Page 151 of Maybe You

“I came from violence,” Sutton says tonelessly. “Like father, like son. There’s even a fucking proverb for it.”

Remy hums in response, eyes still on Sutton.

“Is that how it works?”

Sutton doesn’t have an answer, but Remy eyes him calmly.

“Well. In that case, I hope you have the talk with all those kids your organization helps,” Remy says.

Sutton stares back, uncomprehending.

“What does that have to do with anything?”

Remy gives an easy shrug. “I imagine someone needs to inform them about this principle. Frankly, the sooner, the better. So none of them will get any ideas.”

Sutton blinks. “Ideas?”

Remy waves carelessly. “About finding love or really any sort of happiness since they have that rotten genetics that’ll make it impossible for them.”

“I didn’t say anything about genetics,” Sutton protests.

“Oh?” Remy looks mildly interested now. “So you’re saying in nurture versus nature, you’re in the nurture camp? Although, I don’t think the distinction matters that much in this case. We all have genetics from our parents, and we learn lessons from them, don’t we? So, yes, you should probably make sure those kids know a life of solitude is what’s in store for them.”

“That’s not… It’s not the same thing!” Sutton says.

“Are you sure? Because I can draw some parallels.”

“This is…” Sutton licks his lips and tries to sort through his thoughts, which are mostly littered with outrage and indignation. “There’s nothing wrong with those kids!”

“So you say. Then again, should we really risk it? No, I really think it’d be better for them and everybody else if we isolated them.”

“Maybe we’ll just exile them to the high seas while we’re at it?” Sutton snaps.

“I wouldn’t have gone that far, but I have to admit the idea’s got potential.”

Sutton grips the edge of his desk so hard his knuckles turn white. He takes a deep, calming breath.

“I get what you’re doing, yeah? I get the point you’re trying to make.”

“Oh, good. I was starting to think you might be a bit dense.”

“Thank you,” Sutton says drily.

Remy gets up from his chair and sends him a long look.

“Your father already ruined your childhood. Don’t reward that by letting him ruin the rest of your life, too.”

With those words, he walks out the door.

And Sutton has no clue what to think or do anymore.

THIRTY-ONE

I sit.

And I wait.

Calmly.

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