Page 33 of Dahlias, Sapphires, and Cool Autumn Dusk
I hated how little he thought of himself. “You’re a genius, Phoenix. Anyone who doesn’t see or get it is an idiot. You’re essential. Besides, you might all be replacing me when I have to leave for boarding school.”
“We’re not circling around that topic. You know I’ll follow you.”
The subway clattered, a familiar noise and part of the city soundtrack in my mind. Conversations would vanish into silence, with the sound of the train dominating all. I couldn’t understand a word said over the speakers.
We arrived at our stop and rushed off to make our way back to street level.
It was still hot outside, even sticky, so I fanned my shirt away from my body, trying to stir some air. “When does it start to feel like autumn? Last night teased it.”
“Fall comes in about a month or so. I bet if you wanted, Barrett would take you on a drive to Vermont and Maine to look at the leaves changing colors. It sounds like the kind of thing he would enjoy.”
I groaned. “You know you would want to come with us. Besides, it wouldn’t be any fun without your running commentary. Plus, we’d have to go get his car right? Drive to the Hamptons, retrieve the car, and then leave for Vermont? He probably wants to stay on campus and have fun or something, not drive with me to Vermont.”
I was talking a lot, rambling, so I shut my mouth.
He grinned despite my nerves. “Hop on,” he said and offered his hand.
I held on tight while he rode us home.
To his home. Not mine.I needed to remember that, since the rug could be ripped out from under me at any moment. I had to keep reminding myself.
“Hey,” he said and stopped abruptly. I almost fell off, but he kept us both upright then pointed. “Isn’t that the fucking PI?”
I looked around, scanning faces to see if I could spot him. “What?”
Then I saw him. He stared straight at us, about a block from the apartment. My lips thinned as I recognized him.
Phoenix lifted his hand to give the man the finger. I laughed, unable to stop myself.So, we areback to this.My family hired him before to follow me, not that it made any sense. I didn’t go anywhere besides school.
Let him take photos.
Quickly, we ducked into a nearby grocery store to grab the few things I needed to cook a simple meal. I hoped I could cook, anyway. Aunt Amelia cooked for ‘call me Ted’ sometimes, and I watched her. Maybe I hoped she would be like a mother, despite me so completely failing in San Francisco. Maybe I just wanted her to like me? Regardless, I recognized really quickly people like her would show me favor if I gave them a ton of attention.
We made it all the way to his home and inside the building without getting into it with the PI, which had to be a win of some kind.
Stepping into the apartment, we came up short when we saw Kit and Daniel.That’s right. Dina said they were coming back.
“Kit. Daniel.” Phoenix stepped around them. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”
Kit ran a hand through his hair. “I thought you would all be home. Alatheia, good to see you.”
Is it?I could never make out exactly how the elders in their family felt about me. Maybe they liked me? Maybe they thought I should go away. Maybe both.Sometimes it seems my life is full of maybes.
“Hi,” Daniel said and smiled at both of us. “Good to see you’re both well.”
Kit leaned against the wall. “You didn’t answer when we asked about the others. Where are they?”
“The twins should be almost home. They had practice tonight,” I said as I carried the bags to the kitchen and set them on the counter. “Barrett has class until eight-forty-five .”
Their oldest father—not a genetic father to any of them—nodded. “Okay. Alatheia, I’ll talk to you for a minute then we can wait for the twins. You can all relay our conversation to Barrett.”
Daniel sat down on the couch, so I considered Barrett’s father. They could practically be twins except Barrett had slightly lighter hair than his father.
“Hold on, Kit. How was school? You’re two days in now, right? How is it going?” He looked between us.
Phoenix hadn’t said a word. Was he going to answer or would I be monologuing with his family?
He sighed. “Fine. I mean, it’s the second day. I’m not failing yet, if that’s what you’re asking.”
