After giving me near cardiac arrests this past month with their squabbling, Bruno and Rosie have finally started getting along. I’ve been in San Diego with them for ten days now, and they’ve fallen in love with the wild area here. They spend every morning and evening out there now. Sure, it means bathing them twice a day and shouting into a megaphone to call them back for meals, but it’s worth it. As long as they’re happy.
“I don’t feel like eating,” I mutter, spooning a small portion onto my plate anyway.
Lyn chuckles. “After dancing like a woman possessed for three days, it’s hard not to end up like this.”
I laugh. The slight movement pulls at my sore stomach muscles, which makes me laugh even harder at the absurd state of my body.
“This is a horrible feeling.”
“We have to leave for DC.” Leo’s voice comes from the doorway.
We both look at him. His jaw is clenched hard. His face is pale.
“What’s wrong?” Lyn asks, rising from her chair.
“Uncle was in a plane crash.”
A gasp escapes both Lyn and me. I feel lightheaded instantly.
“Is he— is he…” I can’t finish. Tears choke my throat.
“He didn’t survive. They found the body.” The words leave Leo in a ragged whisper. His eyes are red-rimmed.
I cover my mouth with both hands. The impact of his words registers slowly. I shake my head, tears streaming, and then I’m holding my head, wailing.
Leo comes to me. I cling to him; he strokes my hair. Lyn settles down beside me and pulls me close.
I don’t know how long I cry—only that eventually, there are no tears left.
Leo helps me up, and we leave the dining room. On our way out, he instructs his butler to care for Rosie and Bruno.
On the jet, the tears start again as we near DC. The thought of seeing Uncle’s dead body is agonizing. Memories from childhood rush in, suffocating me. I cry even harder for Avi and Aunt—imagining their pain.
We land at the airstrip near Dad’s mansion. A car takes us the rest of the way.
We walk inside. No one’s there, except Dad.
I run to him and hug him tightly.
He rubs my back.
I forget to breathe between sobs. He pulls back and holds my face, wiping tears that won’t stop.
“Where are Aunt and Mom?” Leo asks.
“Abi lost consciousness from the shock. Persephone is with her at the hospital.”
“Take us there,” I manage to say.
He shakes his head. “Lyn and you stay here. You’re not in any condition to see anyone.”
Lyn wraps an arm around my shoulder, keeping me upright as Dad and Leo leave.
Once they’re gone, Lyn leads me to her and Leo’s room. Her expression is calm, pitying; she hasn’t cried once.
The funeral is set for evening. Avi and Zo have arrived. Aunt is stable but has been crying nonstop. Avi seems better—she must be in shock. She cries, but only in small, sporadic bursts.
Grandpa and Grandma are calm, too. Everyone is so calm. It feels strange.Is this how they cope?
