I have ever met, and those green eyes of his. They actually glow in the dark like cat's eyes. I suppose that is part of his being a vampire.
About his being a vampire, he doesn't sleep in a coffin. In fact, he doesn't sleep very much at all. He does have to avoid the sunlight, but other than that, he seems perfectly normal. Of course he doesn't eat food or drink anything other than water. He doesn't seem to have fangs like in the movies either. I went to a butcher shop on Market Street yesterday and picked up a large container of pig's blood. Jefferson tasted it and said it wasn't bad. He's been drinking it ever since. I'm thinking if I can make sure he has that in the refrigerator, he might not kill anyone.
May 7, 1955
Dear Jeff,
I've decided that I'm writing this to you. I have to put my feelings down on paper. I know I'm falling in love with you. Sometimes you seem so helpless, so lost in our modern world. And other times you are so confident, so strong. You've saved my life twice now, once when that mugger tried to attack me outside the cemetery, and once again when Brad broke into my house. You risked your life on that occasion, being stabbed by my attacker. If it hadn't been for your superhuman condition, you would have died for me. I don't think my feelings are returned. You treat me with such respect and deference. I can't tell if you are just being polite and think of me as a friend, or if your manners are just the result of your upbringing in the 19th century. But you will have to make the first move, Jefferson. I would never do anything to make you uncomfortable. Time will tell how you really feel about me.
May 17, 1955
Just a short note. I'm all ready for my trip north. I am going to David's graduation. I'm a little nervous. I haven't said anything about you. I can't imagine how he will react. I can't tell him you are a vampire. That would make him totally think I had gone crazy. I'll tell him you are a boarder I took in the help make ends meet. Sometimes I worry so much about you. How will you be while I am gone? Will you manage to survive in this world? You are my protector but in some ways I think of myself as your protector as well. I'm the keeper of your secret. Be safe while I am gone.
June 5, 1955
How could I be such a fool? I always fall for the wrong guy. At least this time you aren't a crazy person who will beat me or steal from me. But gay? I never thought you were gay? I've known David was that way since he was in high school. I always worried for him. But I thought if he liked boys instead of girls, who was I to tell him he was wrong. We'd heard about it and knew that some people are just different. But a gay vampire? Doesn't it figure the man I fall in love with would turn out to be a gay vampire? I thought we might have problems because I was human and you aren't. I never thought that the biggest problem was that I am a girl and you would be more interested in my brother.
June 7, 1955
Well, dear Diary, I'm not writing this to Jeff anymore. I don't think I would ever let him read it. I'll just write it to you, my paper friend. Last night David took us to that bar he used to go to last summer. He got in trouble and Jeff had to save him. But then the police came to our door today and said some men had been killed. It sounded just like a vampire attack. I can't believe Jeff would do anything like that. He's been so good here, and he drinks that pig's blood that I've picked up for him at the butcher shop. It must be another vampire. Surely he isn't the only one. But that really scares me. I still love Jeff but more as a brother. What if the police come for him and drag him out into the sunlight. Would he die like they do in the movies?
June 8, 1955
We haven't heard any more, so maybe the murders at that bar were just an isolated incident. I told David and Jeff they were never to go there again. They make such a cute couple. They sleep together and get up late in the day. Then David spends most of the day trying to educate Jeff, bring him into the 20th century. We've gone to several movies and a couple of plays in the evening. Jeff says he really likes the theatre.
June 23, 1955
David will be out of town for a job interview tomorrow. He is being considered for a teaching job in north Richmond. It's only about an hour's commute. Since we don't own a car, he took the bus. He should be back sometime tomorrow night. Jeff seems a bit anxious.
June 29, 1955
What can I do? They killed my brother. It was that vampire that knew Jefferson when they were humans back in the 1800s. I can't believe this. David, how can you be gone?
If I had never gotten involved with Jeff this never would have happened. I hate him. How can he have brought this on my family? David was all I have left!
I can't believe I said that. I know it is killing Jeff to think that he brought this on David. They loved each other. Now I only have Jeff. This strange older vampire who rescued us kind of gives me the creeps. He's very old and he seems to have taken an interest in Jeff. He told me he will do what he can to catch the ones who did this to David, and they will be punished.
I can't believe he's gone. I can't believe I have to arrange his funeral. I can't believe any of this. Why didn't I die instead? My baby brother. I used to protect him and tell him nothing would ever happen to him. I failed him. It's all my fault.
June 30, 1955
We had the funeral. I insisted that it be in the evening so Jeff could come. Jeff is a part of this family now, no matter what. We cried so much with each other. Some times I just don't want to go on.
July 12, 1955
Dear Jeff, I love you so much. You are so good to me. You have done everything you can to be my brother and to protect me since that awful time. We are now living in St. Louis. The count found us a big house to live in. He owns it. It is different from home, but I can't think of that as home anymore. No one is there that I care about.
July 24, 1955
I just can't stay here. I love Jeff and I know he feels grateful to the count, but we have got to have our own home. We can't go on living off the charity of that ancient vampire. Tomorrow I am going to go out looking for a job.
July 29, 1955
I've already been offered a job. It's teaching in a private school. I'll have to take the Missouri test to get my teaching certificate here, but that shouldn't be a problem. I can have everything sent from Virginia. I told Jeff and he was happy for me. I suggested that we start looking for our own home. He was only concerned that I was jumping at something awfully quickly. But I don't want to go back there again. I called the count and asked if he could find people to sell my house back in Virginia. He said he would. I'll use whatever money he gets to make a down payment on something here. Jeff and I can start over again.
August 3, 1955
I found the cutest house. I took Jeff to look at it this evening. He really seemed to like it, but he somehow felt like he would upset the count if he moved out of the mansion that the old vampire loaned us. Still I am excited about starting a new life here in St. Louis. The count has already sent me money for my house so I'm paying the down payment tomorrow. I can't wait to fix it up and make it ours. I'll have to remember to get some heavy drapes or black out curtains for Jeff's room and the living room and kitchen.
August 10, 1955
I can't believe it. The count is dead. Montgomery, his servant came to us yesterday. He told us that the bad vampires or that vampire hating cult, someone blew up his house and then had people pull him out into the sun. I guess he just burnt up. It was really sad. Both Montgomery and Jeff were crying. Then Montgomery told Jeff he was the count's legal heir. Apparently the old vampire had willed everything he owned to Jefferson. My friend is rich now. How wild is that. I know he kind of looked on the count as a father figure and they got really close in the short time we stayed with him before moving here. Still, it seems like Jeff is really taking this hard.
August 11, 1955
Jeff told me last night that he couldn't move in with me. That really hurt. I was so counting on him. He's the only family I have left. But now that he has inherited the mansion, he wants to stay there with Montgomery. He feels responsible to the old servant. He asked me to stay there with them, but I've already made up my mind. I want to move. I want my own home. I guess I'll be on my own again.
August 18, 1955
Our first faculty meeting today. I think I am really going to like this school. The people are so nice to me, considering I'm the newcomer. They asked about my family and I said I had one younger cousin who lived here in St. Louis. I lied and said that was why I moved here. If anyone asks, Jefferson Smythe is my cousin.
I saw Jeff this evening. He seems happy enough. I can tell he is still hurting over David. But then so am I. He just sits around in that big, gloomy house and waits on Montgomery hand and foot. I wish he would go out and do something with his life.
I miss David so much. He would know what to do. He'd have already found friends with his same interest in men and they'd be out to a party every night. He always knew how to make people happy. Jeff really needs him now...and so do I.
Jeff began to flip through the pages of the diary, stopping here and there to pick out highlights of his friend's life.
August 22, 1957
The new teacher in the next room is a real jerk. His name is Brady Brewster and he moved here from Chicago. He has family in the area, I guess. He really thinks he is something else, quite the lady's man. Well his charms aren't going to work on me. He's so conceited. I bet they'll fire him in no time at all.
October 8, 1957
I think I'm falling in love with Brady. We've only been on three dates, but he can be so romantic. Sure he's arrogant, but he is also charming, sensitive and a really good kisser. I'm going to have to get him to meet Jefferson. Maybe I'll invite them both for dinner on Sunday.
October 13, 1957
Disaster. That was the worst fiasco I've ever lived through. Jefferson came to dinner and he even left Montgomery at home. But I think Brady sensed something because he was in fine form. He made jokes and was witty, but everything he said seemed to offend Jeff. The whole evening seemed like something out of a badly written play. Brady kept vying for my attention and Jeff just sat quietly and observed us. I kept trying to draw Jeff into the conversation and every time I did, Brady would make some jack ass remark and Jeff would just withdraw again.
I made pot roast and Jeff came over and apologized for eating before he came. That was his excuse to not have to consume anything at the meal. I completely understood, but Brady made a big deal of it, saying it was rude and an insult. I joked about how Jeff just didn't like my cooking, but Brady kept going on and on about it.
February 14, 1958
Valentine's Day. What a day to break up. Brady said it was either him or Jeff. He said he can't stand my snobby rich cousin. He said if we were going to have any future together I had to promise not to see Jeff again and not to invite him over, etc. Well I couldn't to that. I know we aren't as close as we used to be, but he is still my Jefferson, my vampire. And I still love him. I told Brady to get lost. Now my heart is breaking. I want him so badly. I just don't know what to do.
February 17, 1958
I was crying again. Jeff told me not to be so silly. He said I should go apologize and get back together with Brady. He said he would understand and it was okay if we had to have some distance. But I can't do that to Jeff. I love him like a brother. I love him as much as I loved David. To hell with you Mr. Brady Brewster.
August 23, 1959
I can't believe I'm engaged. It is such a pretty ring. And such a big diamond. I asked Brady how he bought it on his salary. He just smiled and said it was none of my business. I can't wait to show Jeff.
August 24, 1959
Jeff acted like he already knew. It's very strange. He and Brady seem to be getting along so well, it's kind of creepy. Still, I'm very glad. I'd like them to be friends. I haven't told Brady about Jeff. He's only heard the cover story that Jeff is my cousin and has a severe allergy to the sun. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to tell Brady the truth. I hate the thought of keeping secrets from my husband, but I don't know that he could understand or appreciate the truth. He did ask me one day how my cousin managed to get all the money in my family while I didn't get anything, so I confessed that Jeff wasn't really a cousin but that we were such good friends we thought of each other as related and just jokingly called each other cousin. It was easier to explain. Brady made a comment about 'kissing cousins' and I think he was even a bit jealous until I told him Jeff was gay. That seemed to comfort him somewhat, although I did detect a bit of prejudice there. He's not as tolerant as I'd like, but I have time to work on him...the rest of my life in fact.
By the way, today was our first day back to school and everyone wanted to see the ring and congratulate both of us. It was so thrilling.
November 15, 1959
Thanksgiving is just next week. Brady wants me to drive upstate to Hannibal and spend it with his family. I feel guilty about leaving Jeff, but I guess he has Montgomery. They'll be fine. After all, it's not like I could invite him over for turkey. But we usually get together on holidays. Well, I guess I will have my own family now, so I better get used to it.
April 14, 1960
Brady is having a fit. I told him I wanted Jeff to give me away. He's the closest thing to a father or family that I have. Brady doesn't understand why I would have a younger 'cousin' who isn't even a relative do that. He also doesn't understand why I want the wedding in the evening. This is a challenge, but I know we'll get through it. He let it slip that Jeff loaned him the money to buy my ring, so I can use that to hold over his head if he gets too nasty about my cousin being a part of our wedding.
June 18, 1960
Today's my wedding day. Actually having the ceremony tonight will give me all day to take my time and not rush around. I've already had breakfast and now I have a hair appointment in about an hour. Then I can take my time, getting to the church this afternoon and checking on the decorations. Jeff promised me he would hurry and be there as soon as possible. I pushed the wedding back as far as I could. The minute he walks in the door we'll start down the aisle. Brady is still grumbling about an 8:00 p.m. wedding, but it does give his family all day to get here. Oh, so much to do...
November 17, 1964
My heart is breaking. Jeff is going away. I asked him where, but he wouldn't say. I don't think he really knows. Ever since Montgomery died last spring he's been at loose ends. He just doesn't seem to know what to do with himself in that big old house. I've suggested that he get out, meet other men. I know it's not easy to find gay men and he keeps reminding me that it's not about dating. After all, most gay men would probably be terrified to find out what he is. Still, if David had lived they would have a nice life together.
But he's planning on going on a sabbatical as he puts it. He just wants to see more of the country. After all, he pointed out that no one ever ventured as far as the Rocky Mountains when he was alive. He said he will still keep in touch with his 'office' as he puts it, the people who are managing his money. I guess they all worked for the count and now they all kind of work for him. But they pretty much do their thing and just send him updates and so on. Still I'm going to miss him so.
July 14, 1965
We have a darling little girl. She is 6 lb, 4 oz and has curly dark hair. I'm so exhausted, but I wanted to write this down while I'm still basking in the glow and then I'll take a nice long nap. Brady is so proud, you'd think he did all the pushing and had the baby himself. I think we're going to name her Brigit after Brady's mother. I just hope she doesn't have his mother's disposition. Maybe now that she has a grandchild the old woman will be a little nicer to me.
November 28, 1967
Talk about the terrible twos. What a little monster my daughter can be. Sometimes I can't believe she is part of me. She screams, she cries and I think the only word she knows is "No!" I'm almost glad I can't have another child. This one is going to take every bit of energy I have.
April 8, 1975
I can't believe my ten year old daughter got drunk. She and one of her friends got into our liquor cabinet and drank everything they could get their hands on. When I got home she was sick as a dog. She finally confessed she had been sneaking sips of some of the vodka for quite some time now. I told Brady we were getting rid of it all. No more alcohol in our house to even give her an opportunity. I also grounded her and told her I didn't want her hanging around with Jessica. I think she has been a bad influence on Brigit.
December 14, 1975
I received a long letter from Jeff. My heart goes out to him. He finally met someone and fell in love. It sounded so wonderful, but then that same awful man responsible for David took Jeff's boyfriend as well. My only consolation was that Jeff said his father and the other man were both dead at last. Jeff said Armand fell from a grid, whatever that is and landed on some scenery that broke and pierced him like a stake through the heart. Then another friend of Jeff's managed to kill his father with some sort of sunlamp. I guess it put out the same kind of light as the actual sun, ultra violet light, and the man burnt up. Thank goodness all of that is finally behind him and now he can start living his life as he should be able to, but I'm so sorry to hear about his boyfriend, Frank. Once again he is alone. Maybe someday he'll be able to find someone special just for him.
March 6, 1979
Suspended! Brigit was suspended from school today for smoking pot. I'm so angry I could spit. I can't even imagine what Brady will do when he comes home tonight. He will absolutely have a fit. Something has got to change. I wonder if they have military school for girls.
July 28, 1991
I met Brigit's new boyfriend. Rel Granger. It's a really odd name, but then it fits because he's a really odd boy. What's wrong with him, well nothing really. He's kind and polite, although he has a bit of an accent that I can't place. I asked him where he came from and he said "overseas" but when I tried to pin him down they kept changing the subject. And that name, I asked if it was a nickname or short for something else, but he said no, Rel is his given name. It's just that he almost seems too good to be true. It's like Brigit went out and hired an actor to play her boyfriend to impress me. And why would such a nice guy like Rel want someone like my daughter. They both must really be in love for her to choose a guy like him and him to tolerate a girl like her.
October 12, 1991
Now I know why Brigit has been clinging to Rel. She's pregnant. I guess I should be grateful that she waited this long, or that it didn't just happen long ago. She's always been wild and never listened to us. So I guess getting pregnant at 26 isn't a bad thing. At least it didn't happen in high school. I went over to her apartment and found out Rel has been living there. In fact he is the one who told me. He is hoping I can convince her to marry him. He said he has asked her repeatedly and she just blows him off. I'm so impressed that he wants to do the right thing by her. He said he is concerned for the baby's well being, medically, I think. He is afraid there may be complications. I don't know why he would think that.
December 26, 1991
At Christmas dinner yesterday afternoon we ended up having a knock down, drag out fight. Brigit is definitely showing and we again tried to convince her to get married. She says that is so old fashioned, but the three of us argued with her. It is good to see Brady and Rel on the same side. Usually Brady is going on about what a weirdo Rel is and how could Brigit pick up a nerd like him. But now they both are trying to push for the wedding. The two of them (Rel and Brigit) finally left in tears. Then this morning I got a phone call from Brigit asking me to help plan the wedding. I guess we'll have a January wedding after all. She said the baby is due in March, but she is still pretty small. She was talking about a girdle for the wedding dress and I told her absolutely not. I told her I would help her find an empire waist dress that would help hide the baby. I guess Rel couldn't be happier.
January 18, 1992
Well, they are off on their honeymoon. It was a real struggle to keep Brigit from drinking. She argued with me, her father, her husband and everyone else that she deserved champagne as it was her wedding. We all wanted to keep her from it because of the baby. I'm surprised she was able to stay clean and sober this long. I think Rel has his work cut out for him.
March 7, 1992
I'm a grandmother. My baby grandson, Willow Brady Granger was born this morning at 9:00 a.m. It was touch and go for a while, and he looked positively blue when I first saw him, but I think he's doing okay now. He's so tiny, only 5 lbs, 2 oz. But his mother isn't that big and his father is really thin, so I guess maybe he's normal for them.
September 12, 1993
My heart is breaking again. Brady's heart attack last spring left me alone and now the one bright spot in my life is leaving me alone again. Brigit and Rel are moving to Kansas City. Rel had a job offer there for his art work. He's a fantastic artist, and he really can't pass this up. He will be working for a graphics arts firm there, making quite a bit of money. I think he also wants to pull Brigit away from her friends here. All she ever does is go out drinking with them every night. I know it is for the best but my heart is breaking. I wish I could follow them, but I know I can't. It will be good for Brigit to put some distance between us. We're just like fire and ice. But I'll miss my little grandbaby.
November 15, 1996
I can't believe it. Jeff Smythe is an actor in a movie. I went to the theatre to see it. What a hoot to see my best friend up there on the movie screen. And the fun of a vampire playing a vampire. Of course no one knows he's really a vampire. They think he's just a movie actor. I got a letter not too long ago, telling me about it, but to actually see it at the local theater. How thrilling. I can tell all my friends I know a real live movie star. In a way, it's good that Brady is gone. He would wonder how Jeff looks the same as he did when we knew him all those years ago.
December 28, 1997
I've had the best Christmas ever. Jeff came back for a visit. He looks just the same, just like he did in his movie, just like he did forty years ago when I first met him. And he is the same, the same loving guy I remember. Nosy old Violet Peterson had to come around and Jeff was his usual polite and gracious self. On Christmas he gave me the most beautiful pendant. It must have cost him a fortune. It has a huge diamond surrounded by other precious stones. I didn't have anything for him, so I went upstairs and looked in my jewelry box and found David's ring. He seemed so moved by such a little thing. We cried and cried together. But now he's on his way again. I don't know where he'll go from here. I miss him and hope the good Lord keeps him safe.
March 17, 1998
A lot of information. I am overwhelmed. Rel came by for a visit. He was in town for a convention and asked if he could spend the night here. I told him of course. It was so good to see him and have the company. After he got back from his meetings we sat up and talked for a long time. Rel told me things that I find hard to believe, but considering the things I have been through in my past, I don't doubt anything now. He said he is a fairy. I thought he meant he was gay, but he said no, he came from a different world, one filled with magic. He said that was why he was so worried that the baby might not be healthy when he was first born. He was worried about a half human, half fairy baby. I really thought he was joking, but he took a needle from my sewing basket and pricked his finger. His blood wasn't red. It was bright blue. It almost looked like he was bleeding blue paint or ink or something. Then he pulled back his long hair and showed me his ears. They are pointed like that space character in the movies. If it weren't for Jefferson, I probably wouldn't believe it, but my best friend was a vampire, so how can I say fairies don't exist. I asked him if he had wings under his shirt but he laughed at me and said fairies don't have wings, nor can they fly. He said he was worried about Willow because his son is half fairy and he doesn't know what that will mean. I asked him if he had any ideas and he said it probably would mean Willow will be very long lived and his blood chemistry may be different from others so he probably can't ever have any transfusions. That explains why the doctor was so confused and said there was something wrong with the lab reports when he was first born.
How many people run into two magical beings in their lives, first Jefferson and now Rel. Then Rel asked me that if anything every happened to him, would I please watch over Willow. He said he didn't think Brigit was really capable of being a mother. I could tell he was nervous about saying bad things about my daughter to me, but I agreed with him. I understand completely. He said they argue all the time and when he comes home he often finds her drunk and passed out on the sofa. He has to do all the work of taking care of Willow and the house and so on. My heart goes out to him. I feel like I was a bad mother, but it's too late now. I told him if he or Willow ever needed anything they should call me. He promised that he would. After his meetings today he left to return home. He promised he would keep me posted on everything that was going on. Why couldn't I have a son like Rel instead of a daughter like Brigit? I am a bad mother for feeling that way.
October 23, 2002
I heard from Brigit today. I haven't heard from anyone back there in KC in a long time and I was starting to grow worried. Apparently rightly so. She called and said Rel had disappeared. She said he's not come back. I can't believe he wouldn't have contacted me or something. He promised he would call me if he ever needed anything and I can't believe he would leave his son without contacting me. I asked if I could speak with Willow and she grudgingly agreed. He sounds so sad. I told him to keep his chin up and that I was sure his daddy loves him. I told him he could come and visit me on his next holiday, maybe over Christmas or next summer. That seemed to cheer him up a bit. With Rel being what he is, I wonder if he somehow went back or was taken back to that other world. That is the only thing I can think of that would keep him from his son.
February 11, 2005
Willow called me today to tell me that his mom was getting married again. She got some sort of divorce and now she is marrying some drunk. Willow really hates the guy, but what can he do, he's only 12. My heart goes out to the boy. I wish I could go there and get him, but I'm not as young as I was. The years are catching up to me. Willow and I are so close, I would do anything for that boy. I love our summers together, although feeding him is a chore. He can't eat meat. Apparently his father didn't either. I guess it has something to do with being a fairy. I haven't told Willow what his father told me, but maybe I will one day. I don't know that he would believe me.
August 2, 2005
I'm supposed to put Willow back on the bus tomorrow. I hate to see him leave, and I know he doesn't want to. He asked if he could just live with me and go to school here in St. Louis. I so wanted to say yes, but Brigit resents sending him here in the summers. You'd think she would want to get rid of him. She seems to be so annoyed when he's around. But I guess it's a control thing. If Rel were still here, I imagine it would be different. I sometimes think of Willow as Cinderella and I so wish I could be his fairy godmother. But unfortunately the fairy blood isn't in me, it's in him. He cut himself last month doing something in the kitchen. I had to bandage his finger. The blood wasn't blue like Rel's, but it wasn't quite red like a normal person's either. It was kind of an almost purple red color. It didn't look exactly like mine. I so worry about him. He said that the man she married had hit her several times. I told him to let me know if the man lays a hand on him. I'll call whatever social service I can to get custody from them.
April 15, 2006
I'm too old for funerals. And I'm too old for bus rides. Even though I haven't gotten along with her in years, she was still my daughter. Brigit was killed in a car crash last week. She was driving drunk again, this time without a license or insurance. Thank God she only took her own life and no one else. Her husband made all the arrangements and then called to let me know, wasn't that nice of him.
I remember when she was just a tiny baby in my arms. A parent isn't supposed to outlive their children. I took the bus there and stayed at a motel. I wanted to be there for Willow. He was very sad, but not as bad as I expected him until it was time for me to go. He pleaded with me to stay and begged me to take him with me. I spoke to Bill about it, but he said no. He said he is the parent and Willow will stay there. I think he wanted to say that more to hurt me and Willow than for any love or devotion he might have for his stepson. When I get home I'm contacting a lawyer to see what can be done.
January 9, 2007
He's mine now and I'll kill anyone who tries to take him away. We have a court date tomorrow to assign temporary custody. Willow's step father hit him and threw him out on the street. When he got here I immediately called my lawyer. My God the boy looks awful. He hitchhiked all the way in just a light jacket. His eye is blackened by that drunk. All I can say is, I'm glad he lives in a different town because I'd be over there with a gun.
I asked Willow what happened and he didn't want to talk about it. But later he broke down and cried and told me he thought he was gay. His step father caught him looking at a magazine that some other boy had given him. It apparently had nude men in it. His step father called him names, hit him and threw him out. I always hated that man. I told Willow it was okay. I said my brother, his great uncle David was gay and that I had a very special friend who was also gay. It was perfectly natural and he should be okay with it.
January 10, 2007
The judge was very nice and in view of the physical evidence of abuse, and the boy's desire to live his me, his maternal grandmother, the judge awarded me temporary custody. I don't think Bill will fight it. If he does I'm going to make his life a living hell if it costs me every penny I have.
July 16, 2007
I caught Willow reading this book. I was pretty upset, and I think I scared him because he's never really seen me upset before. After I calmed down he asked me if it was all just a story about Jefferson. I told him it was all true and made him swear to keep the secret. He said he would. But I don't really think he believes it. He thinks it's just a silly story I made up and he's just going along with me to humor a silly old lady.
March 7, 2010
Willow is 18 today. I can't believe it. My baby grandson is all grown up. He'll graduate this spring. I hope I live long enough to see it. I know he worries about me. I have congestive heart failure. The doctor says I could live another 10 to 20 years, but I have my doubts. I just hope Willow will find his way in this world after I'm gone. I think he will. He's a strong, resourceful boy, even if he isn't 100 % human. But that's my little secret.
May 14, 2010
My boy graduated at 3:00 this afternoon. I am so embarrassed that I had to attend in a wheelchair. I just can't walk anymore. I get too tired. I'm so proud of him. I talked to the doctor yesterday and he said I could go to the graduation, but he was honest with me. He said he didn't think I had a lot longer. Willow is out at his graduation party tonight. Tomorrow I'm going to have a long talk with him and have him promise me he will send this diary to Jefferson after I pass on. Jeff, if you are reading this, I want you to keep an eye on Willow for me. I'll look down on both of you from heaven, but you've got to look after him on this world. He's half fairy and I don't really know what that means, but I sure don't want anything to happen to him, or to you. And you know what it's like to grow up rejected for being gay. It's a different world now in the 21st century than it was when you were young, but people can still be just as mean, just as cruel and evil. Please take care of yourself. I love you so much, and always have from that first time I saw you by Mount Hope cemetery with the blood all over the front of your shirt. The things a body remembers!