“Seven o’clock.”
“Seven o’clock,” I pushed out.
The call ended. I laid my head against the door, allowing the phone to fall onto the floor beside me. As I gathered myself, there was a single thought that stuck with me.
“He’s real.”
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
Hard knuckles slammed against the door, pulling me from the depths of my latest reality. I wiped the moisture from my eyes and stood on my feet. When I pulled the door open, Augusti lost his balance, nearly falling into the loft.
I pushed past Koen and continued into the hallway. Two sets of footsteps followed close behind. I stood in front of the elevator, waiting for the cart. August’s thumb pressed the down arrow.
I shook my head, trying to collect myself. I was completely out of my element. There were so many things happening inside of me, happeningto me.
“He wouldn’t be pleased with your behavior this morning, Balle,” Koen chastised.
“I’m aware. But, has he informed you all that I am twenty-four, not fourteen?”
“He’s well aware, and so are we. However, this is a very sensitive time for everyone. You. Us. Him. Everyone. Our intentions aren’t to treat you like a child. It’s to protect you as if you were our child. And, that’s what we’re going to do.
“No matter what that looks like for us or how that makes you feel. It makes us feel better knowing we won’t have to report your death or hospitalization or abduction to our boss. Play fair, Balle, and we’ll do the same.”
“I have a date tonight,” I expressed.
I wasn’t defiant. It wasn’t in my nature. However, I’d wanted a moment to myself, a moment of freedom, and was denied. Koen and Augusti were simply casualties.
“We’ll respect your space.”
“Thank you.”
“Your phone, Balle,” August said, handing me my cellular device.
Sac had placed my heart in my hands, leaving little room to carry the phone out of the loft. I was busy trying to surgically improve the placement and attachment of my heart to my pericardium so that it wouldn’t fall out of my chest again.
I have to call Roaman. I thought.This can’t happen again.
With remorseful eyes, I peered at the device in August’s hand, unable to take it into mine. They were full.
The ringlet fellonto my shoulder, joining the others. I slid my finger up the end and twirled it in place, simultaneously spraying the contents of the large brown aerosol can. It would keep my curls in place for the next six to twenty-four hours, depending on my range of motion and level of activity.
“Rome– did you hear me, honey?”
My mother’s voice enclosed around me like a soft blanket on a cold day.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Preparing for my first day with my mother on FaceTime, my brother many miles away, my father in the ground, and my sisters occupied with the families they’d created wasn’t exactly how I’d thought any of this would go. Yet, here we were. Here I was, twenty-four and keeping the secret from everyoneexceptmy mother.
I wasn’t sixteen. I wasn’t eighteen. I didn’t need an audience to send me off. Their support post-date would serve me well, because I knew there would be plenty. For now, I wanted to settle my nerves and open my heart.
Seven o’clock. His words stuck with me.
