The Touch Series: Initiation Read Free Page B

about? Should the town have Cherry or Peach Pie Day?”
                  “Haha,” I shook my head at him. People who weren't from Richmond always laughed at our ways. We always had random, sometimes weird, town holidays and events. Sometimes it was annoying but a part of me always thought that it was cute. And it was one of the few things I liked about the town. “I think it has something to do with coming up with ways to attract more tourists for the summer.”
                  “Well, the town sure has its appeal. I mean, there's the amazing pies, town hall square dance nights, and the Founder's Day festivals that actually might not have any historical accuracy to it whatsoever.” He snorted before becoming distracted by something; he turned to face the door before looking up at me. “So, is he any better?” I knew he was talking about Nicholas. For a vampire, he wasn't the stereotypical cold-hearted vampire who didn't care for humans. No, Artie was entirely different. And he cared deeply for Nicholas. He even offered to compel Nicholas to speak but I wanted Nicholas to come out on his own. But Artie always meant well.
                  “No. If something he has been reading more and more. Which, I guess, in a way is good. It's better than being scared and sad in his room all the time like he used to be.”
                  “What do the doctors say?”
                  “The same old. We just need to be patient and wait for him to have the confidence to speak to us. We can't force him in anyway. Um... there's... this therapist who deals with child trauma who also deals with speech therapy a few miles away from here. We've heard really great things about him and one of Nicholas' friends who was with him that night...” I looked to the door before I continued. “well, he has been able to start talking again after seeing him. Not anything major but a few words.  So my parents are hoping Nicholas can see him. But the doctor is always booked plus he is super pricey. So...”
                  “And that's where Josef would come?” Artie knew me too well. He knew I would need a really good excuse to need money if I agreed to join Josef's entourage.
                  “Yeah. I just hate when my parents struggle to pay the mortgage and bills, let alone the medical bills. They really would not be able to afford this therapist and the insurance won't cover it at all. You know, I don't really want to talk about it. I actually want to talk more about Mr. Constane.” I really did, I had many questions. Plus, talking about Nicholas and his condition always made me depressed.
                  Artie took a second helping of beer from the case and crossed his legs on top of my desk. “Shoot.”
                  “Okay, for one, why can't I call him by his first name?”
                  At that, Artie became tense. “If you become his friend and he trusts you then he will allow you to call him by his first name. For now, it's Mr. Constane.  You have to remember that he is an old vampire so his views on tradition are different from yours.”             
                  Which takes me to my next question. “How old is he exactly?”
                  He shook his head. “I can't tell you that. You can ask him yourself. And if he is comfortable with you, he will gladly tell you.”
                  I looked around the room as I decided what I wanted to ask next. “How did he get so rich?”             
                  “He owns a successful trading business.”
                  “What does he trade?” Not drugs, I hope.
                  He looked at me as if he read my mind. “Nothing illegal.”
                  Okay, next question. “Why does he do this? This group, club or