Jackson stopped by the art supply store on the way home to purchase supplies for Elisabeth. He arranged to have them delivered to Fairhaven by 1:00 p.m. If she had to spend time in the holding room, he wanted her to be as comfortable as possible. Maybe being able to paint or draw would ease her anguish. It was painful to picture her there. Frightened and confused… Questioning everything about him…Thinking him a monster.
When he arrived home, Jackson was concentrating on all he needed to do and contemplating how he would break the news to Elisabeth. The distress must have been apparent on his face, because Sarah stopped abruptly as she glided down the stairs to hear about his night. "Oh, no!"
He noted her concern. "There are no words for how perfect my night was."
"Wonderful! Why do you seem so sad?"
"Will you help me get the holding room ready today?"
"Of course." Tears filled the corners of her eyelids. "Are you sure you don't want to wait a bit longer?"
He shook his head slowly. "I just can't lie to her anymore."
"I understand."
Jackson headed to the pantry for some blood. "The bottled stuff is pretty good, huh?"
"Yes." Sarah lied. She hadn't tasted it yet. She did want to use the bags first, and if Jackson hadn't been in this state, he would be getting a shrill earful for feeding from the bottles. Now, they would all be saved for him.
"I'll stock the fridge and change the linens. Anything else you can think of?"
"No. I'm having some art supplies delivered this afternoon."
"Oh, that will be nice." Sarah hugged him. "It's going to be all right. I've seen the way she looks at you. She'll come around."
"God, I hope you're right. Where's Skippy?"
"Meeting with a client, he'll be back soon. Are you going to tell her tonight?"
"No, I am thinking tomorrow. She's coming for dinner and spending the night. I think it would be better in daylight." That was only part of the reason. He wanted to have one more night with her innocent of his secret. He feared that, even if she accepted him, she would never trust him so completely as last night. He sat for a minute staring into his glass of blood.
Sarah put her hand on his back. "I'll go to the market now. Be back soon. You okay for a little bit?"
"Yeah, thanks." She left him with his thoughts.
***
Connor arrived just as Jackson was telling himself he had better snap out of it and get downstairs. They exchanged hellos and Connor asked, "Sarah around?"