by Nicole Thorn
Jasper and I decided to eat later, since Juniper wouldn’t want crumbs on the floor. Or maybe she would, because at least that way there would be a real reason for doing what she was doing.
We sat on the front porch, getting outside in time to see the man down the street talking to more potential buyers. Jasper couldn’t hear, but I filled him in.
Most of it seemed like basic boring house things and I imagined poor Juniper having to deal with that when they were getting this place. Neither of her siblings would have been very present at the time to help her out with it.
The couple was young and the woman was very, very pregnant. The man selling the house was telling them more details. “Yes, very safe neighborhood. Only three recent deaths in the area, but the murders were all solved very timely. I guess.”
The pregnant woman frowned and put her hand on her stomach. “Three…”
“Yup,” the man said. “But you don’t have to worry, they totally had it coming. You’d agree if you knew.”
The woman tugged her husband’s hand. “I think we should check on that house in the next town over…”
I looked at Jasper and shook my head. “That voice is so familiar…”
He shrugged. “You probably saw him in some realtor commercial or something.”
“Oh, that’s probably it.”
Jasper and I were alone in the rare nice weather for about twenty minutes before we had guests. I wasn’t all that surprised to see my mother and Aphrodite walking up the sidewalk and to the house. Jasper and I stood for the hugs we didn’t get a choice in.
“Hi, honey,” Mom said to me. “I’m so glad you’re all right. You were so brave.”
“You too,” Aphrodite winked and nudged Jasper’s shoulder. “You little Seers sure are handier than the last few batches. I can only imagine what the next generation is gonna be like.”
Jasper smiled. “My sister is pretty sure that there won’t be one.”
The goddess smiled back, kindly. “They all think that, until the second that they don’t.” Then the woman turned to me. “You look so pretty in pink.”
“Thanks,” I said.
“I should get you more clothes,” she mused. “There are so many things that you would be so lovely in. You could make all the mortal boys faint.”
I clicked my tongue. “Maybe not… I’m okay with just the one boy getting all fluttery over me.” I squeezed Jasper’s hand.
Mom looked at me with pride. “You’re doing so well, Kezia. Both of you, really,” she gave a quick glance to Jasper. “I’m just glad that you’ve opened up to a few new colors.”
“It was time,” I decided.
“It was,” she agreed.
Aphrodite went into the house, wanting to see Zander and commend him for his bravery as well. That left us with Mom.
“Hmm,” she glanced Jasper up and down. “So rare that I get the chance to do the mom thing and check out a boyfriend.”
“Probably not so much with your other daughter,” he said. “Since her husband is your brother…”
Mom and I glared and simultaneously said, “We don’t talk about that.”
Jasper went silent and I held his hand so he knew he wasn’t about to die.
“So,” I said. “All’s quiet on the Fury front. I think we’re good now.”
Mom smiled tightly. “Yes, you two are just fine.”
I really didn’t like how she said that. “And?”
She crossed her arms. “And nothing. Keep going as you are. As I said, you two are fine. Go forth and give me grandchildren. Make sure they plant lots of trees,” her words were coming fast. She patted my shoulder and looked at the door behind us. “Tell Aphrodite that I’ll be at home. Have a good day, kids. Love you!” And she left without another word. Popping out of the air like it was nothing to her or even us.
Jasper and I looked at each other and decided to let that go for the time being. It was best to just ignore it until it became a real problem. A hunt of one may send Juniper into a frenzy. No one wanted that.
We went back into the house and I heard faintly Aphrodite telling Jasmine about some colors that would go well with her skin tone. Zander was in the living room, moving up to the stairs to join them. I wondered if maybe his mother really just wanted to talk to Jasmine, convince her to pay more attention to her son. He was really pining at this point and it would only get worse. I knew him better than anyone.
He saw us and looked back. “Hey. We’re all going out to lunch in a half hour, so get ready.”
“Okay.” We nodded.
“Great,” Zander took a step, turning again. “Oh and by the way.” He pointed to the fish tank. “Nemo has two heads.”