Sometimes as adults we fall into the same roles we had as children. Or at least some people want us to. I’m married to my older brother’s best friend. They have been friends since childhood. Childhood was a long time ago for them (they were both born in 1849).
So Max is standing out on the deck with me watching the moonrise and he says “Do you really think it was a good idea for your kids to see the movie Mama tonight?” That is a movie about some kids who are lost in the woods and come back as possessed ghost/zombie children or something creepy like that. I’ve only seen the previews. It looks pretty silly and loads of creepy fun.
“It’s rated PG-13. They’ll get scared silly, scream a lot and have a good time.”
“You forget we’re the Vampires,” added Aaron, the third of my brothers and middle child of my family.
Aaron and I always like to discuss how Max, who has no children, likes to tell us how to raise ours.
“A fact your children seem to forget with all of the debauchery they have been involved with,” Max had to add. I just wanted to smack him.
“You forget your own youth Max.” Added Teddy, my husband and father the children Max doesn’t approve of.
“It was one stupid night and everyone was safe and punishments were given out. They learned from their stupid mistakes and it won’t happen again.” Arron said this glaring at his elder brother. “They all have their smart phones with them now. They can call us anytime, no conditions, no questions. Come on, we all make mistakes in our youth, that is what youth is for.” said Aaron.
Of course being the mom and the mommy blogger I would have worded it differently but Aaron was right. We make mistakes and we learn. And then again, we have smart phones, so now comes the point to this story.
“Garrett has a pocket watch now.” said Teddy, who was, as always, fixing up a batch of cocktails.
My brothers looked in surprise.
“Garrett and his friend Randy did some work for a friend who has a precious metals, antiques, jewelry business. They helped him move some furniture, and did some odd chores for him and he paid them with some old silver pocket watches. Nothing unusual, the watches date from the early 20th century, but they work. They boys are damn proud of those watches.”
Teddy then picked up his iPhone and showed them a photo of Garrett’s watch.
Teddy, being quite the watch guy, was very proud of his son for picking out his own pocket watch. He was also proud that it was something that Garrett had worked for.
Max of course asked Teddy about the infamous French watch. “Of course I still have it,” said Teddy as he pulled the very watch out of his pocket.
It dated back from 1810. The engraving inside says in French something that roughly translates to “Reach for the Top”. The watch is large, gold and has a lovely chime. It also has a song. A frantic tinkling little song with no real tune. It is crazy like drunken mice in lace or wild thoughts of fairy desire. It is a crazy watch and a beautiful watch.
The watch has a long and interesting history. It belonged to a Frenchman who moved to the United States in 1811, just in time for the next war. He was sleeping with another man’s wife. The man killed him. The wife took the watch and sold it to another lover of hers. The lover took the watch and wore it until 1820 when he was killed by a werewolf who then lost the watch in a poker game. The watch then traveled to New Orleans where it was purchased by a Vampire who was enchanted by the music and the weight of the watch. The Vampire was killed by a crazy priest on the steps of a grand house, and the watch was taken by the lady of the house who was also the Vampire’s lover. She kept it until 1893, when she invited a handsome dark haired man into her home. She entertained him grandly and tried to blackmail him. He took her life but also took her watch. Teddy purchased the watch from him in 1900. There is more to the story, of course, but that is it in a few words as possible.
Teddy is a firm believer in fine watches. It isn’t just a Vampire thing either, but for some reason Vampires do love their watches.
So Garrett and Randy are now the cool guys at school with their old pocket watches. The girls all think it is classy. The other boys have started to do the same thing and they are all now in search of funky old pocket and wrist watches.
My friend who knows all about watches will be helping me add more stuff about watches and well dressed men in the future.
But does anyone really know what time it is? Of course we do. Don’t be silly.
~ Juliette aka Vampire Maman
Vampire Maman 
My son likes pocket watches too. There’s just a certain kind of boy that treasures such things.
That is so absolutely cool!
Question is…, do we care what time it is??? You might, as you have to keep track of sunrises and all those things. (personally I wouldn’t be caught without my pocket watch).
Paul
All women appreciate a man who wears a pocket watch!
We all have pocket watches in my family.l I love them. When I think to dress up, I wear mine (a very, very small ornate piece) on a chain around my neck. Hmmm… thanks for reminding me of cool jewelry, I think I’ll put some on tomorrow morning!
Remember back in the day when I used to wear a pocket watch engraved with my name inside of it? I’m glad you are wearing yours with a sense of style and pride. I’m trying to get my lovely and handsome friend Steve to help me with some more detailed posts on antique watches – how to buy, how to wear, what to look for. I always tell the guys that “chicks dig pocket watches.”