Chapter 16
It was the end of June, and Jayce’s little brother, Luca, was graduating from high school. Mrs. Fierro had invited Kristine to attend, and it did happen to fall on her latest three days off. As kind as it was for her to be included in their family event, Kristine just didn’t feel right attending without Jayce.
She supposed she could go with him, letting him ride like a parrot on her shoulder, but looking like a pirate wouldn’t exactly blend in. Instead she suggested that she visit with Jayce at their home, keeping him company while everyone else was gone. Jayce must be about fourteen years old mentally by now, so they might be able to have a decent conversation.
Before the family left for Boston Latin High School, Mr. Fierro took the front-door key off his key ring and handed it to Kristine. “If you need anything or just feel like going out for a walk, please lock the front door.”
“Wow,” Luca said. “You must really trust her, Dad.”
“I trust her just fine. It’s the rest of Boston I worry about walking in and helping themselves to our priceless treasures.” He laughed.
“Come on, Antonio,” Gabriella said. “We’re going to make Luca late for his lineup. We need to leave now.” She surprised Kristine by walking over to her and kissing her on both cheeks. “Thank you for staying with Jayce. I know he appreciates it.”
Kristine thought if he appreciated it so much, he’d probably show up. He was nowhere to be found. “Where is he?”
“In the basement, dear. He tries to fly outside sometimes. So we close the door when he goes down there to eat.”
That seemed odd to Kristine. “Isn’t he old enough to understand that you want him to stay in?”
Gabriella sighed. “Jayce was always the rebel.”
Antonio snorted and said, “And how. Where’s Luca?”
“Already outside. I saw him leave while your backs were turned,” Kristine said.
“Come on, Gabriella. You’re the one who wanted to get going, remember?”
“Yes, yes. We’ll see you in a couple of hours, Kristine, dear.” And with that, she hurried after her husband and closed the door behind them.
Kristine had better let Jayce out. She strode over to the basement door and opened it.
Jayce must have been waiting at the top of the stairs because he flew out immediately and landed on her head.
She giggled. “I’m glad to see you too.”
He hopped onto her shoulder and leaned in, laying his cheek against hers.
Encouraged, she looked forward to a conversation with him. A real conversation.
“Let’s find your board so we can talk.”
They started in the living room, looking all around for the thing. “Damn. They must’ve put it away,” Kristine said when she couldn’t find it. “Do you know where it is?”
Jayce did his best to shake his head. Basically, he looked at her with his right eye, then his left, and then his right again.
“I’m sure it’s around here somewhere.” She moved to the dining room and tried opening the drawers at the bottom of the hutch. All she found was silverware napkins and tablecloths. “Not here.” She moved on to the kitchen and began looking in drawers and cabinets there. No luck. “Well, without going through every room in your house, I guess we just better enjoy being in each other’s company.”
He hung his head.
“What, you don’t like my company?”
He squawked and took off, flying in a circle around her. Then he landed on her shoulder again and leaned in to touch her cheek.
“I love you too.”
She stroked his feathers. He made a different sound this time. Almost like a coo. Perhaps they could communicate a little bit if she learned some bird-speak.
“I’ve been thinking… One of us is going to have to compromise if we’re to be together.”
