Charlie

by Elin Peer

  “That’s because you practically live in my apartment. Ye can get yer own bloody cookies.” Damian tilted his head from side to side as if trying to get water out of his ears.

  “You forget that I saw it with my own eyes,” I said. “I know what someone tripping looks like, but he threw himself to save her. It was the most heroic thing, and we’re all forever grateful.”

  Damian didn’t say anything but he was smiling from my praise.

  “Ach, no wonder he loves comin’ over here. Ye all treat him like he’s feckin’ Rambo.” Kit handed me her sunscreen and turned around. Since she’d already applied it on her legs, arms, and face, I figured she wanted me to smear sunscreen on her shoulders and back.

  “Hey, Damian.” Nathan came over with the ball under his arm. “You said you’d come play with us when you’d cooled down. Wanna play now?”

  “Aye, I can beat ye in football if ye want.”

  Nathan grinned. “You can try.”

  “Challenge accepted!” Damian’s muscles flexed as he pulled himself out of the water, dripping as he jogged with the boys to the lawn, where a small soccer goal was positioned away from the house.

  “It’s crazy how much Nathan has grown,” Kit said as we watched them sprint around and play soccer.

  Damian growled when Nathan tried to trip him up. “Ah, ye little plonker.” Using his shoulder, Damian pushed at Nathan, who pushed back.

  “You’re too slow, old man.” Nathan was agile and athletic and got the ball from Damian, who cursed out loud.

  “Yes, he’s taller than me now. Nathan finally hit puberty and to be honest it feels like he’s using sports to deal with his grief. He’s either running, working on ball control, or doing strength and conditioning at the gym. He doesn’t like to talk about what happened, but I think keeping physically active helps him numb his grief.”

  “Whatever works.” Kit shrugged, but I wasn’t sure that she understood the level of obsession that Nathan had with sports or how suppressing grief wasn’t healthy.

  “What about Maximum?” Kit took a sip from her glass.

  I lowered my voice. “It’s hard for him. He misses Atlas, and some kids at his new school have been bullying him.”

  The second I said it, Kit lowered the glass and narrowed her eyes. “Tell me who bullied him and Damian and I will go talk to the little wankers. I’ll have Damian show up in his uniform and scare the shite out of them.”

  “Thank you for the offer, but the principal is on it.” I sighed. “It’s inevitable that being Conor O’Brien’s son will affect him for the rest of his life. It’s too big to hide with the story being international news for weeks, everyone at his school knows what happened.”

  Kit looked thoughtful. “Kids can be brutal if you have the wrong shoes or a big nose. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to have a dad who was a mass murderer. I can imagine the other parents telling their children to keep a distance just in case it’s inherited.”

  I watched the handsome boy run around and voiced my concern to Kit. “Yeah, it’s tough being him, and it’s like Max is taking on the guilt and shame of his father’s actions, even though we keep telling him it wasn’t his fault.”

  Lumi lowered the book she was reading. “It’s Maximum, not Max. I told you that Ciara was always adamant about us not shortening her boys’ names.”

  “I’m sorry, Maximum told me the same thing this morning; it’s just so natural for us Americans to shorten names.”

  “What about Atlas, is he helping his little brother cope with all of this? They seemed so close,” Kit asked.

  Lumi answered, “Yes, they talk often. Atlas called last night.”

  “And how is our local genius doing at Harvard?”

  Lumi gave Kit a shrug of her shoulders. “He said that his professors aren’t too happy with him. Apparently, he got into trouble again.”

  “Why?” I frowned. “What did he do this time?”

  Lumi got defensive and crossed her arms. “Nothing! It’s not his fault.”

  Kit gave me a what’s going on look, so I sighed and explained. “Atlas has gotten in trouble for correcting his professors while they’re in the middle of teaching a class. I can’t figure out if it’s because he’s unfamiliar with a normal classroom setting, or if it’s because he’s rebelling against authority due to what happened. His disrespect for his current professors could very well be a projection of his anger toward his father, who used to be his teacher.”

  “But was he right?” Kit asked.

  “About what?”

  “Ye said that Atlas corrected his professor. Was Atlas right or was the professor right?”

  Lumi gave a proud smile. “Atlas was right of course. He’s not one to speak just to be heard. He felt it was too grave a mistake to stand uncorrected.”

  “What did the professor say?”

  “That Thomas Edison invented the electric light.”

  Kit looked to me, “But he did, didn’t he?”

  I shrugged. “Apparently not.”

  Like a small lexicon, Lumi began. “It’s a common myth that he invented the electric light, but in reality, he improved on an invention already made by Sir Humphry Davy forty years earlier. The problem was that although many scientists tried, none of them could find a way to make the carbon filament glow for more than twelve hours. Davy’s invention brought electric light, but it was the inventors in Edison’s lab who found the right filament that would burn for days on end.”

  Kit tilted her head. “Huh. I had no idea.”

  “That’s okay, but a history professor should know better.”

  “That might be, Lumi, but Atlas humiliated his professor and that’s not smart.” I leaned forward. “So, tell me. What did you mean when you said he got into trouble again?”

  “It’s just that they don’t understand his way of studying.”

  Kit and I exchanged another glance and then she snickered, “What are ye on about? Does he do it at midnight, under a full moon with a cape on? How can there be a wrong way to study?”

  “They say it’s not enough that he takes all the classes. They want him to write reports and do exams too.”

  I pushed my sunglasses up. “Duh! Exams are part of going to college. How does he think people get their degrees?”

  “But that’s just the thing. Atlas isn’t studying to get some degree or title. He doesn’t care about that sort of thing. All he wants to do is search for answers. The rest is just noise to him.”

  I gaped and then I scrunched up my face. “That makes no sense, Lumi.”

  “It makes complete sense. A degree is a useless external validation while the knowledge you’ve obtained to get it is what truly matters.”

  “I don’t understand. What’s wrong with a degree?” Kit asked.

  “It’s redundant,” Lumi declared.

  I snorted. “No, it’s not! It’s proof to everyone else that you’ve mastered the knowledge you’ve been studying.”

  “But Atlas has no interest in others knowing what he studied. Learning should be about getting answers and finding a deeper understanding. Not getting a certificate to show off your degrees. Right now, he’s working his way through class after class to understand.”

  “To understand what?” Kit shook her head. “What is he searchin’ for?”

  Lumi looked at her as if Kit were slow of thought. “Answers to why it happened, of course.”

  Kit looked confused. “Is Atlas trying to find answers to why his father behaved and acted the way he did?”

  “Yes.”

  “But I thought that he studied history.”

  “Yes. More precisely, he studies dictators throughout history. He wants to understand what makes people follow psychopathic narcissists like Conor.”

  I crossed my arms. “As I’ve told him, I can see his fascination with that subject, but if he wants to understand the dynamics of persuasion and mind control, he should study psychology.”

  Lumi brushed her
hand over the towel on her sunbed. “He’ll get to that. He’s working his way through every class that can offer insight into what happened. Unless of course, he’s kicked out of school first.”

  Kit looked to me. “Can’t ye have Charles talk to Atlas?”

  I nodded and it made her turn back to Lumi.

  “Did Atlas say anythin’ about how he’s liking Harvard? Does he have a girlfriend yet? Someone told me that American women love a man with a British accent; is that true?”

  I chuckled. “Don’t look at me like that, Kit. I don’t know what all American women like. We’re as different as Irish women.”

  Lumi answered in a matter-of-fact tone. “Atlas gets his fair share of attention from females. He just finds them all insufferable, but he did tell me that he made a new friend.”

  “Did he?” I lit up. “Who?”

  “Some professor in astrophysics.”

  “Nooo…” I bit my lip. “We really need to get him to socialize with the other students.

  “Are you sure you want that?” Lumi bent one of her long golden legs and adjusted a blue ankle chain. “Atlas just turned seventeen and according to him many of his classmates are binge drinking on the weekends and smoking pot.” I knew Lumi said it to get a reaction from me, but I wasn’t taking the bait.

  “He doesn’t have to drink or smoke to go to a party. He can just socialize and get to know people. It’s a part of the American college experience, which you would know if you went to one.”

  “No, thank you. Trinity College is plenty crazy for me.”

  “Is it?” I tilted my head “Then how come you haven’t been to a single party yet?”

  “I don’t know, let me see.” Lumi tapped her lips. “Could it be that the word party has bad connotations for me? I remember a party from last year where champagne was served and people had this party game where they shot themselves and left for another world.”

  I drew a deep sigh. “That’s not what I meant and you know it. I’m talking about a fun party with people your own age.”

  “All right. I’ll make you a deal. When Atlas and I have our own company and we’re making a million a year, I’ll throw a party. How about that?”

  “Can I be an investor?” Kit asked.

  Lumi wrinkled her nose. “You want to invest in a company we haven’t founded yet?”

  “Aye, a hundred percent. Ye two are legit geniuses and I want in on the fortune ye’re goin’ to make.”

  Lumi was smiling now. “I’m flattered. How much do you have to invest?”

  “Let me see.” Kit picked up her bag and took out her purse. “I have a tenner.”

  “Eh, all right then.” Lumi raised her book again.

  “Oh, I see.” Kit waved the crumbled money note in her hand. “Are you too laudy daw for my money?”

  “No, of course not, but I can’t take it until we have an actual company, can I? And please don’t call me laudy daudy; I’m not a snob.”

  “Then how come ye’re too good to party with the Irish?”

  “I never said that I was.” Lumi looked hurt. “I wouldn’t party with anyone, no matter their nationality.”

  “Damian, come here for a second.” Kit waved her hand for him to see her.

  He came jogging over and I couldn’t tell if he was still wet from the pool or his bare chest was sweaty from playing soccer.

  “Now, ye listen to me, Lumi. Since my brother saved yer life, I think it’s fair he has a little say in what ye do with it.” Kit turned to Damian, who looked confused. “Can’t ye tell Lumi that she needs to go out more? She’s a book-readin’ hermit and it’s not healthy. Ye have a party gene bigger than anyone that I’ve ever met. Can’t ye give her a motivational speech or somethin’?”

  Damian sat down on his sister’s sunbed and his wet shorts made the thick blue cushion darken in color around him. He reached for the glass of lemonade that stood on her side table. She didn’t protest when he emptied it before he addressed Lumi. “Why won’t ye go out? Parties are fun.”

  Even with her wearing sunglasses, I could tell Lumi rolled her eyes. “Parties are not fun. They’re boring.”

  “Then ye’ve been to the wrong kind of parties.” He leaned over and pushed at her knee. “Go dance and kiss a few lads. I’ll bet ye have a long line of suitors.”

  Lumi stiffened and then she lifted her hand to lower her sunglasses and look at him. “Why do you assume that I have suitors?”

  “Ehmm… Because ye’re wicked smart and ye’re as pretty as Princess Jasmine from Aladdin.”

  Lumi wrinkled her nose up again. “She’s a cartoon character.”

  “So?” Damian leaned back and it made Kit push at him because he was taking up too much space on her sunbed. “Cartoons are great. I used to fantasize about Jessica Rabbit when I was younger.”

  Kit laughed. “I’ll bet ye still do.”

  “Ha.” Damian’s smile grew. “Not for a long time, but maybe I should watch her movie again.”

  “And Jasmine, did you fantasize about her too?” Lumi put aside her thick book and sunglasses.

  Damian opened his mouth to answer, but closed it again.

  “Ye’d better say no.” Kit told him, but he never got a chance to answer because Lumi spoke to me.

  “I’ll go to one party if you stop bugging me.”

  “Three parties.” I held up three fingers. “You’re almost eighteen. Live a little.”

  She got up from the sunbed and looked gorgeous in her bright yellow bikini, which complimented her golden tan. Standing in front of us she raised her arms and made a ponytail of her long black hair. “I’ll go to two parties this summer, that’s all I can agree to.”

  “I’ll take it.” With a triumphant smile, I mimed “thank you” to Kit and Damian.

  Passing me on her way to the pool, Lumi had a satisfied smile on her face and when she stopped by the edge of the water, she looked back over her shoulder. “You forgot to specify how long I needed to stay at the parties. Don’t be surprised if I’m home early.”

  I opened my mouth, but before I could object, she made an elegant dive into the water.

  Damian sat with his eyes on Lumi and chuckled. “That lass is too clever for her own good.”

  As if she had heard him, she swam a few strokes, turned on her back, and called out to him. “Wanna play, Damian?”

  I saw the small frown on his face and then he looked to me and Kit. I didn’t confirm that I’d heard the flirting undertone in Lumi’s voice or that it wasn’t the first time I sensed Lumi goading Damian either. I could understand a teenage girl’s fascination with him. Damian was tall, strong, fit, and playful, but he was also almost ten years her senior. To my relief, he knew better than to feed into her teen infatuation.

  “Maybe later. I still need to show Nathan who’s the better football player.” He chucked down another glass of lemonade and headed back to the boys.

  Kit must have caught on to the situation as well because she began talking about Damian’s newest girlfriend using a voice loud enough to guarantee that Lumi couldn’t avoid hearing it. “Megan is so pretty with big doe eyes and she can cook too. The other day she made us mushroom soup and homemade bread. It was delicious! I told Damian he should hurry up and marry her before she finds out what a tool he really is.”

  “I heard that,” he shouted at her.

  “I meant it in a lovin’ way.” Kit grinned and then she lit up when River came running around the house with Charles walking behind her.

  “I saw Damian’s car out front.” River was smiling from ear to ear when she ran to give Kit a hug.

  “Didn’t I tell ye to stop growin’?” Kit hugged River and moved her around to stand back to back. “Liv, tell me that I’m still the tallest.”

  I got up to measure. “It’s a tie.”

  Kit rose up on her toes and River followed until Kit turned around and pressed her palm down on top of River’s head.

  The blonde girl laughed. “Next time you see m
e, I’ll be taller than you for sure.”

  Kit gave up, waved a hand, and took her place on the sunbed again. “We’ll never know, ’cause it’s the last time I’m letting anyone measure the two of us.”

  “Charles says that Nathan and I are growing like weeds.”

  I kissed River’s cheek when she came to hug me. “River sweetie, go get your swimwear and jump in the pool with Lumi. It’s so nice today.”

  She was quick to comply and disappeared into the house.

  “Oh, that lass is such a charmer. If ye get tired of her, I’ll take her.” Kit turned her sun hat a little.

  “Can you take all of them for a week?” Charles sat down next to me and pushed my long brown hair away to kiss my shoulder. “I could use a little alone time with my wife.”

  I melted like I always did when he kissed me.

  “No problem. Damian and I are happy to help.”

  “I’d like that.” I wiggled my finger at Kit. “But I’m warning you. Our kids may look idyllic, but they come with a lot of issues.”

  “Are ye talking about the nightmares?”

  “Uh-huh. River and Nathan have them the most, but those are just some of the things that we’re working on.”

  Charles moved to sit behind me and I leaned back against his chest as the three of us sat in silence watching the others in the garden for a moment.

  “I wish I could peek ten or fifteen years into the future and see where the children are in life,” he said and massaged my shoulders.

  “Me too,” I sighed.

  “Me three.” With Kit’s accent making her not pronounce the h, it always made me smile.

  “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

  “Aye, and if Atlas finds the answer to what makes people follow lyin’ psychopaths, I for one would like to know. It’s scary!” Taking her sun hat off and waving it in front of her, Kit got up from the sunbed and called out to Lumi. “Wanna watch me make a bomb?”

  Lumi swam to the side just in time to get out of the way before Kit ran to the pool, jumped up with a loud howl, and pressed her body into a cannonball making the water splash in all directions.