Page 44 of The Sky in Summer
“I’ve got it! Here we go!”
“Get the net!”
Grabbing it, Nobel brings it to the shore, while Scarlett finds the pliers.
“Is this the right tool?” She says it to whoever might know the answer.
“Yeah, that’s perfect,” Van answers.
The fish is a big ole beauty, still struggling against the inevitable. Gaston brings it in. Its colors reflecting in the bright sunlight.
“I don’t like this part. Please forgive me, Mr. Salmon.”
“Just shoot me and put me out of this misery!” Gaston says, rubbing his ample stomach.
“Did you eat too much?” Aurora fakes the question, sounding like she would be shocked if it were true.
Their children get the inside joke and join the teasing.
“It’s a huge surprise to us all, Mother,” Aargon says, taking the final bite of salmon on his plate.
“Hey! It takes fuel to operate this engine!” Gaston answers the insult. “Are you ready for dessert, Parish?”
“There’s always room for Scarlett’s handmade ice cream.”
She beams at her husband, as if she just fell in love.
They are a good couple. I like the exchange of energies between them. Van said they had such a dramatic beginning. Maybe it forged this solid looking relationship.
It’s a happy table, and a big one. We extended it to maximum length. The Lyons, and their guests fit nicely. Well some of the us anyway. The kids wanted to take their plates and eat outside by the fire pit. I think they wanted to get away from the adults and live their best lives. I am not going to think what that entails. Earlier, I saw Gia looking David over. The expression on his face was a new one. But I recognize it.
“Van! How about you and Layla help me clear the plates? Then we can bring out the pies and ice cream.”
“Sure, Aurora. Let me help,” I say.
“I’ll help too,” Scarlett adds, pushing her chair away.
“No, no. We don’t need any other help. Just enjoy yourself, darling.”
Aurora is an artist. At forming the narrative she wants. She is stealthy but totally relaxed in the delivery. Am I the only one who sees what she’s doing? By the look on Aargon and Van’s faces the answer is no. Of course, they have been in her orbit their entire lives.
I start gathering the plates, and Van works the other side of the table. Our eyes meet as we pass, and I get a smile loaded with innuendo. When we walk into the kitchen Aurora is already getting the dessert plates from the cupboard.
“Tell me, Layla, have you ever been to Paris? We are all going next January, to see Van. Has he told you he’s refurbishing his grandmother’s home?”
“Yes. It sounds wonderful. I’ve never been.”
My mother turns and stops the stacking.
“You would love it! Without doubt the most romantic city in the world.”
11
Van
After a lecture on the wonders of Paris, and how much the family,including Sam and Teddy,loved being there, my mother let things sit. I left the room to deliver the plates, and never heard another word said about the subject. And it has not resumed while we are having dessert. I know Aurora Lyon’s M.O. She is under the impression, by talking it up enough, a Parisian seed will be planted in Layla’s mind. Like that is all it would take. She goes too far. How does she know the idea of Layla in Paris is something I would want? True, I’m not trying to stop her.
Aurora The Seer pushes out any outcome other than the one in her sights. She has detected a possible connection for her youngest son and approves. In her defense, it is the first one that didn’t give the parents a rash. Sometimes my more unusual choices have come into question. The stripper I brought to a family dinner was particularly hard for them to swallow. I pointed out later it was sexist or misogynistic or some bad reasoning they used in judging the girl. That was a long conversation.
