Read Leap Year for Free Online Page A

talentless goon. “He’s a very interesting photographer. You had your chance to see his portfolio, but you were too busy mooning about Paris.”
    “I’ll take your word for it,” said Anton.
    Amanda smiled.
    “What time is it?” asked Anton.
    “I don’t know. About four,” said Amanda.
    “I still have time,” said Anton. “I’m serious, about going to Paris.”
    “To chase after Syringe? How pathétique of you.”
    “Her name is Solange,” said Anton. “Stop calling her Syringe.”
    Solange was Anton’s wife. When she had found out about Anton and Amanda—she had come back early from a weekend in Mustique and discovered them in bed—she had ditched Anton, and Anton had subsequently ditched Amanda. Amanda was pursuing vendettas against them both.
    It was naptime at the New York Bank for Women’s daycare center. The babies had been put in their cribs and the older children—Kate included—had unrolled their pallets, laid down upon them, and covered themselves with blankets. Kate liked to cover her head with the blanket so that she could keep her eyes open. It was also good for pretending things. Like you were in a tent, or in a cave. Or frozen in an ice cube.
    She traced the blanket’s plaid pattern with her finger, and then her finger became a car and the stripes a road. She drove from Daddy’s house down to Mom’s. She could hear Kate Wallace, who was lying next to her, make seagull sounds. Seagull sounds were made by squooshing your spit between your teeth and your lips.
    “No squawking,” Miss Coco said. “Eyes closed.”
    The light coming through the blanket cast a plaid shadow on Kate’s body. She could feel her own warm breath trapped around her face. Her finger drove down Greene Street and parked outside of Mom’s house. She liked the elevator in Mom’s house. It was like a cage. Sometimes when they were in it, she and Mom played circus. Mom was always a chimpanzee. She’d make funny noises and scratch herself.
    Miss Coco pulled the blanket off her head. “What are you doing, Kate?”
    “Nothing,” Kate said.
    “Shut your eyes,” said Miss Coco. “Go to sleep.”
    Heath and David and Ms. Mouse were eating Chinese food and watching “Nature.” Heath was sitting on the couch, and David lay with his head on Heath’s lap. Heath alternately fed cold sesame noodles to himself, David, and the cat. David sucked the noodles into his mouth while Ms. Mouse delicately and deliberately chewed up each thin strand, the way an insect devours a leaf.
    “I never knew Ms. Mouse was such an epicure,” said Heath.
    “Hold it still,” said David, meaning the noodle Heath was swinging back and forth above his face.
    “I’m hypnotizing you,” said Heath.
    David opened his mouth under the noodle. “Drop it,” he said.
    “Wait,” Heath said. “I have an idea. Close your eyes. Hold still.” He lowered the noodle into David’s eye socket.
    “This feels disgusting,” David said. “What are you doing?”
    “Just relax,” said Heath. “It’s for art.” He coiled a second noodle over David’s other eye. “Now hold still. I’m going to take a picture.” He gently lowered David’s head onto the sofa and went to get his camera. He came back and stood over David, adjusting the light meter.
    “Hurry,” said David. “The MSG is eating through my eyelids.”
    “There is no MSG,” said Heath.
    “Yeah, sure—the check is in the mail,” said David.
    “I won’t come in your mouth,” said Heath. “Smile.” David smiled.
    “On second thought, don’t smile,” said Heath. He took some pictures. David started to get up.
    “No, wait,” said Heath. “I have another idea. Keep still.” He picked up Ms. Mouse, who was watching disinterestedly, and put her down on David’s chest, her face poised over David’s. He pointed to the noodles over David’s eyes. Ms. Mouse sniffed at them and then tentatively began eating. Heath laughed and began taking shots.
    “This is great,” he