Page 62 of Dahlias, Sapphires, and Cool Autumn Dusk
“Right.” He winked. “It counts, cougar.”
Loopywas an incredibly funny musical. I laughed the duration, and even Phoenix—who didn’t like musicals—laughed by the ending. The remodeled but ancient theatre gave the actors a brilliant stage, and overall, it took my breath away.
Our red velvet seats were comfortably situated, if a bit close together, reminiscent of an airplane. They packed as many people into the show as possible. The color reminded me of Dina’s red walls, and I made a mental note to tell her all about it the next time I saw her. The color seemed so theatric, it fit Dina.
But up close, the walls seemed to be made of gold itself, which couldn’t be possible in such a big space, yet the facsimile seemed strikingly effective. Chandeliers sparkled elegantly from the ceiling. Moldings. Trimmings. The very building dedicated to the art of theatre, taking the time to ensure a quality experience in the small details despite people only spending a couple of hours in the place.
I touched the seats reverently on our way out, the tiny brass placards on the back of each seat numbered for ease of use.
Julian frowned, seeming disappointed. “Next time, it’ll be better.”
“What? I thought it was fantastic.” I couldn’t imagine what he meant.
He shook his head. “It was so last minute. Our seats were terrible. We’ll be closer next time.”
We sat practically in the center of the orchestra.How much closer can we get, onstage?I blinked at him, utterly baffled. “They were perfect.”
“Then why did you touch the seats like that when we left? You weren’t thinking how shitty the seats were?” He tilted his head.
I sighed. “I didn’t think you would even notice, but honestly? I made a memory of it. On purpose. I do it a lot when we’re doing things together, Julian, and with all of you. I try to record everything in the moment I am happy, so I can remember it later, when things aren’t so great.”
We had made our way onto the street, since we weren’t going to stop to meet the actors. Once we made it a block off Broadway, Julian hugged me. I loved his attention, but the suddenness startled me.
He finally pulled away. “I wanted to try to make a memory, like you said earlier. One of you and me hugging on the street, so I can pull it out the next time the world threatens to destroy something I love.”
I nodded and touched his face gently. They often reminded me I wasn’t the only one who had survived hell. The more I knew them, the more I realized Phoenix getting kidnapped had damaged all of the brothers. Born in just under three years, they were close, which made sense. Barrett probably couldn’t even remember a time before his brothers. They were a group, a team of sorts, but someone took Phoenix and hurt him. Becausethey were so connected, it hurt all of them, the damage almost reverberating down the threads that connected them.
By the time we got home, I held my abdomen because of the cramps. My period for sure started, so I groaned and headed into the bathroom. Never regular, I only had it once in the spring before this summer started. When it came, here and there, it seemed to have the enthusiasm from the time it missed.
“You okay?” Jer asked me when I exited the bathroom in my pajamas a while later.
“I got my little visitor,” I admitted awkwardly.
He winced. “Sorry.”
“Thanks,” I said, climbing into the bed with concern about the waves of cramps no doubt on their way. It hurt, and there wasn’t a pretty way to think about it. My aunt Amelia only shrugged at my irregular period, despite my concerns, since hers was similarly weird, which told me nothing. “I need to see a doctor. I have got to get health insurance. I am probably on someone’s policy, but I have no idea who to ask.”
The doorbell rang. We blinked at each other, startled at company at that hour, until Barrett went to answer it in his boxer shorts and a white t-shirt.
Phoenix’s vacant gaze met mine, telling me he’d taken something while I cleaned up in the bathroom. He said, “It’s obviously our parents. No one else would be here at this hour without getting announced by the doorman. Anyone else would have to wait downstairs until we permitted them upstairs.”
Barrett reentered the bedroom, considering us all before admitting, “It’s all of our parents. They want to see you, too, Alatheia. Are you up for it?”
I swallowed, because my cramps had started. Still, it wasn’t like I usually catered to what I needed. I nodded. “Sure.”
Jer stopped me, his hand on my arm. “You’re in pain. If they start any bullshit, I’m throwing them out.”
I sighed and stepped around him, since I didn’t want him to kick his own family out of the apartment.
All five waited in the living room, and I considered them quietly from behind Phoenix. It was my first time seeing Rosalind since she threw me out of the Hamptons. With her hair pulled back in a high ponytail, she wore a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt, and for a second, I was struck by how young she looked. I never thought of the adults as young before.
She smiled at all five of us, while her husbands alternated between watching her and watching us.
Rosalind held a wrapped gift, and I stared at the elegant wrapping paper with awe.Someone must’ve told her it was my birthday or she’s very early for the twins.
Her kind eyes regarded me. “Alatheia, I hear it is your birthday.” She paused before she added, “Dina told me. I guess one of you probably told her.”
Barrett raised his hand. “I thought she would want to know.”
