Page 108 of Gifted & Talented

Yves returns with a casserole tray full of water and places it on the lightly smoldering carpet by Arthur’s feet. Monster reaches for it.

Monster: Ahhhhh!

It’s a pleasantly disruptive sound of youthful delight. Unfortunately, it does little to dissolve the tension. John looks desperately for an escape hatch. Sensing that nothing further will happen over which he can gloat, Ryan nods curtly to the room.

Ryan: Well, we’ll leave you to discuss. Should any of you need anything, here’s my card.

He places it on the table. Then he leaves, although first he tries to tickle Monster, who lurches away, clinging shyly to Lou. For what it’s worth, Lou remembers Ryan, though he clearly doesn’t remember her.

Ryan: Cute kid.

Lou: Please don’t touch my child.

Ryan: Whatever, geez, relax.

John opens his mouth as if to say something comforting, but ostensibly realizes there is nothing to be said.

Before he takes his leave, though, he turns to Meredith.

John: You should expect a phone call from the board at Wrenfare shortly. I will inform them of the will’s contents now, and they can get you up to speed on the current state of the company.

John turns to the other two siblings.

Well, three, including Dzhuliya’s womb.

John: I don’t suppose I should say this… but I think you should know that the will Thayer originally drew up at the time of Persephone’s death split the shares equally among his children. If Meredith is willing to sell or give away some of the shares she’s inherited, you could certainly own the company equally.

Eilidh flinches, raising a hand to her head as if it throbs.

John: I wish I knew what prompted this. But he must have had a lot of faith in you, Meredith.

John rests a hand on Meredith’s shoulder. She says nothing.

John: Well! This has been…

He nods and doesn’t finish the sentence. Mercifully, he leaves.

Outside it is dark at two in the afternoon. It’s unclear when, if ever, any of the occupants will see the sun again.

The silence among the room’s occupants, deafening as it is, seems to have… an unusual weight.

Lou: Does anyone else hear a buzzing sound?

Nobody answers. Yves looks cheerfully at Dzhuliya.

Yves: So, you are pregnant!

Dzhuliya: I am. Yes.

Yves: When are you due?

Dzhuliya looks very uncomfortable. She turns to Eilidh, who instantly flinches away.

When Dzhuliya speaks, she is quiet, barely audible.

Dzhuliya: I should have said something, I know, but I just couldn’t… I didn’t know how to…

She stops.

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