June, Reimagined (36)
They both stilled. June’s breath was labored, her hair a mess. Lennox tucked the chaotic strands behind one of June’s ears, then rested his hand on her collarbone, so close to her heart. She didn’t dare move. His eyes were magnetic. He bit his bottom lip.
“Lennox?” Amelia’s voice echoed in the barn. “Are you—” She stopped when she saw them. Lennox and June immediately separated.
“We can leave if you need more time.” Angus stood behind Amelia, crossed his arms, fully entertained. “Though Lennox isn’t known for that.”
“Fuck off, Gus.” Lennox jumped down from the galley. “Why’d you bring the bawbag, Amie?” He helped June down, taking her by the waist and setting her on the ground. She felt wobbly and disoriented, as if she and Lennox had really been at sea and were now back to the reality of solid earth.
“He’s the one animal I can’t seem to get rid of,” Amelia said. Angus growled in her ear, and she shoved him away, turning to June and Lennox. “Sorry I couldn’t get here sooner. The roads are complete shite. What were you doing out in this mess anyway?”
“Long story,” Lennox said, and then side-eyed June. “Right now, I just want to get home.”
“Come here, lass, you look cold.” Angus wrapped his arm around June as the four of them walked out of the barn.
Amelia leaned in close to Lennox. “You weren’t at—”
“No.” He cut her off. “I didn’t go today.”
“But you always go.”
Lennox shrugged, his eyes falling on June. “I got distracted.”
“What do you think of our ship?” Angus asked June. “I hear Scottish ships are bigger than American ones. Bigger than most, actually. Some of the biggest in the world.”
“Subtle,” Amelia said.
“It’s my specialty.”
As they walked back out into the snowstorm, June took one last look at the galley. It would burn to the ground. There was no stopping that. But June wouldn’t forget this day. Not ever.
That night back at Lennox’s, showered, dry, and warm in her pajamas, June was sitting on the makeshift bed of a couch when a ball fell into her lap. Lennox walked into the living room and put June’s mix into the CD player. Then he sat on the ground across the room from her and opened his hands.
June tossed the ball back to him. And for the next few hours, they listened to music, played catch, and said nothing.
FIFTEEN
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Attendance
Dear Ms. June Merriweather,
We have received notice of unexcused absences in one or more of your classes nearing 30 days this semester. Please contact the Admissions Office immediately. Should you surpass 60 days of unexcused absences, you will automatically be unenrolled from Stratford College.
Regards,
The Admissions Office
52 Court Street
Lyons, TN
The snow stopped on Sunday, and by the Tuesday of Up Helly Aa, the sun was shining. Since June had arrived in Scotland, the weather had never been so fair, as if the storm had collected all the water and had exhausted itself making snow, leaving only clear skies and sunshine for the fire festival.
Hundreds of people lined the streets of Knockmoral to watch as the Guizer Jarl and his squad of fifty men—Lennox, Hamish, and Angus among them—marched through town. Amelia was busy helping Hamish’s wife, Sophie, wrangle three children in the large crowd, leaving Eva, David, and June to view the festivities together.
The Knockmoral Pipe and Brass Band led the procession, filling the town with traditional music. As sleepy as Knockmoral had been for the prior month, it was wide awake this Tuesday. June felt the energy of every person on the street as she stood between Eva and David, bundled in jackets, hats, and gloves.
“Smile.” June raised her camera. Eva and David struck celebratory poses as she snapped a picture.
June was mesmerized by the spectacle, nervous almost that it would be over too soon, and determined to document the day from start to finish. She snapped a picture of men in kilts with large bagpipes.
The Jarl squad appeared next. The Guizer Jarl walked regally in front of the galley, which was even more impressive today, surrounded by Vikings. The Jarl’s silver helmet was adorned with large brass wings, and he carried a shield and hefty axe. The squad was in matching costumes, with white fur-lined cloaks and red knee-length tunics, silver armor layered on top. The men wore leather boots laced up to their knees. June noticed Hamish first, his long red beard braided into a pointy end. She captured his proud walk, her finger working quickly to get multiple angles and shots.
When June found Lennox among the men, she was struck still, camera to her eye, finger unable to move. He resembled a warrior, broad and tall, with weapons in hand, his stoic nature even more intimidating now. And while June knew the sword was plastic, she couldn’t help but feel awe at how he looked like a real Viking.
“If you bite on that lip any more, it might bleed,” Eva whispered. June released her lip, embarrassed. “I can see it now. Two gorgeous people locked in a house. Alone. For four days . . . and a Viking costume. Please tell me he tied you up.” Eva lifted her notebook and pen.
“I’d read that book,” David said.