Page 77 of Collin: Episodes 13-15
Probably a decade and a half for both of us, he thought.
Bernstein was arrested. There were more names. Collin listened to Mr. Reevesworth and Damian discuss it but let the details pass by him, content to sit on the floor, leaning against Mr. Reevesworth’s legs, reading books or slowly picking his Chinese vocabulary exercises back up. Whenever his Master’s hand came down and rested on his head, the world settled and became small and tranquil. Moving into the third week, Émeric dared to try making easy recipes in the kitchen. Collin joined him though he could mostly only hand over ingredients and turn burners on and off on the stove. It was important to be themselves, in whatever way they could.
Sometimes Collin sat between Émeric’s feet in the living room while Émeric graded papers forwarded to him by the TAs that had taken over the in-person duties for his class.
“It’s Thanksgiving in two days,” Émeric said one night as the four of them shared the living room together.
“We were supposed to be out at the estate for Thanksgiving.” Richard sighed.
“What about starting Christmas there early instead?” Émeric suggested. “Collin should be out of his cast by then, and you and I should be cleared for more normal exercise.”
Richard turned to Damian. “Damian, how would that work for you?”
“I can sort things depending on how early. If I can bring work with me, then anything after the fifteenth I can probably handle with a few emails.”
“What about me?” Collin smiled up at Richard.
“Oh, Émeric and I will clear your schedule, little one.”
Collin giggled. It was the most dominant thing Richard had said in weeks, and something loosened in his chest.
“We can have Hypatia, Matthew, and Linda’s crew for a post-Christmas or pre-Christmas holiday,” Émeric suggested.
“Hypatia and Matthew have Hanukah with his side. They can come out after they fly back. I think Hypatia told Alice they’re in town starting the twenty-sixth,” Collin offered.
“Alice and Hypatia are close, aren’t they?” Richard’s lips curved up.
Collin nodded. “Scary close. I’m pretty sure they’re going to start planning world domination.”
“Just hospital administration,” Émeric said blandly.
“You know something?” Collin craned his neck back to see his sir.
Émeric shrugged, eyes twinkling.
“It’s too much money,” Alice sputtered on the other end of the phone.
Collin rubbed the back of his head. He had been studying Chinese because his first class since the kidnapping was scheduled for the next day. But Alice had called him, and of course, he’d answered.
“You’re literally living with Dana twenty-four seven, taking care of her,” he countered. “That means you can’t hold a job. Of course, Linda and Richard want to make sure you have what you need.”
“Dana’s not a job! She’s Dana.”
“And I thought you heard all of Mom’s rants about unpaid labor, or did you forget them? I can call Mom right now and get her to repeat them with footnotes.”
Alice huffed. “No. There’s no need for that.”
“Then accept the money. You’re contributing to the household. The household should contribute to you. If you weren’t doing this, Linda would have to pay a lot more people.”
“She’s already paying a nanny for when I go off on my own while Dana stays with her or Ellisandre.”
“See? If she has to pay someone else for when you’re not there, you should be paid too if it’s keeping you from working.”
“She’s not charging me rent.”
“So pay her rent if that’s so important. You know she’s going to pay you a higher salary if you insist on paying rent. What you’re doing is worth a lot more than rent on one small room and shared kitchen space.”
Alice gave a grumbling sigh. “Fine. Fine. It’s just…no one’s offered me this much money before. And it’s not like I have special qualifications.”
