“You have no idea,” I say, rolling my eyes and taking his hand. I lead him over to the couch, where we sit. “It was a very stressful couple of days.” “I can imagine,” he responds, eyebrows raised. “Are you guys all okay? You and the boys, I mean?” I shrug, looking down at the floor. Edgar, as one
“It’s good to speak to you again,” Victor says the next evening, his voice metallic and mechanical through the old rotary phone. “Yes,” I reply, twirling my fingers in the chord. “The agency let me know that you tried to contact me over the weekend. I apologize for being unavailable.” “That’s all
He hums a little, considering my words. “It makes me wonder if…these aspects of your life truly mix well together. Or if changes need to be made.” I grimace a little as I say this, wondering if I’m getting too close to suggesting that he needs to break up with his girlfriend, especially as I alread
I walk slowly up to the house, surveying the scene, not wanting to run into members of his family. I meet a few Betas in the woods between houses, but they merely nod and smile as I pass. I return the gesture, glad to know that they’re there. The house itself is quiet, though. Lights are on in vari
I purse my lips, studying him as he sits still in the darkness of the porch. The lines of his face are cut as finely as glass, but I can see the sleepless nights, the anxiety, the weight of his increasingly heavy world pressing on him in the darkness of the skin beneath his eyes. It breaks my heart
“Mimi!” Ian shouts, bursting through Victor’s back door. He had seen his grandmother through the window as he ran across the yard, his backpack slung over his shoulder. “Are you coming to our school today!?” She laughs, bending down to look at her grandson. “Your school? What are you talking about?
“Oh, you know,” Bridgette says breathily, closing her eyes and leaning against the island. “Fine I guess, but Rafe kept me up all night doing –“ She opens her eyes and giggles, perhaps remembering who she’s talking to. “Well. You know.” “I don’t know!” Ian says, giving Bridgette a cheerful smile ov
The hall is truly gorgeous, candle-lit chandeliers hoisted high in the ballroom, casting a glowing golden light down on all of the attendees. Victor stands at the entrance to the hall, his mother and father on one side, Rafe and Bridgette on the other. Victor has his hands in his pockets, surveying