“It appears my assumption that we could have a civil conversation was not premature. We’ve extended the streak too far to count.”
She shrugs. “The night is still young.”
Twenty minutes later, Antaris emerges from his room to get Hiram for bedtime, but today he shyly waits for Veda’s agreement to join them. The lantern above his bed casts a low glow over the room. Once tucked in, he signstomorrowto Veda, who looks taken aback.
“We’ll see.”
The answer satisfies him enough to settle into bed. Hiram excuses himself to grab Antaris’s kitten and a glass of water for his bedside. When he returns, he lingers in the doorway, watching them practice signing, Veda struggling with one hand.
“Do you want to hear a story about your name?” Veda asks.
Antaris nods.
“It all starts with Orion, a hunter so great he vowed to kill every animal on the planet. But Mother Earth asked a giant scorpion to protect them. His name was Scorpio, and he fought Orion to the bitter end. He stung Orion, and as a reward for his bravery, Mother Earth placed Scorpio in the sky.” She taps his nose, making him smile. “You are named after Scorpio’s brightest star. Antares is the heart of the scorpion.”
Hiram didn’t know any of this. He barely pays attention to the sky, too preoccupied by what’s happening on the ground.
Veda’s expression grows serious as she pats down Antaris’s drying curls. “You’re the heart of the scorpion. You’re brave and strong. You—oh.”
Thanks to the kitten’s meow, Hiram’s been noticed. He places the water on the table while Veda looks away.Good nightsare exchanged with hands and words before Hiram deposits the kitten in the new cat bed next to Antaris. He leaves the door cracked after Veda follows him back out.
“What do you drink?” Hiram asks.
It’s the first question he’s asked strictly to learn about her.
“Wine. White and sweet, if you have it.”
A bottle of dessert wine should do. “It’s not chilled.”
“That’s fine.”
Hiram pours her a glass, then makes himself a brandy. They take the bottles and their glasses outside to the dock, sitting as dusk fades into darkness.
An incredulous chuckle breaks the silence. “I should be the last person you want in your house.”
“As long as you’re not accusing me of being a terrible parent, you’re welcome to stay.”
Veda cringes. “I deserve that.”
“No, you don’t.” Hiram sips his drink. “I feel like a shit parent more often than not. I’m doing my best, and while you made some valid points, you don’t know everything.”
“Go on, then, and I’ll reserve the right to call bullshit as I see it.”
“You’ll do it regardless.”
Veda offers a half shrug.
“I’ll spare you the tales about growing up. I’m sure Peter’s told you enough.”
“A bit, but he made it clear you left your parents.”
“I secretly applied to a few universities abroad and ended up in England. Told my mother I was going on a graduation trip, then never came back. I had to get out before I became a version of myself that I hated to appease them. My father was always working, and when he was there, he wasn’t. My mother ... well, you’ve met her.”
Veda snorts.
“I only called them because my father has a cousin in Parliament, and I needed help making everything for Antaris’s custody move faster.”
“Fancy.”
