Number 2 (Hoover) displayed resistance far greater than anticipated. I watched Ramses and father struggle, shoving his bruised body into the spike-less iron-maiden. After they grew tired of having an audience, and his persistent howling, father permitted us on the main deck. The rain moved south, and the stars above shone like cosmic crystals in the open black sky.
Number 1 (Helen) began tracing the universal blueprint with her index finger, attempting to educate our nautical combine on constellations. To me, she looked like an absurdist painter without a brush. Pollock-natured, making up designs as she went along. I never believed for a second that she located Orion's belt, but I remained silent to salvage the normalcy. Peace, calmness, a climate that we all needed. Half my body was slo
