“No, well, of course I like hanging out with Lexi.” Stretching out an elbow, he leaned his head on one hand. “I mean, you talked my father into opening up the wi-fi.”
Gregorio looked over at Lexi, lips squinched to one side. Lexi playfully socked him on the arm. “Gregorio’s the brother I never had.”
“That’s very nice.” I’d wanted more children, but not with Wallace. And now? Now I was in my early forties. Those years were behind me. Would menopause knock on my door soon? Didn’t matter anyway. That part of my life was over. Thankfully, my future was laid out for me and I was content. I loved teaching and was committed to funding my IRA, although Lexi’s college might take me off track.
But I pushed those worries aside. We continued to explore American lit and then went back to some trig problems that had given them both trouble. The air felt so close in here today and I’d forgotten to fill my thermos with water.
“How do you turn on the air conditioning?” I asked when we’d finished with math. As time passed, it became evident to me that math wasn’t Gregorio’s strong point. Constant ratios didn’t intrigue him. He didn’t have the same passion for math that he had for literature. The boy was an avid reader. He devoured our book list as if they were his favorite stromboli. Those discussions were such fun. Math never called for interesting interpretations.
But now in this heat, I could hardly think.
“Air conditioning?” Gregorio pointed to a large circular design on the wall. I thought it was some sort of decoration. “There is our air conditioning and then the one on the floor. Our system is centuries old and draws cool air from the basement.” Was he kidding? My blouse was sticking to me like plastic wrap. Then I remembered how cold it had been on that lower level.
I began packing up my books. “Well, it’s not enough. Can’t we buy an air conditioner in town?”
“They don’t have them. We would have to go across the water.” The last was said with reverence.
Across the water? “Maybe it’s time.” Suddenly I’d had enough of castle life.
“Why don’t you cool off in the pool in the afternoons?” Gregorio asked.
“Great idea.” Lexi slammed her book closed. She was going to ace trig next year. Mary Lou Derwent would be amazed, and I would feel so proud.
“The pool?” I patted the bun that kept my hair off my neck.
“Gregorio told me all about it.” Excitement brought Lexi to her feet. “We should sneak out there. Marco, er, I mean His Majesty wouldn’t mind, would he, Gregorio?”
“Probably not.” Getting up, Gregorio stretched. It seemed that he had grown since our arrival. “You don’t have to sneak out. There are towels in the cabinets. The staff will make sure you have everything.”
“I didn’t bring a bathing suit.” The thought had never crossed my mind. Besides, the idea of displaying myself at the pool made me feel nervous. And it might be difficult for Lexi. The scar on her arm didn’t need the sun.
“Don’t worry. We’re about the same size. I brought a couple suits.” Lexi ran a hand across her forehead.
“You are four inches taller than me.” I gave her The Look as I swiped at the beading on my upper lip. It must be ninety degrees in here. How would we ever make it through the summer? We crowded into the elevator and it slowly descended to the second floor.
“Later.” Gregorio nodded to Lexi before loping off. “Three o’clock?”
“Yep, see you there.”
“Are you having a good time with Gregorio?” I watched him swing down the hall toward the family wing. The historical portraits and wall hangings were so familiar to him. He paid them no mind. But I still stopped and stared, my mind buzzing with questions. I wished this were like a museum, where an explanation was posted next to each painting. Lexi left for the pool. I opened my balcony doors to catch a breeze and went online to email Reena and Maddie.
* * *
In the next few days,the heat intensified. The sun I’d welcomed upon arrival became oppressive.
“Let’s go to the pool, Mom,” Lexi complained one day after class. We were both lying on my bed like two fish that had been dragged onshore by a careless fisherman and cast aside.
“I didn’t bring a suit, remember?” A bathing suit had been the last thing on my mind as I’d crammed the suitcase full prior our departure. Everything had been so rushed, so hurried. In my heart, I was afraid to slow down. I might reconsider. Our departure had been more like an escape rather than a planned summer away.
“Mom, I told you. I brought three.”
This was a losing contest. The air was sweltering in here. I peered over at my daughter, who always wore a rash guard with her suit to protect her arm. “I can’t fit into one of your suits. The length, for one thing.”
“They’re all two-piece.”
“Oh, goody. No way.”
Flipping over onto her stomach, Lexi peered over at me. “Are you kidding? All my friends used to tell me you were hot.”
