by Kimber An
Around the corner of her door, Olivia listened to her daughter prattle.
Junior carried on and on and leapt up and spun around and knocked over a picture with a swoop of her hand, screamed, and rushed to put it back, all without pausing to breathe between prattles.
Oh, Edward, how much you’ve missed. Something akin to guilt pierced her heart, but she quickly dispelled it with the knowledge her daughter’s safety was paramount. That’s when she noticed the prattling and crashing about had stopped.
Whimpering replaced it, growing into cries, and then into sobs.
Olivia leaned back out the doorway.
Their daughter sat, sobbing into her hands, the image of her father’s sword on the computer beside her.
“Junior?” Olivia went to her. “What’s wrong?” Oh, God, when can I get her back on medication?
“It’s mine.” Junior trembled, collapsing on her mother’s shoulder and holding on tight. “I want it back.”
“What? The sword?” Olivia eyed Edward’s sword.
“They took him away. I want him back.”
Olivia gripped her shoulders and studied her red face, wet with tears. “What did you say?” She observed the pouty, quivering lips. “Him?”
“I want it back.” Junior looked at the sword. “It’s mine.”
Releasing a long breath, Olivia hugged her daughter and forced herself to exhale. “Only a few more hours and you’ll be on your new meds and everything will be all right.”
Accordingly, the next morning before school Junior lay down on a medical bed and Dr. Williams’ hand came to rest on her shoulder. She could feel the drugs flowing through her veins and she hated them. It wasn’t fair. Why can’t I think straight without them? Why was I born like this?
“You all right, Honey?” Karana Williams rubbed her shoulder.
“Fine.”
Karana gave her a pat and joined Isaiah in his office. “Done. She’ll have to keep up with the behavior modification. I don’t want her on any higher dosage. This is new to her system and its best if she learns to live with it.”
“What about the telepathy?”
Karana leaned on the desk and gave Junior an encouraging smile over her shoulder. “Some humans have headaches around telepaths.”
“Olivia’s the only the one I know who does.”
“It’s genetic. You told me how intuitive Olivia is. That’s one step down from empathic ability. Sure, it’s extremely rare in humans, but take a look at this.” Karana walked around and settled into the chair. She tapped on the computer controls. “Check out Junior’s DNA here.” She waved a finger. “Here’s her maternal DNA. See that gene there? Now, look at that gene here in her baby records.”
“It was recessive. Now, it’s dominant.” Isaiah leaned over her. “Are you saying Junior’s empathic?”
“Maybe. I’m guessing something in her paternal DNA triggered this gene as she matured, but I’m just guessing. The ADHD aggravates or is aggravated by it. I can’t tell which.” Karana leaned on her hand. “It sure would be nice to run a full scan on the father.”
“Yeah, sure would.” Isaiah heaved a troubled breath and glanced at her. “So, what gives Olivia a headache causes Junior neural trauma.”
“The good news is she’s adapting.” Karana tapped off the computer and pushed out from the desk. “I realize after the hell she just went through, it may not seem like it.”
“She’ll grow out of it?”
“Or grow accustomed to it. Without her father, it’s difficult to make an educated guess what she’ll be like as an adult.” Karana stood and walked past. “As a young adolescent, Junior’s brain is still maturing. And, remember, she’s about three years behind girls her age in brain development. She’s laying down new neural pathways all the time.”
Dad didn’t have ADHD. Junior frowned and rolled her head over on the pillow. And his medical record is on file. She stared at the white wall, ignoring the flickering computer lights all around her. Without meds, those same lights would’ve driven her batty. Already, thoughts found their proper places in her head. Math test on Tuesday, babysit for the Wu-Cheng family on Thursday, don’t forget to feed Ret’s Neboan Fish-Eating Plant on Saturday because his bubby be visiting from Queens, New York and she’s very strict about observing the Sabbath.
Nevertheless, it all felt wrong somehow.
“How do you feel?” Karana patted her shoulder again and drew a micro-scanner near on the swing-arm.
Alone. Junior hugged the pillow to her chest and rolled onto her side, facing away. Something was gone, as if suddenly snuffed out or…
Silenced.
Tears fell hot on her cheeks. “Fine. Can I leave now?”
The following months passed slowly for her, like running a marathon through deep mud in a cold rain. Her grades improved and there were no more food fights, but she dropped out of martial arts training completely.
Chapter 4
BENNUVIAN NEW YEAR 2297
Sitting cross-legged on the preschool room floor, Junior welcomed the little black-haired girl into her lap.
“Read it again, Miss Junior!” The little girl thumped her book and whipped open the covers. “Sing it like last time.”
A little boy across the room overheard. “Miss Junior’s singing a book!”
Instantly, a herd of squealing two, three, and four year old children stampeded over her. One leapt onto her back and dangled a purple tentacle around her neck.
Junior pulled on the tentacle, gasping for air. “Kelsa, retract please.”
“Sorry, Miss Junior.” Kelsa retracted her tentacle and wrapped her other one around her chest.
“I had Miss Junior’s lap first!” The black-haired girl shoved a boy away. Being part Altarian, adorable freckles dotted up the center of her forehead and encircled her dark brown eyes. “Sing the coffee pot song, Miss Junior, like last time.”
“All right, but I’ll need my arms to do the motions.” Tucking a hand to her hip and sticking the other one out, Junior sang:
“’I’m a little coffee pot,
Short and stout,
Here is my handle, here is my spout.
When I get all steamed up,
Here me shout…’”
“Do it, Miss Junior! Do it!” Kelsa’s tentacles flew out.
“I need to breathe.” Junior peeled a tentacle from her neck again. She held her fist up and all the children did too. And, altogether, they pounded out the last line.
“’…Give me coffee or I will pout!’”
The children rolled off and fell over, laughing themselves silly.
Junior pulled up on the back of the teacher’s chair. “I really have to go now or I’ll be late for my own school.”
“Noooo!” Kelsa leapt back onto her, wrapping both tentacles around.
Junior was certain the little girl looked like a backpack.
Thankfully, the teacher noticed her plight and peeled Kelsa off. “Who knows the date today?”
The little boy chimed, “July 1st, 2297!”
“Excellent, Elijah. Junior’s birthday. Let’s sing to her and then she has to go.”
“’Happy birthday to you…’”
Junior smiled, misty-eyed in their sweetness. She loved little children so much, even more than music. One day she would sing for her very own babies. When the song completed, she waved amidst cheers and exited for the lift.
***
Dreamtime
Ariez stood with eyes closed, breathing in the purity of her maternal nature. So strong. She nurtured him across lightyears.
“Please, come to me.” He clenched fists and willed patience. Minutes passed and then he felt her presence. He opened eyes.
She sunk into the moss and fallen leaves nearby, disoriented. “What…wh…”
Ariez fell into the dark green ferns with her and pulled her into his arms, clutching her tight. “We did it. You have returned.”
“Where…where am…” She looked around, dis
oriented.
“Look at me.” He brushed red curls from her nose. “You know my voice.”
She looked. “Ariez?” She wrapped arms around him and pressed cheek to his neck. “What happened? It feels as if it’s been a lifetime since I’ve seen you.” She clung to him as though he might vanish beneath her fingertips.
“I do not know. It must have been the accident. But…” he took chin in hand and beheld her gaze “…you have adapted…again. You always adapt. You always return to me.”
A gentle smile parted her lips. “I love you.”
“And I love you.” Ariez kissed her lips, her nose. “Listen to me. You must remember what I am about to tell you when you wake. The Maverick has arrived at Kalpuna Chowla Station. I will arrive tomorrow. It is imperative you remember me and come with me at once.”
She searched his face. “Why?”
“I will not appear as I do here. I will be disguised as an old human male. You will know me because of our connection here.”
She tilted her head. “If I come with you, I’ll have to leave my home.”
“Your mother is coming with us. She is revered among my people.”
“Your people? But, what about my…” She vanished.
“No!” Ariez grabbed the grass beneath where she had been in his arms.
***
Waking Moments.
Junior woke when the lift door opened. Dizzy, she grabbed the rail and hauled herself up. She peered out the open door. How she’d gotten into the lift, she could not remember.
Everyone was so relieved the medication kept her at normal human speed and Mom, Isaiah, and Sachi were so proud she was doing better in school. She’d just die if they all found out about the dizzy spells.
Jose exited the science room and approached. “Hey, Junior. You all right?” Curly brown hair, big, brown eyes – he looked like he could be her father’s brother, but he was just an honorary uncle like the rest.
“Huh? Oh, probably drank real milk for breakfast instead of soy again.” My allergies are always a good excuse.
Jose laughed, entering the lift as she exited. “Well, if you break out, we can start calling you ‘Spot.’”
The door closed and her fake smile vanished. She knew Jose didn’t mean to be unkind. Still, some tears threatened her eyelashes.
Junior hesitated a meter from the school room door and drew a deep breath. Before taking a step, her mother walked out. “Oh, Mom! I’m sorry I’m late! It was my morning with the preschoolers and they…”
“Shhh, it’s all right.” Olivia nodded to her teacher through the school room door. “Today’s your birthday. Remember? No school. We’re going shopping on Kalpuna Chowla Station.”
“Kalpuna Chowla Station?” Junior froze.
“Is something wrong?”
“No.” Junior leaned over and waved to Ret and Rehama still stuck in their computer desks. Maybe we should go tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? Why?”
“I don’t know.” Junior shrugged.
“Well, we can go again tomorrow if you like. We have three day shore leave here.”
Rehama raised her hand and received a nod from the teacher. Beaming, she rushed from her desk, out the door, and dragged Junior into the corner.
Her mother smiled, knowingly, and pretended not to notice.
“Well?” Rehama shook gripped hands with her.
“Well, what?”
“Did he call?”
Junior studied her best friend’s face for some indication what she was talking about. The meds made it all so cloudy. “Um, who?”
“What do you mean, ‘who?’ Jakoby! Your boyfriend!”
Junior glanced at her mother. Jakoby? She’d finally learned the hard way, of course, to keep her mouth shut when people asked her questions for which there seemed to be an obvious answer.
“She’s just a little embarrassed.” Her mother walked over and draped an arm around her waist. “His birthday card was so sweet.”
“Um, can I watch it one more time?” Junior tried to be bright. Got to refresh.
“Over here.” Olivia led them to a computer face. “Stella, replay Happy-Birthday-Gennie…”
Gennie! Relief flooded Junior’s heart. I knew someone called me by that name!
“…Love-Jakoby.”
“Oooh, love,” said Rehama, giggling and squeezing her hands.
The computer screen filled with the image of a boy, warm brown skin, dimpled smile, enormous brown eyes.
“He’s so cute!” Junior felt her ears heat up. And she remembered Jakoby once more.
Jakoby broke into song. “’Sixteen candles makes a lovely light…’” He knew how much she loved ancient love songs. This one was first made famous by the Crests.
I remember. Junior drew in a deep breath and released.
An hour later Olivia walked along the promenade of the Kalpuna Chowla Space Station, arm hooked around Junior’s. Her stomach twisted into knots. The time had come. She couldn’t put it off any longer. She’s been doing so well these past few months, since she started the new medication.
Junior skittered around merchants’ stalls and darted in and out of shops. She emerged from one shop with a creature which looked like a cross between a white Persian kitten and a flying squirrel. “Oh, Mom, isn’t she cute? Let’s call her Fluffy!”
“Oh, no, no, no…” Olivia shook her head. “I don’t like cats.”
“Pleeease!” Junior begged with those green puppy dog eyes.
“No. Remember who ended up feeding your Nebo Fish-Eating Plant?”
“I didn’t know it ate real, live fish!”
“You had a hysterical crying fit and passed out.” Olivia failed to block fast enough when the Freyan Flying Feline leapt into her hair and curled up on her shoulder. “You gave it to Ret.”
“Oh, she likes you, Mom!”
Olivia gave a soft groan. “I think she’s frightened and knows I’m the mother here. She’s still a kitten.” Maybe a new pet would soften what she had to tell her daughter. “All right.” She handed Fluffy back. “But, it’s your responsibility. You clean up after it. You feed it. Understand?”
Junior grinned.
Fluffy jumped right back into Olivia’s hair and snuggled about the base of her neck, tail hanging over her shoulder. Olivia sighed in resignation. Damn those green puppy dog eyes. They’ve gotten me into more trouble.
And on they walked, daughter prattling. “Didn’t I have a Gawainian Hopper once? I can’t remember much about him, except he shed all over the place and you called him a rat. Oh! And remember Hank the Tank, my holographic Anklyosaur? He…”
We’ll stop for Neboan chocolate fluff. Then, I’ll tell her. Olivia tucked a stray auburn lock behind her ear and Fluffy shoved it right back out. She didn’t often wear her hair down because it always got in the way. Yet, she couldn’t bear to cut it either. This made her feel stupid, because it was Edward who liked it long.
“Oh, there’s a jeweler!” Junior grabbed her arm and dragged her that way.
Olivia remembered being embarrassed to be seen with her own mother at age sixteen, and was delighted to realize Junior had no such inhibition. In fact, very little inhibited Junior - she loved everything and everybody.
Isaiah had advised her to be thankful for the bubbles and sunshine. And he had been right. As always. He had also said if Junior knew her birthfather was hyperactive and had big feet too, she wouldn’t feel like such a freak.
Olivia watched her studying the necklaces, some imported from Earth and some from the various worlds in Earth’s coalition. She hated shopping, but Junior loved pretty little things and it was her birthday. How am I supposed to tell her the man who sired her betrayed his oath to the United Fleet at the cost of hundreds of lives and is now an evil warlord in the Menelaen Empire, sworn enemy of the Earth-Intari Alliance?
Junior pointed to a gold heart-shaped locket. “I want this one.”
Olivia fingered the locket and examined the back.
“It has a holographic emitter with enough memory for a family portrait.” She addressed the human-looking shopkeeper. “We’ll take it.”
“Please,” said the brunette, violet eyes shining at Junior. She held open her hand towards the locket. “Please, Holiness, accept the necklace as a gift. It would be an honor unequaled in my lifetime.”
Holiness? Olivia cinched brows together.
“Huh?” Junior took the necklace into her fingers. “Um, can I, Mom?”
“Uh…” Olivia studied the shopkeeper’s earnest expression. “No, Junior. I’m sorry. It would violate United Fleet regulations regarding officers and their families accepting gifts from non-fleet individuals and organizations.” She pulled out her credit chip and slid it across the counter to the shopkeeper. “We appreciate the sentiment, however.”
“As you say, so shall it be,” said the shopkeeper with a quick bow at the neck.
Olivia took the necklace and unfastened the clasp.
“Do you think I should put Dad’s picture in it too, or just you, me, and Isaiah and Sachi?”
Olivia fastened the necklace around her daughter’s neck and noticed the gold Celtic wedding rings already dangling from a chain there, a fourteenth birthday present. She’d told her the rings were her grandmother’s, but she’d never told her which grandmother or that she’d once worn them too. I’ve put this off far too long. “Let’s…” deep breath “…talk about it.” Latching onto her arm, she guided her away.
All around them, fellow shoppers of every shape and color passed one another or strolled along together, a few of the winged ones flew across the cathedral-like ceiling.
“Do you still think about Daddy?” Olivia found a small round table for them in the food court.
“Well, the truth is, I really don’t think about him as much as I did a year ago. Is that bad?” Junior sat in her chair and eyed the chocolate fluff being served to the customers at the next table.
“No. It’s not bad. It’s healthy. It means you’re processing the grief.” Olivia held up two fingers for the waiter and he nodded. “I always bury my feelings in my stomach.”