Silent Solitude

Chapter 14

"Mom made Piña Coladas, hurry in."

"Hi Leslie, good morning to you too," I greeted with amusement.

"It's almost lunch, didn't the others tell you to come early?" she demanded, walking us to the living room.

My amusement faded slightly when I saw the basement door, turning away from it just as a woman walked it. She was a petite woman, black hair wrapped delicately into a bun. She looked just like Leslie, except her eyes were midnight black. I could see where the twins got their smiles from, their mother's face was etched with thin smile lines and crinkles. She barely looked a day over thirty, impressive really.

"Eomma! This is Josephine, Indigo's best friend from New York."

I smiled in greeting. "Hi Mrs. Miller, it's wonderful to meet you finally."

She cooed. "Why, aren't you pretty? It's lovely to meet you Josephine. Please, call me Sera."

"Is lunch ready yet?" Leslie asked. She had picked up a tall glass of what must have been the Piña Colada and extended one to me. I took it carefully, taking a small sip.

It was exactly what a hot summer day needed.

Sera nodded. "I'm just about to set the table, go get your brother please."

At the mention of her brother, Leslie brightened. "Come one, I'll show you my room while we're up there," She led me up a wooden-railed staircase. She passed by two rooms, one with the door closed and another slightly ajar. She strided into the room with the open door. "Magnus, look who's here!"

Magnus looked up, headphones looped around his neck. His glasses were slipping down his face, and it seemed like he'd gotten out of bed moments before. But nonetheless, with a yawn, he greeted me. "Good morning Josephine, good to see you."

I smiled in response. "You too."

"Lunch is ready, Eomma's waiting," Leslie told him, then promptly walked out.

As we walked out, Magnus got out of his bed and I could see him yawn once more before starting down the stairs. Leslie moved to the last room, the door was lonely and singular on the other side of the floor from the other two rooms.

"This is my room, shaby little thing. But it gets the job done," She joked, pushing the door open and stepping in. "The naps in this room are wonderful," She added, giving me a smile.

Her room was far from shabby. There was a full-length mirror, clothes of every color imaginable thrown around the room or in neat little piles on the floor. There was makeup covering just about every surface, sorted in color, and brands, or put into small clear drawers. She had posters on the wall of artists, a floral blanket, and white pillows. Lined up on the dresser were small ceramic birds in every color. Very pretty and looked delicate.

I'd never seen a bedroom quite so exposing. It felt almost invasive stepping inside, but the invitation was clear, her door was pushed to the wall, hinges rusty like they never really closed. Everything was cluttered but I knew she could tell me where an exact shade of lipstick was if I asked.

"It's very you."

Leslie nodded in agreement, lips pursed matter-of-factly. "It's true. Nobody knows where anything is but me. That's how I like it," She reached down, picking up a short blue dress. "This is cute, totally your color."

I shrugged.

"Don't worry about it now, we still have hours." Leslie gestured to her jean shorts and flowy white top as if to say 'Like I would go in this' but I thought it looked pretty on her. "Come on, let's go get breakfast and then we'll decide what to do."