He could do this.
“My mama died four years ago. Losin’ her was like losin’ my whole world,” Seymour said at last. “I never knew my dad, so she was everything to me. Her parents died young too, so no grandparents, never had any other siblings or cousins or aunts or uncles, so… Yeah. It was just the two of us. But one day, uh, I came to see her after I got off work, and she didn’t answer the door.
“I knocked and knocked. Rang the doorbell like fuckin’ crazy, and I started to worry. Her car was in the driveway, I’d just talked to her the night before, so I used my key to get in. That’s when I found her. It was, like, seven at night, but she was still in bed. She looked real peaceful, but she… Well…”
Sariel touched Seymour’s cheek, brushing away a tear he hadn’t felt fall.
“They said it was an aneurysm. Took her quick. Painless. Whatever.” Seymour sniffed. “I spent a long time tryin’ to cope with losin’ her. I guess I never really got over it. Dating but never gettin’ close, goin’ out all the time, partyin’ a bit too hard, maybe just so I wouldn’t have to think ’bout how much I miss her.Nothin’ else ever felt right or good or happy, and I had this huge hole inside of me. I… I was constantly surrounded by people and still alone. Until you guys.”
“Because we are wonderful!” Day declared.
“Yes, you are.” Seymour laughed as he quickly wiped his eyes. “I think that’s what’s so scary now. Bein’ happy again and bein’ absolutely terrified I might lose it.”
“You will not lose us,” Sariel said firmly. “We are very strong.”
“Very strong.” Day raised her paw to flex her little arm. “See?”
Seymour grinned. “Yup, I sure do.”
“Aries, Cancer, and Leo all work very well together.” Sariel’s halo glowed brighter. “The passion and energy of Aries and Leo, both fire signs, is balanced out well by the calming approach of Cancer, a water sign.”
“God, I love when you talk all zodiac to me, Daddy,” Seymour teased.
Sariel blushed and ducked his head.
“Do you know your Japanese zodiac sign?” Day asked eagerly. “We call it Juunishi, and it is assigned by year! I amtatsu!” She flexed her paws and growled. “The dragon!”
“That sounds ’bout right.” Seymour chuckled and stroked the top of Day’s head. “I ain’t got the foggiest idea. Maybe we can look it up in Sariel’s book.”
“I am afraid my book is very narrow and restricted to the study of western astrology.” Sariel pouted.
“Oh! I would still very much like to see it!” Day pointed at the shelf. “Is that it?” She was already on her feet and running before either of them could answer, purring excitedly as she scaled the bookshelf to retrieve the book.
“Be careful!” Sariel cautioned.
“I will not drop your book!”
“More worried ’bout your lil’ noggin than the book, kitty girl.” Seymour rolled his eyes affectionately.
“I will be fine.” Day jumped down with a delighted meow, carrying the thick book with her to rejoin them on the couch. She wiggled between them and then opened the book across her lap. “Oh! There are so many pages.”
“Lots of pictures too.” Seymour tapped one that showed the constellation of Aries. “See this one? That’s mine. Aries. A big ol’ ram.”
“I do not understand.” Day stared. “How is that a ram?”
“See? This is his horns, then there’s his feet?—”
“Hooves.” Sariel frowned. “Rams have hooves.”
“Hooves. Whatever.”
“I do not see it.” Day shook her head. “I see a line.”
“Okay, yes, it does look like a line, but it’s totally supposed to be a ram.”
“Whoever picked these stars was very silly.” Day pawed through more pages. “And what is this one supposed to be?”
“Aquarius. He’s the water boy. See? I knew that one.”
