Sirens, p.68
Sirens, page 68
that.
But the future's another story.' Their eyes locked for an interminable
time. ''m leaving,' she said finally. ' go wherep ' don't know.
Anywhere. Naples is as good a place as any to start.' There was a long
silence. ' want you to come with me, Rubens.' Daina watched his eyes for
any telltale signs. She had not known until she had said it just how
much it meant to her. Her heart was pounding. What would she do if he
chose to stay here? She was going anyway, she understood that. The
decision had come from the very core of her being and there was no
turning away from it; she did not want to. But the thought of leaving
him was so painful that she was certain her heart would crack open. '
use of fear's all I've known for so long.' ' have me now,' she said.
"I don't want to lose you,' he said thickly. ' come.' She took his hand,
squeezed it. ''ll be as scary for me as it is for you. But at least
we'll know it's what we both want; learning things all over again.' ''m
not too old to do that.' He smiled. ' me get packed "No,' she said. ''s
just leave. Now.' ', at least let's take the Oscars.' ' for? They belong
here, don't they? They'll be waiting for us if we ever come back.' 591
'And the house?' ' the Mexicans take care of it; they always have.'
They went out of there then, through the wide-open door into the hot
sunlight and the dappled shade. They came down off the steps and walked
across the lush grass. The soles of their shoes crunched against the
gravel as they reached the silver Mere. Daina got in behind the wheel.
For a moment Rubens stood looking back at the house, the grounds, one
hand on the car door. Then he got in beside her and she started up the
engine. The Mere gave a throaty roar as she wheeled it around in a
U-turn, going quickly down the long snaking drivi@ between the dusty
soughing palms.
592
Eric Van Lustbader, Sirens
