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Sometimes, I can taint my own memories.
Cherie is waiting at the bottom, dressed as a summer-ripe peach. Her brown hair shines with golden undertones, and her cheeks, eyelids, and lips are expertly painted to match her voluminous dress. Layer upon layer of translucent tulle trails around her. She positively glows.
I haven’t seen her since I got back, and I can’t fight the smile that breaks out.
“Nate!” she screams and bombards me with a bone-crushing hug.
“Hey, Cherie.” I push her back, putting her at arm’s length so that I can inspect her once again. “You are… wow. Why are you so dressed up? It’s only the first day of our celebration.”
Her smile vanishes, “Listen—”
“Nathaniel!” my mother coos loudly from the hallway. Both Cherie and I wince. “Look at how absolutely amazing you look. So masculine,so Fae. EverysingleFae will have their eyes on you tonight. Oh hell, what am I saying, even the married ones. You’ve gained some muscle! Your father never liked to do anything when we were married. I am so…”
She’s still talking, but I tune her out. It isn’t even a conscious effort. I have heard this spiel so often that my brain can’t handle it again.
“Nathaniel? Hello,” she drawls, and I snap back into reality. “Did you even hear me? No? Well, I said, did you hear the good news?”
“What good news?” I ask, and my eyes snap to Cherie, who is now fidgeting with her dress uncomfortably.
“Oh! You haven’t heard then.” Lucinda shifts while she reaches over and twirls a loose lock of my hair. “I thought Cherie would tell you.” She pushes her lips together in an exaggerated motion as she lifts her shoulders and clasps her hands. “Cherie will be one of the first to get married today.”
“What?” I burst out just as she commands, “Flesh of my flesh.”
I freeze. She is compelling me to listen, something Fae can do to those with weaker minds… or their children. “Your sister is getting married today; isn’t that happy news?”
My jaw is released from its locked position, but my face remains blank. “Yes, it is wonderful. Congratulations, Cherie.”
Lucinda is pleased enough that I can let my whole body relax.
Cherie looks at the ground, “Yes,it iswonderful.” She meets my eyes, and a glimmer of… something hopeful shines. “His name is Mattias, andheis wonderful.”
I freeze. Somehow, I'd never considered that my sister would get married. She grew up in the same house as me; heard the same lectures from our mother.
Something twists in my stomach. Yes, she is getting married, butI didn't know.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I demand, searching for answers in her clear, amber eyes.
“You never asked. In fact, you hardly ever call.” Cherie wrings her hands, and a pang of guilt is a bullet slamming into my chest.
My mom watches me with an uncomfortable intensity as I lean in. “I thought you were dating that Spring Mermaid,” I whisper. "Delilah, right?"
Pinkness tints Cherie’s cheeks. “Honestly, Nate, that was over two years ago. Do you even care about me at all? I can date and marry whomever I like.”
An awkward pause ensues, and I shift uncomfortably as my mother slips out of the room.
"Cherie, I didn't mean..."
She interrupts me, snapping, “It is possible to have more than one preference.” Her lovely amber eyes narrow.
Aaannnddd… full circle. I’ve upset Cherie. Now, this feels like a proper family reunion.
I dip my head, and my cheeks heat. “Yes, you can. I’m sorry, Cherie. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“All right.” Cherie eyeballs me.
I’ve never apologized before, but that’s what happens when you spend time with people who aren’t like you. It feels good to reclaim some of the person I am becoming.
The tension in the room dissipates slightly, and I reach over. "Can I hug you?"
