anime, too. You’d think someone would have an original thought. I mean, no offense, bro. If you’re going to do cosplay, you kinda gotta go with what’s established, right?”
“Only in the realm of make-believe does one require original thoughts.” Mr. Tom set a plate down on the island, the porcelain clinking. “Would you like some chips? Tea?”
“Do you have Coke?” Jimmy asked.
“Yes, sadly. It will rot your teeth, but I did pick some up.” Mr. Tom turned toward the fridge.
I clasped my hands as Jimmy took a much-too-large bite of the sandwich, filling his cheeks to the extent that he could barely close his mouth. He’d relaxed a few of his manners at college, that was clear.
“So…there’ve been some changes with me,” I started. “It all started with this house…”
“I know.” He struggled to swallow before taking a sip of the freshly opened can of Coke to wash it down. “You look really good, Mom. You finally had time to exercise and stuff, huh? You always wanted to get in shape.”
“I wanted to be in shape, not get in shape, but…no. This house—”
“This house is rad. It’s creepy as hell.” He bobbed his head as he looked around. “It’s huge.”
“I’ll leave you to it.” Mr. Tom finished washing up. “I assume I will stay behind to watch the young master when you visit the bar?”
Jimmy’s eyes rounded, but he didn’t comment. There was no telling what, precisely, he was reacting to.
“Yes, if you don’t mind. The others are already there, not to mention Austin.” Anger flash-boiled my blood. I pushed it aside. “I’ll have plenty of cover.”
“Of course.” Mr. Tom walked from the room with a straight back, raised nose, and grossly overdone stuffy English butler vibe. He did like to put on a show.
“You have your own butler?” Jimmy asked with a grin, his right cheek puffed out with food. “That is so fucking awesome.”
I frowned at him. “When you are in this house, you will not curse. Have respect for me and your surroundings.”
“Sorry,” he mumbled, and finished off the first sandwich.
“I do have a butler of sorts, yes. He kinda…came with the house. He was employed here when I came. So was the gardener.”
“Yeah, you have a huge yard.” He shook his head. “Dad’s house is big, but it doesn’t even compare to this one. He lives in a ritzy spot, but he certainly doesn’t have the money for a butler!”
“You went to his house first?” I tried not to let the disappointment show on my face. It was petty, but some things couldn’t be helped.
“Yeah. I thought you knew? He kept pushing and pushing, and all the guilt trips…” He sighed, picking up the second sandwich. “Same ol’ Dad. He hasn’t relaxed with the new setup.”
“So then…why are you early? I wasn’t expecting you for another day.”
“I could not handle Camila for one more second. She’s too…nice! She was always around, smiling and chatting and wanting to get to know me.” He shivered. “Dad was working like he always does, so it was mostly just me and her. I mean, she’s great, don’t get me wrong, but…” He shook his head and then took a bite.
“So…how long are you here? I’d thought you were going to leave from here to go there.”
“The week, if that’s okay? I fly out on Monday. After Easter.”
I smiled and quickly walked around to wrap my arms around his shoulders and squeeze him. “Of course! We have plenty of room. But…” I sat at a stool next to him. “Like I was saying, there have been some changes.”
“You found someone new?”
“What? No, not that. You see, I didn’t actually pay for this house. It kind of…chose me.”
His eyes narrowed, not out of suspicion, but like he was trying really hard to get my words to make more sense.
“Gargoyles are actually real,” I said. “Magic is real. I didn’t believe it at first, but… Well.”
“Are you on meds? Is it for the depression? Dad said you were depressed.”
My eyebrows crawled up my forehead, and a new flash of anger blistered through me. “Your father never bothered…” I pushed away the desire to talk smack, taking a deep breath. “I’m not depressed, no. I’m actually happier now than I’ve ever been. But the world as you know it isn’t actually the whole story.” I twisted my lips to the side, thinking. “Right, okay. Finish up. I’ll show you. I didn’t actually believe any of it until I saw proof.”
“What kind of proof?”
“You’ll see.”
“Miss,