R3 (History Plays, Book 7)

20: to leave this keen encounter of our wits

Anne

"How did you get here?" I laugh, opening the door. Richard is sitting there, with a bag of take out food in one hand, using a crutch to ring the door bell obsessively.
"These things called taxis, Neville, you may have heard of them—"
"Shut up, come on, what are you doing?" I ask.
"Delivery, I know this isn't your favorite holiday so I'm here to supervise you eating. I brought fries--?"
"My family is home."
"They're not in your room are they?"
"My room is on the second floor."
"I can get up stairs without Buckingham."
"Not, like, quietly," of course I let him in anyway.
"Mom---it's just Richard we're going to study," I shout, taking the bag of take out from Richard as he gets his crutches.
"Why didn't you text?" I laugh, following him in case he trips.
"I just thought of it. My house is miserable at the moment," he says, as I lead him into my room.

Richard

She laughs again, dark hair sticking to her lip gloss. She's wearing just a baggy sweatshirt and sweats that are nearly slipping off. I pet her hair out of her face and she starts kissing my entire face.
"Shh—get on the bed," she laughs, as I giggle and I don't even know why.
"If you think this is going to get you out of eating, then you're absolutely wrong," I say, taking out a handful of fries to shove in her mouth.
"I'm not hungry," she laughs but she does eat them.
"Shame, sex burns sixty calories an hour so eat up," I say, eating some as well.
"Okay, you realize that's like, two fries right?"
"You realize we have all afternoon?"
"Shut up," she laughs, hands still on my arms though, I tip her face to me and kiss her again.
"My entire family is home," she mumbles past my lips.
"So turn on some music," I say, finally letting our mouths part for a moment.
"What has gotten into you?" she fusses with her speakers and phone. 'Melt with You' by Modern English comes on.
"Nothing, I've simply decided now that I'm going to do whatever I want, whenever I want," I say, tugging her onto the bed, "I should have whatever I want in the world. And that includes you."
"Richard, you always did that."
"I always thought about it, now I'm acting it. I'm a king, and you are my queen, and we shall do exactly as we like," I say, shoving my crutches aside and taking her fully in my arms.

Buckingham

"Good food. Hot."
"I know this is some kind of protest," my mother sighs.
"Warm food," I say, nodding.
"Henry, please," she sighs.
"I asked you for one thing---just one thing, the only thing I like, all I ask is that you let me have the only thing in the world that makes me happy, and you can't find it in your heart to do that," I sigh, leaning back in my chair.
"Okay when you put it like that it sounds very mean but---"
"You asked, you started this conversation."
"You do understand that Richard York is a person and not a dog, you realize that right?"
"You realize he's my only friend?"
"Henry," she sighs, "You know what the Yorks are like—"
"Yeah, bastards, and they abuse my only friend," I say, folding my arms. We're not even pretending to eat now.
"I don't like you being around him so much! We've discussed this—,"
"Yeah and I really don't care—,"
"Not only are the Yorks criminals but –,"
"He's not his family."
"Henry, I don't know why you insist on protecting him. He doesn't deserve it, he's not in hockey or anything you like, moreover I've spoken with his mother, he's probably gay," she whispers the last bit.
"What?" I almost laugh.
"He probably is sometimes you can just tell with people—,"
"Mother, I am gay," I say, shaking my head.
"What----how would you know that---"
"I really don't think you want that question answered."
"No I do that is—that is ridiculous."
"It isn't mother. I am gay. I am the gay one. Richard is straight. I am gay. I'm very gay, after many hours of taking Buzzfeed quizzes I've categorically determined I'm definitely gay, but apparently you can't just tell with some people---oh look at the time. I've got to practice. Let's never again pick up this conversation," I say, checking my phone and standing up.
My mother regains her voice to shout my name as I'm walking away, snatching the keys to the Frazer from the hall table.
On the way out to the car I block her texts. And check. None from Richard. I'm sure he found a way to amuse himself without me.