***
Claudia and Aurelia sat next to the fishpond chatting and weaving reed mats in the atrium of Claudia’s villa. They were laughing about some past incident with Claudia’s youngest brother when Julius walked in. The girls stopped laughing. "I thought you said he was out hunting." "Yes, but I’m back, Aurelia," he said smiling down at them leaning on a pillar. "Why, were you all talking about me?" "You only wish." "Aurelia, it was only a joke," Claudia whispered. "No, Claudia, let Aurelia have her sport with me. I wouldn’t deny her that pleasure." Seeing Julius brought back memories of her dream the night before, which only made her more irritable: she had embraced and done other thing with Julius that made her blush. The mere thought made her blush to the tips of her ears. "We were having a little girl talk, if you’ll excuse us." "Well, I’ll be blasted. Here I thought you hated being girls and now you’re talking like them. This certainly gives me hope, because the last thing I want is for my only sister," he said kissing the crown of Claudia’s head, "and her best friend," he said impishly smiling at Aurelia, "to be boys." And so he obligingly left.
"Now why did you have to do that, Aurelia? We weren’t saying anything Julius couldn’t join in on. I know you dislike him, but…" "I had something to tell you, to which Julius certainly could not be a party" she said quickly racking her mind for something appropriate. "What?" Claudia asked, intrigued. Aurelia could think of nothing else, and then it struck her that perhaps saying something would make her feel better. "You don’t think Julius is listening do you?" "He’s not a spy, Aurelia!" "All right…I had a romantic dream last night." Claudia leaned closer biting her lip in a half smile. "Well, aren’t you going to tell me of whom you were dreaming?" "It doesn’t matter," she stalled, fearing Claudia could see it plainly on her face. "You’re blushing!" "I am not." "Then he must be very handsome or terribly ugly to elicit such a reaction from you." Aurelia put down her handiwork, and sighing stood up to walk balancing on the edge of the fishpond that was full of bright orange and yellow Asian carp. "Come now. Be a sport! I tell you all my secrets, after all." "It isn’t a huge secret…it just isn’t interesting, and maybe I don’t even remember. I shouldn’t have brought it up at all I suppose." "If it isn’t a big deal and you don’t mind sharing, then I’ll just run and get Julius, because I’m sure he would be interested." Aurelia jumped down and grabbed Claudia’s sleeve, shocked by Claudia’s show of spirit: "You wouldn’t dare!" "I would!"
Aurelia did her best to think of someone else quickly, but every possibility seemed equally embarrassing. Frustrated she blurted out: "Julius! All right…it was Julius." Claudia immediately burst into laughter, holding on to Aurelia for support. "Stop laughing, Claudia. Stop it." "Julius?" Claudia managed while gasping for breath. "Shhh…stop it this instant Claudia! This is why I wasn’t going to tell you. He’ll hear you. Or worse! Don’t you dare tell him." Claudia shook her head ‘no,’ wiping at the tears streaming down her cheeks. "Oh, that is good, Aurelia." "I don’t like him, for Jupiter’s sake." Claudia shook her head ‘no,’ once more trying to look serious; "no, no, of course you don’t." "It’s rather disturbing you know. Not at all funny." "I certainly would have never guessed!" "Good. I wouldn’t want him to be your first guess." "But, you know, it makes perfect sense," Claudia said, finally getting complete control of herself. "Why?" "Oh, calm down Aurelia. It’s not an omen for Jupiter’s sake. I only mean that Julius is the only man with whom you have any real contact." "Yes, he is the only boy that I truly know…I suppose you’re right. Do you think that’s all? I woke up just hating myself."
Claudia sat down, smiling comfortingly at her friend. "I barely know any other boys, so it’s a matter of acquaintance?" "I’m sure that’s it. You can’t help your dreams, Aurelia." "Oh, but promise you won’t tell Julius. He would be vulgar enough to think it was an auger." "You think I would tell him something like that? Besides betraying you, I’d be making his head grow twice its size," Claudia said laughing. "I can just imagine. He would hold it over me forever."
***
Nona roughly pulled the brush through Aurelia’s thick shiny black hair. "Quickly Nona!" called Aurelia’s mother from the hallway. "Mother, you can’t be serious," she called back. Her mother stuck her head in the doorway. "I’m very serious. Your father is needed immediately." "But why must we go to Rome as well? He’s never needed us for emergencies before!" "He may be there for quite some time, so we are to go as well. Honestly, Aurelia, your father owes you no explanations." "Then we shall be there in all the heat with all the disease of the summer. Mother, I won’t have any friends." "I certainly can’t help that, Aurelia. You are not to give your father any grief. Nona, surely you are done getting your mistress ready." "Don’t I have time to even say goodbye to Claudia?" Her mother sighed, "well, I can see that you will make all of us miserable if not. Run child! If we’re late, it will be on your head. Nona, you will have to pack Aurelia’s things."
Aurelia ran out the house and through the gates where she began to dash across the fields. She could see Claudia’s villa standing on a hill a half dozen fields away. Aurelia was already out of breath half way through the second field of wheat, when she saw Julius riding his grey horse, up with the sun, like Apollo himself, Aurelia fleetingly considered before stopping to catch her breath. He stopped when he saw her and reined in towards her. His face showed concern. "What’s wrong Aurelia?" he said sliding off his mount and putting out his hand to steady her. "Did you run all this way?" "I’m…leaving…for Rome." He knit his eyebrows. "Today?" "This moment," she said breaking down into tears. "It’s all right. Would you like to see Claudia then? Is that what you’re up to?" She nodded ‘yes.’ "She’s not back at home. Vincentia came over early so they could go picking flowers over by the stream. "Oh!" Aurelia exclaimed, knowing the stream was in opposition to the direction she was running. She tried to get control of herself, hating to appear weak and tearful in front of Julius. She only thanked the gods that at this moment he had not decided to taunt her with her previous plan to run away. "I can take you to her. I’m sure they haven’t walked too far yet, and it will be quicker and easier than running." "Really, you would do that for me?" "Yes, of course. If you’ll permit me," he said glancing at the horse he used to range around the countryside. "Don’t be stupid, Julius," she said putting her hand on his shoulder and allowing herself to be hoisted up on to the animal. Julius mounted behind her and helped steady and arrange Aurelia, before gathering up the reins. "Hurry please, Julius. I’m already in trouble with my mother."
They quickly caught up with the two girls walking along the roadside with some flowers already hanging out of their baskets. Julius lifted Aurelia down, and she ran to Claudia, who took her in her arms, as she was weeping. After Claudia and Aurelia had their quick goodbye, Julius once more lifted Aurelia back onto his horse and rode back towards her villa, where her parents were waiting outside. As Julius handed her down to one of the slaves, Aurelia turned back with a sincere look of gratitude. "Thank you, Julius." "Goodbye, Aurelia." "Goodbye."
***
Aurelia sat with her chin resting in her hand, fanning herself slowly. Her mother was reclined next to her on an bench in a similar stupor. Neither of them could think of anything to say, nor cared to make much effort in correcting the situation. Everything that was to be said had been said during the past three weeks, and that was not much to begin with. They had never left their buildings and walled gardens since they had arrived, because of the heat, disease, and the complete lack of reason to leave: there was not anyone in the city with whom they could visit, since everyone was in the country.
"It’s very hot today," her mother said, breaking the heavy silence. Aurelia turned her head with a great deal of effort. "It’s hot everyday in the city." More silence followed. "What if we went to the Baths. Wouldn’t that be nice?" "And catch something? I don’t think so, Aurelia." "Oh, but it would be so refreshing! I’m sick of sitting around and doing nothing. I’ve already read everything in the library, and there is nothing for me to do. Oh, I can almost feel the cool water now, mother." "Then let that suffice Aurelia. I know you miss your friends, but our place is with your father. You’ll understand when you’re married." "Don’t start with me, mother. I refuse to get in an argument with you in this heat." "The last thing I want to do is argue with you. I just can’t understand why you insist on believing marriage to be a death sentence." "I wouldn’t expect you to." Aurelia got up and left the room, unable to bear the too familiar conversation any longer. In a moment, it would turn to Julius, as it always did, and she doubted that she would have the tolerance to avoid screaming or cursing Julius’ existence. Much as her mother aggravated her, she didn’t want to upset her in so needless a fashion, as she knew such behavior would only serve to do.
She went to the Penates, located in the atrium of their central building, and kneeled down. After making all general prayers, Aurelia spoke to Athena: "wise and gracious Athena, deliver me from this Hades. I am aware of the frivolity of my wishes, but I would be so grateful if you should send me some relief."
Aurelia’s relief came, but not in the form she had expected. Julius and his father arrived in town. Julius was accompanying his father to listen to the Senate speeches, in order to prepare him for his future. But as soon as he had a break, he came to see Aurelia. Aurelia was too hot to beg the question: "what are you doing here?" "I’ve come to provide you with some company. I know you would rather have my sister, but it was not in my power to bring her. I hope I will do for now." She looked confused, but did feel some joy in having someone else with whom to speak. "I’ve been here three and a half weeks, and I haven’t been allowed to step outside with all of the disease. I haven’t seen a soul." "Catch something with Athena guiding you?" "Don’t be sacrilegious." "I’m not being so in the least. Nevertheless, there is no one to visit here, even if you could." "Then come with me into the garden. It is the only place I can feel a breeze."
They went down marble steps that led into the atrium in the middle of the house. Julius glanced at her. "You’re not suffering from the heat, are you?" Aurelia had grabbed a scarf as they left the main rooms, which had now fallen loose from her head, exposing some of her beautiful hair. "Don’t even speak of it! Speak to me of anything but that!" Julius laughed. As they entered the atrium, Aurelia pulled off the scarf completely, and began to walk down the main aisle lined with graceful marble statues. She wordlessly played with her scarf, while Julius contented himself with observing her walk around the garden slowly.
"Thank you, Julius. I was going crazy, and you didn’t have to come and see me." Aurelia turned to face him as she spoke. "Shall we sit down?" Julius asked. "Why did you come?" She could think of no reason why he would want to come to see her, so her question was an honest one. Despite Julius’ request, Aurelia stood, looking quizzically at him. "To talk. You said you’ve been lonely for company." Aurelia laughed. "I’m ever so grateful that you came, but generally we have nothing to speak of, Julius. You spend most of the time talking about yourself." He nodded solemnly. "And how did you know I was lonely for company? Surely this was not discussed at the senate?" "You are very vexing, Aurelia." Aurelia laughed, somewhat wickedly, enjoying having someone to tease. She finally sat, but Julius now appeared to be the one refusing to sit. "So, why did you come?" she insisted. "I wished to see you," he replied seriously, looking down on her. She looked back up at him, shading her eyes from the sun, before pulling her scarf back over her head. "We don’t even like each other Julius?" Julius shifted his weight from one foot from the other. "Then, I suppose I was mistaken in coming here." He turned on his heels and began to stalk away. Aurelia laughed, thinking he might come back. When it was clear he was not turning back, she called out to him--"Goodbye Julius, and try not to look so serious. You know I’m right." Julius remained stone-faced and refusing to look back at her, he did not return her bright smile.
***
