The House in the Cerulean Sea

At Lucy’s suggestion, Arthur invites Linus to sit in on their one-on-one session. Linus is nervous but agrees. He also battles with his growing awareness of and attraction to Arthur. Linus has known he was gay since he was much younger, though he refuses now to consider that he might be interested in Arthur. On his way to the house, Linus passes several of the children: Phee and Talia, who tease him; Theodore, who begs for another button; and Chauncey, who is practicing being a bellhop in his bedroom. Despite his better instincts, he finds each of them charming.

Linus finds the door to Arthur’s bedroom open but darkness inside, despite the late afternoon hour. As he steps inside, candles flare to life with incredible height and a small voice grandly threatens him, only to stop when Arthur calmly suggests that the person behind this stunt may lose their privileges if they continue. Lucy allows the room to return to normal and shows Linus his own room, which is just large enough to fit a twin bed and a bureau. Everything is very mundane and typical of a young boy’s room. The walls are decorated with vinyl records; Lucy explains that he likes music that makes him happy.