Page 67 of Atlas
“I’ll try, but can I change the subject for a second? What did you get Saffron for her birthday?”
“I bought her a jewelry set for children. That way, she can make cute accessories that match her outfits,” River said.
“I got her a hula hoop and a board game. What did you get her?”
“Nothing. I was going to, but then I got distracted by the attack on Jolene and I had to stay in the hospital for a day.”
“Don’t worry. What matters is that you came to celebrate her birthday,” Charles comforted me.
“I feel shitty about not having a present. I’ll go out and find something tomorrow morning.”
“A small thing, please.” Charles gave me a stern look. “Liv already complained about the present I bought her.”
“What was it?”
“A trip to the Galapagos.”
“You bought a six-year-old a trip to the Galapagos?” I stared at him.
“She has a book about dragons that she likes, and I thought it would be fun to go see real-life Komodo dragons.”
“Are you out of your mind? Those things are enormous and kill prey bigger than Saffron. Why would you take her there? And by the way, a trip to the Galapagos isn’t a small gift.”
Charles scratched his cheek. “That’s what Liv said. She wasn’t too happy, but I figured it would be educational, and tourists go there all the time, so I assumed it would be safe.”
“If Liv and Saffron don’t want to go, I’ll come with you,” Nathan said. “I think real-life dragons sound amazing. Can we pet them?”
I arched an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t recommend it. Komodo dragons have sharp teeth and venomous saliva.”
Nathan turned in his chair. “How come you know so much about Komodo dragons?”
“I know a lot about many things.”
“Good.” He gave a single nod. “If you’re so freaking knowledgeable, then you’ll know how to get Lumi to go dancing with us tomorrow night. I want all of us to go together.”
I sighed. “I’d rather pet a Komodo dragon than force her to do anything.”
“I didn’t say force. Persuade is more like it; you can do that, can’t you?”
They were all looking at me, but the word persuade triggered me. My father had been the king of persuasion, and sure, I had all the tools I needed to do the same, but I wouldn’t do it.
“I’m not him, Nathan.” My tone was low and severe.
“Come on, don’t be like that. I said persuade, not manipulate.”
I was leaning on the kitchen counter, my fingers tapping the surface. “There’s no difference. Both are means to get my way, or in this case, your way.”
“Why do you have to be so bloody uptight? I want us all to have some fun, is that so wrong? Honestly, I think you need to have fun more than anyone here; you seem tense.” Nathan reached for my shoulder while River and Charles were quiet and following the exchange between Nathan and me.
Maybe he was right, but it annoyed me that he’d spent the day with Jolene and that he was bossing me around, making me his errand boy.
“I’ll come. But I’m not pressuring or pushing Lumi or anyone else to go. You can do that yourself.” I took an apple from the fruit basket in front of me and bit into it.
“All right. I’ll work my charm on Lumi.”
As I walked out of the kitchen, I heard Nathan speak in a low voice to the others. “Geez, he’s tense. He needs to get laid.”
“I heard that.”
