7-a day at the races
As Bri had always noticed, a spat between two men quickly subsided.
Soon she and her husband were at the town racetrack, alongside the Arteberrys. Once again, their family friend Amadeus lingered with them. Charles, Orion and Amadeus were discussing which horse to place a bet on. But Bri leaned against Lucy, feeling overly hot and a little woozy. Lucy had an arm about her waist, and the affection of another, more radiant woman was refreshing. She was keeping the discomfort to herself for now, hoping it would pass.
As the horses kicked up a cloud of dust in their race, Bri continued to lean on Lucy where they sat in the stands. The taller woman stroked her hair.
“Gentlemen, I believe Lady Hookwell needs some water.”
Amadeus stood. When Bri shut her eyes in the heat, she could hear he and Orion discussing things in hushed tones. When she opened her eyes she watched Amadeus leave and followed her husband’s eyes as he watched him. He was the one to return with refreshments, his arms big enough to carry five of them. Lucy put a glass to Bri’s mouth and she sipped. She felt her husband’s hand on her back, but his tone was low as he spoke to Amadeus.
She thought she recognized the tone. It was innocent but teasing, almost suggestive. Bri squinted in the sunlight and saw Amadeus hand the drink to Orion. They exchanged smiles.
Bri winced against her nausea. She was grateful Charles sat on the far end, away from her and she was in between Lucy and her husband.
She was beyond gratitude when the winning horse was announced. She got to her feet and asked for Lucy’s aid, “I need to find a chamber pot… or a privy…I…”
“Yes, dear,” Lucy aided her to her feet and the women left in search of privacy and an orifice for Bri to empty the contents of her stomachs.
Lucy did not need to tell Bri what her illness might mean. Both women knew, but neither spoke of it. When they left the outhouse, the crowd was dispersing, still angered.
“How could a horse named Giggles win! What a travesty!” someone was exclaiming.
In the stands, Charles, Orion and Amadeus were waiting. Only Orion sat, as his two companions seemed to be discussing something of great interest. As Bri and Lucy returned, Bri tried to ignore the horrid aftertaste in her mouth and smile at Orion. When he saw her, he scooted over for her and held her when she sat. He kissed her forehead. “My love, are you ill?”
She shook her head, but before she could answer, Charles’ sharp voice interjected.
“By the way, Orion, have you seen Lawrence about town with the rent boy?”
Bri could feel Orion’s discomfort. “No. I don’t care to know.”
“Apparently he’s taken to a particular rent boy and treating him like a love. Those of us at the docks find it hilarious, we’ve seen the boy before.”
“I am glad to hear Lawrence is getting along well.”
“You’re not, Orion,” Charles responded.
Bri grimaced. What was Arteberry attempting! To hurt Orion because of the recent rejection?
Bri’s face snapped up. She detected some sincerity in Charles’ face this time. The words were harsh, but the tone was not lacking meaning.
“You’ve heard of it. Does it disgust you?” Charles spoke with his usual confidence. “If it does you ought to say something instead of letting it fester.”
“I think nothing of it.”
“You do, Orion.”
“And now I shall be told what I think?”
“Oh, bloody hell, Orion! This again?”
“We are in the presence of others, Charles…” Orion answered, a rasp forming in his deep voice. Bri felt his grasp on her loosen as he withdrew into himself. “What I think about Lawrence and his rent boy is none of your concern.”
“Then why isn’t it yours?”
Orion shut his eyes in clear exasperation. Bri did not like the tension in the air. It was not wise to corner Orion in this manner, but it seemed to be Charles’ goal. They were outside, in the stands at a race track and though they were alone, it did not seem the best place for an intervention.
“Charles! Can you please—“ Bri jumped in, only to have Orion squeeze her hand softly for silence.
“Ah, perhaps it is the novelty.” Charles shrugged, looking at Amadeus.
Amadeus did not look humored. He was glaring daggers in Charles’ direction.
“The novelty of what?” Bri demanded.
“Meeting a man who was not so in denial of himself. Even if he is a rent boy, at least he will not run away…”
The group fell quiet and Bri shook her head. Orion closed his eyes and put his face in his hand, “Charles, there are things you do not understand.”
“Orion, there is more to the world than what those men did to you.”
Orion raised his eyes to Charles for the first time. His glare was piercing, and his words came out like venom, “Is there, Charles? Thank you so much for telling me? Now kindly teach me how to erase the trauma and I will. Kindly teach me the way to be a stronger person so that I will add up to your level of fortitude.”
Orion stood and he met Charles face-to-face. Bri anticipated a punch to Charles’ face. Alas, it never came.
“There is so much more to the world, Charles. And it is all like you. It assumes everything and asks no questions. The less it learns, the more it thinks it knows. And then…it Preaches! Denial! Denial! DENIAL? You think that is what this is about!”
Orion was raising his voice, something Bri had never heard before.
“Denial! Yes, this is about the petty ‘I am this’ or ‘I am that!’ That is all it is about, isn’t it! Words! Bloody fucking words! And what those men did to me? You do not even know! Do you know what leeching is, Charles? What about cupping! Bleeding, hm? How about starving and cold water treatment? What about being left for dead? Yes, Charles! O, yes! There is more to the world! There is much more! I wonder if you even know what it is, Hypocrit!” he was so angry he was spitting and yelling, and now he stormed off.
In his path a stray dog stopped and whimpered at the sight of him.
Bri found she was backed up into Lucy, her head practically in the woman’s bosom. She wanted to turn and hide her face in them.
All eyes fell on Charles and he sighed, “Brigid, I think he will talk now…”
© 2011 Luz Briar. All Rights Reserved.
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