MasukI 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
Of course he isn’t here. When I actually need to speak to him, he’s conveniently absent. “What about my mother?”“She’s in the sitting room, sir.”I thank her and make my way through the house. Sure enough, I find my mother in the sitting room, reading a book. She looks up as I enter.“Arthur,” she
IrisThe digital clock on our nightstand reads 2:47 AM, but neither of us seems keen on sleeping. We haven’t said much since we got home from the party, put Miles to bed, and climbed into our own—just laid here, staring up at the dark ceiling.Arthur lies beside me, his hands folded over his stomach
Arthur and I exchange glances, but I nod and lead them down the hall, toward a small sitting room near the front of the house. I close the door behind us, and Silas stops in the center of the room, looking around briefly—as if recognizing this room from his visits many years ago—before turning to us
IrisAs the night drags on, I find myself checking my watch more and more frequently. It’s well past midnight now, and the party shows no signs of winding down. The orchestra has returned from their break and is now playing something upbeat that has several couples swaying on the dance floor.“Can w







