Baser Urges

I awoke in the morning snug in the bed. Regaining my senses slowly, I realize I’m alone in the room. Memories from last night come back to haunt me. I can’t believe what happened. Even more unbelievable was Edward’s speech. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say so much at one time. And it was about me. And his feelings. Sort of. Well, at least his feelings of want. Not everything I was looking for but, hey, it’s a start. I sit up and see a pile of clothes on the bed waiting for me. I pull the clothes towards me and see a note. Man, am I sick of notes.

‘Anita, I had to meet with an acquaintance. Will be back within the hour. Edward.’

I sighed. He damn well better bring coffee. Shit, and breakfast. I am still working on remembering to eat regularly. Can’t forget that, damn it. Especially now. I undress and go in to take a shower. I emerge to find Edward sitting on the bed. I start when I see him and then, as calmly as possible, work my way over to him. Sitting next to him is coffee and a bag of food. I grab my clothes and turn back to the bathroom.

“Be right back. I just want to get dressed.”

I dress quickly and reemerge feeling better for having clothing on. I walk over and take a sip of coffee. The best way to start my day. He puts the bag of food in my lap. Not the way I like to start my day but I have to eat. Besides, if I have food in my mouth there won’t be room for my feet. Right?

“Not to rush you but we have a plane to catch in 30 minutes.”

Almost choking on my food, I sputter at him.

“Plane? So soon? Can’t we just send look-alikes?”

Seeing the laughter break out on his face makes me calm down. I know he’s not laughing at my joke but at me. I hate flying state to state, so why would going over an ocean be any easier? Exactly, it’s not. But I do not want him laughing at me so, I guess I’d just better suck it up. 

“Fine, I’ll pack up as soon as I’m done eating.”

“No need, it’s already done.”

Edward takes out his cell phone, listens for a few minutes and then clicks his phone shut.

“Change of plans, we’re staying in St. Louis for at least a few more hours.”

I give him a look of disbelief. ‘What the fuck?’

“What? You just said we were catching a plane in 30 minutes to Germany. Now we’re staying here? Why?”

Edward gestures at his phone.

“Olaf left me a message on my answering service.”

‘Well that explains everything.’

“So what could Olaf have said that would keep us here?”

“Does your family live in the area, Anita?”

The blood rushes from my face so fast that I get light-headed. ‘OH shit! No, not my family.’ I sit for a moment and then head for the door.

“Let’s go.”

Amazingly, no arguments from Edward. I pull out my cell and dial Josh. Unable to do anything but count the rings before, finally, I get an answer.

“Josh? Are you at home?”

“Anita! Hey, how are you doing? Why? Are you coming to visit?”

So exactly how does someone explain an urgent situation over the phone without alarming the 16 year old? Damn! Right now I wish I knew my dad’s or even Judith’s number. I make my tone as casual as I can.

“Yeah I’m coming for a visit. I need you to do me a favor buddy. I need you to make sure Dad and Judith are there too. I need to talk to everyone. I have some news.”

“Cool. I will let them know. When will you be here?” 

I’m glad somebody is so excited, really.

“30 minutes buddy.”

I hang up and concentrate on the road. Giving Edward directions and just zoning. Olaf had better not mess with my family. I will be majorly beyond pissed. I look over at Edward and then realize I will have to explain him to my family.

“Oh shit!”

Edward looks over at me before turning his attention back on the road.

“What’s wrong?”

“How am I going to explain you to my family?”

Edward laughs. I so don’t see the humor in the situation. Olaf is stalking my family and me and now I have to bring Death home to meet my parents. Fuck!

“What is so fucking amusing?”

Coming to a red light he looks at me.

“The fact that Olaf is after you and your family and your first thought is about how you’re going to explain ME to them. Interesting priorities for coffin bait. Personally, I think they’d be relieved you date humans.”

I saw red. Breathing, breathing is good.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me Edward! I can’t do anything about Olaf at the moment. As far as I know they are fine. So to keep my mind from wandering to the thought of arriving too late, I concentrated on you. Specifically how I’m going to explain you to them. We don’t have much time so I’m going to ream you later over the coffin bait bit. We need a cover story before we arrive.”

See my priorities are fine.

“Trust me. I know you’d rather not have them associating with me. No one in their right mind would.”

What the HELL is wrong with him? Last night was wonderful. Why is he acting like an ass now? I don’t have time for this shit right now. Speaking of which…

Look Edward, I don’t know what you’re playing at and I don’t have time for your shit right now. What are we going to tell my family?”

He sighs.

“We’ll tell them pieces of the truth. That we’re friends and have known each other for years. We’ll tell them we recently started dating and although you still have your other boyfriends we are beginning to become serious. They are going to have to be told about Olaf so they understand the situation they are in and don’t do anything unnecessarily stupid. Your dad’s not the shot gun type right?”

The change of direction threw me. Huh?

“What do you mean shot gun type?”

Edward quirked an eyebrow at me while pulling into the driveway.

“Well since you and I will have to share a room for ‘medicinal’ purposes, I just want to make sure I won’t be rushed to the altar.”

Medicinal purposes? What an asshole!

“Look, whatever your problem is you need to get over it. My life and now my family’s life is on the line. I am not going to play any of your stupid mind games. My dad won’t say anything. He already doesn’t approve of my life and therefore tends to just harp every once in awhile but mostly leaves me be. There will be no rushing to the altar and if you don’t stop pissing me off, I will be making a quick stop to pick up one of the boys to use for the duration. Are we through?”

I see Edward’s hands tighten on the steering wheel until his knuckles were so white I expected them to break through the skin. After a moment he relaxed.

“Yeah, we’re through.”