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We sit, not talking for a while, but I want to. As soon as I do, however, I descend into a coughing fit.
After Alexei hurriedly gives me a glass of water, I take big gulps. Even though it burns more now and I can still feel a large lump in the back of my throat, I ask, "When did Jamie get here?"
He looks at me strangely, and not with the she's lost her marbles look, with the how hard did you hit your head exactly look. I am very familiar with both.
"Gracie, he's been here since yesterday. You don't remember seeing him here?"
"No."
"What about Lila's party on the island last night? Do you remember it?"
"No, I don't remember any of that." I look at him and see the bruise on his high cheek bone and the cut on his bottom lip. "What are you doing here anyway? I though you and your father went back to Russia."
"We did, but I'm back now," he held me just a bit tighter, "Everything's going to be different now. My father's to be the new ambassador."
"Oh."
"Yeah." His smile is sheepish.
We sat quietly again, but this time before either of us could say another word the door burst open and a flood of people came through.
Jamie and Noah walked side by side, half-heartedly conversing about soccer. Megan was behind them texting and Ms. Chancellor set a tray on the dresser by the door. While Alexei hurriedly moved to a respectable distance for a brother's-best-friend, Megan opened the window and let Rosie in.
"Hey, everyone, "I said a bit awkwardly, resettling myself in an entirely upright position.
"Morning, sunshine!" Noah laughed, gently ruffling my hair, and I left out a small and sweet giggle. Noah gave me a strangle look for just a split second, then gave me the same smile Ms. Chancellor had given me earlier. Sympathetic.
Megan and Rosie sat on the foot of my mother's bed, Jamie and Noah in chairs to my right, and Alexei stood up and walked toward the door. I wanted to call for him not to leave. Thankfully, he wasn't leaving, just bringing Ms. Chancellor's oatmeal, fruit, and water tray to me. He left it on my bedside table and retook his position on the floor.
"So Grace," Rosie said, "what happened last night? Are you okay? All anyone would say was that you were injured." She shot glares at both Jamie and Alexei.
"I think I'm alright, Rosie, thanks, but I don't have any answers for you. I don't remember yesterday at all."
"She didn't even remember Jamie's arrival," Alexei said, which obviously told the rest of the room more than it was telling me.
"You hit your head, Gracie," Jamie broke the silence, "and made us worry like crazy."
"Where did all these bruises come from then?"I asked.
"I don't know, Gracie. Maybe Alexei and I were a little rough with you when we were trying to bring you back home."
I don't know what happened the night before, but I know that tone. It's Jamie's I'm-not-technically-lying voice. As soon as he leaves I'll tell the others. We were all clueless together unless they all got suddenly good at acting, so maybe we could figure this out together too.
A knock on the door interrupted the awkward silence and my thoughts. It was Ms. Chancellor, back again in my mother's doorway, and whatever she had to tell us was not good.
"James, your grandfather needs to see you in his study," she paused, "Now, please."
He got up without a word and left, but not before putting a quick, protective kiss on my forehead.
When the door was closed and I couldn't hear his footsteps anymore, I turned to Alexei and said, "What really happened? Jamie is a horrible liar."
"That was a lie?" Noah seemed astonished as if he'd never met a good liar before. He had no idea Jamie was so practiced in the art of deception.
"It's a sibling thing. I always know when he's lying." Her haunting voice emerges from the background noise and I'm quick to add, "Or at least I thought I did."
"Really? I guess Lila's never lied to me." He smiles really big until Megan bursts his bubble.
"Oh, she's lied to you, you're just insanely gullible."
We all laughed a bit at that. We have fun, if just for a moment and don't sweat the serious side, like why did Jamie leave me alone with Alexei. I thought he would never leave before he left for West Point, but since he's returned, I almost want him to go back. Far away from his sister, the bomb, who is about to detonate and take most of Embassy Row with her.
"When the room gets serious again, I look Alexei in the eyes and say, "If you lie to me like Jamie, so help me! I will get out of this bed and kick your butt."
"Gracie, I-"
"Gracie the truth is... you better start again with that if you know what's good for you."
He sighed, looked at the ground, and muttered in Russian. Probably a prayer for Jamie not to kill him for spilling the beans.
"At Lila's party last night, you went off into the woods."
