Page 84 of The Sky in Summer
21
Layla
Another day. In hell. I thought alone time would heal, but instead it brings me down. Better to surround myself with company. It’s mercifully distracting. The boys have been really wonderful. I know they sense a sadness in me, but not to the level it lives. They try to cheer me, but I’m good at putting on a happy face when it comes to their benefit.
When Tyler suggested the Monopoly game for old time’s sake, I was suspicious. At first, I suspected an ulterior motive. Like they wanted to spend their money on something ridiculous, and so they were plucking my heartstrings. But now that we have been rolling the dice for the last hour, I think they just want to connect like we did when they were younger. Very sweet. I cannot even think about them leaving for college next year. It kills me when I have to.
“Why do you keep looking at the time?” I ask David.
“No reason. Just seeing how long we’ve been playing.”
Tyler looks guilty. I know that silence. It points to something shouting beneath the surface. But I have patience. Eventually I will know all. It’s a mother thing. My cell rings.Dove. What? I lift a finger to the twins, pausing our play.
“Hi! How are you, Dove?” It sounded too perky. That’s what happens when you are faking a mood.
“Hi! Glad I reached you. I’m good. Busy as could be. You know we just got back from the tour?”
“Yeah. The boys told me. I’m sure it was a great success. Saw you and Noble on TMZ avoiding stupid questions,” I laugh.
“They are, right? I hate when we get trapped. Listen, I have a job for you.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Okay, don’t tell anyone, but I want to make something special for Noble. And I want you to stage it.”
“Okay. Yeah. I’d love to help any way I can. What kind of special are we talking?”
I catch Tyler’s eyes darting to David’s. When he sees me looking, he starts playing with the dice. What the hell are they up to?
“He has been so good about coming along with me cross country, living in hotels or our tour bus. There isn’t a lot of alone time. But he never complains. I was thinking I need to let him know how much I appreciate it. I want to have a weekend at home just for the two of us.”
“That sounds lovely.”
“With an over the top romantic vibe. Something that says love nestor hideaway for two. I have already taken care of the food and drink for the weekend. Everything will be delivered the Thursday before and my assistant will be there to accept the orders. If that works for you.”
“That’s fine. I’ll make sure my staff know to stay away from the kitchen.”
“And this is important. Even though it’s going to be on the property and in our house, I want it to feel like neither one of us have ever been here before. Like this magic place for two appeared. Am I explaining it right?”
“Sounds amazing. How big is the space I’m decorating? Not the entire home, I take it.”
“God no!” she chuckles. “But I’d love if you could do the entry, and open space where the fireplace is. And of course, the master bedroom.”
“I think I have a good idea of the scope of the project. Let me think on it for a few days. Come up with a plan. How much time do I have?
“That’s the thing. It is a very small window. It has to happen next weekend.”
Crap.
“That’s close, but doable.”
Never say no to a client.
“It’s the only free time we have this month. We leave the following week for a Jimmy Fallon appearance.”
“I can do it. It will be a lot of fun coming up with something magical. I’ll run it all by you before I start.”
“No, I don’t want you to. I want to be as surprised as Noble. Is that okay?”
