The Cult of Kronos Read Free

Mrs. Jacobs had told them
that it was a mistake, that there was still time to get the marriage
annulled, but after a long late-night conversation the night before
Peter's funeral, she had realized that young couple was not going to
budge and decided to support them.
    Now they were off to college.
Zach deposited the box in the trunk of June’s Mazda station wagon.
His own car, a green Tesla Roadster (that his father had
impractically given him nine months before to try and make up for his
absence) had no back seat and hardly any trunk. Their luggage would
be limited to what June could haul in her car.
    June hung the garment bag in
the station wagon and sat down in the hatchback. She brushed her red
bangs, moist with sweat from being so active in the blistering August
heat, away from her fair skin. June's style idols were all wives of
Presidents, but in this heat, even she opted for a tank top and
shorts. Zach offered June a hand to pull her to her feet. “One more
trip,” he said.
    They walked back into the
house, June rattling off their to-do list for comfort, and stopped
for a minute to enjoy the air-conditioning. Zach opened the
refrigerator and plucked out a bottle of strawberry lemonade. June
leaned on the counter and watched the eight-inch TV that was mounted
under the cabinet. Some generic morning show was on.
    “ We have a week and a half
before classes start,” Zach said between gulps of juice, “after
we get there. What do you want to do with all that time?”
    “ Unpack?” June suggested
as the hosts of the morning show brought out some self-help phenom.
    “ For a week and a half? We
have one room worth of stuff.”
    “ Well, there’s furniture
shopping, right?”
    “ And then?”
    June shrugged and turned away
from the TV. “I guess we drive around, get used to the city. Learn
our way.”
    Zach crinkled the now-empty
plastic juice bottle and threw it in the trash. He pulled his t-shirt
away from his chest and let it fall back. Zach went to the kitchen
table, the spot where they had staged the boxes the night before, and
picked up the last box. June followed him outside. He placed the last
box on the stack. June sat down on what little bit of carpet was left
with all of their worldly possessions packed into the car.
    “ How much fit in your
trunk?” she asked Zach, reaching for his hand.
    Zach, tall, unshaven (well, he
had shaved, it just never mattered much because his beard grew so
quickly), and glistening with sweat, turned and placed his hands on
either side of her. “Just my football stuff.”
    “ That’s it?” she asked,
wrinkling her nose.
    “ At least you don’t have
to smell it for five hours to Gainesville.” He leaned forward and
pressed a kiss to her lips, lingering there and enjoying the moment.
The warm early-morning sun beat on his back, and the air smelled of
orange blossoms. They were getting ready to start the next phase of
their lives. Zach had a scholarship to play for the Gators, and June
had an academic grant that paid for half of their apartment. Zach’s
father, who was getting out of paying tuition, was still obligated,
according to the divorce settlement, to provide twenty-thousand
dollars a year for books, food, and housing. Zach anticipated four
years of paradise. “I’m glad you’re coming with me,” Zach
whispered.
    “ Well, we are married.”
    “ I know, but Brown and
Harvard,” Zach said. “That’s a lot to give up.”
    June smiled. “Remember that
the next time we have a fight. And there’s always grad school.”
    A cool breeze suddenly swept
in, chilling Zach’s back. He stood up and turned around, nearly
whacking his head on the tailgate of June’s car.
    Lewis Mercer stood behind
them, the wind from his wake rustling the bushes all down the street.
    “ Lewis,” June snapped, her
teeth gritted. “How many times do we have to tell you not to do
that in public.”
    Zach could see, however, that
something was terribly wrong. Lewis’ eyes were red