Ring of Solomon by Aden Polydoros

Author:Aden Polydoros
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Published: 2022-12-15T20:06:52+00:00

18

“Happy birthday to you,” Naomi sang off-key, tottering forward with a glass tray holding our mom’s birthday cake. “Happy birthday to you.”

“Careful, Naomi,” I said as the chocolate cake swayed precariously. Luckily, the candles on it weren’t lit, or she might end up burning the whole house down.

She set it on the table, avoiding yet another disaster to add to this miserable day. After returning home from the comics store, I had spent the rest of the evening moping around and watching funny cat videos in bed. I’d expected Ash to appear at any moment or at least raid the fridge, but if he was still nearby, he hadn’t revealed himself to me.

Now, it took all my self-control just to sit through Naomi’s shrill, off-key rendition of the “Happy Birthday” song, grumbling along sullenly while she and my dad sang it to my mom. I caught my mom’s eye from across the table, and she offered me an amused little smile and a soft roll of her eyes, as if to say, Let’s get this over with.

I felt closer to my mom than to my dad, but I didn’t feel ready to come out to her yet. Or either of them, for that matter. They weren’t religious, so it wasn’t like they were going to call an exorcist to pray the gay away, but still. Every time I even considered telling them, my throat closed up and I couldn’t get a word out. Deep down, there was still the fear that once I told them, once I really owned it, nothing would ever be the same.

“Sounds like you had a big day, Zach,” Dad said and raised his eyebrows. “From what I heard, there was a bit of excitement at the zoo.”

“Yeah, it sounds like some kid fell into the lion pit,” I said with a nervous laugh. “Stupid, right? I didn’t see it, but I guess he got out okay.”

“I wish I could’ve gone to the zoo,” Naomi piped up, pouting.

“We’ll go for your birthday,” Dad told her, ruffling her flossy blond hair. “As long as you promise not to fall into any enclosures.”

Mom shook her head in dismay. “You’d think the management there would take better precautions.”

“They’re probably more worried about the animals escaping than people trying to get in,” I said, clearing my throat. Time to change the subject before my parents started grilling me. “Anyway, happy birthday, Mom. Naomi and I bought you something.”

As I pulled out the small box I had hidden in the pocket of my hoodie, Naomi stared at me slack-jawed from across the table. She was probably imagining the tyranny our mom would carry out with the entire animal kingdom at her mercy. If I’d been in a better mood, I would’ve really drawn out the suspense.

“Oh, you two shouldn’t have,” Mom said, taking the box from me. She tugged the ribbon free and lifted the lid. “Oh, it’s beautiful.”

It wasn’t Jewish, but it was very gaudy—a butterfly encrusted with sparkling rhinestones that I bought from a thrift store on the bike ride home with my surviving ten dollars.

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