“Which movie?” Lexi threw out the name of the latest Dystopian thriller.
“He’d like to streamThe Great Gatsby.”
“Awesome.” Gregorio’s eyes lit up. He’d picked that phrase up from Lexi. “He will understand what I am studying.”
“Apparently you have your own movie theater?”
“You do?” Lexi looked at her classmate with amazement. “I can’t believe that.”
Stacking his books together, Gregorio stood. How was it possible that he seemed taller than when we’d arrived? “It’s a small one.”
“Are you kidding me? At least you have a theater. We have to watch movies in our living room.”
“Oh, isn’t that too bad,” I teased, turning off the overhead lights. “You poor, deprived girl. At least we’re able to watch movies. When I was your age…”
“Here we go again.” Lexi rolled her eyes at Gregorio. A hot flush of embarrassment flowed through me. When would Lexi learn to appreciate what she had? Maybe this summer brush with privilege would only make her more critical of her life back home.
“Would you like to see the theater?” Gregorio asked as we filed from the room.
“Can we?” Lexi’s eyes lit up.
“How far is it?” Every muscle in my body was screamingno.
“Not far. After all, it’s in the castle.” And Gregorio was off.
This castle was huge. The theater could be three blocks away. Limping along behind him, I wondered if in time he would assume the carriage his father wore so well. My mother had actually made me walk with a book on my head. Today, that seemed ridiculous. But Gregorio might benefit from it.
The route seemed to take us into the other part of the castle, a section I hadn’t explored yet. Body protesting, I tried to keep up. As long as I kept them in sight, I was good. But I sure didn’t want to get lost. I might run into Ama.
“Will there be popcorn?” Lexi was asking with a giggle when I caught up to them at a juncture of hallways.
“No. Why do you ask?” Gregorio didn’t bother to disguise the horror in his eyes. “Is that necessary?”
“Popcorn is an important part of movies at home,” I explained, digging a fist into my aching back. “Usually as expensive as the movie itself.”
Gregorio seemed to be turning that over in his mind as we passed into the western section of the castle. Here the walls were more crowded. Were these paintings of former monarchs? Ecclesiastics? Even in the low light, the golden frames glittered. Reaching the end of one hall, Gregorio went through a door and motioned to us to follow.
“These staircases are so darn cold.” I shivered. From now on, I would have to carry a sweater or hoodie.
“You get used to it,” Gregorio said.
But as we passed a doorway that looked familiar, I paused. No way was I going to wimp out and ask how far it was. The bathtub was on my mind. “Maybe I’ll wait until tonight to see the theater.” Although I hated to send the two of them off on their own, my aching body was telling me I needed a long, hot soak in that tub.
10
The knock on the door echoed through my room. Had I nodded off? The bath water was still warm. The room smelled of the jasmine soap. Reaching around the stool next to the tub, I found the thick white robe.
“Mom. Where are you?” Lexi had come to get me. What time was it?
“Hold on.” Quickly, I got out, toweled off and fastened the robe securely around me. “I’m coming!”
But when I opened the door, Lexi wasn’t alone. Seeing me in my robe, Gregorio dropped his eyes.
“The movie will start without us.” Lexi’s eyes swept over me. “Were you taking a bath?”
“Yes, did I sleep through dinner?” What time was it? Afternoon light still fell through the balcony windows.
“They changed the time for the movie.” Lexi bristled with impatience.
