Free Bride of Blood:: First Kiss by Anthony E. Ventrello Page A

“How quick you are to judge another’s destiny.   You aren’t even exactly sure of your own destiny.”
                              “My destiny is to bring misery and sadness to everyone around me,” said Johnny-boy.   “And it made them feel better about who they were.”
                              “Yes,” said the young man raising his glass, “And you were damn good at it, too.”
                              “You seem to take great pride in the things you did with your life, old man,” said Anton.   He’d loved the old man while he was alive.   A lot of people did, and probably always would.  
                              “Anyways,” said Scotty pulling out his pocket watch and glancing at it, “I have to get going myself because I have to head back to Earth and check on my wife.”   He took a hard drink and slammed the empty shot glass on the table.
                              J.R. looked at him sternly, “I really wish you wouldn’t do that.”
                              The young man got up, too and walked over to Scotty.   He put an arm around him and said, “It won’t be too much longer.   Then you both can watch over your family.”
                              “Would you believe that she gets every message that I send to her?” Scotty said as they walked out the door together. “Every single one.   No one else in the family does.   Those grand kids and great-grand kids never did listen…”
                              The bar was quiet for a several moments.   Vercie brushed the hair from Anton’s face.   She smiled at him.   “You know, sugar,” she said to him, “Velara does love you.   And I have to say that I see why she does.”
                              “It amazes me how much you and her have in common,” he said, letting Vercie’s natural perfume tickle his nose.  
                              She nodded.   “Scotty isn’t the only one that comes through here that checks on his family, you know, sugar? I have the same responsibility.”
                              “Same responsibility?”
                              She nodded and took a drink from her glass.   She winked at J.R. who quickly refilled her glass.   “When some of us die, we are given the task of watching over our descendants.   Scotty has lots of grandchildren and great-grandchildren to watch over.   After they have all crossed over, he and his wife will probably be with them.   That will be it.   My assignment is different, however, I chose to watch over my family for many generations.   Believe me, Velara loves you just as much as you love her.   I think she always has and always will.   I don’t know too much about that past-life stuff she was always going on about, but I know her heart.   And I know mine.”
                                  It had all been wishful thinking, but it still was a special bond that he and Velara had shared.   He knew that Vercie and Velara kept in touch, somehow he knew it.   Asking Vercie any more questions about her would be pointless, as he knew she wouldn’t tell him anything about where to find her.                            
                              She touched his hand and they were silent then for several moments.   J.R. broke the silence as he yelled, “Last call!”
                              Vercie kissed Anton on the lips and said, “I’ll see you again soon, sugar.   It’s time for you to wake up.   Find her, Anton.   Love her.   And don’t forget to visit me sometime.”   She laughed.
                              Anton’s eyes flew open and he was staring at the inside lid of his coffin.   He shook his head and touched the lid.   It was cold.   Night time.   Sitting up, he opened the lid and