The Vampire (THE VAMPIRE Book 1) (21 page)

“Mr. Augere tells me he went to a large marketplace where there were a lot of stores selling a variety of things. Where was this?” Genier’s tone was one of surprised curiosity when Jason called him about the travel arrangements.

“We went to the mall in Peabody, one of the largest in this area. He seemed to have a good time there.”

“He went to…
the mall
?” Genier laughed. “I don’t know how you managed to get him to go there.”

“Well, he wanted to buy an iPod.”

“Wait—he—what? He told you that?”

“Well, I was the one who suggested he should get one. And he has been walking around with it a lot lately. I loaded it with some of the music he likes.”

“It seems you really are a positive influence. Things are going well, then?”

“Very good, yes. He wants me to run some travel plans by you.” Jason provided the flight numbers, hotel information and general itinerary.

“It sounds good to me. I know this is your first time traveling with him, but don’t worry; it should go well. It’s a short trip. Don’t forget your passports.”

“I suggested to him I could drive us there, but he said no. He had wanted to take the train.”

“Yes. The car becomes a problem once you arrive. The plane will be quicker anyway. Call me if there are any concerns. I hope you enjoy yourselves.”

Jason was excited about this trip. He had only been to Canada once before, to a paranormal conference in Toronto. He expected he would like Montreal, with its French ambience and European influences, and just as cosmopolitan as Toronto.

Customs clearance and taxi to the hotel went smoothly. Jason was impressed with the hotel accommodations and with the fact he had the same type of room as Augere. He was informed he had the evening free and that Augere would meet him in the lobby in the morning.

Jason wandered along St. Catherine Street; he browsed in bookstores, gazed into store windows; took photos. He enjoyed the underground city of stores, cinemas, and services underneath the city of Montreal. He walked until he realized he was exhausted and then found a restaurant to have dinner. He splurged on an expensive wine to go with his excellent meal. He wished he had someone to share it with. He decided on a movie afterward and then went back to the hotel. He had been caught up in the idea of going to Montreal but he had not done research on what to see and do there. He had the rest of the day tomorrow, after the exhibit, to see as much as he could. He decided he would just wing it.

He had breakfast at the hotel, hoping to see Augere early. He appeared in the lobby at the appointed time, and found Augere seated nearby with tea service set up on a table beside him. Everything looked so good to Jason and most of it seemed untouched. It made Jason hungry again. Then he wondered if he had been expected to meet him here for breakfast; That hadn’t been clear.

“Hi,” Jason said to him. “I don’t want to disturb you; take your time with breakfast.”

Augere shook his head. “There is more than enough. Take what you will.”

Travel and the excitement of a new city must have given him a greater appetite. Jason poured himself a cup of Earl Grey and then scooped rose jam onto a small soft croissant. The jam was decadently good. Several savory looking Danishes tempted him as well. No sense in
those
going to waste, Jason thought, biting into a soft fresh cheese Danish as he eyed two different kinds of scones. How could Augere possibly resist any of it?

Augere was glancing through a French newspaper. Jason hadn’t yet seen him read a newspaper, ever. Another new thing to take note of? Then again, this newspaper was in French so that probably made a difference to Augere.

They lingered for another fifteen minutes or so, and then it was time to leave for the Museum. It was just a short walk and the first thing Jason noticed as they approached was the huge banner over the Museum entrance: J.W. Waterhouse: the Garden of Enchantment and the famous Lady of Shalott as a giant mural hung over the door. Jason loved the paintings of Waterhouse. He hadn’t even thought to ask what exhibit they would be seeing; it didn’t matter since he was excited enough just going. This was a huge and pleasant surprise. He was already beginning to appreciate the chance to attend.

They waited only a short time in line. Augere appeared a little apprehensive with so many people present, but the line moved quickly and soon they were admitted into the exhibit. The next several hours would prove memorable for Jason. He was impressed before he even saw the first painting.

They entered a room featuring sketches and drawings by Waterhouse. The room had a distinctly gothic feel to it: the smallish space contained several pieces of furniture, including a small rug, table and lamp, an ornate chair, and a shiny vase, and every one of these items, including the flowers in the vase, was black. This ambience, it turned out, would carry over into the rest of the exhibit. Jason already loved it.

They entered the first room of the exhibit and it was quite dark. It took a few moments for his eyes to adjust and Jason noted the darkness created a hushed atmosphere. It turned out each room of the exhibit would feature black walls, black panels, some of them accented with a darker glossy black lettering on matte black, and subdued low lighting. While the rooms themselves were stark black, the paintings were carefully spot lit. The effect was like walking through a dark forest and finding the enchantment of first one beautiful painting after another stunningly illuminated in the darkness.

He had only seen these paintings in books before, and he was surprised to see how large some of them were. The colors were so rich and vivid they seemed as if they were glowing. No photograph could ever come close to capturing the true beauty of these works. Jason found it a bit overwhelming, in a totally good way. The hushed ambience and the darkness brought an intimacy to the viewing of the artworks, like nothing he had ever experienced before.

He loved the otherworldly themes: mythical, occult, supernatural, mysterious. The strength, confidence and mystery of many of the women portrayed by Waterhouse were clearly evident. But there were also women filled with longing; women who appeared sad, wistful.

All of the paintings were so beautifully presented. The exhibit seemed to feature a particularly gothic aesthetic. One room had luxurious looking black velvet fabric casually draping the partitions that separated the viewing areas. In another room black roses and black vines cascaded down the black walls. A plush black velvet seating area, in the shape of a pentacle, was positioned in view of The Magic Circle painting. Black iron benches and black velvet cushioned banquettes invited the viewer to sit and linger in Waterhouse’s world.

When he wasn’t completely captivated himself, Jason took time to note Augere’s reactions. People all around them spoke quietly, almost reverentially, in the darkness and Jason did the same.

“Have you ever seen any of these works before?” Jason asked him in a whisper.

“Oh, yes. But not so many as these in one place. I do not tire of seeing them. Nothing compares to the view with one’s own eyes.”

“I agree absolutely,” Jason replied.

“There is so much to see here,” Augere stated. Jason thought he was commenting on the entire exhibit and then realized Augere was focused on one painting.

“His brushstrokes and his sense of color… His use of symbolism…the transformation of one creature into another…see how he is able to capture and convey sensuality and seduction; love and longing. The dark setting is the perfect contrast to the glowing life of the paintings—do you think so?”

Jason became aware of an intimacy in Augere’s manner. It took the form of Augere’s soft voice and close proximity as he shared his knowledge of these works of art in whispered tones within the beautifully darkened rooms.

“Oh, yes. I do. I really appreciate this; I had no idea what to expect and this experience is one I will long remember. I thank you for this…”

“It is not necessary…” Augere shook his head and turned his attention back to the painting before them.

“Still, I do thank you. I might never have even known about this exhibit, much less have had the chance to view it.”

Augere gave him a small smile.

They lingered and walked through the exhibit again, taking their time, quietly enjoying their own thoughts. Afterward they visited the gift shop where many books, posters and related items were available. They each bought several of the items.

It was already 2:30 when they exited the museum and Jason was ready for lunch. They were about to part when Jason impulsively invited Augere to join him. Augere declined.

“I know it is presumptuous of me, but I would really like your company. You don’t have to eat. You could have tea or coffee maybe…”

Augere sighed. “Perhaps some wine then.”

They walked to a restaurant on St. Catherine Street, one that served wine. Jason ordered a club sandwich and a glass of white wine. Augere spoke to the server at length in French, before deciding on a glass of Chablis. Jason loved hearing Augere speak in his native language. He had begun to crave Augere’s company even more. Opportunities to share moments like this were still rare. He wondered how Augere had spent the last evening. Now he knew Augere didn’t have family but perhaps he did have some friends here. Jason wanted to ask him, but did not want to appear to be prying.

Jason could have lingered there all afternoon. The restaurant had a fireplace and a soothing ambiance. But Augere suggested they go just as Jason finished his meal.

They walked along St. Catherine, taking their time, looking at the displays in the windows. One shop had artfully arranged shelves showing different handmade curios and resting in the store window on one of the shelves was a sleek black cat. The cat’s large green eyes stared intently at Augere. Jason took a photo of the cat, and then his attention turned to a restaurant next door.

The windows were all dark; the outside was decorated in black and white. Then he noticed the name of the place, printed in script letters in both French and English: “It’s better in the dark.” This was one of those restaurants where patrons eat in total darkness…
now there is a trust situation,
Jason thought. He walked back a few steps to share his find with Augere and found him still staring at the cat. There was such a look of pain and sadness on his face Jason had to glance away as if he was intruding on an intensely private moment.

“Mr. Augere?” he said softly after a few moments.

“Yes…let us go now,” Augere said without looking at him.

I wonder what that was all about
. Again, he was hesitant to ask. They walked back to the hotel, mostly in silence.

“You have a free evening,” Augere said to him as they were approaching the hotel.

Jason nodded. Suddenly, he didn’t feel so free. Augere’s company would have been most welcome. “I know I shouldn’t ask this but what will you be doing?”

Augere shrugged. “Sitting in my room or the lobby perhaps.”

“What…?” Jason stared at him. “You would prefer that to joining me?” He couldn’t hide the surprise in his voice.

“I am not such good company,” Augere stated with a shrug, not making eye contact.

“I totally disagree. I think you and I should go to a movie. A French one maybe. And then go shopping. And then drinking.”

Augere just stared at him.

“Come on,” Jason said. “We’re the same age—I’m guessing—I can’t just let you sit in the hotel lobby while I have a good time.”

“Very well,” Augere replied reluctantly. He did not seem at all enthusiastic, but at least he hadn’t said no.

They arrived back at the hotel before midnight, after a busy evening. Augere had mostly seemed awkward, a little stilted. He’d only had one drink, at a bar on Crescent Street, to Jason’s four, but he did seem to be finally loosening up a little. They had in fact enjoyed a French film, a subtitled one for Jason’s benefit, and then they had browsed an international bookstore, where Jason bought an armload of a variety of French magazines. He considered this a painless way to brush up on his French; the magazines’ current popular contents and challenging vocabulary would keep him well entertained as he acquired a refresher in the language.

Jason was able to sleep in a little the next morning. He got up and thought about calling Augere to join him for breakfast and then doubted it would happen. He got breakfast for himself, and then bought some postcards and stamps to mail to himself and family. He knew his family appreciated hearing from him, especially from his travels, and he never forgot to send himself these little reminders of where he had been, what he had thought and felt and specific mention of things he had done. It had become a little personal ritual for him, and he hoped this trip would be the start of many more such memories, of many more places he and Augere might travel. He thought about all the things he had seen and done in just the last day or so. Suddenly, he laughed out loud.
None of this has even cost me any money,
he realized,
except what I paid for my own food and beverages. Augere paid for everything. Not only that—this is my job now! I am actually getting paid—right now—to do things like this
. “Well done, Jason.” He laughed again and then reflected more seriously on his situation. This was Augere’s world and he had been invited in, to share it. Only months ago he could not have imagined himself in such a situation and he felt gratitude for the experience of this.

He found Augere in the lobby. And once again, an elaborate tea was set up for one, as if the hotel had gone out of their way to accommodate a personal request. Jason thought maybe it was a nice gesture on their part. Maybe Augere had been here before and had requested this. It was too bad Augere did not seem inclined to enjoy any of it though.

Augere gave a nod at the tea service, as if in answer to Jason’s unasked question, and Jason sat down opposite him. He helped himself to fragrant tea and then selected a soft buttery croissant. There was more rose jam; one bite into the jam slathered croissant had Jason closing his eyes for a moment.

“Mr. Augere—you have
got
to try this—it is absolutely delicious.”