“Yeah?” Raquel counters. “All I heard is that we shouldn’t stop.”
“Did you know that bears don’t pee while in hibernation?” Rose bunches her nose, bulldog style, and challenges the boy. “I know that has nothing to do with your alcoholdid you know, but it’s the first one I could think of ‘cos I’m dizzy.”
I move behind her and press my hands to her hips.
Ireallydon’t want her to pitch forward and impale herself with a bottle.
“Did you know New Zealand has more cats per person than anywhere else in the world?”
“So? Did you know I don’t even trust New Zealand?”
Intrigued, Alana swings her eyes up. “What?”
“How can you not trust a whole country?” Franky argues. “It’s an island.”
“Exactly! It’s just this weird little island in the middle of the ocean. And it has loads of earthquakes. Mark my words, little boy.” Rose jabs a finger in his direction for emphasis. “Someday, it’s just gonna sink! Also, do you think I’m as pretty as Dara?”
“Oh, God.” I choke out a laugh. “We’re not doing this.”
“Did you know the yo-yo was originally invented and used as a weapon in the Philippine jungle?”
“No! I did not know that! Did you know Hatshepsut was a female king? She kicked ass and was totally badass for her time.”
“Yes, I did!” Franky shoves away from Chris, moving half a dozen steps into the living room to stare down his rival. “Did you know studies show that surgeons who play video games perform twenty-seven percent faster and with thirty-seven percent fewer errors during surgery?” He swings his green stare my way. “I don’t see you playing video games, Doctor D. Don’t you even care about your patients?”
“How did I get dragged into this? I’m not the one arguing with you.”
“You’re holding her up. Means you’re taking her side. And yes,” he nods, firm and final. “I do think you’re as pretty as Dara. I think you’re prettier. Your face is in proportion to your body, and even though I didn’t get my measuring tape, I think you fit within the appropriate golden ratio of 1:6.”
“Aww!” Rose slaps my hands away and topples off the couch, catching herself on the table and half-crawling toward Franky. “That isthesweetest thing anyone haseversaid to me. Except Ollie.” She burps, surprising herself and clapping a hand to her mouth. She takes a moment to assess—vomit, or air?—then she drops her hand again and grins. “He says romantic stuff all the time. I think he reads your mom’s books in secret, just so he can know how to speak to women. Did you know Doctor Darrrrrling has the coolest abandoned greenhouse in his yard, and he doesn’t even use it? Which is crazy, right? Anyone with half a brain would put it back to its former glory and fill it up with a billion species of plants, so even in the winter, he can frolic in the jungle of good energy.”
“Did you know I don’t care about frolicking? Plants make me itchy. And how does it feel not to have your memories? I always wanted to ask, but my mom told me not to.”
“Franklin!” Alana giggles. “I’m right here, baby.”
“Yeah, but you’re an alcoholic now.” He brings his eyes back to Rose. “If you try really,reallyhard, maybe close your eyes and hold your breath. If you search and search inside your brain… what do you see?”
“I dunno. Lemme try.” She plops her wine on the table and flops to herass. Crossing her legs and laying her hands palm side up on her knees, she closes her eyes and hums. Hums. Hums. “I see this room. But it’s swaying.” She snickers. “Making me kinda sick.”
“Open your eyes.” Franky pokes her eyelids for her, jamming them open. “I’ll ask you a question and you answer real quick.”
She huffs. “Ollie already tried this. It didn’t work.”
“Yes, it did!” I scowl. “I’ve helped you make significant progress, Rosaline. Don’t get mean now just ‘cos you’re drunk.”
“I’m not drunk.” She burps and stares up at Franky. “Go, Doctor Page. I’m ready for ya.”
“Alright.” He folds one arm across his chest, cupping his chin with the other hand. “What did you have for breakfast this morning?”
“Oh, easy! Oatmeal. And I flirted with Ollie a little bit. He’s super handsome and cute and easy to flirt with.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose and groan, lifting one leg over the back of the couch, then the second, before sliding into the space Rose deserted.
The woman has no fucking filter when she’s drinking.
“What did you have for dinner last night?”
“Pizza! We made the bases ourselves and chopped up all the ingredients. And sometimes, we stood really close to each other and pretended it was an accident when it totally wasn’t.”
