The Companions by Katie M. Flynn

Author:Katie M. Flynn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gallery/Scout Press
Published: 2020-03-02T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

Despite Sydney’s protests, and our daughter’s, I’ve put off signing the papers until the night of; the ceremony won’t be genuine otherwise. The new wife doesn’t appreciate it, huffing in the corner, slugging back flutes of champagne, pretending this is not the best party known to man, the perfect balance of celebration and solemnity.

Sydney, bless him, has rented the top floor of the Beverly Tower, with its exquisite light show of a view, the trails of cars snaking the highways and I8s igniting the sky, my team of doctors in the adjacent suite, waiting until after the ceremony to kill me, how polite!

I’ve chosen white for the décor, to represent rebirth, the splash of candlelight spectrum playing on the walls, a sky full of projected stars spangling the roof. I’d prefer real, but cloud cover, unpredictable weather, this is better—a controlled climate, a secure space. Here, with this incredible spread of food, a full bar, surrounded by my closest friends, mingling with palm readers, receiving blessings from the Buddhist monks I rented for the night, I feel—a tray of drinks! I grab a flute of champagne, tip it back, draining it in two gulps. I shouldn’t. I’ve taken a little something to help me through the night. The doctor suggested I not choose now of all times to stop, and I am nothing if not conscientious when it comes to doctors’ orders. Someone takes the glass from me, slips a full one into my hand. I turn and see the companion.

“Lilac!” I kiss her smooth cheek, surprisingly warm. “You look positively luminescent.” She’s wearing a black pantsuit; her hair has been cut short and slicked down, lips painted red. Her skin is dewy, as if she’s moisturized—I wonder if she can do that, how to achieve such an effect. I want to ask her, but later! “Is Cam with you?”

“Getting her palm read.” Lilac’s eyes are over my shoulder, surveying the room. “How are you feeling?” she asks.

“A little nervous, I can’t lie. But I’m enjoying myself.”

Oh, there’s the reverend! Her kinky red hair is positively on fire in the candlelight spectrum. Beautiful—I want to tell her so, how wonderful it is that she’s here.

“I have another event, you know,” the reverend says. “Have you heard from him?”

Sydney. Always late—I should have planned it into the schedule! But that’s a wife’s job, and I’m no longer a wife.

After I’ve reassured the reverend and sent her off with a canapé, Lilac asks, “Where’s the bathroom?”

I point, and she kisses me lightly on the cheek. “I’ll come find you later. Enjoy this last night in your body.”

I watch her go, wondering what she needs with a bathroom, feeling oddly slighted—I had expected her to be my companion for the night. Well, not everyone is cut out for the work. But me? I’ll be the most excellent companion. Isla will lease me, and we’ll be young together, like sisters. It’ll be strange at first, but we’ll get used to it. What choice do we have?

I steal another flute of champagne, smile, move around the room.

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