Chapter 26
Where There’s a Way, There’s a Will
That morning, Harry and Hector Hunter met with Tristan at his law office. Tristan was dressed in a black pinstripe double-breasted waistcoat, a white pressed shirt with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a magenta tie, black pinstripe pants, and black loafers. Hector wore an olive sweater with black jeans and sneakers. Harry wore a blue sweater, jeans, and loafers. Harry was discussing his will. Tristan had a lot on his mind from the events with Dougal and the aftermath with him and Deimos. He worried he wouldn’t be able to do this but he had to try.
Harry: “We moved here and plan to live here for the rest of my life. It’s a good place for Hector to grow up.”
He said as he smiled at Hector as he looked around the office. Tristan started to write the will in short form.
Harry: “I want to leave my wealth, house, possessions, and everything to my son, Hector. I will look after hiring a caregiver for him and make sure he or she is paid well to look after my son.”
Tristan jotted that down.
Tristan: “No other family members?”
He flicked his gaze up at Harry. Harry frowned and heaved a deep sigh.
Harry: “Alas, my wife and Hector’s mother died of the red nile virus years ago. I had a brother but he died last year.”
He explained in a forlorn tone. Tristan stopped jotting it down and folded his hands.
Tristan: “You have my condolences.”
Harry nodded.
Harry: “Thank you, Mr. Trémaux.”
Tristan: “Do you wish to assign someone to be your executor?”
Harry sighed.
Harry: “Can I get back to you on that? I’m hiring someone to care for Hector and they will fill that role.”
Tristan flashed a smile.
Tristan: “Of course, Mr. Hunter.”
Hector: “Hey, Tristan? Wh-What does Jaclyn get?”
He stammered. Harry had a pained look in his eyes and flashed Tristan a beseeching look. Tristan quirked an eyebrow. Why is he worried about what that thing gets? He thought.
Tristan: “Well, Hector…”
He leaned forward.
Tristan: “This is your father’s will and he’s making sure you’re looked after.”
He said calmly and gently.
Hector: “B-But Jaclyn wants stuff, too!”
Tristan paused and flicked his gaze to Harry who still had that pleading look in his eye.
Tristan: “...Hector, there are some nice books downstairs or you can watch TV while I talk to your father, okay?”
He smiled at him.
Hector: “I don’t like reading but I love watching TV! I love the Woobly-Honks! Hey, Daddy, can we go to Barry Bear’s Bazaar after this? Hey, Tristan, do you like Barry Bear?”
He asked him. Tristan was taken aback by his question.
Tristan: “Isn’t that a children’s pizza place with arcade games?”
Hector bobbed his head.
Hector: “Yeah, they have wicked games and pizza! And there’s a show where Barry Bear and his friends from the forest sing songs! I am going to take Jaclyn on a date there!”
He said with glee. Harry put his hands up.
Harry: “We can go, son, but Jaclyn… has other plans.”
He sighed.
Hector: “Why, Daddy?”
He gasped.
Harry: “Son, go downstairs and watch TV. I wish to speak with Tristan alone.”
He said gently but firmly. Hector bobbed his head.
Hector: “Okay, Dad!”
He rose from his seat and left the office. Tristan rose to close the door.
He sat behind his desk.
Tristan: “Okay, what is your story behind Jaclyn, and when did she arrive?”
He asked. Harry’s features were harshened and his jaw tightened.
Harry: “I don’t want my son near her, Mr. Trémaux. She showed up at our doorstep not long after we won. I don’t know how she located us but she declared she was Hector’s soulmate, and Hector allowed her in our house. I knew what she wanted.”
He said angrily. Tristan looked sympathetically at him. She did the same to Lazaros, he thought. Tristan drummed his fingers on the desk.
Harry: “Mr. Trémaux…”
He leaned forward and locked his gaze on him.
Harry: “Leave nothing to that woman and look into ways of getting her away from my son.”
He said firmly. Tristan nodded.
Tristan: “I will, Mr. Hunter. You have my word.”
~
When they left, Tristan looked out his window as Harry drove away. I need fresh air, he thought. He put his black trench coat over his clothes and stepped out.
~
Hector was driving to Trémaux Law Office with Jaclyn to meet with Tristan. He had to drive while his father slept because he wasn’t allowed to drive. They were driving in his 1983 Chrysler Minivan. Jaclyn sat beside him, obscured by her cat-eye sunglasses and white headscarf on her head. She looked like a vintage movie star or someone who was trying to hide.
Jaclyn: “When will your father be getting a new car?”
She twisted her mouth, folding her arms across her chest.
Hector: “What’s wrong with this, sweetheart?! It’s got lots of rooms for any kids we might have and dogs and cats and groceries! I love shopping for groceries! Did you know animal crackers are on sale at Wool-Mart? And Lucky Lucks cereal? I always wanted Lucky Lucks cereal and Choco Pops!”
He beamed. Jaclyn’s right eye twitched.
Jaclyn: “NO, we are NOT having a family! I HATE KIDS! I don’t want to adopt them or have them at all!”
She screamed as her ire soared through the roof. Hector started to cry.
Hector: “O-Okay... maybe some dogs and cats?”
He suggested and wiped his eyes.
Jaclyn: “Dogs, NO. Cats, yes!”
She nodded.
Hector: “What’s wrong with dogs?”
He asked her.
Jaclyn: “Dogs are filthy, obnoxious animals.”
She scoffed.
Hector: “Oh, I thought it was because your mother was scared of them! When you move in, we can move her into the room next to yours!”
He smiled. Jaclyn’s right eye twitched.
Jaclyn: “Don’t EVER mention that to me again!”
She growled and glared at him. Hector murmured.
He turned into the parking lot of Trémaux Law Office. Tristan’s red Toyota MR2 convertible was in the parking space assigned to him. Hector drove close by it and got out of the van and opened the door for Jaclyn.
Jaclyn: “Great, I will be getting everything from the will after this appointment.”
She smirked.
Hector: “Okay, I can ask for help to move your mother in. She will have to live with how the room is for now!”
He nodded and opened the door to the office. Erin was at her desk and smiled at them. Rosemary was at the fax machine sending an invoice to a client.
Erin: “Hello, Hector! Tristan will be with you both shortly. Have a seat.”
Jaclyn plopped on the seat and scowled.
Jaclyn: “What’s taking so long?”
She huffed impatiently as they sat in the waiting room. Erin and Rosemary both looked up at Jaclyn as she said that and said nothing.
Tristan stepped into the office wearing a black trench coat over his clothes. He held his forefinger up to Hector.
Tristan: “Bear with me, Hector.”
He said gently, and went up to his office. Jaclyn lowered her sunglasses and smirked at the sight of him. He is so handsome and so tall, she thought.
The phone rang at Erin’s desk. She picked it up.
Erin: “Tristan will see you now, Hector.”
Jaclyn: “Finally!”
She huffed and rose to her feet. Hector followed and they went up the stairs to Tristan’s office. Tristan had his trench coat hung on the coat rack.
Tristan: “Good afternoon, Hector. I had to get some fresh air.”
He and Jaclyn sat across from his desk. Why did he have to bring this thing here? And what’s with that ridiculous outfit? Is she trying to be a granny spy? He wondered and tried his best not to show his displeasure… for now. Jaclyn sat down across from Tristan and cleared her throat.
Jaclyn: “Good afternoon!”
She declared with a smile. Tristan managed a strained smile. What the Hell does this want? He wondered. Jaclyn held her hand out for Tristan to kiss. He shifted his eyes and ignored her. He knew what she was trying to do. Jaclyn frowned.
Tristan turned to Hector.
Tristan: “Can I get you anything? Some water, tea, coffee, or juice?”
Hector shook his head.
Jaclyn: “I’ll have a coffee. Soy milk, no sugar.”
She instructed. Tristan glared at her.
Tristan: “...We don’t have soy milk.”
He said tersely.
Hector: “I came here to discuss... the will my father left... I want to revise it…”
Tristan's smile dipped into a frown.
Tristan: “I can’t do that without his presence, Hector. It’s his will.”
He said firmly but gently. Jaclyn bared her teeth.
Jaclyn: “Will that matter?! He will be dead! So I should get everything!”
She snapped and banged her hands on the arms of the chair. Tristan shot an icy glare at her and clenched his pen tightly. He wanted so badly to stab her.
Hector: “Well, can you help me move her mother in? She’s really fat and has a hard time moving.”
Tristan raised his eyebrows.
Jaclyn: “NO!”
She hissed.
Tristan: “Her mother is being looked after, Hector. She is happier where she is.”
He said with a forced smile. Jaclyn smiled.
Jaclyn: “Glad to see we’re on the same page!”
Tristan laughed.
Tristan: “If you say so.”
He scoffed. Jaclyn grimaced.
Someone knocked on Tristan’s door. Tristan raised an eyebrow. Normally, he wouldn’t do this but he wanted to get rid of Jaclyn and saw no point in Hector being there. He rose to open the door. He saw Ivy there with tears in her eyes. Tristan knit his eyebrows and pulled out his pocket watch to glance at the time. He realized he had forgotten their lunch. Ivy read his thoughts and nodded in confirmation.
Jaclyn scowled at Ivy. She couldn't understand why such a perfect man like Tristan was here with such a cow like Ivy. She had to destroy her.
Ivy read Jaclyn’s mind and glared at her.
Ivy: “I don’t have time for your nonsense, Jaclyn. I need a minute alone with Tristan. Get out!”
She snapped at her, pointing to the door.
Jaclyn: “If you can’t see or don’t know, I’m here on important matters with Tristan! This is a lawyer’s office, not an all-you-can-eat buffet.”
She scoffed. Tristan bared his teeth at her.
Tristan: “You are NOT my client, and you are NOT to speak to her this way!”
He said firmly pointing his forefinger at her.
Tristan: “I apologize but would you two give me a minute alone?”
He asked them.
Jaclyn: “Whatever for, Tristan?”
She huffed. Ivy glared at her.
Tristan: “Don’t… push me, Jaclyn!”
He said through clenched teeth.
Hector: “My Queen Bee, we will talk to him later! Come on! We have to get ready for your mural!”
He smiled. Tristan drew a long breath as they left his office. He didn’t want to deal with them or inquire about this “mural.” He closed the door behind them.
Ivy turned to Tristan.
Ivy: “I waited for two hours… then I realized you weren’t coming. You… forgot about me.”
She began with tears in her eyes. Tristan heaved a deep sigh.
Ivy: “You were with Deimos again, weren’t you?”
She pressed him.
Tristan: “No, Ivy, as you saw, I was with Jaclyn and her newest human ATM. I apologize but I’ve been distracted today and am fortunate I accomplished as much as I did.”
He said with a trace of an edge. He went to his desk and sat down. He gathered the papers and stacked them up.
Ivy: “I bet if I were Deimos you wouldn’t have been distracted or forgotten. You would have made it your priority.”
She said bitterly. Tristan slammed his papers on the desk and removed his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose. He drew a rough breath. Ivy jolted.
Tristan: “I am sorry, Ivy. I’ve been very distracted today. Can I make it up to you?”
He asked with sharpness in his tone and put his glasses on.
Ivy: “That depends… do you want to do this, or do you feel obligated to do this…? I don’t want to be someone you feel obligated to…”
She sighed and closed her eyes. Tristan nodded and cupped his chin.
Tristan: “What are you insinuating? I never said it was an obligation! I just forgot and I do apologize! If you notice, Oliver is not with me! I am sorry I have a lot on my mind and I’m just a normal human being!”
He said as his voice rose. Ivy recoiled at his raised voice.
Ivy: “You often forget about me… You forget our plans for Deimos and your father told me he gave you an art set to give to me and you forgot that too. Now you’re getting pissed off with me like this is an annoyance to you, rather than you being excited to spend time with me… what’s on your mind and where is Oliver? You don’t talk to me and shut me out like Deimos did. You never told me about last night… and went straight to him instead, again…”
She cried. Tristan rubbed his temples. He shook his head and counted to ten in his head.
Tristan: “My father tends to see me as the little boy he left behind and I don’t feel comfortable giving others gifts he bought for me to give. I have a good-paying job; I can buy gifts for others. I’m not eight anymore. Oliver is home with Papa.”
He said through clenched teeth.
Tristan: “I’m sorry for not making you my world and worshipping you as Hector does to Jaclyn. Is that what you want?”
He asked sharply as a vein popped on his forehead. Ivy felt cut by his words, triggered when her mother accused her of wanting to be a “princess” whenever she confronted her about what hurt her.
Ivy: “Wow… that’s a low blow for you echoing my mother. You know damn well I don’t expect that. I don’t feel like I’m a part of your world at all. I feel like an afterthought and the third wheel to whatever you have with Deimos. I know it’s something more as he spends the night in your bed. The writing is on the wall and I’m not going to chase someone who views me as an option or as that vile witch!”
She cried. Tristan slammed his fists on the desk and bared his teeth at her.
Tristan: “I AM SORRY, IVY! I HAD A LOT HAPPEN TO ME LAST NIGHT AND INSTEAD OF ASKING ME ABOUT IT OR CONSOLING ME, YOU BARKED AT ME ABOUT ‘POOR YOU’! I DO AS MUCH AS I CAN FOR YOU! IT’S NOT ENOUGH!”
He caterwauled. Ivy recoiled at his outburst and stepped away.
Ivy: “YOU SHUT ME OUT OF THAT AND WENT TO DEIMOS INSTEAD! You never told me and didn’t want to talk about last night!”
Tristan: “I WASN’T READY TO! Deimos and I already endured this thing before! It’s how we met!”
He cried. Ivy closed her eyes over and drew a long breath.
Ivy: “Then I think you would be better off with Deimos then…”
She sighed. Tristan nodded and shook his head.
Tristan: “I’m sorry I’m not up to your lofty standards.”
He turned his back on her and embraced himself.
Ivy: “I’m sorry my standards are too ‘lofty’ for you. I don’t think I’m your person… and I don’t think you’re my person either. I think Deimos is your person.”
She said sombrely, heading to the door to leave.
Tristan: “Get out of my office, Ivy.”
He said as his bottom lip trembled. Ivy said nothing more and gently closed the door behind her as she left.
He angrily threw a crystal decanter at the door where it smashed upon impact. He removed his glasses and sobbed as the tears dropped onto the shorthand will he wrote. He covered his face with his hands as he bawled.
~
Jaclyn smirked and filed her nails as she heard Tristan yell at Ivy. Jaclyn smiled as Ivy stormed past her. That’s right, you green cow, Tristan wants me, he thought and looked at her sharp red nails. I will go up and console Tristan and get my handsome, tall man and my millions, she thought.
~
Ivy ran outside his office and down the street to hail a cab. There were many stores on the street, such as chocolate shops, lingerie shops, toy shops, flower shops, etc. She bumped into someone and fell to the ground crying. She felt so foolish and embarrassed. She looked up as her chocolate eyes filled with tears at Victor kneeling with his hand out.
Victor: “Ivy, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
He asked softly.
Ivy: “Victor?”
She swallowed and wiped her tears.
Ivy: “Not really…”
She confessed. Victor put his arms around her.
Victor: “I’m sorry…”
He whispered.
Victor: “Do you want to have lunch with me?”
He smiled.
Ivy: “...Y-Yes, I would.”
She smiled at him.
~
Victor and Ivy sat in a small bistro on the same street called “The Peacock.” It was a quaint bistro with a peacock theme, colors, and a peacock fan near the cashier’s counter. He pulled out a chair for her and sat with her. He smiled and slid a box to her.
Victor: “Thought of you when I saw this.”
She smiled and opened it, revealing dark espresso fudge. Ivy’s chocolate eyes lit up.
Ivy: “Oh wow! That’s so thoughtful of you, Victor!”
She beamed.
Victor: “And that is not all!”
He bit his bottom lip and slid a box fastened with a teal bow. She smiled at the presentation and undid the bow. She saw it was a bath set with “Rose Ivy” scents.
Victor: “Yes, I saw this and wanted to get this for you. I’m getting it and not giving it to my son to give to you.”
He smiled. Ivy started to cry. Victor frowned.
Victor: “Do you not like it?”
He asked softly. Ivy wiped her eyes and shook her head.
Ivy: “No, it’s not that. I love this, it’s perfect. You know my tastes well. These are my favorite colors and scents. I thought Tristan understood me and knew me… but maybe he didn’t. He said my standards were too lofty… You don’t have to worry about giving gifts to him to give to me anymore…”
She explained. Victor knit his eyebrows and put his hand on hers.
Victor: “Whatever happened to Tristan last night upset him a lot. I know my son. He never forgets Oliver and I had to tell him that Tristan has a lot on his mind. I’m sorry.”
He said gently. Ivy sighed.
Ivy: “He wouldn’t tell me what happened… whatever it is was bad enough that he’d forget Oliver. But regardless of this… I couldn’t get what you told me about him and Deimos out of my head and I think I realized the writing was on the wall then…”
Victor: “What did I say?”
He raised an eyebrow.
Ivy: “When Deimos is here, he’s in Tristan’s bed with him, but when Celeste is here, she’s out in the hammock.”
She echoed. Victor thought of Celeste in the hammock and said that she had slept there last night, refusing to speak to anyone. Ivy read his mind and quirked an eyebrow.
Victor: “What of it? Should Celeste not be in a hammock?”
He asked her curiously. Ivy smiled a bit and shook her head.
Ivy: “No… if Deimos were only a friend, he would be in the hammock or spare room like I was whenever I stayed.”
She stated. Victor frowned and nodded in agreement.
Victor: “I am so sorry, Ivy. I think he did have feelings for you.”
He said tenderly as he gazed at his hand on hers. Ivy blushed to his hand on hers.
Ivy: “I think his feelings for Deimos were stronger… He never raised his voice at him and they seem to share this bond from something they experienced that only they understand…”
She sighed sadly. Victor thought of Tristan raising his voice at him and recoiled. Ivy read his mind. It seems Deimos is the only person he doesn’t do this to, she thought.
Victor: “I understand.”
He said quickly.
Victor: “I don’t know what advice to give because I don’t know what they experienced and both are tight-lipped about it. Celeste said nothing. Whatever happened last night affected everyone.”
He said tenderly. Ivy nodded, wondering what it could be.
Victor: “They will talk when they’re ready. Some things are unpleasant to discuss.”
He said and thought of his former marriage with his late wife. Ivy read his mind and sighed.
Ivy: “I’m sorry…”
She placed her hand on his.
Victor raised his eyebrows and bit his bottom lip.
Victor: “I think, for now, it’s best to give Tristan some space. I got him some fudge but I think I will give it to him later. I got him pecan fudge and walnut fudge. I didn’t get him espresso. He doesn’t like coffee.”
He chuckled and sipped on his cappuccino. Ivy nodded in agreement with him.
Ivy: “That’s something else we differ in. I love coffee.”
She stated. Victor beamed.
Victor: “Yes, I know! When you spent the night, I always prepared your coffee to your liking!”
He held his cup and sighed.
Ivy: “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
She smiled.
Victor flicked his gaze outside and it locked on the lingerie store. He looked away and blushed. Ivy read his thoughts and blushed.
Victor: “Would you like to have dinner with me some time? Like a real dinner at a restaurant?”
He blurted.
Ivy: “Oh, I’d be delighted.”
She smiled.
Victor: “We can make it a date!”
He blurted and covered his mouth. Ivy froze. A date? With Tristan’s dad? She wondered.
Victor: “I apologize! I’m not thinking and I don’t want to overstep!”
He said quickly.
Ivy: “Oh, no, not at all. Let’s take this slow.”
She smiled at him. Victor nodded.
Victor: “I agree.”
He stammered.
~
After Rosemary cleaned up the mess in the office, Tristan lay in the lounge room on the couch with his shoes off and his sheer socked feet on the arm of the chair. He lay staring at the ceiling, drowning in a sea of thoughts. He thought of his dinner outing with Ivy at Tranquillité and the times he spent with her and the times he spent with Deimos. He had a crush on her when they first met but maybe this is dwindling down? He wondered. He recalled Andreas’ tarot reading and how he lashed out at her. Is Dougal going to come between us? Do I feel any romantic feelings for Ivy or is just a crush that faded? He wondered. Did the trio mean he, Ivy, and Deimos or was it a trio of he, Deimos, and Celeste? If the latter, there was no romantic connection with Celeste, he thought.
He felt terrible for lashing out at her. Whatever I feel, I shouldn’t have done that, he thought. Then he reflected on times she dropped in and he felt annoyed. Maybe she was pushing too hard, he thought. He didn’t know what to think.
He thought of him and Deimos. He didn’t have to say anything to Deimos. Deimos never dropped by because he knows he’s busy. He and Deimos don’t have to say anything to enjoy each other’s company. Is she right? He wondered. Then he thought back to his outing when he took her to Tranquillité. Did I do that as a romantic gesture or to get away from my father because I was arguing with him? He wondered and sighed. I should apologize to her, he thought.
Suddenly, he felt fingers wiggling against the soles of his feet. Tristan shrieked and burst out laughing.
Tristan: “AHHH!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”
He laughed and pulled his feet away. He saw Hector grinning at him.
Tristan: “Hector?!”
He gasped.
Hector: “Holy cow, you’re more ticklish than Fabien!”
Tristan furrowed his eyebrows.
Tristan: “Fabien…?”
Hector nodded.
Hector: “Yeah, he, Craig, and Gus got me someone to do my Queen Bee’s mural and her bed for her!”
He chirped. Tristan gaped at him. Oh Golly, he thought. They didn’t get Trevor, did they? He wondered. Why am I wondering? Of course, they did, he thought.
Hector: “Trevor is going to paint her mural and make her bed! He does amazing work!”
He nodded proudly. Tristan called it and managed a strained smile. He was going to object but no, he wants Hector to see the real Jaclyn and this would be one way of doing that.
Tristan slid his feet into his shoes and tied them. He rose and dusted himself off.
Tristan: “I implore you to carry this out, Hector. She deserves this.”
He nodded.
Hector: “I knew you would think so! Well, I gotta go, Tristan! See you soon!”
He ran out of the lounge room.
Tristan flopped on the couch and sighed. He removed his glasses and leaned back. He heard a gentle tap at the door and snapped out of his daze. He put his glasses back on and saw Jaclyn at the door. He scowled at her.
Tristan: “You’re the last person I wish to see.”
He hissed. Jaclyn graced him with a saccharine smile and closed the lounge room door behind her.
Jaclyn: “I sent Hector to his… car to wait for me. This is between us.”
She purred. Tristan blinked.
Tristan: “...What do you want to discuss?”
Jaclyn: “You seem like you have a lot on your mind.”
She took two steps toward him and placed her hands on his chest. Tristan removed them and glared contemptuously at her.
Tristan: “Yes, but I can solve it on my own, thank you. Do not touch me.”
He said firmly and gruffly. Jaclyn stepped forward.
Jaclyn: “You need to unwind.”
She whispered. Tristan furrowed his eyebrows.
Tristan: “You don’t know what I want!”
He hissed.
Jaclyn: “But I do… I could use… a foot massage.”
Tristan did a huge blink as his jaw dropped.
Tristan: “Wh-What?! WHAT?!”
He said, shocked and appalled. He drew back as Jaclyn slipped off her heels and put her feet up. The potent stench filled the lounge room and corridor. Tristan cupped his mouth as tears filled his eyes, overwhelmed by the smell. He felt nauseated and queasy. He leaned forward and projectile vomited all over her. Jaclyn’s gasped and looked at horror at the puke all over her and her clothes.
Jaclyn: “WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!”
She bellowed.
Jaclyn: “YOU DID THIS FOR THAT GREEN COW!”
She screamed.
Tristan: “I DID THIS BECAUSE YOUR FEET REEK! GET AWAY FROM ME!”
He bellowed and waved his arms to ward her away.
Erin came upstairs and squeezed her nose.
Erin: “Tristan? Did that Ray Osborne bring in another dead skunk?”
She groused and sprayed air freshener around the foyer and lounge.
Jaclyn: “What are you two talking about?!”
She huffed. Hector came up with a big grin.
Hector: “Oh, it’s not a dead skunk! That’s Jaclyn’s feet! They STINK!”
He laughed. Tristan laughed sarcastically.
Tristan: “Hahahahaha, that’s a huge understatement.”
He grumbled. Jaclyn seethed at Hector.
Jaclyn: “NOW, LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID?! THEY THINK IT’S MY FEET! LOOK AT WHAT HE DID! BECAUSE OF THAT GREEN COW!”
She snapped and shoved her feet back into her heels.
Hector: “But it IS your feet, Jaclyn! OH MY GOD, HE PUKED ON YOU!”
He giggled.
Tristan: “You don’t say…”
He said dryly as he groaned.
Jaclyn shoved Hector and Erin aside and stormed downstairs.
Hector: “Just a heads up! Her feet REEEEEEALLY STIIIIIINK!”
He laughed. Tristan fanned his face as he sat on the couch.
Tristan: “Yes, I know, Hector.”
And it’s not the only thing about her that stinks, he thought as he folded his arms over his chest.
Hector: “Anyway, we’re going to Barry Bear’s for a dinner date! See you later, Tristan!”
He waved to Tristan and ran downstairs. Tristan heaved a deep sigh. I sure have my work cut out for me, he thought.
~
That evening, Tristan and Deimos sat at his backyard patio eating pizza. He told him about what happened at the office with Ivy, Jaclyn, and the Hunters. Deimos couldn’t bring himself to laugh at Tristan puking on Jaclyn but it was well deserved. They said nothing and didn’t have a dinner date at the Chinese restaurant. Tristan sipped on his soda.
Tristan: “Sorry.”
He finally said. Deimos gazed at him.
Deimos: “Why?”
Tristan: “I don’t know, Deimos. I think she is right that my crush on her dwindled and I guess… maybe I’m upset she called it before I did or she did this to me at a vulnerable time or… I don’t know.”
He broke down crying. Deimos knit his eyebrows and rose to hold him close.
Deimos: “Ivy is like her mother. Nothing makes her happy and neither know what they want in life. The bar raised higher and higher but… maybe she’s right. She’s not your person. She’s not my person and we are not hers. I don’t know why she is raising a stink, though… You forgot to take Oliver and yeah, you ran into that fat fuck last night. You’re not going to be one hundred percent.”
He drew a long breath and caressed his hair. Tristan closed his eyes over and felt warm in his embrace. He felt warm and understood.
~
Tristan arrived home with Deimos. Tristan removed his shoes in the mudroom and entered the kitchen.
Tristan: “Je suis chez moi!”
He called out. He bent over and pulled off his sheer black socks. Deimos pouted.
Deimos: “That’s my job.”
He folded his arms over his chest. Tristan blushed and bit his bottom lip.
Victor approached them.
Victor: “Bienvenue à la maison.”
He smiled and nodded.
Victor: “Hello, Deimos.”
Tristan: “Coucou, Papa.”
Victor folded his arms over his chest.
Victor: “Tristan, do you remember the art set I bought for you to give to Ivy?”
Tristan grimaced. Deimos raised an eyebrow.
Tristan: “Papa, I do appreciate what you did, but I don’t feel comfortable giving other people gifts you bought for me to give to others. I am not a child; I can buy gifts to give others.”
He said firmly but gently. Victor nodded.
Victor: “I know. I gave it to her.”
He added. Tristan raised his eyebrows.
Tristan: “All right, I hope she likes it.”
He raked his fingers through his hair.
Victor: “She’s upset with you, Tristan.”
Tristan pursed his lips tightly. Of course, she went to whine at him, he thought bitterly. Somethings never change, he thought.
Deimos: “Mr. Trémaux, if I may, this is between Tristan and Ivy. They will resolve it when it’s ready. Tristan doesn’t want to discuss what happened last night. I think for your sanity, you should never know.”
He said sternly. Tristan inhaled sharply. Victor raised his eyebrows.
Deimos: “The less you know, the better off you are.”
He added. Tristan bowed his head. Deimos was blunt about it but he wasn’t wrong.
~
Tristan lay on his stomach on his bed and heaved a deep sigh. Deimos snuck by his feet. Tristan moved his eyes and smirked. Deimos trailed his fingertips over the sides of his soles and Tristan burst out laughing kicking his feet.
Tristan: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!”
Deimos grabbed his ankles and locked them in his arm, scribbling his fingers over his soles.
Tristan: “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”
He howled with laughter. He thrashed around and grabbed his hair as he laughed.
Deimos: “Laughter is good for the soul, Tristan!”
He teased, which made Tristan scream with laughter.
Victor stood outside their door and sighed. He couldn’t help but think how this upset Ivy but thought of when she said he wasn’t her person. Oliver ran through the door and jumped into Victor’s arms.
Oliver: “Grandpa!”
He sang. Victor smiled at Oliver.
Victor: “Best to let them be.”
He crooned.
~
At the Donati manor, Blair glared at Sylvia with tears in his eyes.
Blair: “I don’t care, Sylvia! Why do I NEED a bodyguard?! No one is out for ME; they’re out for my grandfather! And Celeste doesn’t do any bodyguarding! She’s with Tristan and Deimos or anyone but me!”
He snapped. Sylvia sighed.
Sylvia: “Blair, she is your bodyguard; she’s not your friend or girlfriend. I picked her because she is the best choice for you! Did she not do her bodyguard duties last night when Dougal’s minion attacked?”
She challenged. Blair glared at her.
Blair: “She didn’t HAVE to resort to killing!”
He snapped.
Sylvia: “It was you, Blake, Ashley, and Yoshi or her, Blair.”
She said firmly, but gently. She knew he was finding this difficult and tried to understand this.
Blair: “Maybe she should be Deimos’ and Tristan’s bodyguard! Or anyone else’s! I didn’t sign up for this or ask for this! YOU DID! YOU ALWAYS MAKE CHOICES FOR ME! Just because YOU want it doesn’t mean I do!”
He barked at her and shook his forefinger at her. Sylvia closed her eyes. She knows Blair is like this when his emotions are high and logic and Blair do not mix.
Celeste overheard Blair and sighed. She rose from her bed and left. Deimos is right; I don’t want to be around him, she thought and left the house.
~
Celeste lay in the hammock in Tristan’s backyard. Victor watched her from his living room and heaved a sigh. He stared at his reflection in his chamomile tea and wondered how Ivy was doing.
~
Victor was up in his bedroom at his typewriter. He wrote his silver plaid robe and a light gray pair of pajama bottoms. He heaved a sigh and stopped writing. He flicked his gaze to a picture of him and baby Tristan at the beach in 1968. He and Tristan were building a sandcastle. He looked at another picture of Tristan dressed in his suit with a judge, and holding his US naturalization certificate. He smiled at how much his son had grown.
He thought of Ivy and he is interested but would she want someone his age? He wondered and looked in the mirror. He recalled Craig was shocked that Tristan was 23 and not a baby. I had to prove with pictures Tristan is my son, he thought. I don’t look 46, he thought. I don’t feel 46, he added. He smiled at himself in the mirror. I guess we’ll see how the dinner date goes, he thought.
Comments