Tweedledum and Tweedledee Read Free Page A

among Sophia's children. He was always taking care of his younger siblings. It was good for him to get treated a little for once.
    Maya was going to be so jealous once I started posting pictures on Facebook of this place. She was going to regret saying no. At least I hoped she would. I picked up my phone and took a series of pictures of the suite and posted them right away. Victor still hadn't moved. I walked to him into the bedroom and sat next to him on the bed.
    "Don't you want to go out on the balcony and have a look?" I asked.
    He still didn't move.
    I drew in a deep breath. "You miss her too, don't you? I guess we both do. But we'll have to get by for a little while without her. She'll be back. At least, I hope she will. Oh God, Victor. What if she doesn't come back?"
    I paused. "No, you're right. Of course she will. We're her family. She'll be back. Of course she will."
    I felt tears build up in my eyes, but refused to cry. "Look at your old mom, tearing up because her daughter is growing up, huh?" I sniffled and got up. The ship suddenly made a loud noise. "Did you hear that, buddy? That's the horn. Do you think we're setting off to sea now? Come. Let's get out on the balcony."
    I walked through the glass door. Victor followed me reluctantly. The ship started moving. I looked at Victor. "Do you want to go wave to people down at the quay? Yeah, let's do that. Come."
    "Why?" Victor asked. "We don't know any of them."
    "Let's do it anyway. It'll be fun."
    "No it won't."
    "Don't be so boring, Victor."
    I knocked on the door to Christoffer's room.
    "The ship is sailing now. We're going out to wave; do you want to come?"
    Christoffer opened the door and jumped out. "I'd love to."
    We walked fast towards the door. Victor followed me very closely. In the hallway, we met my mom and dad. They were holding hands and wearing big smiles.
    "We're leaving now," my dad said.
    "I know."
    We followed the stream of people and entered a big deck with a huge pool area. Victor, Christoffer and I found a spot by the railing. Christoffer and I waved to the people down at the quay while the ship slowly maneuvered out of the port. Victor just stared at them, holding on tight to the railing.
    "Wow," Christoffer exclaimed. "Look at how small the people are. And look at the view. I can see all of Rome in the distance. I've always wanted to see Rome. I would love to see the Colosseum."
    I patted him on the head. "You will one day."
    A man standing next to me on the other side was wearing a long coat and a hat. I found it strange, since it was still very hot outside.
    "Cute boys you have there," he said. "How old are they?"
    "Victor is eight," I said with a smile. "Turning nine next month. It's his first time on a cruise."
    "He’s big for an eight-year old, then," the man said.
    "Well, we're Scandinavian. We’re very tall. Well, except for me," I said and laughed.
    The man didn't laugh. He stared at Victor. It felt a little uncomfortable.
    "And the other one?"
    "Christoffer is ten. It's his first time on a cruise too."
    "Ah, ten is a wonderful age," the man said. "What a beautiful face."
    I touched Christoffer's curly hair and pulled him closer. "Yes, he is a pretty boy. Going to crush a lot of hearts in a few years."
    "Probably," the man said and lifted his hat gently. "Enjoy your cruise,"
    I followed him with my eyes as he disappeared into the waving and cheering crowd. When I turned to look again, the quay and the people were nothing but a distant memory.
     

4
    April 2014
    T HE MAN HURRIED DOWN the stairs towards his cabin on the lower deck. He was running late. Deedee hated it when he was late.
    The man opened the door and closed it behind him. He took off the coat and put it on a hanger.
    "What took you so long?" the voice said.
    "I'm sorry Deedee. But I was held up. I'm sorry."
    Deedee snorted angrily.
    "I brought you pasta. Linguine. You love Linguine," the man said.
    Deedee growled. "Ai Frutti di Mare?"
    "Just the way you like it. And I