I’m driving along last night with my son who just turned 17. He is talking about going to the Warped Tour concert this summer and the bands that will be there. Then he switches to going down to Southern California with his dad to check out colleges. Then he talks about his girlfriend Ione and how she is starting a club to bring to light injustices against women and girls around the world because of something his baby sister had brought up. Then he asks why I sold my 1966 Corvette more than twenty years ago, but he loves my 2012 Ford Fusion and asks if he can have it when he goes off to college.
I let him talk so I won’t start crying because this boy next to me is shaving and has broad shoulders and a rich voice that just keeps getting deeper and a shine in his eyes that is nothing short of magic. He is for all practical purposes grown – in that in-between space where childhood meets adulthood in a big swirling vortex that scares the crap out of any parent.
And it hits me that I’ve been preparing him for adulthood since the time he was born and now I’m afraid it will finally happen.
Then he says “Logically I understand why we can’t tell regular people that we’re Vampires but…”
I stop him right there. “Don’t even go there. You know why.” You all know I’m all about open information with kids but some things in life are non-negotiable. Exposing the truth about who and what we are is one of those items
“I have something to say.” He gives me that stern look he has been giving me since he was six years old the first time he said, “I have something to say.”
“OK then say it.”
“Wouldn’t that help me get into college, I mean if they knew I was a Vampire?”
“They’d think you were nuts and if they DID let you in nobody but B-movie freaks and rabid Twilight girl fans would want you in the dorm with them.”
“I could show them what we’re really like.”
I pulled the car over.
“You’ve seen what they’re like when they know what we are.”
“I know but…”
“No. Not now. Not ever.”
“Don’t worry. I’m just talking. Just to you. I know I can’t tell. Um, uh, what happened to those guys you beat the crap out of.”
“The Vampire Hunters? They won’t be back.”
“Um, Mom.”
“Yes.”
“I need some new jeans.”
“Sounds good. You can take your sister to the Mall tomorrow night. She said she wanted some red Vans. I’ll give you money.”
And that is what we’re talking about…
~ Juliette aka Vampire Maman
Vampire Maman 
Why did you sell a 1966 Vette, J??? Ya crazy !!! It was a classic! (just teasing) I sold a few cars that brought up questions too.
Paul
Still have the 66 Mustang Fastback!
Aaahhhhh !!!!! (sigh of relief).
What a roller coaster ride, teens are. I hate those, “I have something to say,” moments because you know you’ve got to stomp down hard on your immediate, “Yikes!” response. You know they’ll never tell you anything again if you react how you think any sane parent *should* react. I suppose, though in the end, it’s the sane parent who listens and takes it all in and cautiously offers advice. By the time your kid is 17, hopefully, your instincts and beliefs have been instilled because they’re off and flying on their own.
You’re doing a terrific job, Juliette. Not just on your own but helping all the other kids in your life, too.