Julian (Beautiful Mine #1) (4 page)

“So, where are your parents today?” she asked as I emerged from the bathroom a moment later.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” I said with a shrug and an eyebrow raise. “Dad’s probably at work, and Mom is probably attending one of her social club meetings, or something. I don’t really care. They’re pretty much always gone.”

“That sucks for you.”

“I’m used to it.”

“Then what should we do this afternoon?” she asked. This girl was unrelenting.

“Didn’t we already go over this?”

“I’m sorry,” she apologized. She apologized for everything. “Bad habit. I always have to be doing something, or else I drive myself crazy. My mind never shuts off. I like to keep busy.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m a pretty boring person,” I replied as I shuffled back over to the bed.

“Nah,” Evie said with a smile. “I doubt that.”

“You really don’t find me boring?” I asked, not believing her for one second.

“Nope,” she said. I still didn’t buy it. She was just being kind.

I stared over at the wall, at an oil painting done of myself at age five. I hated having a picture of myself on the wall, but my mother insisted on hanging it there. Something about the colors bringing out the subtle mauves in the tapestry drapes that covered my windows.

“Do you want me to open that window you’re staring at?” Evie said. “It’s really nice out. Sunny. Not a single cloud in the sky.”

“No,” I objected. She walked over to the window anyway.

“It feels like nighttime in here,” she said as she reached for the pull. “Doesn’t that mess up your sleep schedule?”

“No,” I snapped. “I don’t like the light. It hurts my eyes.”

“It probably hurts your eyes because you’re so used to living in the dark.”

My jaw tensed. “I said no.”

“Why don’t we try drawing the curtains just a couple inches at a time?” she said pulling the drapes back. Where did the obedient Evie go, and who was this stranger?

“I’m going to have to ask you to leave my room now. You’re not helping me at all,” I said, unable to hide the irritation in the growl of my voice.

She rushed to my side. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I was just trying to get you to have an open mind. Try something new. I’ll leave them shut, okay?”

She ran her delicate fingers through my hair and then rubbed the side of my face, the way a mother would calm an upset child. I shuddered. It was an unfamiliar gesture, and one my mother only ever used when other people were around.

Evie left the room and returned a short time later with a tray full of food. “I hope you like turkey on whole wheat. Well, I know you do because it was one of the things on that menu your mom gave me.”

“It’s food.” I couldn’t remember the last time I got excited about food, or anything else, for that matter.

She situated the tray over my lap and handed me the remote to the T.V. I flipped to an afternoon newscast and nibbled at my sandwich.

“I’m finished,” I announced after a few bites.

“You didn’t even eat half. You sure?”

“I’m done. Take it.” I pushed the tray down toward my knees.

She carried it back down to the kitchen and returned a couple minutes later. “Do you want to watch a movie, or something?”

“Like what?” I asked, shocked that she actually wanted to spend time with me. Eleanor and I always had an understanding. She’d make sure I was good and comfortable, and then she’d disappear into the depths of the mansion, awaiting my next page.

“What do you like?” Evie asked. “Pick something.”

“Historical dramas,” I replied without pause.

“Should we head to the theater room?” she asked, nodding toward the door.

“No, we’ll watch it here,” I said. I grabbed the remote and brought up the DVR screen, selecting a movie I’d recorded weeks ago but hadn’t yet watched, some World War II drama. Evie situated herself at the foot of the bed, keeping a careful distance from me as if I might bite.

“You can sit up here, if you’d like,” I said, patting the pillow next to me. “I don’t mind.”

She scooted toward the tufted leather headboard and propped herself up against a pillow next to me. “Hey, Julian? Would you mind if I planned a little something for us to do tomorrow?”

EVIE

I awoke Tuesday morning to the sound of my bedroom door creaking open. In the pitch black darkness stood a lanky figure, and my heart pounded hard in my chest until I remembered where I was.

“Sorry to wake you,” Caroline’s frosty voice whispered. “I just wanted to let you know that Arthur and I are leaving for the airport. We have to meet with a prospective client in New York. We’ll be back late Sunday night. Numbers are on the refrigerator.”

So much for having most weekends off. “Have a safe trip.”

“I’ll let you get back to sleep,” she whispered. “You still have a couple of hours before you need to be up for the day. I’ll call to check on Julian when we get to the hotel later tonight.”

With that, she closed the door, and I listened as her footsteps traveled down the hall toward the stairs and then to the foyer. As soon as the front door closed, I realized I was wide awake. A jolt of adrenaline at six in the morning would do that to a person.

I rolled over in a vain attempt to get comfortable again but it was no use. It had taken me two hours to fall asleep the night before, and I was as good as up for the day. After a quick shower, I headed downstairs to make Julian’s breakfast, fully intending on avoiding anything egg-related.

So much for having any kind of life now,
I thought before quickly reminding myself that I was making almost double the salary of most registered nurses in the area, and for a fraction of the amount of work they had to do.

I carried his breakfast, oatmeal, and sliced banana with a mug of hot, English breakfast tea up to his room, waking him slightly earlier than usual.

“You look tired,” Julian said as I sat the tray down by his bedside.

“I’ve been up since six,” I said with a yawn. “I didn’t know your parents were going out of town this weekend.”

“They’re pretty much gone every weekend.”

I placed the tray of food over his lap and prepared his nebulizer treatment. As he ate in silence, I hoisted myself onto his bed next to him and rested my head on the pillow. Maybe it was unprofessional of me, but I was too tired to think clearly.

Within minutes, I popped up, woken by my own faint snoring and my dry, scratchy throat. “Oh, my God. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

Julian smiled. “You’re officially the first girl to ever sleep in my bed.”

It was the first time I’d ever seen him smile, and for a split second, he almost seemed likeable. Normal.

“You’re kinda cute when you smile,” I teased. “I never realized that. You should smile more often.”

Julian blushed and turned away, dropping his spoon into his bowl.

“Did I embarrass you?” I teased some more as I poked him in his side.

“Ouch. Stop that,” he said, reverting back to his old self in a matter of seconds.

“I’m just trying to lighten you up a bit,” I said. “You’re so tightly wound all the time. Sorry.”

I reached over and gently lifted his shirt to look at his ribs, placing one warm palm over the area I’d just poked.

“I hope that doesn’t bruise,” I said. “I didn’t mean to poke you so hard.”

I was so close to him I could feel his breath on top of my head. I could also hear the faint beating of his heart in his chest. I pulled away and locked eyes with him, trying to get a read. I imagined what his mother would say if she saw bruises on his ribs, and I imagined Julian making up some elaborate story out of spite. He seemed so resentful toward me sometimes, and I couldn’t understand why.

“You apologize too much,” he said, leaning away from me. “I’ll be fine.”

Relieved, I scooted further away from him and sunk back into the bed to relax a bit more.

“You can sleep,” he said as he turned the volume down on the T.V. Maybe he didn’t completely hate me, after all.

I closed my tired eyes and drifted off into a sweet little catnap. I awoke hours later. “Oh, geez. I didn’t mean to sleep that long.”

I climbed off the bed, Julian watching my every move, and headed to the door. “I’ll be back in a bit with your lunch. Try to eat a little more today, will ya?”

I returned a bit later with his lunch and situated the tray over his lap like I always did.

“What’s this?” he said, staring down at the plate. “This isn’t on my menu.”

“You’re way too skinny,” I told him. “You’re skin and bones, Julian. I bet if you put on a little bit of weight, you’d feel better. Maybe you wouldn’t be so tired. Maybe you’d be able to move around without needing so much help. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

His face twisted as if I’d struck a nerve. “You think you’re the first person who’s ever tried to get me to eat more?”

“Just try. That’s all I ask,” I replied, my hands in the air.

He stared down at the hearty bowl of potato soup in front of him strategically loaded with shredded cheddar, bacon pieces, and croutons. He took an inaudible sip from the soup spoon.

“Not bad, huh?” I asked with a patient smile.

“What is this?” he asked.

“Potato bacon corn chowder,” I replied. “A Cawthorn family recipe.”

“It’s all right.”

“All right? That’s all I get?” It was like pulling teeth with him sometimes.

“You did a good job. I like it,” he finally complimented me. “Just don’t deviate from the menu too often. That’s all I ask. I have a highly sensitive stomach.”

“Your routines make you feel safe, don’t they?” I asked.

“Excuse me?” he said, turning slowly to meet my gaze.

“Listen, I get it,” I said, standing firm in my suggestion. “You’ve had a pretty shitty life so far. You have this disease that will never go away. You’re tired all the time. You never feel well. You’re stuck in this room all day long. Your parents pawn you off onto someone else so they don’t’ have to look after you as much, and your routines are the only constant in your life. They’re your security blanket. They’re the only thing you have to rely on. They never let you down.”

“Good job, Evie. Way to go,” he said with a sarcastic smirk. I’d angered him. “You’ve been here just a few days now, and you have me completely figured out.”

I stood up and walked over to his window.

“What are you doing?” he demanded to know.

“What does it look like?” I asked, flinging open the thick, dark tapestry curtains.

He buried his eyes into the crook of his left elbow. “I can’t believe you just did that.”

I flipped the latches on the window and slid it open. “Hear that? Listen.”

Julian lowered his arm and peered toward the window with narrowed eyes. “What am I listening for?”

“Robins. Do you hear them?”

“Yes, what about them?”

“There’s a whole world out there, Julian, and you’re just denying yourself the privilege of knowing it,” I said, standing on my soapbox. “You need to be a part of that. You owe it to yourself. Live a little.”

“Why is this so important to you,” Julian scoffed. “You’re just hired help.”

“I’m a nurse,” I said, holding my head high. “Believe it or not, I care about you.”

I grabbed his dishes and left his room, returning a few minutes later with a pair of sneakers in hand.

“What are those for?” Julian asked, wrinkling his nose at me.

“It took me forever to find these. I think they’re your dad’s, but they should work.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said, crossing his arms like a petulant child, his golden eyes burning into mine.

“I have something I want to show you,” I said. I could argue with him all day, if that was what it was going to take. I had all the time in the world.

Julian glanced out the window as a light breeze ruffled his thick, chocolate brown hair, pushing it into his eyes. I walked over and pushed the hair off his face. The reflection of the sunlight in his hazel eyes nearly took my breath away. He was beautiful, almost in an otherworldly sort of way, as if he didn’t belong here and was merely passing through.

“Where are you taking me?” Julian asked, his tone relenting and defeated.

“I’m taking you to my car.”

“Don’t be a smart ass,” he said with a humored huff. “You know what I meant.”

“You ask a lot of questions,” I teased.

Within minutes, we were sitting in my car, buckled in, waiting for the heat to kick on. Julian shivered as he rubbed his hands together, saying nothing.

“We’re just taking a little cruise,” I said, my breath turning into puffy white clouds that quickly dissipated once they hit the warm air that was beginning to blow from the vents. I pressed my foot against the accelerator and my car lunged forward, the engine rattling.

“Geez, loud enough for you?” Julian said.

“I’m sorry, my family isn’t loaded and could only afford to get me this piecer,” I replied. “But it gets me where I need to go, so I can’t really complain.”

He sat still and quiet for a bit as we drove out of his neighborhood. I had less than a quarter of a tank of gas, but it was enough to get us out of that Godforsaken mansion for a while.

“Do you know how to drive?” I asked.

“Nope. Never learned.”

“Maybe I can teach you someday,” I offered. I looked over at Julian, who had removed his hat and gloves. The heat from the vents was starting to create a sauna in my little car. It was always one extreme or the other with that thing. “You can roll down your window, if you want.”

He pressed the button on the passenger door and cracked the window, letting in a burst of frigid February air. “I want to see where you live.”

“It’s nothing special,” I said with hesitation. “Just a small house on the other side of town.”

“I want to see it.” He was as stubborn as ever.

“I don’t know. Maybe another time.”

“I’m just curious, that’s all. I won’t judge, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

I drove north to my part of town, just past the vacated appliance factory and the UAW union hall and further on by the seedy bars and strip clubs that everyone knew existed in Halverford, but no one ever talked about. We drove through a couple more neighborhoods all branded by unkempt yards and chain link fences, and I slowed down as I approached Halverford Avenue.

“Right there,” I said as I pointed across the dashboard. “That little yellow house with the blue shutters.”

Julian stared and said nothing. My entire house could probably fit into half of the dining hall at Julian’s house.

“So, what do you think?” I asked, breaking the silence. “Pretty impressive. I know.”

“Quaint,” he said. At least he was being honest.

“I grew up there with my parents and little sister. I had my own room, but yes, it’s a very small house. We’re a pretty close family, though, so it’s not that big of a deal to be crammed in there together. You know what’s weird?”

“What’s that?”

“Growing up, it never felt small to me,” I said with a nostalgic smile. “It always felt cozy. Perfect.”

“The Halverford Manse is the only home I’ve ever known,” Julian replied, shuddering from the cold air that seeped in through the cracked window. “My family’s not close at all. Maybe our house is too big.”

“I don’t think it works that way,” I said. I reached underneath my seat and pulled out a CD case, tossing it in his lap. “Pick something.”

Julian unzipped the case and carefully flipped through my music collection. “Iron and Wine?”

“You like them too?” I asked.

“Love them,” Julian said.

“I’ve never met anyone else who even knew who they were,” I mused.

“Sam Beam’s lyrics make you think of everything in a different way,” Julian said, reaching over to turn up the volume as the distinctive guitar plucking of
Resurrection Fern
began to play.

“Should we head back?” I eventually asked after noticing the falling needle of my gas tank and the flashing icon in my dashboard telling me to get gas
now
.

“Yeah, we can,” he said almost regrettably. “I am getting a little hungry.”

“I don’t really feel like cooking tonight. Can we just stop at a drive-thru, or something?”

“I’m not supposed to eat fast food,” Julian protested. “It’s not healthy.”

“I think we can make an exception, don’t you?”

I pulled into the drive-thru of the nearest fast food joint and ordered two cheeseburger meals before heading back to the mansion.

“We should eat at the kitchen table tonight instead of your bedroom,” I said as I helped him out of the car. He gripped my arm as we shuffled on the frozen-snow covered sidewalk to the back entrance. I sat him down at the table and grabbed two plates. “I can’t believe it’s dark out already. Looks like it’s going to rain.”

Julian quietly shoveled food in his mouth and nodded.

“I think it’s an early-to-bed kind of night,” I said, watching him devour his greasy dinner. “You really like that, don’t you?”

“It’s pretty good,” he replied, rolling his eyes.