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“I suppose he’s on Twitter, too?”
“Absolutely not. Are you?”
Julie shook her head. “I have a strong aversion to Twitter, and yet there is a social obligation that forces me to pop in and spy on celebrities now and then. I don’t get Twitter. It’s impossible to follow conversation threads, and it’s too easy to spend hours and hours clicking on random names, and the next thing you know, you’ve become infatuated with Tweet photos from the Kardashians.”
Celeste stared at her. “So are you or are you not on Facebook?”
Man, this kid was a piece of work. “Yup, I am on Facebook. And if you don’t tell your parents that, then I won’t tell them about you and Matthew. And I would be honored to be Fi
“Always Fi
Julie laughed. “Why did he do that?”
“Because he has no interest in having undesirables from high school finding him. He gets to hide out a little more this way. Be selective. That’s important to him. Being selective with your friends.”
Julie tapped the keyboard, found the real Fi
“Update your status! Update your status!” Celeste demanded. “Something fu
Julie thought for a moment. “How’s this?”
Julie Seagle Never moon a werewolf.
Celeste leaned her head against Julie’s shoulder. ”I like it. It’s practical and witty. Flat Fi
This was new. Julie had never had to come up with a status update directed to someone’s flat brother.
Julie Seagle is unable to find any financially Fi
“You have made substantial use of alliteration.” Celeste started at the computer screen. “Flat Fi
Julie typed again.
Julie Seagle You can never be too rich or too Fi
Celeste patted Julie’s arm. “Better.”
**********
Julie cracked the ice cube tray and dropped a few cubes into her water glass. “You want some?”
Matt nodded. “Thanks.”
“Is Celeste asleep?” Julie took a glass from the cupboard.
“Out cold.”
“Are you actually packing yourself a lunch for tomorrow?” She eyed the healthy selection of carrot sticks, grapes, whole grain crackers, and a yogurt drink that Matt was putting into a lunch bag.
“I’m not actually packing myself a lunch for tomorrow. It’s for Celeste. That damn private school she’s at makes the kids take a break and nourish themselves before the teachers continue indoctrinating them with foolish lessons about Predynastic Egypt and curtal so
“What the hell is a curtal so
“It was invented by this guy, Hopkins, and the curtal so
“Sorry, I think I fell asleep for a minute.” Julie yawned and patted her cheeks. “Kidding! I’m kidding! The unification of math and poetry is jaw-droppingly interesting. But you lost me at equation.”
Matt smirked. “Well, it is interesting because lots of poems have mathematical imagery or structure. Concrete triangular poems and syllabic verse, for example. Did you know that we subconsciously track the sound properties in poetry?”
“No, you subconsciously track sound properties and then wreck perfectly nice poetry by breaking it down into mathematical elements. Some of us just enjoy plain old poetry.”
Matt zipped up Celeste’s lunch bag and moved to stand in front of Julie. “I enjoy it, too. Just in a different way than you do. I can’t help it. I’m a nerd.”
“So you’ve said.”
“I suspect that on some level, you respond to the mathematical components in writing.”
“And I suspect that you’re wrong.” Julie hopped down from the counter and pointed to the lunch bag. “So will Flat Fi
“Nope. He has a large breakfast. A stack of pancakes, an egg white omelet with green peppers and Swiss, and a fruit smoothie. That usually tides him over until di
Julie crossed her arms. “I’m serious. Flat Fi
“He already went to Brandeis so, no, he doesn’t need to repeat seventh grade. Although they did make him take a bunch of tests in order to qualify out. He barely passed the oral exams, though, because the instructors found him withholding and tight-lipped. It’s a terribly biased system, but at least he passed and won’t have to suffer through the school’s a
“Fu
“After an unfortunate incident involving Wile E. Coyote and an anvil, Three Dimensional Fi
Julie laughed. “Matt, come on! I assume this has something to do with her brother being away?”
Matt groaned. “Something like that.” He moved to the fridge, tucked the lunch bag on a shelf, and rearranged the leftover cartons.
“And nobody has suggested that she lose the accessory? I mean, she’s kind of old for this sort of thing, don’t you think? Not that I can think of a good age for it.”
He shrugged. “I don’t really know. I just follow orders and nod and smile.”
“Well, when is the real Fi
“No idea when Fi
“Hey,” Julie softened her tone. “I am not making fun of her. I like her. Flat Fi
“Yes, I said hence.” Matt busied himself cleaning off the kitchen counters. “I think it’s making a comeback.”
“But I don’t get why Celeste—”
“Leave it alone,” Matt said sharply. “I’m not saying anything else about it, OK? And please don’t bring this up with my parents.”
Julie froze. “I’m sorry,” she stammered. “It’s none of my business. I shouldn’t pry.”
“No, I’m sorry,” Matt said apologetically. “Forget it. Listen, I have to take Celeste to school tomorrow morning, but after that I could help you find an apartment. I called a friend of mine who knows a realtor that I got in touch with, and he’s got some places for you to see. I assumed you wouldnassust mind a little help.”