“A Vampire’s kiss goodnight.”

This is a true story. The names have been changed.:

Ava saw on The Book of Faces that her friend Joyce needed some volunteers for the Vampire Ball that she and her partner were hosting in a month’s time. She hadn’t been to an event in a long time having moved to Montana for the last two years, and she wanted to reconnect to things she used to love doing and help, so she messaged Joyce, saying she was free to assist her with the event. Joyce was exceptionally happy to have her on board and granted a VIV (Very Important Vampire) badge and she said she could bring a friend.

Ava asked a few different friends if they wanted to go, but everyone was busy, so when the night came, she was solo. Ava drove around to try to find a good parking lot in the downtown area of the city. Everything was $20 and up. She missed one lot and had to circle back around, but in doing that, she found a less expensive lot at $10 and pulled in there with her big red truck. There was a group of friends talking that she had to drive by and one space left at the top of the structure. It was a small 2 story lot, and it was a little sketchy, as there were a bunch of guys playing music on a portable radio and smoking, while hanging out at their car. Slightly concerned about leaving her truck in this lot, they seemed to be minding their own business, and hopefully it stays that way. As she exited her truck and went to pay, she saw the group was still talking. They were a mix of males and females. Their clothing reflected the ball’s fashion, all black formal attire with hits of red. Two men approached her, warning that the card machine was malfunctioning, but cash and the app were working. The taller of the two gentlemen asked if she remembered to grab her license plate number and she told him she didn’t. So she ran back to her truck and snapped a picture of it and returned to the guys talking. The other guy, who was wearing an all black suit with a black button-down dress shirt with the first two buttons undone, asked if I had cash. She said she didn’t, and he offered to cover it. She told him oh thanks, that’s ok. I think I can get the app to work. He commented on her nice fangs and said he had some, but they didn’t fit well and showed her a picture of his. They did look good, but for whatever reason, the adhesive wasn’t holding. They continued chatting while her app was loading to pay. She told him that the host of the ball was the one who made her fangs. He remarked that was really cool. His friends walked off and called after him, so he went to catch up. Ava felt frustrated by the app’s slow speed, but it eventually worked, and she hurried to the ball. The emptiness of the streets created an uneasy feeling.

Once she bypassed the line and collected her badge, she wondered if she’d find him again. Walking through the massive theater building that the event was being held at, she marveled at the beautiful architecture. She was pretty sure it would be nearly impossible to run into him again. Until he found her. He said he was glad that the parking worked out and commented on the fancy VIV badge. She just responded that it was part of the job, and laughed. He asked if he could get a VIV pass too? She told him, well actually yes. All of her friends couldn’t make it, so sure why not. However, she said, you’ll have to come with me. He responded with sure thing, and happily followed. So she took him to get the VIV wristband that was meant for her plus one. He’s like just like that? She said yes, just like that. He’s like, wow thanks. Where does this let me go? She told him every space is now open to him. He asked well mind if I go show my friends? She said go for it. He’s like, I’ll find you again. Where will you be? She said working up stairs at 11pm. Off he went, and so she was free to wander and experience the night’s dark delights before her shift started.

She was listening to the dark gothic music and looking at the oddities that were being sold by venders. When it came time for her shift, she went to her post and was checking for the patrons’ badges. About 45min had passed by, and he did indeed find her again, trailing along a friend of his is a very smart-looking vest. He said, ah here you are! She’s like yes and laughed. He said he’s going to take his friend back to the group and come back and he did just that.

So when he came back, they ended up talking, and he finally introduced himself. He’s like Im Bruce Wane and she laughed and asked how Alfred was doing at the manor? And he responded doing quite well, and they both laughed at that. He’s like it’s the name I use for karaoke. She said I figured it wasn’t your real name. I’m Ava and it’s nice to meet you Bruce. He asked her if she’d get in trouble for chatting and she said no, I’m still doing my job and then he asked for her number, so she handed him her cell to put his contact in her phone and he snapped a picture for his contact. At that moment, she recognized an acquaintance of hers and stopped to say hello. Then returned to get her phone from him. They talked a while and Joyce came up and said she could go early, that they were opening up the area for everyone to wander through now and she ran off.

He says, well that means you're done for the night and are free to go? She said, yes it appears so and smiled at him. He asked if she’d like to get a drink downstairs and she said yes and led the way down.

Once they were back on the main level, he saw one of his friends at the bar and bought him a drink, too. He introduced them and we all went to walk off towards the dance floor, Bruce leading the way. His friend said you know he really is a good guy. She said oh, well that’s good to know. Bruce led Ava to the rest of the group and introduced her to them all. Then asked if she wanted to dance. While talking more, she was excited to meet someone with so many things in common that aren’t what most people would consider normal. For one thing, they are talking in the middle of a vampire ball, but just to take a dive into spiritual beliefs and health and wellness among liking the same drink. It was surreal to her. They had to continue to talk and dance close because the music was so loud when he boldly turned into her and kissed her. It was the first time in many, many years that she had kissed a stranger, and it was unexpectedly not unwelcomed. She appreciates a man with confidence and that was definitely a display of confidence. It made her smile and blush profusely.

The conversation was growing more profound, and she pulled him aside to sit on a ledge for a while when the thought occurred to her to make sure he got her number and pulled out her phone to text him hers. She realized he didn’t save it! His name and picture saved but not the number, so she asked him to put his number in and then text him hers. That was close, she said, and he said I may be a little tipsy. She’s like perhaps just a little and laughed at that. He then commented on her outfit. He’s like, you know, I really like this suit and bat corset you're wearing. It’s really sexy and in a conservative way. She blushed and said thank you. She said she was going for a corporate goth look, since she was working security. He noticed a lot of women here tonight wearing hardly anything but lingerie, and while that’s also interesting to look at, he appreciates a little mystery. She responded I like leaving things to the imagination. It’s more fun that way. Then she suggested they should probably drink water, and they went to find some.

They continued to talk until the ball shut down, and he offered to get food after. Being that it was late into the night, the only thing open were the street vendors, but in the downtown area it’s the best food, anyway. So he grabbed a burrito and a couple of tacos and they shared some food while chatting with a few others from the ball that had the same idea.

Despite their close parking spots, she asked him to walk her to her truck, and he readily agreed, adding that he planned to do so anyway. She asked him where his friends were? He said they had already gone. She felt a little guilty about that, but not much. She said she didn’t mean to keep him, and he said he was enjoying the conversation they were having, so he’ll catch up with them tomorrow.

After making it back to the parking structure. They end up talking for three more hours at her truck. He kissed her goodnight and asked when he could see her again. She said, well what about next Saturday? He laughed and said that’s a week away. There are other days in the week. She was a little surprised and said, ok well weeknights are possible too. So they made a plan to go to the gym a couple of days later and then go to dinner.

Fast forward one month. They have been hanging out quite often, and it’s the weekend of the blood moon lunar eclipse. They have been together the whole weekend and Sunday on the exact day they met one month prior, they went out for coffee in the early afternoon. The place wasn’t want either of them really had in mind. It was a little too cold and corporate feeling, but they had a latte anyway, and sat in the sunlight for a bit chatting. Bruce was in the mood for a second coffee, but wanted to change locations. He knew a place that had a more cozy feel, so they headed to a restaurant that had outdoor seating and an open wall with comfortable couches. It was a much better vibe over all.

The talk of helping him set up a coaching business turned into other topics when eventually they both got hungry and decided to order a late lunch that turned into moving to the bar and drinks, followed by a snack. He was supposed to be meeting his cousins for a chat and before asking her if she’d like to go, had asked his family if he could bring her along, they said it was ok, so he asked her if she wanted to go hang out or have him take her home? She likes his company, so she was happy to go along and meet them.

As they got to the house and walked in, he introduced his first cousin Amy and her two kids, then her other cousin’s husband Rick, and as Ava was chatting with Rick with her back to the rest of the house, the other cousin says her name from behind! Ava whirled around and was like Janet?! What the heck?! Oh my goodness! They both go to hug each other because they both know each other well.

Janet and Ava have been belly dancers together for twenty-five years! Ava has met Bruce before and the rest of his family eighteen years ago at a birthday party that Janet had asked her to dance at. Ava is a fire dancer as well and that was the performance she did. So the whole family has seen her perform before. The entire room stood shocked in silence for well over five minutes, trying to process this incredible coincidence. It was such a marvelous revelation to know that Bruce’s cousin is Janet. So everyone got to chat and catch up. Ava hadn’t mentioned she was back from Montana yet, even tho many months have passed. Janet asked her what brought her back, and she told her it was because her Mom isn’t doing well. Janet just lost her Mom and unfortunately understands the outcome of illness all too well.

To bring the mood up again, it was fun to find the old belly dancing photos from that party and share the memories again. Bruce isn’t new to having interesting and strange events happen, so all he could say is how very weird it is, but cool at the same time.

On the ride back to Ava’s house, he meant to tell her that he had a weird feeling that we all had already met, but he dismissed it, because how? So when it happened, it confirmed to him that his inclination wasn’t wrong. Ava thought that the entire experience was incredibly fascinating.

So it was a very interesting and fulfilling day. Who can really say what the future holds for them? What she’s come to realize is that there really aren’t any coincidences. The universe works in mysterious ways and it’s an amazing adventure.