Shane was with me, Claire said, before he could open his mouth again. We look out for each other.
Im sure you do. Oh, let me go see whats keeping your father. I cant believe he hasnt been down for coffee yet; thats a violation of the laws of physics. I know hes awake.
Her mother set the pot back on the coffee machine and left the kitchen, heading for the stairs. Shane leaned over to Claire and said, Does it give you déjà voodoo how alike the houses are?
Thats déjà vu, and I hate you right now.
For narcing on you to your mom? Wait until you hear what I tell your dad. From the sly grin on his face, she knew what he was thinking.
Dont you even think about it.
I could tell him about that time we
Hell, no.
They were whispering, and on the verge of giggles, when a scream cut through the house like the sound of shattering glass. Claire dropped her cup and jumped to her feet, running for the stairs; Shane was just a couple of steps behind her, and caught up quickly on the stairs as he jumped them three at a time.
Claires mom was nowhere in sight, but the door to her dads officewhich was Shanes bedroom in the Glass Housewas open. Claire dashed for it and skidded to a halt in the opening.
Her mother was on her knees.
Her dad was lying on the carpet, looking small and weak and fragile, and she felt absolute terror shoot through her like lightning. Her knees went weak, and she felt Shanes hands close around her shoulders.
Mom? she asked in a small, shaking voice. Then she swallowed, got it together, and hurried the last few steps to drop down next to her parents.
Her mom had her hand pressed to her dads neck, feeling for a pulse, but as badly as her hand was shaking, Claire was sure she couldnt tell even if she found one. She looked up miserably at Shane, who nodded and got on one knee next to her mom. Let me, he said, and gently moved her mothers hand to feel for a pulse with his own, steadier fingers. It seemed to take forever, but he finally nodded. Hes okay. Hes breathing, too. I think he just passed out.
Claires mother was crying, but Claire thought she probably didnt even know she was doing it. She had a frozen, blank expression that Claire thought was scarier than the scream had been. Th-thank you, Shane. I dont think we should move him.
We should turn him on his side, Shane said. Recovery position.
Claires mother looked at him oddly, as if she wondered how exactly he knew all of this. Claire knew, all too well. Hed come home to find his parents passed out a lot, during that nightmare time when theyd been on the road, running from Morganville and memories. Checking for pulse and breathing and making sure they didnt choke on vomit was just a normal thing to do, for him.
Shane rolled her father onto his side and settled him as comfortably as possible, then sat back and said, Better call an ambulance. Youll probably want him to go to the hospital, right? Mrs. Danvers?
She blinked and slowly nodded, then got up and used the desk phone to call 911. While she did, Claire stared down at her dads still, pale face. He looked awful. Now that the adrenaline shock was fading, tears were threatening to drown her, and she didnt want to cry, couldnt cry, not now. Her mom needed her to be strong.
Her dad opened his eyes. His pupils looked huge, but then they shrank back to normal size. Having his eyes open didnt actually make her feel that much better, because he looked at them like they were strangers.
Even Claire.
When he tried to sit up, Shane put a big hand on his shoulder and said, Sir, youd better stay down until the ambulance gets here, okay? Just rest. Do you remember what happened?
Her dad blinked, very slowly, and focused on Shanes face. Do I know you? he asked. He sounded . . . confused. Claires throat went tight and hot, and she choked back tears again.
Yes, sir, Im Shane, Claires boyfriend. We had a talk last week about your daughter.
Claire looked at Shane then, because that was the first shed heard of any talk. Not that it was a bad thing, but she couldnt believe hed gone off and talked to her dad without her. What a . . . medieval thing to do.
Oh, Dad said, and turned his head to look at Claire. Youre too young to be dating, Claire. You should at least wait a couple of years.
That was . . . random. And odd. She blinked and said, Okay, Dad, dontWell talk about it later, all right?
The response time of ambulances in Morganville was fastafter all, it wasnt that big a townso Claire wasnt surprised to hear sirens already in the distance. Youre going to be okay, Daddy, she said, and took his hand in hers. Youre going to be fine.
He tried to smile. I have to be, dont I? I have to see you go to college.
But But Im in college. No, she must have misunderstood him. He probably meant he wanted to see her graduate from college.
Because otherwise, what sense did that make? Anyway, it was probably normal for him to be a little confused. Hed passed out, and it was almost certainly his heart; she knew the doctors had been treating him for a while. Maybe this time they could fix it.
I love you, baby, he said. I love you and your mom very much; you know that, right?
He put his hand on her cheek, and finally the tears just spilled over in a hot mess down her face. She put her fingers around his. I know, she whispered. Dont leave, Daddy.
The ambulance sirens were loud now, right in front of the house, and Claires mom dropped down next to Shane again, touched his shoulder, and said, Would you go let them in, honey?
He was gone in seconds, pounding down the stairs, racing to the front door. It didnt seem long at all before Claire heard the rattle of metal and heavy footsteps, and then the room was crowded with two big paramedics, one male, one female, who moved her and her mom out of the way so they could lay out all their kits. Claire backed up to the wall and, now that she had nothing to do, started to shake like she might come apart. Her mom put her arm around her, and they waited. Shane stayed out in the hall, looking in. When Claire wiped her eyes and glanced his direction, he mouthed, Hang in there. She smiled weakly.
The paramedics talked to her dad, then talked to each other, and finally the woman got up and came over to Claire and her mom. Okay, it looks like hes stable right now, but we need to get him into the hospital. Ill need somebody to come along to fill out the paperwork.
Ill . . . Ill get my purse, Claires mom murmured. The male paramedic had her dad sitting up now, and was taking his blood pressure. Shane moved out of the way as Mom headed out to get her things, and then came in to stand with Claire. He took her hand and held it tight.
See, hes okay, Shane said. Maybe he just passed out. Lucky he didnt hit his head.
Lucky, Claire whispered. She didnt feel lucky. Not at all. Right now, she felt . . . cursed.
As they helped her dad to the waiting gurney, he looked over, and she was relieved when he said, Shane. Thanks for being here with my girls.
No problem, Shane said. Feel better, sir.
Keep your hands off my daughter.
The paramedics grinned, and the woman said, I think hes feeling better. You can meet us at the hospital if youd like. Your mother may need you.
Ill go, Claire said. Shane
Im not leaving you. Youre going to need someone to fetch hamburgers, right? Im your man.
Yes, he was, she thought. Definitely her man.
The hospital wasnt Claires favorite place, not ever, but now that it was her dad being wheeled into tests, it definitely was worse than usual. At least when shed been the patient she didnt have to just . . . sit and wait.
She felt useless. Her mom had filled out all the sheets and sheets of paper, answered questions, made phone calls, done everything useful she could, but now she just sat, looking empty-eyed at a television playing in the corner of the waiting room. Claire kept bringing her magazines, and her mother glanced at them, thanked her, and put them aside.
It was awful.
Michael and Eve showed up a couple of hours later, bearing pizza, which by then was really welcome. Father Joe from the local Catholic church stopped in, too, and spoke to Claires mother in private. They prayed, too. Claire wasnt in the habit, really, but she got up and joined them. Silently, her friends followed her, and it felt better having them with her. At the end, Michael crossed himself and hugged her, and Eve did, too. Shane just stayed with her, quiet and there.
Oliver showed up an hour later, and exchanged guarded nods with Father Joe; it looked like the two of them had one of those frenemy relationships that were so common in Morganville. Oliver didnt pray, at least not with the rest of them. He walked right over to Claires mother and said, Your daughter has rendered the town a great service. There will be no charge for whatever treatments your husband may need. If it goes beyond what the doctors feel they can treat here, I will personally sign the paperwork to allow him to be transferred to another, larger facility out of town. And should one or both of you decide not to return, we will not object.
That was . . . enormous, really. Claire sat, stunned, and just looked at him. He didnt so much as spare her a glance. His luminous eyes were fixed on her mom, and there was a strange kind of gentleness in the way he spoke.
I dont know what to say, Claires mom finally said. IThank you.
My word is also the Founders word. Should you need anything, get word to me immediately. Ill ensure its done. He hesitated, then said, Your daughter is impressive. Difficult, but impressive. I do not know you or your husband well, but I expect that you must be equally impressive to have such a child.
Claires mom raised her chin, looked him in the eyes, and said, What about my daughter?
Oliver didnt hesitate. The offer doesnt extend to Claire. She must remain in Morganville.
Im not leaving her here alone.
Shes not alone, Oliver said. We can hardly pry her from those who care for her even at gunpoint. And your daughter is no helpless child. Youll have to give her up to her own life, now or a year from now; what difference?
Claire had never, ever seen her mother look like thatthat focused, that fierce, that determined. Her mom put her arms around her, holding her in a tight, protective embrace. I dont have to give her up to you, she said. I know Claires capable of being on her own; Ive known that for a long time. But shes our child, now and always, and once my husband is better well be back for her. You cant keep her here forever.
Shane took in a small breath, and Claire felt her heart beat a little faster. No, Mom, dont. . . . But Oliver didnt seem to take it badly. He inclined his head just a fraction and said, Perhaps not. Time will tell. But you must do the right thing for your husband, mistress. We will do the right thing for your daughter. For now.
He took her hand, shook it, and walked out without ever saying a word to Claire, or anyone else.
Michael said, Anyone else think thats strange?
Well, I personally think its awesome that hes letting them go, but strange? Not so much, Eve said. Why shouldnt they leave? I mean, they shouldnt have really been here in the first place, right? Bishop moved them here, and then Amelie just didnt let them leave for her own reasons. Theyre not cut out for this town.
Nobodys cut out for this town, Shane said. Nobody sane, anyway.
Says the kid who came back.
Yeah, kind of proves my point.
Claire didnt say anything. She couldnt think what to say, actually. Yes, shed wanted her parents out of this mess; it had been horrible when theyd been dragged into it in the first place, and not a day had gone by that she hadnt wished there were a way to smuggle them out to safety and get them a real life somewhere else.
But on the other hand, her mom and dad could be . . . leaving. And she wasnt going with them; she knew that. Even if she wanted to go, Amelie wouldnt let her go. That had already been made clear enough.
That her family might come back here, for her, when her dad was betterthat was overwhelming and wrong. And, at the same time, weirdly comforting.
She and her mom didnt talk about it, not at all.
The rest of the afternoon passed slowly, and without anything in the way of excitement, or even new information. Claire fell asleep lying awkwardly in a chair, and woke up to find Shane draping a blanket around her. Shh, he said. Sleep. You still need it. Ill wake you up if anything happens.
She knew she shouldnt, but the past few days were crushing her hard, and she couldnt keep her eyes open, no matter how much she tried.
She woke up with a shock some time laterno idea whento the sound of shouting voices.
Claire fought her way free of the blanket and stood, looking around for the danger, but there was nothing really visible in front of her. Oh, it was in the hall. She saw people running, including two security guards in full uniform, with guns.
What the hell? Michael had gotten up even faster than Claire. Shane and Eve were still trying to wake up from where theyd been dozing in their chairs.
Her mother was nowhere to be seen.
Its in the hall, Claire said. Michael moved to the doorway and looked out, then shook his head.
Some crazy dude, he said. He thinks hes a doctor here, I guess. Hes yelling about how theyre not following his orders. Securitys got him.
Weird.
Well, its a hospital. People arent generally here because theyre all good and normal.
Michael had a point, but it still felt weird, again. That could have just been waking up like she did, of course, and the generally freaky nature of the past few days.
All Claire knew was that she was glad, so glad, that her friends were with her.
Wheres your mom? Shane asked. Claire shook her head.
Bathroom, maybe? Which is where I need to go.
Ooh, me, too, Eve said. The boys rolled their eyes, like theyd planned it. What? Its what girls do. Get over it.
I was never on it, Michael said, straight-faced. Dont take all day.
Eve took Claires arm as they walked down the hall toward the bathroom. No more shouting, so the crazy guy had been detained and taken off to the padded rooms, Claire guessed. There werent very many people in the halls right now, and as she looked at the clock, she realized why; theyd been here for hours, waiting. Shed slept through most of it.
Mom wasnt in the bathroom, but Claire was relieved (no pun intended) to get there anyway. She and Eve chatted about nothing, really, during the entire process, and then Claire kept on talking while Eve checked her makeup, which took a lot longer.
Finally, Eve met her eyes in the mirror and said, You think your dads going to be okay? It was a direct question, an honest question, and Claire felt her breath catch in her throat for a second.
I dont know, she said, just as honestly. Hes . . . hes been weak for a while. I hope this is just . . . something they can fix.
Eve nodded slowly. Oliver said they could get the hell out of here. They should, Claire. They should go find one of those world-class heart places and never come back, like Michaels parents. Talk to your mom about it. Promise me.
I will, Claire said, and sighed. Thanks.
For what?
For not just telling me everythings going to be all right.
Eve paused in the act of fixing her lipstick. Are you kidding me? Its Morganville. Of course everything isnt going to be all right. Were lucky when something is all right. She finished the lipstick, made kissy lips at the mirror, and said, Okay, ready.
As they left the bathroom, they saw Michael and Shane in the hallway, and Claires mother, and a doctor in a white lab coat with his name embroidered over the pocket. Claire hurried to join them, and Eve joined just a few seconds later.
Dad? Claire blurted out. Her mother took her hand.
Your father is alive, the doctor said. Hes got a serious issue with his heart, and Ive already spoken with Oliver to tell him we dont feel we can give him the care he needs here. Id like to transfer him to a facility in Dallas. Theyve got the best possible specialists and facilities to treat him there.
But . . . is he going to be
The doctornot one she was familiar with, from her various stays and visits herewas older, tall, with a long, mournful face and graying hair. He wasnt especially warm. I cant give you a good estimate of his chances, Ms. Danvers. I can only say that theyre worse if he stays here.
Claires mom, whod been taking it all in silently, said, When are you transferring him?
Early morning. Youre welcome to ride with him.
I will. I have to . . . go home and pack some things. Claire
Mom, if you want me to come with you . . . Of course, Oliver hadnt said she could leave, but Claire wasnt in any mood to think about that.
No, honey, it wouldnt be safe for you to try; we both know that. Ill let you know as soon as we arrive, and Ill call every day. As soon as we can, well be back here. All right? Her mother kissed her forehead and smoothed her hair back. Stay here. Stay safe, with your friends. Hes stable right now, and Ill let you know if you need to come up and see him. Theres no telling how long all this will take.
Can I see him? Before you take him? Claire asked the doctor. He nodded.
Hes awake, but ten minutes only. Dont tire him out. He needs rest.
Want me to . . . ? Shane asked. Claire hesitated, but shook her head. She didnt think Shane would be especially restful for her dad, much as he meant well.
Her dads room was quiet and very white, even though theyd tried to make it more cheerful with pictures on the walls. He was lying propped up on the bed, playing with a remote control, and he looked better. Not well, but better. Hey, sweetheart. Sorry I gave you such a scare.
Claire laughed, but it tasted wrong in her mouth. Youre apologizing? Next thing, youll be telling Mom youre sorry for messing up the carpet by falling on it.
He acknowledged that with a wry little twist of his mouth. So, theyre taking us to Dallas tomorrow. I hear theyve told us we dont have to come back. Her dad always seemed to see too much, Claire thought. Like he could see right through her. But youre going to stay here, arent you?
I dont think theyll let me leave, Dad.
Her father took her hand. His fingers were warm and strong, and she was so glad to feel that, after holding his limp, cool hand when he was lying on the floor. I want you out of here, Claire. I want you safe. I want you to get on with your life like youd planned, go to MIT. Its my fault you came here at all, you know; your mother and I wanted you to stay close, and . . . this is what happened. He took in a deep breath. Youre meant for something better. Thats what I was trying to tell you before. Its what I told Shane, too.
You mean better than him, Claire said.
Her father looked away. I know you think the world of him, but hes not the kind of boy whos right for you, sweetheart. I know hes got a good heart; I see it every time he looks at you. But hes going to hurt you in the end, because hes not the kind of boy who stays. I dont want to see that happen. And I dont want you to stay here for him and destroy your chances.
Claire raised her chin. Im not, Dad. If I stay, its not about Shane. Well, it was, partly, but she wasnt going to say that now. I wanted to go to MIT because that was where I was going to find people who could teach me different ways to think, and would understand me, and work with me. I found that here, in Morganville. Myrnin does that. And hes got so much more to teach me. Hes brilliant, Dad. Hes not like anybody else.
Claire
Dad, youre supposed to rest. She put her head down, her chin on their clasped hands. Please. I need you to rest, and I need you to get better. I can do this. I know what Im doing now, and I know its not what other people might think is right, or popular. But its right for me. I can make a difference. I cant just run away. I want you and Mom out of here, and safe, and trust me, someday Ill do all that stuff you talked about.
He gazed at her for a long, long moment, and then sighed. Thats my stubborn girl, he said. Come see me in Dallas. Promise.
I promise, she said. It felt like good-bye, and she hated it, but she knew she couldnt leave Morganville now. Even if Amelie wigged out and let her go . . . she couldnt just leave.
The time was up sooner than she expected, but a nurse came in and stood there, clearly waiting to hustle her out. Claire stood up and kissed her dad. I love you, Daddy. Please
I heard you, you know, he said. When you were talking to me, on the floor. You said, Dont leave me. But I am leaving you, honey.
No, youll be one phone call away, she said. Thats not leaving. Thats just . . . transposition.
She kissed him again, and then the nurses glare sent the message that her time was definitely, completely up.
She left the room feeling lighter, somehow; hed looked better, and hed sounded clear.
He was going to be okay. She could feel it, deep inside.
They were all waiting for her, all her friends. Her mom went in, after a silent hug and kiss, to sit with her dad.
Shane looked at her with those warm eyes thatlike her dadssaw maybe a little too deeply. You okay? he asked her quietly, as he took her hand.
Im okay, she said, and took a deep, trembling breath. My parents are going to leave Morganville. Thats what I wantedto keep them safe. The euphoria shed felt on leaving her dads room was fading now, and she felt shaky again. Its funny, but I didnt think . . . I didnt think Id miss them at all if they left. Is that awful? But I will. As much as I wanted them to go . . . Maybe I should ask Amelie if I can go with them.
You already know what shell say. Look, if I thought you could leave, Id be the first one stuffing you in the car and telling you to have a nice life, Shane said. But I think we both know its not that simple anymore.
Nothing was, Claire thought. How had the world gotten so complicated?
EIGHT
Eventually, they all went home. Or at least homeward . . . Shane announced that he was starving, and Eve agreed, and Michael steered his car to one of Morganvilles two all-night diners. This one was Shanes favorite, Marjos, although Claire guessed that Marjo herselfthe rudest waitress everwas off duty, since a woman with the nameplate HELEN came to take their orders. She wasnt nearly as rude as Marjo, but she wasnt nice, either. Claire supposed that being nice was against the rules. Or maybe being on the night shift in an all-night diner in Morganville tended to make you bitter.
The food, though, was delicious. Juicy burgers, crisp fries, milk shakes to die for, although Michael skipped that and ordered something in a covered to-go cup that Claire thought was probably not ice cream. The diner was packed with late-nighters . . . college students, although they were pushing the curfew, as well as lots of quiet, pale people who sat in groups and, when they looked at the humans, had a special glitter in their eyes.
Marjos, like Olivers Common Grounds, was a place where the two halves of Morganville had a kind of unofficial truce. Besides, who didnt like hamburgers? Vegetarians, Claire supposed. But she didnt think there were any vegetarian vampires. That would be like an atheist priest.
Speaking of priests, Father Joe came in and looked around for a seat. Michael gestured for him to come over, and he did, stopping to say hello to people (and vamps) along the way. Father Joe wasnt a very large man, but he was . . . well, kind of cute. Eve had once had a monster crush on him (check thatfrom the wide-eyed look Eve was giving him now, she still had one). Shed claimed it was the cassock. Claire thought it was more the wavy red hair and cute smile.
Hows your father, Claire? Father Joe asked, even before hed sat down in the chair hed pulled over to their table. I was planning to stop by again tonight before I went home.
Hes doing better, she said. Theyre taking him to Dallas tomorrow.
Father Joe nodded and sat back as Helen came over to take his order. Not surprisingly, he was having a hamburger, too. Claire wondered why they bothered to even have a menu, really. He favored strawberry milk shakes, which put him in solidarity with Eve. Ill keep your father in my prayers, the priest said, handing his menu back. And your mother, of course. And you. I assume youre staying in Morganville?
Claire sighed. For now, anyway.
I hope to see you on Sunday, then, at the evening services. Amelie comes quite often.
Huh, Claire had never considered that Amelie might be a churchgoer. And Oliver?
Father Joe chuckled, then sipped on the strawberry milk shake Helen thumped down on the table before him. Oliver has . . . theological differences with the Roman Catholic Church. He attends a more nondenominational service we hold on Saturdays. Although he usually argues with me about formats.
She could see Amelie in church, but Oliver? Really? That was . . . new.
Father Joe must have seen the confusion in her face, because he said, Most of them attend some sort of service. After all, in the times they were born and lived, religion was a vital part of life and society. Its a little less so today, but for many of them, its hugely important to still feel they have a path to God. He grinned. But Im off duty right now. Seen any good movies lately?
Do not ask Shane, Eve said. Hes got awful taste.
Are you kidding? That last thing I took you to was totally sick!
If you mean, made me throw up, then yeah. Would it kill you to watch something where heads dont explode?
Probably not, unless its one of those movies where everybodys wearing poofy skirts and corsets and nobody does anything. That might actually kill me.
Eve looked at Claire. Really? Is he running for Worst Boyfriend Ever?
In the subcategory of Completely Awesome, Shane said, and stole some of her fries. Eve stabbed at him with a fork, but missed.
The bell over the door chimed, and it wasnt that Claire was really looking, exactly; she was too busy laughing. But something about the woman who came in caught her eye. Maybe it was because she was clearly a vampire, and from the way she dressed and the hair, shed probably last cared about fashion in the 1940s. She looked eerily out of place here, where most of the vamps were wearing casual, modern clothes, even if their hairstyles seemed a little iffy.
She looked around the diner as if she were trying to locate someone. The waitress Helen steered in her direction, and must have asked her if she needed help, because the woman focused in on her immediately.
And then she attacked her. Just . . . cold, flat-out bit her. It was so fast Claire couldnt react at all, at first; it seemed so totally random, so wrong that her brain kept insisting she wasnt seeing it.
Other people reacted, though. Father Joe, for one; he jumped up and raced to help. So did a tableful of vampires seated near the door. It took all of them to wrestle the vamp off of Helen, who collapsed back against the counter, holding a shaking hand to her bleeding throat. Her knees buckled, and she fell. Other diners bent down to check her as the vamps continued to fight with the stranger. She was acting crazy now, yelling in a language Claire didnt recognize at all. Finally, they got her out the door and off into the night.
For some reason, Claire hadnt moved at all. Most of the people hadnt. Maybe theyd been afraid to draw attention. She felt, suddenly, like a small, defenseless animal in a room full of predators.
Uh, Mike? Shane asked. What was that?
I dont know, Michael said. But it was freaking weird.
Helen was okay, it appeared, although she wouldnt have been if the vamp had been able to do her worst. Father Joe offered to drive her to the hospital, and the cook came out of the back to keep order and make sure nobody ran out on their checks. He was a vampire, which for some reason struck Claire as immensely odd. A vampire fry cook just seemed . . . wrong. But then again, they were really great burgers. Being immortal gave you lots of time to perfect your grilling technique, Claire guessed.