Page 46 of Heathens
“Anna is deaf,” I murmur, bending down and whispering into Lily’s ear. “We try to sign around her so she doesn’t feel left out, though she can read lips better than anyone I’ve ever met. It gets us all into a lot of trouble most of the time.”
“Do you know sign language?”
I nod. “In French and American.”
She raises her eyebrows. “Wow. I had no idea.”
“Lily, what do you do?“ Killian asks, signing. He looks like Dad—dark, almost black hair and dark brown eyes. He and Dad both have golden, Mediterranean complexions, too.
“I’m a photographer,” she answers, blushing slightly.
“She’s amazing,” I add. I can’t help but grin when she looks up at me in surprise. I sign to Anna, who then signs back. Anna is beautiful—blonde hair, green eyes, petite. Amelia and Agatha look just like her, and I joke with Killian all the time that she’s too good for him. “Anna wants to know what kinds of things you photograph,” I say to Lily. “She can read your lips. Just speak slowly.” I wink at Anna who tilts her head at me in amusement.
“Oh, okay. I, um, take pictures of people, mostly.” Anna nods and signs.
I sign back quickly and speak the words, “Yes, I can show you some of her work. She sent some photos to my phone the other night.”
Lily looks a little nervous, but also excited, and I love the look of joy I see in her expression.
I bring up the photos she sent me of the diptych, and Anna moans aloud.
She signs to Lily as I translate, “They are incredible. Is it possible to purchase your photos?”
Lily giggles, and it’s an incredibly sweet sound. A welcome sound right now. “Can I give you my business card?” Anna nods, and Lily reaches into her purse, pulling one out. “I’ll give you the Salem discount,” she jokes, smirking at me and handing Anna the card.
“Ooh, I want one,” Felix interrupts, pushing into the circle again and placing his hand in front of him, palm up. Lily hands them out like hotcakes on a cold night, and as she tells them more about her pictures, I take a step back.
“I like her,” my dad muses in French from behind me. I jump.
“I didn't see you there,“ I say, laughing. I turn to hug him. He pulls away and analyzes my appearance, always the quiet, contemplative one.
“You seem different,” he states. “How’s Father M.?”
I scowl. “He’s... fine.” I cough to cover my expression. “Hey, can I help with dinner?”
“Sure. Why don’t you chop the garlic?”
I look at Lily, and my eyes meet hers for a second. They’re alight, soft, comfortable. She seems to know what I’m going to ask before I even speak it, as she only nods once and gives me an okay sign with her hand. Anna must’ve taught her that. Before I turn to head into the kitchen to help my father, I see Amelie and Agatha, both five, run inside and wrap their arms around Lily as if they’ve known her forever. And, as ifshe’sknown them forever, she lowers herself to one knee and pulls them into a tight hug.
Game.
Fucking.
Over.
A Bird’s-Eye View of Paris
Lily
Present
As the seven of us smoke cigarettes and cheers with our after dinner Eau de Vie digestif, I look around the table and try to keep the smile off of my face. I’ve never been so welcomed into a household before, never felt so instantly comfortable with strangers. Except, they’re not strangers anymore. Amelie and Agatha are asleep on a blanket sprawled out on the grass, and the adults are all leaning back in the wooden chairs, watching the stars begin to poke through the twilight-colored sky.
“Well, Lily,” Bastian begins, inhaling deeply and blowing the smoke upwards, “I certainly hope we get to see you again.”
Something warm begins to tingle in my mind. Affection. Gratitude. Happiness. “I hope so too,” I reply, reaching out for his hand. Bastian—an older version of Salem—is quiet and thoughtful, and the kind of man who sees more than he lets on. He’s been watching Salem and I like a hawk all night, and what he’s found seems to have pleased him because he smiles contentedly. Salem’s hand grazes my thigh, and I have to dig my feet into the ground to keep from jumping out of my seat at the contact.
“You’ll have to visit us in the studio,” Felix adds, turning his face toward Anna so that she can read his lips. “You have the perfect face for our fall line.”
