Free Bloodliner by Robert T. Jeschonek Page A

right? After all, Mom and Dad hired Stanza and set up this whole search for my roots thing before they died. But still..." Jonah shook his head. "I feel pretty lousy."
    Instinctively, Mavis reached toward him...then caught herself and pulled back.
    Remember what his family did to you. Still, this is a golden opportunity to win him as an ally.
    I mean an opportunity to minister to someone in need.
    She put her hand on his shoulder.
    "Listen," said Mavis. "The day isn't over yet."
    Turning to the hostile waiter slash cook, Mavis raised her coffee mug. "Can I get this to go?"
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    *****
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    Outside, Mavis took Jonah to the farthest rear corner of the truck stop parking lot. A few bits of dried-up scrub bobbed in the breeze licking over the sandy soil beyond the tarmac.
    Try not to think about how many truckers' dogs have peed here just today.
    Mavis gave Jonah the Styrofoam cup of coffee, then bent down and scooped up a handful of dirt. "I know this isn't quite the same, but it's legit. You've got a real live pastor and everything."
    Jonah scuffed his feet and scowled. "We'd better get back to Stanza."
    Mavis ignored his suggestion. "We are gathered here today to pay tribute to two departed parents." She looked at Jonah and whispered, "What are their names?"
    "Isaac and Caroline," said Jonah.
    Mavis nodded. "Isaac and Caroline Ivory were taken from us too soon. Jonah, their son, will always love and miss them.
    "It is never easy when we lose someone we care about. God's mysterious ways can seem arbitrary and cruel.
    "But it is up to us to find the opportunities in times like this," said Mavis. "To keep moving and make sense of the struggle."
    Mavis raised the handful of dirt. "In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life, we commend to Almighty God our brother Isaac and sister Caroline, and we commit their bodies to the ground."
    She loosened her grip and let the wind carry the dirt free in wispy swirls. "Ashes to ashes," she said. "Dust to dust. The Lord bless them and keep them. The Lord make his face to shine upon them and be gracious unto them and give them peace. Amen."
    For a long moment, Jonah stared silently at the ground. Mavis watched him out of the corner of her eye, hoping for a good result.
    Even though I hate what his family did to me, I haven't given up on my ministry. If the funeral lessened his suffering, I've done my job for now...and hopefully locked him in as an ally.
    Finally, Jonah looked at her. "Thanks," he said.
    "Sure." Mavis smiled.
    "We'd better get back." With that, Jonah turned and started across the parking lot.
    Mavis followed...and found herself stuck in an awkward moment. She wasn't quite sure how to keep the conversation going after conducting a mock funeral ceremony for her cousin's parents, whom she secretly hated.
    Nice weather we're having, isn't it?
    Finally, she settled on this, which she figured was as good as anything:
    "I've always wanted to go to England."

    *****

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    Part Two: England
    Chapter 17
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    Someday, I want to come to England and actually see the place.
    So far, on her travels through England with Stanza and Jonah, Mavis had missed all the great sights that she had always dreamed of seeing. Forget Big Ben and Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London and Saint Paul's Cathedral.
    All she'd been able to see since arriving at Heathrow Airport was scenery zipping by the windows of taxis and trains. She'd had a constant feeling that historic and breathtaking attractions were passing her by, all within reach if only she could slow down for a second.
    But Stanza wouldn't let her slow down. Stanza was in the biggest hurry of all time, dragging Mavis and Jonah along behind her like tin cans tied to the rear fender of a car. Which led Mavis to a question.
    What's the hurry?
    So the vampires were after them. Why should the vampires care if all Stanza, Mavis, and Jonah were doing was tracing family history? Why should they care, and why should family history