“You’re home early.” Trish said as she leaned over to check on Emily in the bassinet.
“Huh?” he looked at his phone, then at the window. “Guess I am.”
Trish was worried about his tone. It was flat, and uninterested, and he hadn’t even greeted her with a kiss like he usually did. Instead, he sat down in one of the armchairs with a sigh. Frowning, Trish headed to the kitchen and got them both a drink, and set them on the coffee table within reach.
“Okay. Talk. What’s going through that head of yours.”
He decided to just go ahead and state the main issue at hand. “Apparently, Charles is thinking of turning Blade.”
“That’s….surprising. But why so down about it?”
“I dunno. I guess….jealousy? I mean…I’m happy for the guy, he’s been progressing really well and has been learning more tricks of the trade than I have…hell, technically he’s been a ghoul longer than I have, if you count time with his previous domitor.”
Trish walked over, sat on his lap and put an arm around him. “If you’re happy for him, why the jealousy?”
“I think it might be the blood bond talking. I mean…I was Charles’ ghoul first, so why not me? That’s the primary thought.”
“Honey…just because he’s choosing Blade over you doesn’t mean he values you any less. You’re a great help to him.” she kissed his cheek, then ruffled his hair. “Don’t worry about it so much, ok?”
“I’ll try.”
“Anything else on your mind?”
He thought for a minute. “Yea, actually.”
“Well, what is it? I want to help.”
“You have your friends over a lot. I…don’t.”
“We have our friends over.”
“Technically, I know this. But there is someone I’d like over once in a while, but can’t invite.”
“Well, why not?”
“Because it’s Blade.”
Trish took pause, but Chance spoke again before she could. “I know there’s issues with what he did. But he’s moved past that, really matured, and has made great strides. So why can’t everyone else get over it?”
“Well….”
“Everybody has made a mistake. Even felons get a second chance.”
Trish sighed. “You make a good point. Alright….you can invite him over. I’ll try to give him that chance.”
“Thank you. That’s all I’m asking.” he said, and gave her a kiss.
“I didn’t know you guys were good friends.” she said after the kiss.
“We talk a lot, hang out – he helped me study for my GED even.”
Trish nodded. “Okay. I didn’t know any of that..”
“It’s okay.” he said. “Love you.”
“I love you too. ” A buzzer sounded in the background.
“That would be dinner.” she tried to get up, but he pulled her back for another kiss and then let her go. Trish smiled, and headed for the kitchen, proceeding to remove a lasagna from the oven. Chance did have a very valid point, she thought. Maybe she could talk the others into accepting that comparison. It would be a hard sell…but she felts she owed it to Chance, and by proxy Charles, to try.
She’d invite the girls over the following day, perhaps. Or, perhaps she should let Chance invite Blade to the baby’s christening, as he was a friend. She wasn’t sure – but she’d figure it out.