Free The Vampiric Housewife by Kristen Marquette Page A

trouble. Lord knows I did,” Rhett said.
         “But skipping school. At nine,” Marie said shaking her head.
         “I’m sorry about that,” Valerie said, perfectly perched on the arm of Charlie’s chair. “I’m afraid Harry might have talked him into it.”
         Marie sipped her blood and shook her head. “No. Bobby never does anything he doesn’t want to. I don’t know what we’re going to do with that boy. His grades are fleeting. His teachers say he has a high intelligence. I don’t understand.”
         “He’s bored,” Rhett said.
         “You know, Harry told me that exact same thing. He’s too bored in school. I was going to have a talk with his teacher on Monday about some special classes.”
         “That’s an excellent idea,” Dr. Venjamin said.
         “Until then, we’ve taken away all human blood,” Valerie said. “It’s the only punishment that would affect him.”
         “Excuse me Valerie, I don’t mean to intrude, and I certainly don’t want to tell you how to raise your child, but do you think that’s for the best?” Dr. Venjamin said.
         “I don’t know. It’s more the just skipping school. It’s that fight. He has this bloodlust that frightens me. He has no control. I don’t know what to do.”
         “We gave Bobby a spanking and grounded him for the next thirty years,” Rhett said with a smile and took a sip.
         “You want to punish the boy, but to deprive him of the nutrients he needs . . .” Dr. Venjamin said. “I can’t say I’d support that as appropriate punishment.”
         “No, no,” Dr. Henrick said. “He’s still a growing boy. He needs all the blood he can get. His physical development is already behind other boys his age.”
         Valerie didn’t want to be harming her little boy. “What should we do?” she asked searching out Charlie’s hand to grasp.
         “If Harry’s body is craving the human blood so gravely, then he must need it. Harry has always had great instincts. I’d trust them,” Dr.   Venjamin said.
         “But the fight at school. Sneaking into the pantry . . . John and Amelia were never like that.”
         “Bring Harry by the hospital next week. I’ll examine him myself.”
         “Thank you. That’s very kind of you. That would make me feel so much better.”
         Charlie shifted in his seat. He had yet to even sip his blood.
         “Rhett told me about the promotion. Congratulations,” Marie said to Charlie.
         He just nodded and tried to smile but it never quite formed on his lips.
         “So what is my husband working on now, Dr. Venjamin? He hasn’t had a chance to tell me. Or is it top secret?” she teased with a smile.
         Dr. Venjamin smiled. “He is coming in on our fertilization studies. I think Charlie is going to bring vital skills to our quest in ending barrenness. Of course, I cannot go into details for security and confidentiality reasons, but I think we’re going to see some major breakthroughs in the next few years. Miraculous breakthroughs.”
          “That’s wonderful news.” She thought of Betsy in the Blood Market from the other day. Maybe in a few years she would have her baby. Valerie smiled at that thought.
         Marie took Rhett’s hand. “Speaking of wonderful news, we have some of our own.” She looked over at her husband.
         “Marie’s pregnant. Bobby’s going to have a little brother or sister!”
         “Oh my gosh! Congratulations! I’m so happy for you, honey.” Valerie rushed to give her a hug.
         “We weren’t even trying. We decided to be happy with Bobby years ago. Then . . .” She shrugged her shoulders, her smile radiating. “I may finally get my little girl.”
         “It’ll be a little longer before we can determine the sex,” Dr. Henrick said with a smile. “Don’t get too far ahead of yourself.”
         “How