“And you did?”
“Uh-huh. Joan is all about hygiene.”
When we left the bathroom, I held my head down and avoided eye contact. I’d been trying to hold my breath for most of the time in there and now that we came back out, I was feeling overheated and dizzy. “I’m so hot.”
“I know, but you can’t take off your shirt. Come on. Emmerson’s fight is about to start, and I gambled half of my savings on him.”
“Is Emmerson the one Wilma was hoping would make Champion?”
“Yeah, he’s among the youngest of the fighters and a charming lad, but he’s up against a strong finalist who made champion in the last tournament with me and Frederick. That’s why the odds are against him and I can make a fortune on his victory.”
“What happens if he loses the fight?”
Tyton groaned. “Ehh… my sister will be disappointed, and I’d lose thousands of dollars.”
“At the last tournament… how many fights did you win to make champion?”
“Five.”
I leaned my head back to look up at him. “And still it wasn’t enough?”
“No. In the end, Starr chose Frederick.”
“Do you know why?”
He shrugged as we walked to the nearby arena. “I’ve wondered about it, but it’s bad manners to ask such questions of a woman, so the truth is that I have no idea.”
“What time is it?”
“Nine forty-five.”
Tyton stopped by the entrance to arena four where a guy was selling snacks and beverages “Do you want some more water?”
“No. I still have to use the bathroom, remember.”
He frowned. “But you can hold it, right?”
“I’ll try.”
“Look, if you can hold it for this fight, we can take off and find a spot where you can also get that thick hoodie off for a little while.
Rolling up my sleeves, I looked up at the sun. We had found seats that were in the shade from the cover of the arena, but it was only a matter of time before the sun would move and leave us bathed in the pressing heat.
When Wilma arrived with the rest of her family, everyone stood up and bowed their heads to her.
Like a princess from a forgotten time, she waved her hand and smiled at them while keeping her back straight and her head high.
“Is that Frederick?” I asked when a man pulled out a chair for her.
“Yes. Next to him is his wife, Starr, and then there’s my middle sister Claire behind them with her husband, Lucas. And the last couple is Marni and her pain of a husband, Henry.”
“Where are all their children?”
“The only one old enough to come is Marni’s son Knight, but he got in trouble with Henry yesterday so they’re probably punishing him by making him stay home with his younger brothers.”
“Did you say his name was Night?”
“Yes, but with a k in front.”
