CHAPTER 75 – CASPIAN
I sit across from Antonio’s parents.
Lucia has a multi-page, color-coded worksheet and she’s talking us through it with the intensity of a chess grandmaster. She clearly considers it a legally binding agreement.
“Tuesdays are for family,” she says, giving me a stern, maternal look. “Dinner is non-negotiable. Absence requires a doctor’s note or a death certificate.”
I nod solemnly. Antonio had warned me about the holiness of their Tuesday dinners.
“Understood.”
“We can trade the Sunday brunch if you can join our board-game Fridays,” Giuseppe offers.
“We don’t have board-game Fridays,” Antonio points out.
“We could,” his father replies dreamily. “Caspian seems like a person who doesn’t flip over the board if the dice misbehaves.”
Antonio is suddenly very interested in the tablecloth.
“I’m sure we’ll manage brunch and the occasional board-game night,” I reassure him, exchanging a look with Antonio.
He nods in agreement.
Lucia claps her hands.
“So, the casserole rotation—”
Antonio’s phone buzzes at the same time mine does, interrupting Lucia’s casserole pitch.
I squint at the screen.
“We’ve been invited to the founding meeting of The Baywood Justice Squad.”
Antonio frowns.
“I got it too. What does it mean?”
“It could mean literally anything,” I say. “But if I had to guess, it’s Ryan-related.”
“Oh.” His shoulders go stiff.
I set my phone aside and brush my thumb over the back of his hand.
“First things first,” I say carefully. “Are you okay with this? Baywood enthusiasm can get theatrical. It’s your call.”
He chews on his lip, thinking. Then he looks at me.
“They mean well, right? Maybe we should go and at least check it out. And then decide? Can we do that?”
“Of course we can.” I pull him against me, fully aware his parents are transforming into heart-eyes emojis.
“And yes, they mean well, but it can escalate. Whenever you want, we leave.”
He exhales into my shoulder.
“Okay.”
*****
Baywood Beans vibrates with vigilance when we arrive.
Becky Fairweather, PTA president and unofficial chaos manager, stands beside an enormous flip chart, guarding it from Harold’s eager hands.
Earl shuffles toward us, flashing his toy badge at Antonio.
“Has Caspian told you how we solved the ‘Triple G’ case?”
“What ‘Triple G’ case?” Antonio asks.
I’m as clueless as he is and twice as terrified to hear the reply.
“Groping Garden Gnomes,” Earl says proudly. “It was a tough case to crack.”
By the window, Steve and Ann-Sabrina are arguing.
“This town needs an escape room,” Steve insists, leaning so close to Ann-Sabrina that their noses almost touch.
“What we need,” Ann-Sabrina says, dabbing what I hope is imaginary spit on her cheek, “is an escape from your bodily fluids.”
“What even is an escape room?” Earl asks, already nervous. “Is Bob welcome?”
Steve launches into an explanation involving locks, puzzles, and teamwork.
By the end of it, Earl looks more confused.
“Why go if the whole point is to leave?”
“Escape rooms are like life,” Maija says, startling us all. We hadn’t noticed her sitting in the corner like a Finnish oracle.
She stirs her coffee unhurriedly.
“Some people move to the other side faster than others.”
“That’s beautiful,” Eliot murmurs. “That would make the womb the first escape room.”
That’s… not disturbing at all.
Antonio squeezes my hand.
“So many people,” he whispers. He looks astonished. “It’s good, though,” he adds. “Feels nice.”
Becky claps sharply.
“Welcome, everyone! I’d like to begin by saying how honored and humbled I am by the trust you’ve placed in my ability to lead this committee.”
“Well, you insisted,” Steve says. “And no one else had a flip chart."
“As I was saying,” Becky continues through her teeth, “honored.”
Antonio is fighting laughter.
“The operation we’re about to launch is complex,” Becky says, lowering her voice. “Possibly dangerous.”
A dramatic pause.
“It’s called Not Today, Ryan.”
Antonio’s shoulders tense.
“I wanted to add Not Tomorrow Either, but Becky said it was excessive,” Earl informs us.
“Are you ready for the motto reveal?” Becky asks, glowing.
Antonio presses his back against my chest, and I put my arms around him, creating a shield between him and the room.
“They have a motto reveal ,” he mutters.
“I think they’re only getting started,” I say, slightly worried. “Are you still okay?”
He nods.
“If this helps us to get Ryan out of our lives, I think it’s worth it.”
I can tell he’s uncomfortable, though. It makes perfect sense—this is his past, his lived experience, being turned into slogans while people sip coffee and eat cake.
Becky clears her throat.
“The motto is—”
“Try another town!” Steve shouts.
“Steve, you ruined the reveal!” Becky hisses.
“My suggestion was better, anyway.” Ann-Sabrina looks around. “Harassment has consequences.”
“I like that one,” Antonio says quietly.
Maija raises her mug.
“I’d like to offer an alternative.” She looks around in her unwavering way. “In the swamp, nothing screams for long.”
We all stare at her, slightly terrified.
Then the bell above the door jingles.
Ryan steps in.
“What the fuck are we supposed to do now?” Steve asks.
Antonio’s fingers curl tightly in mine, almost bruising my knuckles.