12. The Power of Emotions
Julie got changed into her waitress uniform and found Calli for her schedule. She would be working by herself today and had a set number of tables that were her responsibility.
���Are you excited?��� Karen asked as she came up next to her.
���I am, actually. Nervous but excited.���
���I trained you. You’ll be fine.���
The cafe got busy really quickly as the five o’clock hour came. Julie truly enjoyed chatting with the customers, many of whom were anxious to get to know the new waitress in town.
One gentleman who was with a group of men enjoying happy hour grabbed Julie’s arm after she served him his drink. ���So when do you get off, sweetheart?���
Julie cringed. Luke always called her sweetheart and it brought back bad memories. Not to mention, Julie did not like his hand on her. She did not want to be rude, but she was not happy with the situation she found herself in. She placed her hand on top of the man’s, ���Let go, sir.���
���Ouch!��� The man exclaimed pulling his hand from Julie.
Julie looked at him, confused.
���Everything okay, here?��� Aidan, the bartender, asked, coming over to the table.
���You must have shocked me.��� The customer said, rubbing his hand.
Julie looked at Aidan and shrugged. She was not sure what transpired.
���That happens.��� Aidan said. ���Carpets will do that. Keeping your hands off the waitress helps. Keep that in mind.��� He said, patting the customer’s back firmly.
Aidan gestured that Julie follow him back to the bar.
���I’m Aidan, by the way, Calli’s brother. Any time you get some of these jokesters hassling you, come tell me.��� He walked back behind the bar. ���Also, any time you need a pick-me-up, come on over. I got stuff behind the bar that will help.���
���Pick-me-up?���
Aidan began laughing and slapped his hand on the bar counter. ���It’s all good, see?��� He brought out a box filled with drinks and snacks. ���All healthy stuff. My sister calls me a gym rat. I eat only all natural stuff. Energy bars, fruits, Gatorade. I need to keep healthy in between my workouts. You servers get a work out all night long. So anytime you need a boost, come raid my box.���
Julie looked at the wonderful treats and smiled. ���I get it now. It’s a great idea. I need to keep one of those boxes in my locker.���
���Nah, that’s my job. Come eat, free of charge. It’s my way of looking after everyone here. It’s what I do.���
���You may regret those words, I have a huge appetite.���
���Couldn’t tell by looking at you.���
Julie thanked him. His manner was one of a gentleman paying a woman a compliment, not coming on to them. ���You’ll definitely be seeing me.��� She laughed and went back to work.
A few of Austin’s friends came in. Julie remembered most of them from when they all went to the carnival a few months ago. She was happy they were still there when Austin came. She was surprised to see Neal by his side. ���I’m glad to see you.��� She gave him a quick kiss. ���I see you two found each other.���
���Yeah, sorry about earlier. I was being a jerk.��� Neal mumbled.
���You were just missing your friend.��� She said and rubbed his arm. ���Speaking of friends….��� Julie showed them where their other friends were. The cafe’s volume raised a few notches as the friends all greeted one another. Julie went back to work and enjoyed hearing the laughter coming from their table. Her heart warmed when she saw Austin laughing along with his friends.
Soon it was almost closing time. ���Last call for sodas.��� Julie announced at the table. Most of the friends were under twenty-one. Neal was the only one who was old enough to drink, but did not want to be the only one drinking an alcoholic beverage. She got everyone a refill and looked up to see her Uncle G walk in.
���Hey, you missed food time. The kitchen closed a half hour ago. I can get you something to drink.���
���No, thank you, Julie. I did eat before I came. I wanted to see if you needed a ride home. I actually have something I want to talk to you about.���
Before Julie could respond, Austin came over to them. ���Hey, Uncle Gordi. Hey Jules, me and the guys are heading over to Leif’s house to play some video games. Come with me.���
���You go ahead, I’m kind of beat. Not to mention I never played a video game in my life.���
���Aw come on, Jules, it’ll be fun.���
���Go enjoy some time with your friends, it has been a while. I’m going to go home and crash. I’m off tomorrow night, we can do something then.���
���I’ll make sure she gets home safely.��� Gregg assured Austin.
���You sure?��� Austin asked her.
���Yes.��� She laughed and pushed him toward his friends. To her Uncle she said, ���I’ll just be a few minutes. I have to clean up and make sure my tabs balance.���
Gregg sat down at a nearby table. ���That’s fine.���
Shouts of goodbye were sent Julie’s way as Austin and his friends headed out the door. She waved and replied as they all filed out. Austin turned at the last minute and came back to Julie and kissed her firmly, making her knees grow weak. ���See you tomorrow.��� He said as he went to follow his friends. She had to grab a nearby chair to steady herself.
���Cute boyfriend. Does he have an older brother with a steady job and who doesn’t mind raising a child?��� Karen asked her.
Julie laughed, ���No, sorry. He’s a one and only.���
���Damn.��� Karen laughed. ���So how was today?���
���It was great. I felt relaxed, thanks to everything you taught me.���
���Oh yeah, I’m glad. You’re off tomorrow, right?���
���Yes.���
���If I need you, would you want to work for me?���
���Of course.��� She said, hoping Austin would not be mad that her plans changed.
���Well I don’t know yet. I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow and I know he wants to run some tests. I’m just not sure how I will feel tomorrow night.���
���Sure, just call me at home tomorrow or have me paged at the hospital tomorrow afternoon.���
���You need to get a cell phone.��� She laughed.
���I know, someday.��� She laughed too. ���Good luck tomorrow.��� Julie waved as she went to finish up.
���Great job tonight.��� Dave said, catching her before she went into the locker room.
���Thanks. I felt pretty comfortable.���
���Have a good night.���
���You, too.���
She logged in all her receipts and slips, and everything balanced. She was surprised at the amount of money she made in gratuity. She almost felt embarrassed for accepting money when she enjoyed the job so much. She pocketed her cash and walked back out into the dining room, saying goodnight to people along the way. When she saw her Uncle sitting at the one of the tables, she was surprised to see he wasn’t alone. Karen was sitting down talking with him. She saw his hand on hers and he appeared to be consoling her. Alarm bells when off in her head. She quickly walked over to them. ���What are you doing?��� She asked, looking pointedly at her Uncle.
���Julie, I didn’t know this was your Uncle. I think I just bored him with my life story.��� Karen said, dabbing a tissue to her eye.
���Oh now, stop. I enjoyed listening to you. I think people talk way too much and do not listen enough.��� Gregg replied.
<
br /> ���Your Uncle is so knowledgeable about pregnancies.��� She turned back to Gregg. ���Thank you. I feel much better after talking to you.���
���I’m glad I could help. You have my card, give me a call after your appointment tomorrow, I’d be glad to decipher the doctor speak. I only wish my clinic was down here.���
���I’m so glad I stopped to talk to you. It was like fate I was drawn to you.��� Karen laughed and stood.
���We’ll walk you to your car, it’s late.��� Gregg suggested.
Julie held her tongue.
Karen hugged Gregg before she got into her car. ���Thank you.��� She mumbled into his shoulder.
���Everything will be fine.��� He said, hugging her back.
Julie felt like an outsider. Her blood was boiling. After Karen drove off, she laid into him. ���Are you still making Blends?���
Gregg looked at her pointedly, ���Yes, it is the reason I was created.��� He said, and turned toward his car.
���You are not going to Blend Karen’s child. Do you hear me? She is my friend.���
���Julie, there is so much going on here that you do not understand.���
���Right now, I don’t care. All I want from you is a promise you will not touch her baby.���
Gregg stood with his back to Julie. ���I can’t make that promise.���
���She’ll die!��� Julie exclaimed. She could not believe how cold her Uncle sounded.
He turned towards her. ���It’s a consequence I have to take.���
Julie grabbed his arms. ���No! I won’t let you.���
Gregg screamed out in pain and collapsed to the ground in front of the car.
Julie released her grip when she heard him yell out in pain. ���Oh my God, what happened?��� She knelt down next to him.
He moaned in pain and opened his eyes. ���It’s starting.��� He passed out.
Somehow, she knew that whatever happened, she was responsible, but she was scared to touch him again. Julie looked around and saw no one was outside. She gently touched his arm and dove inside of him. Noticing a lot of damage near his heart, tears ran down her face as she went about fixing him. ���How did this happen?��� She sobbed as he woke up.
���It’s okay. I’ll explain everything.��� He said and caught her as she collapsed into his arms.
He picked her up and placed her in the car and drove back to his apartment.
Carrying her inside, a man who was waiting asked, ���What happened?���
���It’s started. She was upset with me when she grabbed me and…��� he began laughing. ���… I felt like a million jolts of electricity were shooting through me. I fell to the ground.���
���And this is funny why?���
���Don’t you see? This is going to save us. She is going to save us.���
���Gregg this is insane, she’s just one person, one little girl.���
���She is powerful. Why are you so shocked? You knew this was coming. I suppressed this ability in her when she was a baby. I only unlocked it yesterday and already she is so powerful.���
���What if she had killed someone? What if she killed you? What about Austin? Are not thinking about the consequences here?���
���Consequences happen. That’s what I have you here for. You will be her rock and support system. I need to prepare Austin for what is coming, it’s only a matter of time. Every Blend will be called in to do their part.���
The man knelt down next to Julie and brushed the hair from her face. ���She looks the same, only grown up.���
Julie stirred under his touch but did not open her eyes. ���What happened?��� She moaned.
���Shh, it’s okay. You will be fine.��� The man whispered.
Julie’s eyes fluttered opened. She smiled. ���I’m dreaming.��� She said, closing them again.
���My little pumpkin.���
Julie’s eyes flew wide open and she looked at the man who was caressing her face. ���Dad?���
13. The Importance of Family
���Dad? That… It can’t be you. You’re dead. I heard the gunshot.��� The man she was looking at still had the same features, only slightly older. He still looked young.
���I did die, honey. The gunshot entered the part of my brain that controls the Blend abilities. I was unable to heal myself. Your Uncle got to me in time and was able to heal the Blend part before the human parts died out.���
���You’re a Blend.��� She said. The thought had never occurred to her. ���I never even thought about it before.���
���I tried to find you, baby, I really did. They just took you. I agonized every day about what could be happening to you.��� Trevor was openly crying now. ���I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you.���
Julie was crying, too. She sat up and they hugged each other tightly.
���I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so sorry.���
Julie was too overcome with emotion to say anything. All she did was cry.
The crying lasted for a good ten minutes before either was able to calm themselves down.
���Let me look at you.��� Trevor said and he pulled back from Julie. ���You’re so beautiful.���
���You look the same, too.��� She half laughed, using the back of her hand to wipe her wet, tear-stained face. ���I am still in shock.���
Gregg finally interrupted the reunion. He set down a tray full of hotdogs and hamburgers he made earlier. ���I know these are not the healthiest things, but I want you both to get some food in you.���
Julie was starving but it was then she remembered the events of earlier. ���Wait, what happened? I… hurt you. I don’t understand.���
���I have much to fill you in on, but please, eat first. You need your strength.���
Trevor stood up.
���Where are you going?’ Julie asked, visibly worried.
���I’m just going to get some napkins.��� He smiled.
���I’ll get them,��� Gregg said and Trevor sat back down.
���I’m never going to leave you again.��� He said, gripping his daughter’s hand tightly.
���I’m sorry, I guess I’m still reeling from everything.���
���You are very strong to have survived everything. I’m proud of you.���
Julie felt like she was going to cry again.
���Let’s eat.��� Trevor said, barely holding back his own new flood of tears that threatened to flow.
Julie took a bite of one of the burgers. ���It has bacon and cheese!���
���I remembered.��� Gregg smiled.
���Are you still a bacon cheeseburger lover?��� Trevor asked. ���I remember driving around late at night looking for an all-night burger joint that made bacon cheeseburgers. They were nonexistent in the sixties.���
Julie smiled. ���I’d like to hear more stories like that. It might help replace some of the bad ones I have.��� She frowned afterwards when her mind started to drift back to the times spent with the bad men.
���I’d give anything to erase all those bad memories.���
Julie squeezed his hand. She knew he meant it.
After she had eaten her fill and felt stronger, she finally questioned her Uncle. ���Now, tell me. What happened? How did I hurt you?���
Gregg sat back in his chair. ���It’s one of your abilities. The power to cause pain… the power to kill.���
Julie blinked. ���What? I don’t understand. How is that possible?���
���The ability
has been locked inside of you until recently.���
���How did it get unlocked?���
���I unlocked it.���
���Why?��� Julie folded her arms.
���To answer that, I have to start at the beginning.���
���Fine. I’m all ears.���
Gregg took a deep breath. ���Let me begin by telling you about our planet and our people. Our base is a planet known by many different names depending on where you are in the universe. We are more commonly known by the name Flutaras. We are a peaceful people, known for our healing and blending abilities. Various species from other planets have sought us out to help save their dying races. We have graciously blended our DNA with theirs and created hybrid Blends of ourselves and them. So you see, there are many Blends throughout the universe. As with any society, there are people who, for whatever reason, seek to destroy life. Whether it be for money or power, they are the pirates of the universe. One such group known as the Quintorons invaded our planet many years ago and killed many of our kind. They forced the ones that knew how to Blend into servitude and destroyed any who didn’t comply. Our kind asked the Earth if we could come and start a new life here, rebuild so to speak. Earth accepted our request. They even sent an Earthling to meet us and help facilitate our beginnings.���
���Was it Suron?��� Julie asked.
���No. It was Percone.���
Julie’s mouth hung open. ���Percone? You’re joking, right? Percone would never help anyone with anything.���
���Percone has a bad reputation, one he cultivated himself. He is a constant companion of mine and has been since I was born.���
���You know this Percone?��� Her father asked.
���Yes, unfortunately. Eli says he can’t be trusted.��� Julie said.
���Eli is this Doctor who has been helping you, correct? He tried to save you. I would like to meet him.��� Trevor said.
Earth Blend Page 12
