Vampires in the Lemon Grove

Clyde is the protagonist vampire from “Vampires in the Lemon Grove.” Although he is an ancient vampire, to passersby he looks as unassuming as an Italian grandpa. Although he used to be afraid of the sun and kill humans and drink their blood, after meeting Magreb, his partner, he lives in the sun and uses substitutes for human blood. He is in love with Magreb and considers her his wife, and because of this, he has stopped killing humans. However, deep down he still has a lust for human blood, a desire that surfaces when he kills Fila. Although Clyde is a vampire, his urges are symbolic of common urges that occur in relationships: Clyde misses his old vampire habits—habits that he’s quit since being with Magreb—but really these habits are symbolic of how he misses his bachelor life.

Magreb is Clyde’s love interest in “Vampires in the Lemon Grove.” Although Clyde loves her and their routine, Magreb yearns for something more. She begins shapeshifting into a bat seemingly to escape Clyde, but it’s also clear that she still cares for him. By the end of the story, it’s not quite certain whether Magreb has left Clyde for good.