Page 56 of Double Apex

“I can see Irini Petrescu’s blush all the way across the yard,” she murmurs with amusement. “She fancies you, Cosmin.”

“Rubbish.” But I return my sister’s smile, relieved to be back in her good graces.

“She’d make an ideal wife. Smart, pretty, devoted. An excellent seamstress and cook. Lovely singing voice.”

“These would be selling points in another era. Just how oldareyou, Rica?” I tease.

She jabs me in the ribs and I recoil, laughing.

“Imp!” she mock scolds. “You could do far worse than a good woman like Irini.”

“It would be unprofessional,” I protest, not having the heart to say the truth—that Irini Petrescu is sweet but timid and would be a poor match for me.

I watch her out the window and note the honest delight on the young teacher’s face as she allows little Nicu to place an earthworm on her palm.

“Relia and Spiridon are married,” Viorica points out, mentioning our head cook and mathematics teacher.

“Their positions are lateral. You and I employ Irini.”

I look over at ginger-haired Ursule, her fingers laced throughthe wire fence that keeps deer from the vegetables. She grins and sticks out her tongue when I catch her eye.

Popping the door open, I tell Viorica over my shoulder, “Also I am currently pursuing a relationship that might have potential.”

I close the car door and wave at the children, calling out a greeting. Irini offers a shy smile, then smooths the non-worm-holding hand through her dark hair to arrange it. Behind me I hear Viorica exit the car.

“Cosmin, wait.” She trots around to loop an arm through mine. “What’s this? ‘Relationship’? I’ve never heard you use the word. You must tell me more.”

“When there’s more to tell.”

Irini opens the gate and a dozen children flood out, tumbling toward us with laughter and questions. Curly-haired Radu launches himself at my legs and scales me, climbing to my shoulders for a ride into the house.

Hello to you too, young mountaineer!I tell him, draping my hands over his shoes to stabilize him. Twisting toward Viorica, I say in English, “We should install a climbing wall for the children.”

Raising her eyebrows significantly, she replies, “We can have that, and many other things, given enough money. That is all it takes, Cosmin—money.”

The little ones caper around us as we stroll to the wide front steps, and Irini joins us, Ursule riding on her hip. Walking like this—Irini and I both carrying children—I can imagine another fate where I might have had a gentle country wife with soft eyes and strong hands.

But in my mind the fierce green fire in Phaedra’s eyes yet burns, and echoing in my ears is the sound of her crying outI love you!as she fell apart in my arms.

Tuica—a plum brandy—is usually served before a meal, but there are strict rules at Vlasia House about alcohol consumption: only after the children are in bed, and a single glass for those who wish to partake.

Of the twenty-two staff members, a dozen including myself are gathered for a late toast, games, and conversation. Viorica is discussing a library expansion with our language and history instructors, a group of four are playing whist, Relia and Spiridon are bent over a game of backgammon, and Irini is seated with me on the balcony.

She’s wearing a summer dress, blue with flowers. Her legs are propped on the railing, and light shines through the fabric, outlining the contour of a pair of attractive legs. Her hair is gathered at one side of her neck, loosely tied with a ribbon, and pearl earrings she didn’t have on earlier sway from her ears.

Her profile is girlish, with a small, sloped nose and fringe of bangs cut short. She’s near my age, twenty-seven or twenty-eight, and I’ve noted an Orthodox cross on the wall of her room in passing.

During our conversation, she looks over her shoulder several times when she hears Viorica laugh. I wonder if she’s worried about being caught flirting. Though if that’s what she’s doing, it’s so subtle as to be imperceptible.

We finish our brandy, and the group inside begins to disperse. Through the open French doors I hear my sister bidding people good night. Viorica appears in the doorway, holding it with one hand. Her head is relaxed, tipped to one side, and her golden curls glow in the lamplight. It lifts my heart to see her happy.

I stand and offer my chair, going to lean against the balcony railing.

Viorica’s gaze shifts from Irini to me.You two should walk down to the lake, she suggests.The irises are in bloom, and it’s a full moon.

I give an easy smile to hide my annoyance at her matchmaking.That sounds enjoyable, I reply, hoping my words aren’t a disappointment to Irini,but I am very tired. I was moments from going to bed.

Irini’s eyes brighten, a reaction I don’t expect.

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