Read Online Juno's Daughters by Lise Saffran - Free Book Online Page B

her in the penumbra of Ariel, whether he was aware of her presence or not. She hovered about the youthful actor like a bird with her eye on a bit of lost bread, as if she had only to wait and watch and an opportunity would come along for her to dart in and claim it. It was clear that she wanted to be noticed by him, but Jenny could not figure out why. He was beautiful in his way, lithe and fey and sarcastic. Talking with him around the fire, she had learned that he was from Detroit. The only child in a family named Wilcox.
    â€œThe beloved son of the Wilcoxes,” said Jenny, smiling.
    He had looked at her for a moment and then added drily, “Beloved by whom?”
    Jenny glanced at Frankie now, her skinny limbs folded under the blanket. Perhaps she saw what she hoped was her future self in the way he held his body. He made his lankiness work for him. He turned gangliness into grace. Jenny wondered if she could find some dance instruction for Frankie on the island. It might provide a diversion for the inevitable heartache when Phoenix left. It might boost her confidence. They didn’t have a lot of extra money, but Jenny decided she could scrape together enough for a lesson or two, just to see if Frankie took to it.
    She rubbed her lower back through her shirt and wondered how long she could allow herself to entertain this little romantic sizzle with Ariel’s friend before making herself completely ridiculous. It was clear that Lilly would not give Trinculo up easily, and the idea of vying with her own teenage daughter for the affection of a professional actor was absurd. It was morally, ethically, and spiritually wrong. Besides that, it was impractical. Lilly was seventeen years old and adorable. What forty-two-year-old mother of two could compete with her? Jenny unfolded herself from her chair and tottered to the bathroom to splash cold water on her face. Her skin still dripping, she pulled back her hair with one hand and bent to drink from the faucet. She toweled her face and bared her teeth in the mirror to check for any stray pieces of potato chip or carrot.
    Dale had once pulled her into a wet kiss at the Roche Harbor after-party. Though he’d apologized and she, embarrassed, had never said a word, it was a reminder to keep on her toes in the midst of all this enchanted storytelling. She could understand how Lilly, of all people, might be susceptible. She could understand, but she didn’t like it. She slipped back into her chair with a frown.
    â€œAre there any parts for girls?” asked Lilly suddenly.
    Peg snorted.
    Dale pulled himself into an upright position and looked at Lilly with incredulity. “You haven’t read the play?”
    â€œNot yet.” Lilly blushed and shot a quick furtive glance toward Ariel.
    Ariel strolled toward her. “Prospero, my dear, is a big cheese in Milan.” He stopped just short of the couch and leaned against the wall. “A duke. Until his naughty, ambitious, betraying brother has him banished to an island where he is served by an uncouth toad named Caliban and an enchanting, chameleonesque spirit named Ariel.” He took an almost imperceptible bow. “Conveniently, one day, a boat carrying his old enemies, as well as a luscious young prince named Ferdinand, sails by and Prospero conjures a storm.” Here Ariel waved his hands around in front of her face. “That wrecks the boat and brings them all to shore.”
    â€œAn interesting interpretation,” murmured Peg.
    Ariel turned away and resumed his stretching. “Oh, and Prospero has a daughter.”
    â€œMiranda,” breathed Frankie, just before drifting off to sleep. She had burrowed her face under the blanket for warmth and darkness.
    â€œYes, Miranda is a girl part , as you say. But that role’s taken.” Dale cupped his hand over the top of Miranda’s head as if he were her actual father and not just her theatrical one.
    â€œI didn’t mean