14: Gavin.

Ariana ends up being gone most of the day, and when she finally comes back, the movers are in full swing, and the decorator shows up early. I asked her to come the following day, but she was eager to meet Ariana and get started. I’m sure her commission check motivated her to come over as soon as possible.

Ariana’s cheeks are flushed as she runs around, but she’s as beautiful as ever as she points people in the right direction. She talks to the decorator about the style she’d like for the house, and I work some more until dinner. After that we end up by the pool, and just when I’m about to ask her about her day, Apollo wants to talk with me.

“Come sit down,” I tell him as Ariana goes into the house to give us some privacy. “What’s on your mind, son?”

“I need to talk to you about something I heard today.” His eyebrows are drawn together, and he looks like he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

“All right, let me hear it.” I try to stay calm because it sounds like he has