by Bree Wolf
“A while,” was all he said, waiting for her next move. It seemed like a game.
Quinn’s eyebrows rose. “Hiding behind the curtains?”
He laughed. “Not quite.” Refusing to say more, Arnaud just stood there, watching her, and so Quinn accepted the game for what it was.
As she walked back into the sitting room, passing by him, she met his eyes head-on. Not blinking or flinching under his stare. “Why is it so dark in here?” she asked, taking a seat on one of the uncovered armchairs. “What’s with the curtains?”
Following her back into the room, Arnaud came to stand behind the armchair opposite her, leaning onto the backrest. Glancing around the room, he said, “Most of the objects in this house haven’t seen any sunlight in more than two hundred years. And as the UV spectrum of the sun can be highly damaging, especially to printed material, I am intent on keeping the curtains drawn until new windows have been installed.”
“New windows?” Quinn frowned. “What would that change? Unless they were tinted, I suppose, but then it would still be dark. So what’s the point?”
“Well, I have my heart set on UV-resistant glass,” he clarified. “It will keep the UV rays out but it’ll still be bright enough to admire the paintings.”
“I see,” Quinn said, starting to feel a little uncomfortable now that her question had been answered and she didn’t know what to say next.
“May I ask what brings you here?” Arnaud asked as though reading her mind.
Hearing the hint of a challenge in his voice as though he already knew, Quinn’s own voice hardened a little. “Are you asking me to leave?”
Arnaud didn’t take the bait though. His face didn’t change, eyes openly looking at her. “Not at all. You’re delightful company.”
Again Quinn didn’t know if he meant what he said or if he was just mocking her. “Alright, I’m here to thank you.” She almost spat the words.
“Should I be scared?” he asked, his eyes definitely mocking her this time.
Her own eyes narrowing, Quinn got up.
Arnaud too straightened, leisurely walking around the chair. Coming to stand in front of her, he looked down into her face. “Alright then,” he said. “I’m listening.”
Feeling her anger rise, she asked, “Do you have to be like this?”
There was that annoying grin again. “Don’t tell me you’ve never met anyone of your own kind?” His eyebrows rose for a second. “However, living in a small town, maybe you really haven’t.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You can dish it out but you can’t take it? Is that it?” he asked. “Wouldn’t have picked you for so weak.” Again there was a challenge in his eyes as though he was just waiting for her to explode.
Seeing his intention, Quinn concentrated hard to calm down and not let him see how much he irritated her. “Fine, think whatever you want. I couldn’t care less. The only reason I am here is because my mother thought it right that I thank you personally for … what you did for me.” There was no way she would literally thank him for saving her life. “Clearly she doesn’t know you very well.” At her words an amused smile spread over his face. “Well then, thank you,” she said, with as much insincerity in her voice as she could muster. “I am very grateful.”
Suddenly he laughed. “Not bad. I’d give you eight out of ten points.” He took a step back. “Can I offer you anything? Although I have to warn you, my fridge is not fully stocked yet.”
Quinn felt like she’d just passed a test and been officially accepted. “No, I did what I came for. So …”
He shrugged. “Well then, see you around.”
Seeing neither surprise nor disappointment on his face about her sudden intent to leave, Quinn turned around without saying another word and headed for the door. When she was about to reach for the handle, she remembered something. Turning back to the sitting room, she was startled to find Arnaud right behind her, leaning leisurely against the wall to the dining room. “Is that a thing?” she asked, trying to hide the astonishment on her face.
“What?” His own face looked innocent.
“Sneaking up on me,” she said. “Take it from me, most people find that very annoying.”
“Haven’t had any complaints yet.”
She frowned. “That is hard to believe. Especially considering your whole personality seems to be—” There she stopped, thinking that she might be taking this too far.
“To be what?” he inquired, a smug smile on his face. “Charming? Absolutely delightful? Irresistible?”
This time Quinn laughed. “Hardly.”
His eyebrows rose, daring her to finish the sentence.
“Fine,” she said. “If you must know, I was going to say ‘vicious’.”
His eyes widened. “Ouch, that’s a bit harsh.”
“Doesn’t make it any less true,” Quinn said, enjoying what looked like honest surprise on his face.
“Why were you hesitating?” he asked. When she frowned, he added, “Just now at the door. You were about to leave, but then you stopped. Why?”
Again she hesitated, not knowing if it would be a good idea to ask him, but then she shrugged, throwing caution to the wind. “Alright, I was wondering ... the night of the accident, what was it that you said to me?”
He looked at her. “Said to you?”
“Yes, you opened the door. I remember seeing your face and then … I think you said something. What was it?”
“You think? Does that mean you don’t remember?”
Cocking her head to the side, she said, “Would I ask if I did?”
“Good point,” Arnaud said. “Well, I guess since you don’t remember, it couldn’t have been important.”
She frowned at him. “What kind of an answer is that?”
“The kind I’m willing to give,” he said, shrugging. “Any more questions?”
“Would there be any point?”
He grinned. “Guess not.”
“Well, then I guess we’re done here,” she said, once more glaring at him before storming out the door.
Chapter 10 – In the Dark of Night
“Hey little monster, let go!” Quinn demanded with a smile on her face, trying to pry a strand of her hair from Luke’s chubby little fingers. He giggled with delight, not letting go.
“Yeah, I’m afraid you’re trapped now,” Julia said, looking at her son with adoring eyes. “Once he’s got something in his grip, he won’t let go. Especially if you want him to.” She tickled him but it only made him hold on tighter, his soft baby laughter echoing in the room. It was contagious and soon the two of them joined in.
“He’s the perfect medicine,” Quinn said, leaning back against the pillows. They were sitting on Julia’s bed, refraining from any unnecessary movement in this heat.
“You sure looked like you could use some cheering up,” Julia commented. “What happened? Is it Andrew?”
Quinn shook her head, realizing that she had barely thought about Andrew since he had come to see her the Wednesday after she had been released from the hospital.
“Then what is it?” Julia asked.
Luke still had an iron grip on Quinn’s hair and his little face held triumph when she stopped trying to free herself. Eyeing the blonde strand in his hand curiously, he opened his mouth and plopped it in, chewing smugly.
Quinn laughed, tickling him under his chin making him giggle. “Isn’t he just the sweetest thing?”
Julia smiled. “Hey, he’s my son, what’d you expect?” She rolled a purple plush ball to him but he ignored it completely, still chewing on Quinn’s hair. “So? If it’s not Andrew, who is it?”
Quinn frowned. “What do you mean ‘who’?”
Cocking her head to the side, Julia asked, “How long have we known each other? Since kindergarten? Which does not make me new to the fun and games. So, dish. Who got you so much on edge that you have no problem with my baby chewing on your hair?”
“That obvious?�
� Quinn asked, raising an eyebrow.
Julia shrugged. “To a trained eye.” She gave her friend a little nudge. “C’mon, who is the unfortunate creature that made it to the top of your hit list?”
Quinn took a deep breath. “Arnaud.”
Julia frowned. “Arnaud?” Then her eyes opened wide. “Oh, you mean Mr. de la Roche?” A surprised smile showed on her face as she said, “I see we’re already on a first-name basis. How well do you know him?”
“Too well,” Quinn said, sounding annoyed, but at the same time she wondered if what she said was true. She had definitely gotten a better glimpse at him than most people, but it had still just been a glimpse.
“Hey what’s with that tone?” Julia asked, frowning. “He’s gorgeous.”
Now it was Quinn’s turn to look surprised. “Gorgeous? What have you been smoking?”
Julia stared at her, shaking her head. “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed?”
“Well, I’ve been too busy noticing him being obnoxious,” Quinn said. “The guy is an ass.”
“He really got to you, didn’t he?”
“No!” Quinn insisted.
Resting on her elbow, Julia laughed. “Okay then, why is he obnoxious?”
“He’s just so ….” Quinn desperately looked for the right words to describe how Arnaud made her feel. “… irritating and …” She shook her head. “It’s difficult to say. He is just so very condescending.”
Julia nodded. “I see you really have a good reason not to like him.”
“Oh shut up!” Quinn complained, startling Luke who looked up at her with big eyes. “I’m sorry, sweetie,” she said, brushing a hand over his soft brown curls and he went back to chewing on her hair.
Julia eyed her friend curiously. “C’mon, how bad can he be? After all he saved your life.”
“You sound like my mother,” Quinn complained. “Would you all just get over it? It wasn’t that big a deal. He took me to the hospital. It’s not like he stopped the car.” But the moment the words left her mouth, Quinn remembered how her car had suddenly slowed down and then stopped, seemingly of its own accord, and how her jeep barely showed any signs of impact at all. Then she shook her head. There was no way Arnaud could have had anything to do with that.
“What’s wrong?” Julia asked, still eyeing her curiously.
“Nothing,” Quinn lied. “I just ...” She hesitated. “I think I’m just a little tired.”
“Really?” Julia said, raising her eyebrows. “Try saying that again, but this time with a little more conviction in your voice so that I can actually believe you.”
Quinn shook her head at her friend in disbelief. “What’s with the third degree today? What? You’re bored, and so you’ve decided to psych 101 me?”
“Hey, you’re the one who’s turning this into a big deal,” Julia insisted. “All your denying is getting you nowhere. My antennas work fine and right now they’re telling me that you’re not being completely honest with me … or yourself for that matter.” A smug smile appeared on her face. “I think you like him.”
“Oh, please! Get real!” Quinn said, shaking her head. “Hey, if you think he’s so swell, why don’t you date him?”
At her words Julia’s face darkened instantly and Quinn knew she’d gone too far. Ever since that night one and a half years ago, Julia hadn’t been out on a date. She hadn’t been ready and she still wasn’t. That night had changed her life and there had been no going back. “I’m sorry,” Quinn mumbled.
Forcing a smile on her face, Julia shook her head. “It’s fine.” Again she rolled the purple ball to her son, who finally dropped Quinn’s hair and tried to pick it up. But the ball slipped away, rolling back over to Julia. Watching it, Luke shifted his position and crawled over to his mother. Once again he ignored the ball though and grabbed a fistful of her brown hair instead, as though responding to her need to have him with her.
Brushing a hand over his wild curls, Julia pulled Luke into her arms, holding him close. He snuggled up against her, yawning sleepily. “I’ll better put him down for a nap,” she said, picking up her son in that gentle yet strong swoop that was like the secret handshake of motherhood.
***
The following week started out much better than the one before. For one, because Quinn wasn’t stuck in a sick bed with visitors busting in every few minutes, asking if she was alright or if she needed anything. Instead, she was back to feeling herself. No more dizziness. No more headache. And her dreams, which again and again had forced her to relive different parts of the night of the accident, seemed to realize that it was time to turn over a new leaf as well. As an unexpected bonus, Cora declared that she was going to take the bus from then on because she was unwilling to be late for school every day.
The only thing still bothering Quinn that Monday back in her old routine was Amanda. Once again she had brought a bag of clothing to school and during lunch break changed so that the two of them looked like twins. No matter what Quinn said Amanda didn’t understand that she was being creepy and that what she did was not a compliment but a nuisance instead.
“I’ll talk to Coach Grainer and ask her to speak to Amanda,” Julia said, trying to keep Quinn from lunging herself at her unwanted double. “She can’t pull this off forever.”
Quinn shook her head, steaming. “I’m not so sure. I mean that girl is lacking everything a human being should have, everything but the ability to annoy.”
Fortunately Mr. Sanders, their geography teacher, walked in just then. Class was in session before Quinn could make any further remarks or worse attack the blonde-haired girl in the blue-white dress sitting one seat across from her.
“Is something wrong?” Mr. Sanders asked and Quinn realized he was speaking to her. Quickly, she shook her head.
Finding everything as she’d left it, Quinn reclaimed her position at school and felt better for it. The normality of life was just what she needed and so even having to deal with Amanda’s obsession only reinforced her sense of being back in her old life. Her sister avoided her wherever possible, Jo shot her the occasional hateful glance, Andrew walked her to her car after school and her cheerleading teammates looked to her in all matters, just as they always had.
“Will you be at the diner tonight?” Caroline asked on Wednesday after lunch when they were heading to their English class.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
Caroline shrugged. “Just checking.”
Quinn stopped, looking annoyed. “Okay, everyone listen up!” The five girls from the cheerleading squad stopped in mid-stride. “As of now, the accident or anything related to it is off limits for discussion. I don’t care if you’re being straight-forward or beating around the bush, cut it out! Got that?” She looked into a lot of eagerly nodding faces. “Good. Then let’s get to class.”
In that moment a sudden noise from something heavy hitting the floor drifted down the hall, followed by a mumbled curse and amused laughter. Turning in the direction, Quinn saw her sister scramble to pick up the books that a senior had pushed out from under her arm. A small crowd stood around her, laughing. One of them even kicked a book further down the corridor. Quinn just shook her head at the pathetic picture, wondering for the millionth time if their connection would ever turn into a disadvantage for her.
“Hey, get lost! All of you!” Jo yelled at the crowd, hastening down the hallway and helping Cora pick up her books. “Assholes!” When she looked up and met Quinn’s gaze, her face turned to ice, an accusing look in her eyes. But Quinn didn’t care, turning on her heel and followed by her entourage, she walked into the classroom.
Later that night the diner was packed with students from Crescent Rock High, lounging in little groups in the homely booths running along both sides of the middle-sized room. In-between stood tables allowing for a larger number of occupants. Some had even been pushed together, like the ones harboring the cheerleading squad. Whenever Quinn walked in there, she felt reminded of home. The diner looked like an
extension of their kitchen and her mother, reigning over the stove and everything it produced, enforced a strong policy of manners. Those who got carried away and didn’t behave were kicked out, sometimes even followed by a phone call to their parents, informing them of what their children had been up to. But instead of that emptying the place permanently, students cleaned up their act and at least showed a minimum of manners for as long as they sat eating Mrs. McPherson’s apple pie and fried beef.
At first Quinn had been a bit uncomfortable when her parents’ diner had developed into the new teenage hotspot. But as it turned out, most nights the sitting area of the diner was parent-free. Her mother rarely left the kitchen, only now and then to strike fear into the heart of some teen new to the fun and games, while her father sat in the back office, overseeing income and expenses.
As Quinn walked in, she found Mr. Duncan sitting at a small table right by the door. The chair had been moved to the side so that his wheelchair would fit. He waved at her, a piece of peach cobbler on a fork in mid-air. “Hello there,” he said. “Wonderful game.”
Stopping at his table, Quinn frowned. “Game?”
“The football game,” he clarified, the piece of peach cobbler disappearing in his mouth.
“Right,” Quinn nodded. To her it seemed like a lifetime had passed since then. “Were you at the game?” she asked.
Smiling, Mr. Duncan shook his head. “No, dear. But I have a telescope that doesn’t only bring me closer to the stars.”
Quinn laughed. “Well, I’m glad you liked it. It was a great night.”
He nodded. “So I’ve heard.” From the expression on his face, Quinn saw that he knew about her accident. How could he not. But he didn’t say anything and Quinn smiled at him gratefully.
“Now, go along,” Mr. Duncan said. “Don’t waste your time speaking to an old eccentric.”
“I wouldn’t call it a waste of time,” Quinn said. “Can I get you anything else?” she asked, pointing at his empty plate.
“Thank you, my dear. But this was already my second piece and if I keep eating your mother’s pie like this, I won’t be able to get up the hill to my little cottage. And I’d hate to have to move.” There was a sarcastic twinkle in his eye and Quinn laughed.