Don't put that on. It doesn't fit you anymore.
He is standing in the doorway smiling at me. I scowl and turn back to my reflection. Says who? I ask myself in the mirror.
I say. The color keeps you in the shadows and the fabric weight is far too much for a day like today. Plus it's one of your history dresses and this is a new day.
He is right. The heavy black vintage brocade is against everything today stands for in sunshine and warm wind. This is a mourning dress and rare is the day I don't pull out one of these first, before I'll consider something lighter, or maybe even jeans and a stolen band t-shirt.
Who let you in anyway? I scowl. I am still thinking, still considering. It's comfortable. And I like being in the shadows. I like keeping my head on my sleeve so they can see inside. Anything else is not me and I have had enough of strangers for now.
You did.
Maybe that was a mistake.
He crosses his arms and grins. I doubt it. You don't even have to get dressed to talk to me here.
You like that, don't you, Jacob?
My favorite part of the day was watching you roll out of bed with nothing but long hair and a sleepy smile.
Life was simpler then.
No, life was terribly complicated. Just like it always is, princess. Now, then. It makes no difference. You find the good parts and bear the rest.
Easy for you to say. Also hypocritical.
I was speaking about you, not about myself.
Right. Black dress it is, then. I shrug it over my head and when I pull it down he is gone.
***
Ben comes in and goes straight for Lochlan. They have their own language these days and I'm a little bit on the outside. He kisses the top of my head as he passes and asks Lochlan for an update on his hand. I had to take Loch in today for yet another x-ray and complimentary lecture. They're talking about surgery and titanium and horse tranquilizers and straight jackets and whatever else it's going to take at this point to heal him and keep him from using that arm.
Yes, they did indeed point out if he were to stop sawing off casts and punching Caleb he'd probably be all better already. I'd just like all of them to stop fighting, since it obviously serves no purpose except to illustrate how bloody angry they are at one another half or all of the time. That and I thought the days of everyone wading in to tear two brawling men apart ended when Cole and Jacob (the original dinner party brawlers) both took their leave of the planet.
I asked both Caleb and Lochlan separately if they wanted out of the current living arrangements.
Both said no.
So I said if they do it again, the rest of us are going to leave and they can finish each other off. Because hey! I can write a mean obituary. I've had so much fucking practice it's criminal.
