Pandora #2
Samantha glances uncertainly at me, and I give her a broad, reassuring smile.
“See?” I say as we ride up the elevator. “Easy! Simple! Mama is a gentle soul who will make you feel welcome, unless your name is River, Blaze, or Asch.”
“Right,” she says, not looking convinced. “Are you sure your family is okay with me staying here?” It’s at least the twelfth time she’s asked, but she still doesn’t seem to be convinced.
“Yep. The more, the merrier. Although I think we aren’t meeting with Auntie Lucia’s family this Christmas.
Something about them going on a yacht trip?
Also, we saw them at Thanksgiving, and Papa and Lucia can only stand each other so much.
” We reach the top floor, and I lead Samantha to Daddy’s bedroom.
I’ve been in here before, sure, but not often. I don’t know what I expected, but the large bed has simple blue sheets on it. The decor in the room consists mostly of family photos.
A lot of family photos. There’s a whole gallery wall of them, right over the couch that I know used to be Mama’s “reading” couch before Mel was born. The bookshelf next to the couch is stuffed full with books.
I set Samantha’s duffel bag down on the bed.
“Well, this is it!” I say. “I would avoid looking in any drawers, just in case.” I walk over to the closet and peer inside.
Suits, a lot of them, but there’s one spot where clothes are missing. He must have moved them so he wouldn’t need to bother Samantha during her stay. There still isn’t much room in there.
“You’ll probably want to live out of your bag. I don’t think there’s space for you to hang up your stuff,” I tell her.
“That’s fine,” she says, glancing at the closet. “I’m not displacing anyone, am I?”
“Nah, it’s fine.” I pick up my own bag again.
“I’m gonna put my stuff away and head downstairs.
Everyone will be in the family room on the first floor.
Unless they aren’t, in which case they’re in their rooms, but why would you bother anyone in their bedrooms?
” I laugh, even though Samantha continues to look awkward.
I wave to her before I leave and go down two flights of stairs to my own bedroom. It smells a bit of lemony cleaner, and my sheets are freshly washed. I never make my bed at the dorm.
I collapse onto the bed and pull out my phone. I tab over to the group text.
Pandora
Hope you’re all having a great time without me already.
I mean, I don’t really, because being with me would be infinitely better. But may traffic be good and the airlines without delays, etc.
Boyfriend
Harmony’s airport is okay. So far, so good, which means I just cursed us.
Blabe
It’s not. The lounge is dismal.
Boyfriend
He hasn’t stopped complaining since we got here. You’ll have to join us next time so you can tell him your bad jokes and cheer him up.
I glance at my closed door. I know Samantha is potentially waiting… no, she’s probably taking a shower and stalling before she has to deal with everybody.
I hit the video call button.
Blaze answers, and the video shows him and Asch sitting close together in what does appear to be a fairly dismal airline lounge, all beige and boring.
“Be glad Harmony’s airport even has a lounge,” I say by way of greeting.
Blaze rolls his eyes. “It’s barely a lounge. The only food service is a tiny snack bar with pre-packaged protein bars or pretzels.”
“He’s used to lounges with all the rich people sticking their pinkies up while they drink expensive booze,” Asch says. “He’s suffering. Really.”
“It sounds awful,” I say. “Have you been in the lounge in New Bristol? The international airport, not the domestic one. They actually have steak if you go around the dinner hours.”
Blaze wrinkles his nose, while Asch shakes his head.
“I don’t need steak, but I want the salad to not be wilting.” Blaze smiles at me then. “How was the drive? Has your Papa already given you a lecture about how we’re bad news?”
“Papa would never!” I say. “He’s all in favor of bad news. But nah, he’s still in the kitchen cooking. Why are you guys at the airport so early?”
“Because you’re supposed to be at the airport at least two and a half or three hours before your flight in case something goes wrong,” Asch says promptly, but he rubs the back of his neck and his cheeks flush red. “All right, maybe it’s a little excessive, but I didn’t want to be late.”
Blaze rolls his eyes and knocks his hand against Asch’s chest. “Every single fucking time. There has never been a line for security at Harmony. Never. No, not even during peak travel season when all the students are flying home.”
“You never know,” Asch insists. “And you know that the NewVa airport gets crazy, so it’s a good habit to get into.”
I laugh, although my eyes are drawn to how Blaze’s hand lingers on Asch for a few extra seconds.
“I give you permission,” I say.
“Uh. Permission for what?” Blaze asks.
“To sleep with each other. You’ll be lonely in NewVa without me, and at least one of your Christmases will suck, so go ahead and go on dates and fuck or whatever.” I keep my voice light, even though there’s a hammer inside my chest, trying to destroy my ribcage.
“Go on dates?” Asch repeats with a snort. “Yeah, okay. That’s not happening, Pandora.” He lowers his voice. “And we wouldn’t fuck around without you there.”
“I think we’re both going to be pretty busy with other stuff,” Blaze says, dropping his voice as well. “And it wouldn’t be fun without you.”
Blaze isn’t looking at Asch, so he can’t see it, but for a split second Asch’s smile falters.
I stick my tongue out at them. “Yeah, you two were having boring vanilla sex before I showed up. Anyway. I should go see what my family is up to. Give each other a kiss and pretend it’s from me.”
I hang up before I can see their reactions.
Wow, I’m being a hypocrite. I wouldn’t ask for their permission to do anything with River. I love seeing them touch each other in front of me. We’re all part of this great big poly group.
I need to get over myself, because I’m pretty sure the posters in my room didn’t originally have sinister glowing eyes. How are they glowing when it’s not even that dark in here?
I change into a clean shirt and sweater, then head downstairs.
Mama and Papa are both in the kitchen, Papa’s arms around her from behind while he kisses her neck. I don’t think they’ve noticed me.
“…over the kitchen counter,” Papa is saying. “Gonna fuck you so raw, Mama.”
Yeah, they definitely haven’t noticed me.
“Giulio, we have a guest,” Mama reminds him, but she doesn’t try to pull away from him.
I wonder how long this will go on before they realize I’m standing in the doorway. I mean, it’s kind of their own fault for starting this in the kitchen, with the door open. It’s like Papa wants everybody to see.
“A guest who’s too terrified to come down here without Pandora,” Papa says. He reaches up to cup Mama’s breast through her sweater.
Mama makes a soft sound, but then she goes still. She turns around, and a blush spreads across her cheeks as she sees me standing there. It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve caught my parents getting frisky with each other, but every time, she acts like it’s something new and unusual.
“Pandora!” she says. “How long have you been lurking?”
I grin at her. “Not too long. I’m going to fuck you so raw, Mama. Right in the kitchen! I think that’s unsanitary.”
Papa laughs, while Mama covers her face with her hands. Papa gives her a kiss on the cheek before stepping away. “It’s for the best. I think the salmon is almost done.”
He goes over to the ovens and opens the top one. The smell of garlicky salmon gets stronger, and I almost drool in anticipation of the meal.
“How’s your friend doing?” Mama asks, starting to pull plates from the cupboard.
“She is pretty certain nobody wants her here.” I go to help Mama. “So please, please, Papa, don’t make weird jokes.”
“Uh.” Papa pulls the tray out of the oven. “Define weird jokes.”
“Ones about sex or being mafia or murdering people or any references to your line of work.” I set the plates on the counter and go for the cutlery. “She’s had it bad. With the Bouchard Syndicate.”
Papa’s expression darkens. “If they try anything—”
“They won’t try anything while she’s here,” Mama says firmly, cutting Papa off. “You know they wouldn’t dare.” She kisses him on the cheek. “I’ll go set the table.”
She heads to the dining room. I watch Papa cut the salmon into portions and place them on the serving dish.
“Papa…” I look down at my fingers. The hot pink polish is chipped in a few places. Maybe I should take Samantha to one of the local salons.
“Papa?” Papa prompts. “Say something or go help Mama.”
I sigh. I want to talk about all sorts of things, but I know the privacy we have here is an illusion. Mama can hear every word we’re saying from the dining room.
“Later,” I say. I go over to him and give him a hug from behind. “I’ll tell you that I love you right now, though. And you’re the best Papa anyone could ask for.”
Papa goes still for a few seconds. “I think that’s Damien, actually. But I appreciate the sentiment, Frog.”
“Nah, he’s the best Daddy. You’re the best Papa.” I pull away and reach for the cutlery. “I’ll help Mama. And I’ll tell Samantha that the food’s ready.”
“Tell Ares and Kratos too. They’re in the workshop with Slayer, doing… I don’t know, something that I hope isn’t arson.” Papa grins. “Mostly because it would upset Mama, and I do like the house.”
“Yeah, they should save arson for other people’s houses,” I agree. “What about Mel?”
“She’s out with Damien, doing Christmas shopping.” Papa wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me close. He kisses the top of my head. “My favorite destroyer of worlds. I’m glad you’re home.”
Home.
Yeah. I’m glad I’m home too.
Except for the ominous drips on the walls. I could really do with less of those.
Maybe dinner will help settle me, and all these hallucinations will go the fuck away for the rest of the break.