We're holding very tightBen is singing Walking In the Air this year at the end of Sam's service. He's practicing. It's a difficult song to sing but not as much as O Holy Night so he's not having trouble. I tried to sing it but I just need to hear it ten or twelve more times first because I rush. Ben's version is haunting.
I'm riding in the midnight blue
I'm finding I can fly so high above with you
Okay, that pretty much describes everything he puts his spin on, from baking cookies to showering.
Did you have a good shower, Ben?
Yeah, it was haunting.
I'm KIDDING. He usually says something crass about taking care of business when he's in the shower and actually...you don't want to know. It's Christmas.
Or maybe you're thinking, Come on! It's Christmas! Tell us everything.
Okay, here:
Ben is mad too. Everyone's mad, because I called their bluffs and they failed to follow through when I told every minder/keeper/husband and subsidiary man that I was going to the boathouse and that I'd be back late. Later? I can't remember what I said but barely anyone reacted. Lochlan's eyebrow went up. Maybe they thought I was posturing or phishing or testing them.
So how did I fail? I was honest, they fucking failed. They didn't bother to clarify anything and it was early the next morning before they bothered to put the pieces together.
No harm, no foul, Lochlan always used to say. Ben says I'm playing with fire and when I remind him I'm a professional at that he freaks right out and says he told me not to go by myself. And I misinterpreted that as him missing out on the show, not being protective.
Whoops.
No harm though. No harm.
This time, Ben says. What happens next time?
You'll be there, I tell him. I'm a good girl. In the daylight.
He nods. You still need to sort this out with Loch. He's never going to like this, Bee.
He never has. You would think the exposure would wear him down eventually.
He can barely tolerate me, what makes you think he'll ever be okay with this?
I'm not okay with this. This isn't supposed to be some big dinner-table debate issue, this was supposed to be something rare. Something quiet and suspected but never confirmed.
Lochlan walks in and manages to pick up the conversation so easily it's like I threw it at him. Well, if you were the type of person anyone could take their eyes off, then maybe that would be the case but since you continue to be raised in the spotlight, Bridget, don't bet on it.
I think you're done raising me, Lochlan. Jesus Christ.
I think I've just begun. You still won't listen worth shit.
This isn't your job.
I'm not going to stand here and let the wolves tear you apart. I'm not going to let the Devil catch you, or keep you, Peanut. That's not in our cards and you know this. Do you remember or were you too young?
I remember.
Remember what? Ben said.
We were told we share a soul. I've never doubted that for a second, and she's ashamed that she sold the whole thing, without my permission, to the Devil.
Are you guys for real?
Sometimes I wonder.
But no one can take your soul, Bridget. Except the actual Dev-
Exactly.