AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You didn’t have to go to all the trouble to cook, Ma,” Vincent said.
“I’m always going to feed my children,” she said, waving her hand as if to brush away his concerns. “It’s hardly any trouble.”
“What am I helping with, Mama?” Lucas said as he hugged her. “You get that apron off and give it over. I’m sure you’ve been on your feet enough.”
“You don’t need to do a thing, Lucas,” she said, patting his cheek affectionately. “I just need a moment to meet Miss Jessica.” She turned to me, with the kind of smile that carried all the warmth and comfort of coming home after a long day. “My goodness. Well, Vincent told me you were beautiful but you really are a ray of sunshine, aren’t you?” She embraced me, surrounding me with the aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, and patchouli. “I’m Vera. It’s wonderful to finally meet you, Jessica.”
“I’m so glad to meet you,” I said. My nerves had finally calmed down, soothed by how welcoming they all were. “I’d be happy to help with whatever you need.”
“No need, dear, no need,” Vera said. “Everything is almost ready.”
“Don’t go tiring your arms out mashing those potatoes. That’s my job,” Lucas said, poking his head out of the kitchen. He’d slipped in there while we were distracted, and was now wearing a hand-made apron with a pattern of classic cars on the fabric. The twins dragged Jason out the back door, insisting that he play with them, and Manson had already been roped into a conversation about moonshine with Stephan.
As Vera returned to finishing up the meal, Vincent took my hand. “I’ll show you around.” He led me through the living room, pointing to the various paintings and craft projects scattered around and telling me which sister made which. “I told Ma she didn’t have to keep all my old shit, but she’s a bit sentimental.” He opened the small door for the storage room under the stairs, and I gasped at the stacks of painted canvases within.
“Those are all yours?” I exclaimed.
“And Mary’s,” he said. “She’s a much better painter than me.”
“Am not,” Mary said, although she blushed at the praise.
“She’s too modest,” Vincent said, closing the storage room again. “Do you mind if I show Jess the old room, Mary? Promise we won’t be too long.”
She nodded, and Vincent led me up the narrow stairway. Some of the stairs were a little crooked, and the railing was a long tree limb that still had the bark attached. Little figures and designs had been carved into the wood, and Vince pointed them out to me as we went.
“My dad did the carving here,” he said. “He used to be a carpenter when he was younger, before his arthritis got too bad. He made all that furniture downstairs himself.”
At the top of the stairs, at the end of a narrow hallway, a ladder led up to the attic. The rails were wrapped in sparkle lights and the rungs were decorated with fake flowers.
“Mary has really prettied things up since I last lived here,” Vincent said. “The room wasn’t quite this cool when it was mine.”
He reached the top of the ladder first, then extended his hand for me. The attic was smaller than the one Vincent occupied now, but it felt cozy instead of cramped. Pale green and purple tapestries covered the walls, with more twinkle lights along the ceiling and around the tall narrow window. The bed was covered with a mishmash of blankets and pillows in varying colors and patterns.
Despite it being his younger sister’s room, the space still felt familiar.
“Mary must really take after you,” I said, noticing the shelves of paints, brushes, and piled canvases. There were drawers of beads, plastic boxes full of charms, craft supplies stored on every available shelf. It was a treasure trove of interesting things to discover.
“The urge to create is really strong in the Volkov family,” he said. He led me to the window seat, which was too small for the both of us. But he sat and then pulled me onto his lap. We could see down into the backyard, where Jason and the twins were playing ball with Bo and Jojo. “Growing up, our parents were always making things. Whether it was building their own furniture or growing their own food. They did everything they could to give us a happy childhood. We didn’t have much; money was tight, especially with so many kids. But they made it work. They didn’t hesitate to take in Jason after his parents kicked him out, either. It wasn’t even a question to them. I owe them a lot.” His expression grew somber for a moment. “That’s why I was selling pills in high school. Figured it was the only way I could really try to help, it was quick money. I tried to keep it quiet, but it really broke my mom’s heart when I got in trouble.”
“You got in trouble?” I said. “I heard the rumor you were arrested, but you were back in school so fast, I didn’t think it was true.”
“It was true,” he said with a grimace. “I was a terribly naughty boy and they had to arrest me for the good of society. The school decided not to press charges as long as I did their little ‘scared straight’ program. Unfortunately for them, I’m a good actor and very stubborn. I’m also good at learning from my mistakes. Never got caught again.”
We watched Jason and the girls play with the dogs for a while, snuggled close on the window seat. The house was swiftly filling with delicious smells, and my stomach grumbled with hunger. I noticed a little heart carved into the window sill, and when I leaned closer, I spotted the initials V+J inside it.
“Jason and I used to watch the stars out this window,” Vincent said, as I traced my finger over the heart. “It always made our problems feel smaller, somehow. Like in all that vastness of space, we’re just tiny motes of dust with tiny problems.”
Staring up into the pale blue sky, I understood the feeling. A few wispy clouds floated by, the breeze rustling the trees. Autumn was just around the corner. Despite the drama, the pain, and the confusion we humans went through, the world kept on turning anyway.
It was reassuring, in a way. No matter how stressful or uncertain things felt, life would go on.
“I’ve always wanted to buy him a really good telescope,” Vincent continued. “He really loves, like, planets and all that shit. Just haven’t been able to afford it yet.” He kissed my cheek, then rested his chin on my shoulder. “We should take you stargazing sometime. If you want.”
“I’d love that.” I giggled as I watched Jojo lose the ball, and the girls had to run and retrieve it for her. “Do you know any good spots?”
“I know a few. There’s a new spot I heard of recently that sounded fun; it’s in a state park up north. They have a haunted lighthouse you can stay in.”
“Okay, you’ve sold me!” I said. “Where is this place and when can we go?”
