LOGINI can hardly believe it. Before my friends can say anything else, I squeal and throw my arms around them both, jumping up and down. Liam and Brian and the twins are the one major thing I’ve missed dearly since leaving Bo’Arrocan, and to find that they’re finally considering living in Ordan full time
“On schedule, believe it or not,” I reply. “The Bo’Arrocan branch is finally running smoothly, and the Ordan location just graduated its first class of seniors. Six of them got full scholarships to prestigious art schools.”“That’s amazing, Iris.” Alice squeezes my arm. “You’ve created something tru
IrisFive Years Later…“Fifty years of marriage, and they still make each other laugh like that,” Arthur says, appearing at my side with two glasses of champagne. He hands me one and clinks his against it, and we watch as my parents twirl on the lawn, my mom throwing her head back at something my fa
“Gee. Thanks,” I manage to laugh weakly. “I’ll see you all next week.”“You most certainly will not,” Arthur, Hunter, and Alice all say in unison, making me roll my eyes.Outside, Arthur’s car is waiting, parked haphazardly half on the curb. He must have driven like a maniac to get here so quickly f
IrisEight months later…“And that’s why the colors on this side of the color wheel are considered ‘cool’ colors,” I explain to the class of children sitting in a semicircle around me. “They remind us of water, ice, and the sky.”I’m demonstrating on a large color wheel chart when a sharp pain rips
And through it all, Augustine’s breathing grows slower, shallower.Then, quietly and calmly, she goes.Her hand turns limp in mine. The steady beeping of the heart monitor flatlines. The doctor steps forward, checks for a pulse, then shakes her head.“Time of death, 10:47 AM,” she says quietly.I br
The innocence in his voice sends a lance of regret through me. I want to tell him the truth—I really do. We’ve always been honest with each other, and having to lie to him over the phone that one time still bothers me.And yet… Even as I open my mouth to tell him that, yes, Arthur is his father, I j
IrisI didn’t think I would feel this way, but after deciding to move Miles to Ordan with me, I suddenly feel a new sense of cheer wash over me. Maybe I’m going back to a city filled with old memories, but the promise of new opportunities, a new life, is enough to soften some of the bad things.Righ
I turn to Brian, who’s lingering nearby, and hand him the contract. He takes a look at it. “This is… huge,” he says, his eyes wide as he glances up at me. “This is, like, every artist’s dream.”He’s right, too. To have a patron basically means that you’ve made it as an artist. To be given money just
IrisI realize I haven’t felt genuine joy in days once I step into my cozy apartment back in Bo’Arrocan and hear the sound of Miles’ tiny voice. He comes barreling into the foyer, his dark hair flopping into his bright green eyes, and quite literally launches himself into my arms.“Mommy, you’re bac







