18.) Welcome Home.

May 1, 1950, I had woken up in a cold sweat again, I was there again I was at war all over again even though it had been five years. I am 29 and I was back in Baltimore Maryland. I looked over to see my wife as she was sleeping comfortably, and then I went to go to the bathroom to take a piss. It was May 1st, 1950. I had finished my service with the army in 1947, and I was honorably discharged. I had looked around the modest house I had grown up in and enjoyed transitioning into my dad's bedroom. I met my wife a few months after I came home, a little bit after October of 1946. She was beautiful and had dark chocolate skin, Wendy was the light of my life in this ugly world.

I had looked into the mirror and looked at my scars from where the knife stabbed me, it had become a keloid. The skin was thick and hard in that area sometimes it would burn in the cold. Hands began to wrap around my waist, I wasn't startled in fact; I was sad. I had disturbed her rest once again with my nightmares and she had to wake up in a few hours.

'You okay?' Her soft tired voice sounding sweet and worrying. Between the fact that she was taking care of a child and her work, she was constantly stressed. I would do my best to take care of Adrian but christ was he a busy little body. She had been 2 months pregnant with my son or daughter, they were due in October I couldn't wait to meet them. To be honest, I was very frightened of the thought of being a father, I did not want to repeat the mistakes my father did. Adrian wasn't my son; he was actually the product of an unwilling affair that happened at her job. I still treated him like he was mine, he was a good boy and he didn't deserve to be treated like he wasn't. I gaze down at my wedding ring and how the light reflected off of it. It was a simple sterling silver ring, I looked at Hers and saw how small it looked. She deserved better but that was all I could give her.

"Yes, I'll be fine." I didn't think I would be fine but I didn't want her to worry. her hands tightened around my body and I could feel her self body pushing up against my back. I finally turned after washing my hands and said: "are you?" Her smile was so beautiful even with some of the imperfections, she kept her hair cut short and I loved it. Her face was around and she had a slightly sharp chin. She was slightly older than me by about two years but I was okay with this, her figure was voluptuous but she had more weight on her because she had a baby on the way when I met her. Her beautiful brown eyes pure and kind, with a hint of pain.

'Yes, Gabe.'

I looked at her, how could I tell her of the dreams not of war these were dreams of places I had never been. Dreams of a woman I had never seen, her red hair and golden eyes the most apparent followed by that pale as snow skin.

I had woken up for the morning to arrive I was still groggy from the lack but a bath would fix then I could get ready to leave, the smell of Wendy's cooking almost always made me hungry, the smell of sausage, eggs, cornbread made my stomach rumble. I had eaten fast as my shift at the steel mill would start soon. It was 4:30 am and I was almost always early for my 6:00 am shift. She took Adrian with her until it was time for him to go to school, where the local church would help the kids get back and forth to school. It was great that the church tried to help the kids get an education.

~~~

December 30th, 1944.

I smiled as this fat bag of blood came into my hotel room, her sweet scent permeated the area, when humans sweat they're actually letting out an aroma to vampires. Some humans can smell just like a meal; this is what also gave feeding on people its charm because when you went hunting the best time for it would be in the summer. Yes, could you argue that you could feed in the winter, and typically the fact that it gets dark around that time quickly makes it great not to be seen. I prefer when it's summer the human blood pumps so much more vibrantly activity, and when they sweat you could smell some of the last things they ate which could season their blood. My favorite type of people to drain in the summer and winter though were fat people.

Her puffy cheeks flushed with color as she was yelling at Wendy. Her dress was to her mid-calf and was covered in sunflowers. The white dress was beautiful, and those yellow and brown sunflowers made it look better.

'You lazy nigger all you do is steal men and do nothing.'

She started again and it was only after a minute that I heard it, another heartbeat a very small in feint one. I had just noticed it she had a rather larger stomach. She was only about two or three months, and she was ashamed to have the baby so she wore baggy and outdated clothing. Or maybe this was the uniform that she was supposed to wear and they decided to give her the most used and outdated clothes to help. Yes, this hotel was not large or grand like the one on Charles Street, but it had a long waiting list and if I had not made a reservation I would be without a room.

Another bothersome thing about this entire situation was that this woman was yelling at Wendy like I wasn't even present she was ignorant or thought I agreed with her way of thinking. I despised humans with such a pointless hatred it could sweep the world into a frenzy. Like the recent wars. The hotel was warm but what made it hotter was this bitch raising her voice, you could actually see her breaking a sweat. Then again this could be looked at so much more positively, this could technically be an oven for her. She smelled like baked chicken. I had gone 24 hours without feeding, and the positive part was that Lucian would not arrive for at least another 3 1/2 hours. That means she was all mine.

'Good morning Ms.Roberts.'

Her voice went back to being polite, she had her hands put together but I had already seen her hatred clear as the day. She was nothing but a snake, she had no qualms with killing and she could be an excellent vampire, but she isn't worthy of such a responsibility. I had plenty of things I could do with her, I can make her a meal right now and know that I will never get caught once I drained her dry. Though those consequences could very easily fall onto this young woman.

"Good morning Miss."

I knew her name, I saw it at the entrance when I entered the building. She wanted everyone to know her name, but I would give her no satisfaction. " I don't think I ever got your name...now that I think about it."

'Mrs. Reedsfill' she said it trying to be polite but I can hear it in her voice it aggravated her to know that she was not getting the respect that she believes she deserves.

'How are you liking our accommodations?'

I looked around I took in the hotel room again and I appreciated how it was crafted, this was a woman who quite designed some of these rooms and she was quite clearly impressed with how good her work was, but she had no way of being humble.

"They were great."

Her face became a little pale. 'What's wrong? Were our accommodations not to your standards?' Her words stumbled a bit but I knew it was worth it, she wanted satisfaction and I would give her none of it.

"Your attitude has left much to be desired, especially towards your subordinates."

My voice was calm and critical, and to watch that look on her face as she realized she was being judged by someone with a neutral disposition and who was a paying customer only made it so much better. "Wendy you may leave," I said that so calm I surprise myself, my fangs were beginning to sharpen even and were ready. Wendy then bowed her head and began to leave.

'N-no you can't.'

She attempted to regain her composure. 'Wendy you dumb nigger.' Wendy was still standing there and had not attempted to leave because of her.

"Attacking someone for your personal shortcomings is probably why your husband wanted to and continued cheat."

I could see into Wendy's mind I could see how Mrs.Reedsfill's husband had raped Wendy. She told him no and he persisted. She pushed and shoved, and in his drunken state he still fucked her and he still raped her. All it did was revive the hatred in me that I had to suppress, what made it worse was that Wendy tried to tell her the truth, and yet there was nothing this bitch would believe. Being able to read minds is a gift and a curse no matter how I look at it, I was not supposed to know this private information yet now it was out there for me to see. This woman's hate only made it worse as it leaked out of her like water through cracks. She saw the truth, yes but she decided to see it in her own fucked up way.

'I own this establishment if you don't like how I do things you can leave.' I nodded at Wendy and she left, finally, Wendy understood who was much more dangerous. 'Wendy you're fired!' Her yelling could be heard through the halls. Wendy's footsteps got faster, she was trying to get away from the trouble and commotion. I shut the door behind Wendy I couldn't stand to have too much company. I had not taken notice of the speed I had used, maybe it was because I was about to have a feast. Her veins appeared on her fat neck almost as if they were hidden for years. Her fear was something that was delectable. It was almost as if she was telling me it was time to eat. She was taller than me by at least 5 inches, but that didn't do anything she couldn't intimidate me.

'You need to leave my establishment now I am in charge here.' I put my hand on her cheek and said:

"Do you feel like you're in charge?"

My fangs were exposed as I spoke those words to my meal.

Hours later Lucian came to the hotel, it was the mid-afternoon, and judging by Lucian's attitude he had fed. 'I didn't think you would go to work on the old hag.' He said that with a smile I knew he enjoyed what I had done. I had set there was blood on my mouth, I realized I hadn't even bothered to clean myself. "I didn't kill her but I did persuade her, her attitude should be much better."

'So what about the pregnant woman?' His eyes showed signs of concern and annoyance.

"I'll deal with her soon."

An hour later we heard another knock at the door, Lucian was listening to the radio and I was reading the newspaper. The American Propaganda was always offensive especially towards their enemy, but I ignored it. Humans will always have a need to want to rally their troops, but the Americans joined for their benefit. I had made sure I clean my face this time I didn't want to arouse to my suspicion though I do miss the old days.

'It's me.'

The young lady came back again, Lucian went to the door to let her in. Her eyes were wide from looking at Lucian, she must've thought he was my husband.

"Just the young lady I was looking for." I had with a smile on my face, her eyes widened in shock her heart raced and her world was turned upside down even further.

'H-how can I help you?' Her voice was shaken through fear and shock.

Lucian left to give us privacy or maybe it was feed on one of those gossiping maids, either way, I was grateful.

"I want you to come and sit with me." She walked slowly to the bed to which I said in a calm and happy voice "You don't have to worry I just want to talk." She didn't waver in her fear but she did move faster.

She sat next to me I could peer into her mind and see that she was a good woman and worker but her life turned into a living hell when Mr.Reedsfill had forced himself onto her.

"How long have you been working here?" She shifted in her seat on the bed, I had been resting on the Queen size bed. It lacked a headboard but it was still quite comfortable. I had been leaning towards the wall it was so comfortable and I didn't feel like moving. She sat the edge calmer and I wanted her closer she smelled sweet but I had had my fill. I aimed to do something else.

"You still work here you know?"

She turned around her eyes to me and had shock and happiness, she then looked down and said: 'Yes I...I know.' She then continued. 'She stopped me as soon as I was packing my things and getting ready to leave, She even gave me more than fair wages.'

A silence then came upon us, she had so much she wanted to say but she knew what prying would get her.

The radio was still playing in the background saying:

'It seems like the war overseas is getting better boys. The United States offensive codename D-day was an outsounding success for the allies.'

"I have a son fighting in that war," I said while going to turn the radio off on the nightstand.

Her eyes never left me once I got up. " his father was a good man, and he has a lot of his good qualities."

'Well, your son is very brave Mrs. Roberts. I do have a question though, I don't want to be blunt.. but how did you get my job back?'

As I turned around and made my way to the bed I sat next to her, she wasn't afraid of me now. She was actually more relaxed maybe it was because she felt like I wasn't a threat.

" I just talk to her after you left and I gave her a piece of my mind." That said and simply put. Though I knew what I had done, she was a meal and she needed an attitude adjustment a little persuasion to make a bearable was less than what she deserved. Maybe I was becoming more merciful, or maybe I was getting old.

"There was a time where If someone talks to me like that they would have immediately been punished." Her eyes widened, I then continued. "That time has long passed, but sometimes it's good to experience change."

Her eyes widened as large as the moon, I then looked at her and I said: " I appreciate you keeping me company Ms.Wendy especially while my son is out."

~~~

I had been at the steel mill for over 6 hours Listening to my boss yell rant and rave, he was pissed that we were behind our schedule. This also meant that we had to stay to catch up, I had no problem with staying the problem was I was dealing with this dumb-ass cracker Who enjoys tormenting people below him. Samuel was the type of guy who couldn't help but be an asshole, he always had a snide remark to us Black workers no matter how much we worked it was never good enough. Where is Mr. Richard was a fair man, he was pissed because we always seem to be behind schedule when the shipments are late. Even though we were close to the Harbor, we had other steel mills who were in the same vicinity.

I remember three years ago when I was an apprentice, and how I kept my cool walking on the narrow beams. A lot of the other men would be nervous but I have been trying to remain calm and even in the direst situations. My job was to help transport the melted still into another area, and I need great hand-eye coordination. I also had to worry about handling large equipment especially with other people around. One mistake at this job and someone can be burned alive or melted into a pile of sludge. Steel gets so fucking hot that all it takes is for a few drops and you could have your face burned off. When steel is flowing you can put your splash your hand through the flow without it burning your handoff. That's how you knew steel has no impurities. We all had to wear protective clothing, to keep from getting caught burned.

I had to wear extra thick clothing including my Long John's both top and bottom a button-up for the shirt and another shirt over top, I wore thick leather gloves to protect my hands and I wore heavy-duty boots to protect my feet. All of my clothes were worn down from the years of working but it was well worth it especially since I would rather have a few burn clothes than an extra burnt body.

'Gabriel you've done enough good work for today son, I'll work your ass to the bone tomorrow.'

I had got ready to leave and I got ready to take off some of this closing so that I could travel to my house, I lived about four or 5 miles away and I usually move fast when I'm getting home. Sometimes I would catch the bus but are usually prefer walking strictly because sometimes when I'm paying and I have to get off to get on the back of the bus they would drive off and I stop seeing the point of wasting my money. I had almost always paid $.15 and they would drive off randomly once I get off the bus to get on the back of the bus. What made it worse was that A car cost around $200 in cars is expensive as hell. I had a license through much strain, but there would be no one who would sell me a car because they think a negro driving around is a bad thing.

I would still want to go buy this car because my wife knew how to drive and I think her driving was more important than mine she travels the distance to get back-and-forth to home. I hated her traveling alone in the early hours of the morning, I don't want her to be a victim of these crazy white people. She's a good woman and if everyone would stop seeing her color they would see such a beautiful person. I loved her and Adrian with all of my heart, she would soon have another baby and he would be mine I'm still thinking about names for them though.

CLANG CLANG CLANG

I turned around the loud noise had sent me back to war, and I noticed it was Samuel he was being an asshole again. 'Is the little soldier scared of loud noises?' I don't know why he can't help himself sometimes. I could beat him into the ground right now because all he is is some skinny white boy. Even if he wore a bunch of clothes you could tell he was about 160 pounds maybe less. He was about 6'5 and he towers over most people. He had a southern accent, but he had none of the southern hospitality. 'Are you afraid of loud noises?' He said it so sarcastically, it made me want to punch him in the mouth.

I finished undressing and got ready to leave, I ignored him because all he was was just a cunt. I finally left, it was around 6 PM, and I was exhausted I had been there for 12 hours and the time did not seem to move fast at all. Usually, I work 8 to 12-hour shifts. These 12 hours back-to-back's the last month, I don't see how my dad did this for almost 30 years. Or maybe I could see why he did it, he always went out of his way to impress my mom. He told me he bought her this lovely white dress, I wish I could see her in it. I wish I could meet her, but that's only sometimes. She had abandoned her son and in all honesty, I had questions as to why.

I had almost been home, and the second bus that went in that direction had gone past me. I could almost taste with my wife was cooking me, even though I had no idea what she was cooking she always cooked some of the best food. I had open the door to my house and found myself enjoying the smell of the food.

Adrian had been listening to the radio about this new comic book character called Superman, he seemed to always enjoy listening to the radio when superman was involved. It was kind of bad how he could spend hours listening to the radio, but I found it enjoyable that we had such a device in the house. His mother debated that it will be too expensive but in my honest opinion I'm glad I spent the money, I and his mother debated that it would be too expensive but in my honest opinion I'm glad I spent the money, that was the best 25 Dollars I had spent. We couldn't afford a TV, but I honestly believe television rots your brain. At least with the radio, he can at least imagine what the hero would do and look like.

I turned into the kitchen, and she was still cooking. She was making fried chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans. I enjoyed how she cooked it almost always made me hungry no matter how full I was before I got in the house. She was always careful with how she cooked, always keeping the fire low and taking her time doing everything. She was almost finished, she didn't have too many pieces but enough to feed us three.

When she finished cooking she turned around to notice I was sitting at the table, Her smile said it all she was happy to see me in God knows I was happy to see her.

'How was work?' Her smile lit up the room, I smiled back. "Same shit different day."

'Daddy swore!' Adrian said loudly, I hardly swore in my house especially in front of him. I wanted him to pick up good mannerisms even though I curse like a sailor at work.

Wendy then finished cooking walked to the table and kissed me on the lips and said 'welcome home Gabriel.'

End Of Chapter: Welcome Home.