street where Ivy slept in the garage. “We ‘re on a tour across Canada.”
A tall man with chestnut hair and neatly trimmed facial hair walked out of the door, carrying a large suitcase.
“All done,” he said to the woman, shoving the suitcase into the back of the vehicle then tossed an assessing stare at Zeph.
“Morning.” Zeph gave him a small friendly wave.
“Hi.” The man shut the backdoor of the truck.
“Neal, my husband,” the woman introduced. “This is Zeph. He is with a French folk band, traveling through Canada.”
Zeph stretched his hand toward him. “Nice to meet you.”
“Hi,” Neal said again, giving his hand a brief shake then started on his way to the driver’s door of the SUV.
“Are you going to Toronto, by any chance?” Zeph ventured to ask.
“Why?” The husband stared back at him, suspiciously.
“My girlfriend and I are looking for a ride to the city. She’s from there. Her mother lives in...” He strained his memory for the name of the town Ivy had mentioned last night. “In Oakville. She would like to visit her, since we’re this close.”
“Oh, she absolutely should visit her mom.” The woman nodded energetically.
Neal shot her a look. “Where is the girlfriend?” He glanced down the street.
“She is back at the Bed and Breakfast up that street. I’ll get her if you don’t mind waiting for just a minute.
“We’re not in a hurry.” The woman turned to her husband. “We can take them, right, honey? It’s on our way, anyway.”
Neal rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s Monday. We wanted to leave early to beat the traffic...”
“We won’t be long.” Not giving him a chance to say no, Zeph dashed down the street and around the corner at full speed.
“Ivy.” Back in the garage, he shook her shoulder. “Get up. Quickly. We have a ride to Toronto if you hurry.”
AS THE SUV DROVE TOWARD the highway to Toronto, I caught my reflection in the rear-view mirror. My cheek was still lined with the impression of the blanket, my hair sticking out wildly, my face puffy from sleep.
Zeph’s siren charm must be the only thing that convinced these people to let us into their car.
He was sitting next to me in the backseat, and I slid my gaze his way. He had smoothed his long hair into a knot at his nape. In an oversized hoodie, a silver skirt-like loincloth, and a pair of old sneakers anyone would have looked ridiculous. Except for Zeph. Somehow, he still managed to remain beautiful.
He told the couple that we were traveling with a music band from France, and he definitely looked the part. I imagined adding a few colorful beads into his hair, maybe a string of them around his wrist, and he could easily pass for a bohemian flower child, or more accurately in his case—a true water spirit.
Real beauty could not be spoiled by anything, they said. Staring at Zeph, I understood exactly what they meant.
“Is that 10cc?” he asked, leaning forward as the very first cords of a song started playing from the car stereo system.
“Yes,” Neal replied. “‘I’m Not in Love.’”
“How do you know that, Zeph?” Neal’s wife, who had introduced herself as Mariana to me, giggled. “You’re way too young to share Neal’s taste in music. Neal himself is too young for that—he keeps listening to the songs his parents used to listen to when he was a baby.”
“What are you talking about? This song is timeless,” Neal replied, sulkily. “It’s on the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack, too.”
“I was born and raised in Cuba,” Mariana said to me over her shoulder. “Music is in my blood. But not exactly his kind of music.” She tipped her head at her husband, laughing good-naturedly.
“I love all music. New and old.” Zeph sang a few lines along with the stereo before the song ended.
“You’re really good!” Mariana applauded.
Another song came on the radio, much more upbeat than the previous one. This one was also from the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack, “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone.
Zeph started singing again as Mariana clapped.
Suddenly, Neal joined Zeph, enthusiastically belting out the rest of the song with him. Both laughed when it ended.
“I told you my playlist is good,” Neal said to his wife, proudly. “Everyone likes it. This is another good one.” He shifted in his seat, eagerly waiting for the first line of the next song before singing it in duet with Zeph.
I watched Zeph’s face light up more and more with every