Page 36 of Enter if you Dare: Part Three

Noa breaks out into laughter and throws a black pair of sweats at me, which I catch and pull on.

“Good,” I say.

“You have no idea how happy I am right now. I could almost start singing Christmas carols.”

“God, no,” Valli grumbles. “There has not been enough caffeine for that yet.”

Once we are all dressed and have coffee in our travel mugs, we head toward the circus tent. It has been converted into the communal space for Christmas, the same as every year; it’s the only area big enough to hold all the staff and family members here on the island. Though some staff go home to visit family, many stay behind.

The tent smells so good, and it’s nice not to have to look at oatmeal again. It’s like wet disappointment in a bowl, after someone has already chewed it.

I recognize Noa’s and Cipher’s families from the photos. Kelly is at the largest table with Christopher and Cindy, Lach is on his phone, while Ellis and Mack are serving themselves food. The twins are chatting excitedly with Leni, and Khodi stands super close to her . . . I wonder what that’s about?

The Jester spots me from across the room first and makes his way over, a smile spread across his face. The closer I get, the more I can see how ridiculous his sweater is. It’s an entire nativity scene with lots of sequins and bells. The wise men look to be chasing sheep, and a reindeer is in the manger. He bounces toward me, jingling the entire way.

“Good to see you’re finally home. I could have had you back sooner, but I wasn’t allowed to admit myself.”

I nod in thanks. Noa filled me in on their backup plan, but thankfully Valli and Cipher have more sense because it never would have worked. He would have gotten himself doped up and would’ve never been allowed anywhere near me.

Noa interrupts us, then leads me over to the table where his mom is sitting. She is a tiny, curvaceous woman with the same smile as her son. “I’m Kelly,” she says. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Most of it from Noa, which means it was probably accurate, then extremely embellished.” She doesn’t wait for me to respond, and I’m sure Noa has told her I don’t talk, and if I do, it’s reserved for those I care to talk to. “I’m glad you’re home. I know my son has missed you a lot.”

I nod this time, as Seth instructed that it’s polite to acknowledge people and that I should try to do it more. He assured me that with practice and repetition, it would feel more natural and not forced.

I sit beside Valli, and Noa bounces into the seat on my other side, while Cipher is across from me. Cindy is watching me, and she signs something when she catches my attention.

“You carry a lot quietly.”

The tent is noisy around us. Noa is telling Lach something, and Valli is talking to Kelly, so I sign back.

“I know. Your son is the same.”

Her eyes widen. “You know ASL.”

“Yes.”

She smiles and looks at Cipher, then back at me.

Cipher has gone still. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he signs.

“I hadn’t met your mother yet.”

He stares at me. “But you could have spoken to me.”

“I didn’t need to.”

The tent is loud, so nobody notices our exchange except Valli, who is looking between us. Cipher holds my gaze with frustration in his eyes. He looks at his mother, and she smiles at him.

Then Noa, who has been loudly telling Lach about a hole he dug recently, glances at us. “Why does everyone look like that? What did I miss? Someone tell me what I missed.”

“Cave knows sign language,” Valli informs him.

Noa turns to me slowly. “You know ASL?”

I nod.

“And you didn’t tell us?”

Cipher scoffs. “He said he didn’t need to.”