Page 7

Dionysus

CHAPTER SEVEN

“That’s it?”

I’m speaking to my cousin Odin on the phone. He’s just told me everything he discovered about Harper Cecily.

“Yup. I didn’t believe it when I saw it either, but as I’m obsessed, I started researching all over again. The story of the girl’s life is practically a Cinderella retelling: dead father, raised by a stepmother who hates her and a half-sister who is worthless.”

“How do you even know about the dynamics within her family?”

He doesn’t respond, and I shake my head. Sometimes I forget who I’m talking to. Odin doesn’t follow laws or social conventions when someone important to him is at risk.

“As I was saying, her relatives, the ones that remain, are worthless. Your Harper is a princess in need of saving, but without the bonus of having found Prince Charming. As he doesn’t exist, just a little more suffering and she’ll become a saint, because the kid doesn’t even have a traffic ticket on her record. Actually, she’s not a kid—she is twenty-three years old. Young but technically an adult.”

“She’s not ‘mine’ at all. We were placed in each other’s lives by chance. And since when do you know anything about fairy tales?”

“I know them all, without exception. If I had to choose a husband for my daughter, a prince wouldn’t be a bad deal, although I would have a little chat with him first.”

Against all odds after the shitty day I had yesterday, I smile. I wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of the poor candidate for Odin’s son-in-law.

“Elina will balance you out. Your wife sees the best in everyone, which is incredible given the toxic family she comes from.”

“Elina is my angel,” he says, and not for the first time, I wonder how someone can be so enchanted by a partner. I have never experienced anything even close to this.

Then I remember my brother Zeus, once steadfast in his self-sufficiency and now completely under Madison’s spell.

“Speaking of fairy tales, wait for your first girl to be born,” he continues. “Then we’ll see how fast you know them all by heart.”

“I’m not having any more children. Joseph will be my only heir.”

“You never know. Zeus also seemed poised to enter into a marriage of convenience without any chance of children in the future, yet there he is with a pregnant girlfriend.”

“That’s different. My brother and Madison were brought together by the hand of fate. I have no intention of finding anyone to have a serious relationship with.”

“You are all stubborn.”

“And you’re becoming a matchmaker.”

“Not me—it’s Elina who wants lots of babies in the family.”

I smile when I think of how typical that is of my cousin’s Greek wife. She is a wonderful woman and has infinite patience with children, both her own and others.

“So, about Harper, is that true? Did we run over a saint? And what the hell did a girl like her come to New York to do? Inland Kansas, you say? Nothing could be more different from Manhattan.”

“To answer your first question, it’s simple. She must have come to try her hand at life, like so many others. Living the American dream in the literal sense.” He says it sardonically because we both know that vulnerable young people can do very badly here, depending on who crosses their path.

“I’ll help her get home.”

“Maybe that’s not what she wants. After all, she’s only been here for a short time.”

“She just needs the right incentive. I’ll give her some sort of compensation for the hit-and-run and send her to Kansas on a first-class flight.”

“Did she really not have any serious injuries?”

“No. I spoke to the doctor on the phone this morning, and he told me that the girl is fine. I ordered a lawyer to accompany her when the detective went to take her statement as soon as she woke up. When she’s discharged, I will transfer a good amount to her so that she doesn’t return to her homeland sad. Problem solved.”

“What if she doesn’t want to go?”

“I don’t believe that will happen. She was wearing simple clothes, actually quite shabby, and the suitcase zipper was already breaking. The girl is in dire straits and clearly needs help.”

“Who carries a suitcase in the middle of Manhattan?”

“Exactly. I think she was already leaving. In fact, I’ll be doing her a favor.”

“She may see you as someone who is killing her dreams, not a savior.”

“Not if she’s smart. You are very pessimistic. I’m trying to be positive in this shitty situation.”

“I’m not pessimistic. I’m a realist with cynical tendencies. It’s different.”

“Tendencies? We’re all suspicious as hell.”

“Yes, I can’t deny it.” He remains silent for a few seconds before speaking again: “Let me know how this whole story ends. If there’s anything we can do for the girl...”

“Like what?”

“If she doesn’t want to leave, I can get her a job at one of my companies.”

“I could do that too,” I reply—God knows why.

“But that didn’t even cross your mind. You just wanted to send her away as quickly as possible. What I’m trying to tell you is: listen to what she wants. Don’t jump to conclusions. From what I’ve gathered, I don’t think she wants to go back to Kansas. There’s nothing waiting for her there except a stepmother who can’t seem to stand her and a stepsister who is a monster in a skirt.”

“I’m not responsible for her. I intend to treat her fairly, but our connection will end as soon as I’m sure she is well and has enough money to support herself for a while.”

“Good. I’ll ask Elina to visit her. She’ll definitely find a place in the Association for the girl.”

“Why bother?”

“Because I have a lot of flaws, but I try to be fair. Her life story is fucked up, apparently. Your girl is lonely and hopeless and trying to change her future. There’s nothing disreputable about Harper’s past, or I would have found out. Maybe she’s just fucking unlucky and only needs a chance.”

Even after I hang up, I keep thinking about what he said. Odin can be even more suspicious than the rest of us, with the exception of Hades, of course.

Why the hell are you so worried about the girl who got run over?

Anderson visited her earlier today and seems enchanted by the girl. He told me she’s sweet and humble.

I get up, put on my suit blazer, and leave my office.

The time has come to face the problem. Both my cousin and my driver are moved by her sad story. I don’t know how to feel compassion, but on the other hand, I’m fair. I’ll do everything possible to help her and then close the book on this forever.