“As long as we’re laying our cards on the table, not only did you steal three years of my life and nearly kill my girlfriend in the process, you took my grandfather from me. One of your minions possessed him, for no good reason. He was an old man. You can’t tell me you didn’t foresee the consequences. Lauren is convinced it’s her fault and carries that guilt with her. Where’s your guilt?”
“Max, you may not have realized, but it was Joe’s time – it was actually past his time. He should have perished in the nursing home months ago. However, meeting Lauren and being around her energy invigorated his soul. His mate was waiting on the other side for him, and I can tell you she was growing very impatient.” I thought of my Grandma Ruth, Joe’s wife of sixty years and her constant nagging: “I’m waiting in the car,” “I’ll meet you at the mall clock,” “I’ll be at Erna’s when you’re done.” She had waited on him his whole life, and I believed Samael when he said that she was impatiently waiting for him in death.
“Whether it was the possession by one of my followers or his being denied access to Lauren’s energy when she ran off, I cannot say. I do not apologize to you, because as I said – he was already on borrowed time, and he had eternity and your grandmother waiting for him.”
A lump in my throat formed, to think that if it weren’t for Lauren, I would have never seen my Grandpa Joe alive after I left for Afghanistan. He really did have a special attachment to Lauren. She did for him, too, an uncomplicated friendship in the purest form. So many times people meet a significant other’s family members and pretend to care for them – Gramps and Lauren really had a bond.
As I stepped out of the truck, I pulled my cell out of my pocket and dialed Lauren’s number. She answered immediately, and I responded, “I’ve got some things I need to talk to you about. Can you come over right away?”
Lauren’s tone was relieved. My goodbye with her yesterday evening must have wounded her more than I realized. She responded quickly, “Sure, I can be over in twenty minutes.”
“Great, I’ll have breakfast ready.” I paused for a second then added, “Make sure to bring your Glock and Peanut.”
She hesitated but didn’t ask me why she should have either with her.
Chapter 34
Lauren and Peanut got out of the minivan and Peanut marched right beside her. I half expected him to growl at me when they approached, but he was his laid-back, happy-go-lucky self, not at all concerned with me. I thought that was strange. Why couldn’t he sense that Samael and I shared my body? Maybe because he was such a small part of it? Maybe because he was only here in spirit – he had no authority over my body. I purposely leaned down and got on Peanut’s level to see if he could see anything menacing about me, but all I got was a wet tongue to the face.
We had breakfast together and were both able to keep the small talk up until the dishes were done. I told her about my last two nights on the job, and she shared with me her job search and catching up with friends she hadn’t seen since college.
Lauren must have tired of the small talk, because she asked, “Okay, Max, I was happy to get your call inviting me for breakfast, but you were pretty adamant that you wanted your space yesterday. What changed?”
I took her hand, leading her through the front door to furniture out on the porch, knowing that this may very well be my last contact with Lauren, ever. I owed her the truth, the whole truth, regardless of the consequences. Her hand was so soft as it intertwined with mine, and her eyes were fixed on me. I listened to see if Samael had any thoughts at this moment – but he was silent. I took a deep breath, and asked, “Do you remember that day when you rescued me from the vault?” She nodded that she did. I continued, “Something odd happened. Samael was still there when you guys arrived.” She tilted her head as if contemplating this.
I wondered how best to continue, I wanted her to know the truth, but as I looked at her, I knew I didn’t want her to leave, to be repulsed by the truth. I cleared my throat, gathered my strength and continued, “He was pretty sure you were going to wipe him out of existence, so he took the only defense he could find.”
I was still holding her hand, and she gave mine a little squeeze. Then quietly she asked, “So you know that he’s in you?”
I could feel my jaw open, but words failed me. “You know…you’re not…but how?. . . when did?. . . ” My mind processed her question, but I wasn’t able to respond with a coherent sentence. I tried to let go of her hand, believing that she must be repulsed, but she didn’t let go.
“Max, I knew yesterday, when you told me you had some things to work out, I just knew. I wanted to talk to you about it then, but you were on your way
