"There's a lot of that going around. I came all alone tonight and I'm leaving with at least a girl on each arm. I'm feeling pretty good."
"Cliff, I like you. Ah. No, this won't do. Too drab for tonight. She needs something special."
"Lane, what are you going to do?"
"Just watch, Clete."
"Hand her the tickets, guys. This we want to see. Dutch!"
Dutch turned from aiding young ladies with coats and Clete nodded toward Lane. They watched as he reached her, looked at her, looked at the coat, back at her and shook his head. He tossed the coat in the air. There was a flash of light and a full-length, snowy-white satin cape dropped onto his arm. When he lifted it to drape around her shoulders, the way the light glinted from it identified it as Carenna Satin. She laughed and kissed him.
Clete laughed when Cliff said he thought he'd keep learning from him because he was too awed to ask Lane questions. When he turned, the two girls from the coat room were standing behind him, still holding the tickets.
"Lane! Two more for supper!"
"Done!"
"Do you mean... us?"
"I most certainly do. You're almost done here. You've worked hard all evening to help make this night special and raise funds for your organization. You definitely deserve supper."
"Yes! I mean thanks. Come on, Jen. Let's get these coats."
They were nearly the last to leave. Lane and Sabbi led the way. They were followed by a large group of happy girls carrying roses. Amidst the girls were five near ecstatic boys, Dutch and Clete. Tres Jacque was awaiting them. The maitre d' bowed to them.
"The queen's party has arrived!"
Suddenly every waiter and busperson was aiding with coats. The maitre d' led them to the center of the restaurant and bowed deeply. Lane removed Sabbi's cape and handed it to him. He pulled a chair out for her and every other girl found herself with a chair held for her. They were all seated and handed menus. Everyone but the maitre d' vanished.
"May I suggest?"
"That would be most kind."
Sabbi was having a wonderful time. She knew Lane had set everything up. The kitchen would even know what to prepare. She listened in near rapture to the delights Lane had chosen as the maitre d' named them. Mouths dropped open around the table when she nodded.
"Yes, I think that would be suitable, but do see if anyone prefers something lighter."
"Ladies, gentlemen, do you prefer something other?"
Dutch grinned at Clete and folded his menu. Lane was flying and neither of them was firmly on the ground.
"No, I believe the queen has spoken for us all. Thank you, Milady."
"Very well. It will be but a few moments."
As soon as he'd left, Sabbi burst into giggles.
"Oh, Lane, what a meal. They don't even serve half the things he named."
"They do tonight. Well, at least at this table."
"That's another thing. A table for twenty-seven?"
"I had them build it. The U shape was the most efficient use of space. Kept us all close enough to chat."
The feast started arriving in minutes. It was wonderful. The chef came out and thanked them for allowing her to prepare such a wonderful menu. Sabbi said they thanked her for preparing it superbly. When the evening ended, each coat was held for the right person. No bill was presented.
Cliff worried privately to Clete about it. He reassured him everything, including very generous tips, had been arranged. Cliff nodded.
"A master."
"Lane, we're going to see the ladies home. We'll see you shortly."
"I doubt that, Clete. Have a nice swim."
Dutch and Clete both burst into laughter. When asked what they were laughing about, they just shook their heads and grinned.
They escorted the girls to dorms and co-op houses and said goodnight to the boys. Clete and Dutch looked at each other and laughed. They ran back to Melissa. They were going for a swim. It was a very long one, but Clete was very happily fixing breakfast when Sabbi walked into the kitchen rather early the next morning.
"Hi. Mmm, smells good."
"Good morning, Sabbi. Breakfast in about five. Coffee's ready."
"Why do you cook?"
"What?"
"I mean, you have a food synthesizer, but you don't use it much. You prepare most of your own meals. Why?"
"Well, I suppose because we enjoy doing it. We use the synth if we're in a hurry. Or if Dutch cooks. Most of the things we cook come from it. Maybe it just seems too easy."
"I think part of it is you're olfactory oriented."
"What?"
"The smell of cooking food makes you hungrier, more appreciative. Makes a home more homey. Do you remember the smells of your boyhood?"
"Oh, yes. Prairie grasses on a hot summer day, spring rain, a wood fire, my mother's skin when she gave me a hug."
"Lane's the same way. Real roses, because replicated ones don't smell fresh. Tells me every ocean smells different. Recognizes places by smell. Dutch too?"
"Dutch too what?"
"Oh, hi, Dutch. Recognize places by their smell."
"Maybe not smell so much as a... gestalt of things. Light, sound, the feel of the air, the smell and taste. I guess smell plays a very big part in it. Why?"
"It all started when she asked me why we cooked instead of using the synth."
"Sabbi, I think you've hit something. I grew up in space. Starships and space stations. Clete and Lane didn't. I suppose I notice all the things I mentioned because my environment was so controlled. I collect clothes made of real materials when we go into the past because I like the way they feel on my skin. And, as for the cooking, a synthesizer doesn't make my mouth water the way Clete and Lane's cooking does. That looks great, Clete."
"Simple and fast, but sometimes bacon and eggs are just perfect. Enjoy. Where's Lane, Sabbi?"
"I'm not quite sure. He handed me this dressing gown, gave me a kiss, and said to tell you he'd be here before his eggs got cold."
"I am. Ah, breakfast. I was looking for where we're going. Comparing star charts with my memories."
"Where are we going?"
"Tenepeth, Dutch. It's a beautiful place. Rich and green. Warm seas and beautiful beaches. Yellow sun and three moons. Earth-like without all the people."
"Just how many people is it without?"
"Don't worry. I'm not taking us anywhere totally uninhabited. You'll find playmates. Clete, this world will be very interesting for you. The people are empathic. Makes it a very peaceful place."
"I hate to mention this, Lane, but I have to get back to the university. I have classes tomorrow."
"Sabbi, this is a timeship. You could be gone years and make your next class. We're only going for three days. You won't forget your subjects. We're going to Tenepeth for a reason. About ten years before we'll arrive, a disease devastated the planet. Children under the age of about five weren't hit very hard. A mild fever and a quick recovery. Older kids had it quite a bit worse. About sixty percent of them died. The adults were decimated. I want you to see how they cared for all those children. Hundreds of them to four or five adults and thirty or so older kids."
"Oh, Lane, it's perfect! Yes, take me there."
"We're on our way. We'll be very welcome, especially Clete."
"Why me?"
"They're trying to rebuild their population. Ten months after we leave, the birth rate doubles."
"Wait a minute! I'm not responsible for that!"
"Not directly. Your presence just warms things up a bit. Look at it this way, at least you won't look like a prune from spending three days in the swimming pool."
Sabbi suddenly realized what he meant and blushed.
"I didn't think about... I forgot... I just--"
"Sabbi, we don't think about it either. Lane's spent a lot of time in that pool. Lots more than three days. Dutch and I are very happy for you two. Love is a wonderful thing to be near. You're family. You've become a piece of what makes us wh
at we are. A part of the love."
"Clete's right. You belong with Lane. We both feel it. I'd be absolutely ecstatic about it if it weren't for one thing. Clete's so damn happy about it my teeth are rattling!"
"Rattling? Oh, that's right. You've said that before."
"Happens every time things get really nice. We're not even sure exactly what it is he's doing. He doesn't seem to be able to control it. It bothers Dutch more than it does me. I find it a mild distraction, but it drives Dutch crazy."
"It's like... Have you ever rested your head against a cat when it's purring?"
"Hmm, yes, but it didn't rattle my teeth, Dutch."
"Imagine what it would have been like if the cat was Clete's size."
"Oh, my."
"Yes, oh my. You're extremely welcome here, Sabbi. The proof is in my head. I'd be walking on air if Clete would just stop purring!"
"Dutch, I'd stop if I could. You know I don't know I'm doing it. It just happens."
Sabbi looked at the three of them. Dutch looked disgusted. Clete looked chagrined. Lane was wearing a wide grin. She burst into laughter. They were family and she was part of it. She wondered if she was purring too.
Lane suggested they give her a martial arts lesson. She had been working quite hard and it showed. Clete was delighted with the progress she'd made. One day she'd be very good. Lane told them they'd be landing shortly after lunch and he and Sabbi would prepare it. Sabbi decided she liked to cook, but wasn't fond of doing dishes.
"We've landed. Come on, Sabbi. Let's go look around. This is one of the havens the people built for the children. It's still in use, but most of the kids are in their teens. Don't be surprised by young-looking pregnant girls. They're watched over carefully. There's a real gap between generations. A lot of young teenagers, but very few kids between two and nine. Remember, there are a hundred empty cities out there and every child is needed."
"All right, Lane. I'll remember. Oh! It's beautiful!"
The sun seemed to shine softly on low, tree-shaded, buildings of a soft tan color. Bright-colored playground equipment dotted large grassy lawns. There were clusters of buildings scattered across a huge area. Each cluster enclosed a play area for very small children. Lane led her to a cluster where happy toddlers played. They introduced themselves to two girls, who looked about fifteen, who were watching the children and one of them called for someone to show them their home.
Each building was designed to house about a dozen young children and one or two young adults. Rooms were large and comfortable. Bedrooms were shared by two or three children of the same sex, but not quite the same age. Oldest being furthest from the adults, youngest closest. There were playrooms and study rooms, dining rooms and kitchens. Three small rooms puzzled Sabbi until she learned they were included so there were places children could go to be alone.
One room was called the "thinking room." It was furnished simply and had nice windows, but no toys or other forms of entertainment. She learned it was where children were taken when they had badly misbehaved. It was a place to think things over. One young boy was sitting by a window and looking out. The girl guiding their tour asked him if he'd thought about why he was there. When he told her he had, she gave him a hug and sent him out to play. Sabbi was impressed with the affection that was obvious. Each building was a real home, warm and nurturing.
"Lane, I want to do this. Even on my very-civilized world, there are people who have children and really don't want them. They think they do, but find out later they didn't. I want to make a place they're wanted."
"You will, Sabbi. We'll help. I'll help. Clete will be a wonder with the kids and Dutch will be everyone's favorite uncle. You'll find others who have enough love to give it to lots of children. You're going to be Mom to dozens of wonderful people and I'm going to love being called 'Daddy.' Come on, let's find a place by ourselves. I want to tell you a story about a very special child and how he came to be. We need to get a ways away from Clete. This is the best place to tell you. The people here will help him deal with your sadness."
"Lane, he is sad, isn't he? Somewhere inside he's been terribly hurt. He has too much depth not to have known great pain."
"Sabbi, you will always amaze me. You care so deeply about others. Clete's caring is easy for me to understand. He feels other's feelings. Yours is a wonder to me and always will be. You work to know how others feel. Your love is boundless. I'm going to bask in it and wonder at it all our lives together."
"Hi, you headed for the beach?"
"No, Dutch, a walk through the forest. Find Clete. Find some people for him to be around. I'm going to tell Sabbi about Helen."
"Give me a few minutes to find him and meet some people. I saw a group of young women sitting on the beach. I'll take him there, then make myself scarce."
"Find yourself some company too, Dutch. Clete's pretty attuned to Sabbi right now. It'll hit you hard too."
"Yeah. Later."
"Why is Clete attuned to me?"
"Catnip "
"What!?"
"Having you around makes us all happy. Your presence makes him purr."
"Because of you."
"Some, but a lot of it's you. You radiate warmth and caring. It delights him. I'm going to tell you how much."
Dutch 'tracked' Clete and moved fast. He wanted to find him before he started hunting for them to find out what was wrong.
"Come on, Clete."
"Where to, Dutch?"
"Down the beach a ways. You're about to make some friends. Lane sent me."
"Oh. All right."
"I'm going to take you where you're going and take off. I have some friends of my own to make."
"This is all rather mysterious."
"Yeah, I know."
"Dutch, you're hurting."
"Yeah. A bit. I'm going to find somebody to help make it go away. You've stopped purring. First time I was ever sorry my teeth weren't rattling. There are your friends. Later."
"Hello, I'm Talla. What has you puzzled and worried?"
"My brother. He just led me here and said make friends. He's hurting and didn't tell me why. My other brother is sad too. NO! Not... Oh, Lane, I'm not ready."
"Peli! Tiva! Help me! Oh, such pain! Such sadness. His loss is too great. Help me comfort him."
They cradled him and cried with him. They shared the story that had pained Sabbi so deeply. They held Clete as Lane held Sabbi, helping ease the pain by sharing it. Dutch hadn't been so lucky. Two girls found him curled on the ground crying.
"Please, let us help you."
"It'll pass. I'll be all right. I'm sorry. I know I'm hurting you."
"Yes, you are hurting us. Stop being foolish and let us help us all feel better. Lethe, what shall we do with him?"
"Make him forget about it, Dida. We know how."
"Yes. Oh! I've shocked him. That wasn't what I had in mind at all."
"You're children!"
"No. Not on this world. We know the way it was. It must be different now. Come on, Lethe. He'll get over the silliness. Tell us your name."
"Dutch. Stop! You don't know what you're doing!"
"Oh, Dutch! We know exactly what we're doing. Lethe, he's beautiful."
"All right, I believe you! You know what you're doing. Now, stop it!"
"Dida, kiss him, then he'll stop shouting. Oh! That's better. His mind is still protesting, but his body is most definitely not."
Dutch surrendered. He didn't really have a choice in the matter. The two empaths felt his response to every touch, each caress. He moaned as Lane's passion suddenly burned through the link he had with his brothers. When Clete caught fire, he was lost. Suddenly, there were more of them. Dozens of them. Touching him. Loving him. He knew when Clete loosed the tight hold he kept on his passion. The world caught fire. The moons were rising when he began to think coherently. He was surrounded by children.
"Stop that! You're embarrassed. Just stop it! No one of us is a child. Children don't respond. You're on
our world. We'll show you again we're not children."
Dutch started to laugh. He was used to the intimacy of sharing his brothers' passion. Lane had landed him on a world where all shared that intimacy. He was trying to impose his values in a place they just didn't work. The age of adulthood was different. There was no struggling with misunderstood feelings. No fears of being different or unliked. No loneliness. No frightening adolescence. It was still a struggle not think of those around him as children, but his reason told him they were adults. There didn't seem to be any nudity taboos either.
"Ooh, your skin is so white in the moonslight. And so soft. Especially, here... and here. You're shocked again. You're just going to have to get over that. I'm Teli and I just won't stand for it. I'm going to stop it right now."
"Teli! Leave him alone. There are lots of silly taboos where he comes from and you're breaking dozens of them. You're being mean! This is more than cultural. He just doesn't want you. He's totally hetero. You aren't going to change it."
"You're right, Dida. I'm sorry, Dutch. I wasn't paying attention to what you were really feeling. You're just so beautiful, I got carried away. I hope we can be friends. All right! I'm forgiven. Too bad though, I'd really--"
"Teli!"
"Yeah, yeah. Behave myself. I'm going for a swim. Anybody else?"
"We'll all go. Come on, Dutch. Teli will be good. I promise. If not, I'll get mad."
"Oh, I'll be good. The last time Dida got mad at me, my head rang for a fiveday. I felt singed for twenty. Half my friends wouldn't talk to me. When Dida gets mad, everbody gets singed."
"I've got a brother like that."
"We noticed your brother. Everyone on the planet noticed your brother. We're still noticing him. What is he doing? My teeth feel... "
"Like they're rattling. Yeah, I know. Do you know what a cat is, Dida? Do you have an animal... How do I explain it? It's just Clete. He's content. He's purring. It drives me crazy!"
They laughed and pulled him toward the sea. He looked around for things, but couldn't find them. He gave it up as hopeless. When on Tenepeth... He hadn't been skinny-dipping in a warm sea in a long time.
Choice of the Gallant_Paradox Equation I Page 25
