Page 11 of Half Blind

“Accidents with such toxins are common,” Micah said. “A simple break in the skin and the introduction of the toxin can end a life. This shall be my last request in asking what the materials will be used for, Doctor.”

The young woman in front of Micah Delgado shifted her feet. Helen and Jared both recognized the stance, she having learned it from Mr. Slow, and Jared as a soldier. Helen spoke up, “Please, Lemon, tell him how you plan to use the venom in your research against methamphetamine addiction.”

Micah's eyebrows arched. “You will use venom to aid in addiction care; please explain this process of thought.”

Lemon, the consummate high IQ nerd, didn't for one moment think the young man could understand the complexities of her research. She sighed in frustration at the imposition before providing what she felt was a layman’s understanding of what she was attempting to accomplish. She began with, “I have been using the venom of a cobra and a Gaboon viper to oxidize the barium and bromine in the compounds. Several years ago, a formula using rattlesnake venom was created to aid a patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis, but he'd developed an addiction to opiates. The treatment reduced his desire for the opiates. I am working to create an aerosol similar to Narcan for meth users.”

Micah listened to what she said then asked, “What stabilizers are you using to counteract the coagulation of the hemoglobin when it is introduced into the subject? Are you employing a synthetic congener of oxymorphone as an alkali base between the cardiotoxins?”

Everyone was now looking at the young man, Lemon began to smile. She had a new appreciation for the scientific mind which stood in front of her. He may have been young in years, but the response came from a seasoned researcher.

Lemon happily responded, “I am hoping, with the venoms I have used for the past five years to serve as a control group, that I can use the new venoms to test the strength of the theory as applicable to toxins in the same family?”

“Five years of data collection on the hemotoxins and neurotoxins; why the change?” Micah asked.

“The death of the specimens,” she said, looking over at Jared.

Before another word could be spoken, the oven dinged. Micah and the woman moved as one, shifting their bodies to face the sound, her stance more defensive, his more aware. This made Helen smile.

“Relax, it's only cake,” she said, “I need to take it out of the oven.”

She held her hands up as she moved toward the stove to remove the dessert that she promised the girls she'd make. Over her shoulder, she noticed the young woman watching her closely. Micah was as well.

“Is that thecake of the pounds?” He asked.

“If you’re asking if this is a pound cake, then yes, it is.” Helen replied, “This one is a citrus and sour cream. We plan to make ice cream to go with it. Are you planning to stay awhile? If so, when it cools, I shall happily slice you a piece.”

“Thoughtful,” Micah replied, suddenly alerted to a new sound. Moments earlier, he’d heard the arrival of the vehicle. From his vantage point of the window, he could see the arrival of two heads, but it was not clear who was coming to the home. Straining his ears for the sound of the voices as they approached, he learned they were potentially teenage girls. His attention turned to the sound of young voices, giggling and chattering away.

Ayanna and Bria had returned from the movies. Had she not been looking at Micah and the young lady, Myrtle would not have believed her eyes. In a flash, his hand went to his hair, shifting the style from a well put together man of business to a teen who didn't make an effort to look put together at all. The lightweight jacket he wore was off and tied around his waist and his posture of being a man of means eased into a teenager bored with the world.

The young woman, whose dark hair was pulled into a bun at the base of her neck, loosened the binding, allowing the mass of hair to hang freely now about her shoulders. The stare ofmove and I'll fuck you up,changed to a girl ready to meet her new besties as Ayanna and Bria entered the kitchen. They stopped short, seeing the two teens with Lemon.

“Hey,” Bria said. “I didn't know we were having company?”

The death stares the young man had provided earlier were replaced with a friendly, ooh look, cute girls gaze. The deep, heavy voice with the South American accent was replaced when he said, “I am Micah, and this is my friend Alita.” The newly provided Texas accent was delivered with perfection as he looked at Helen's approving face and provided a wink.

“Okay then,” Helen said, smiling.

Ayanna said, “A storm is brewing and will hit tonight about 7 o’clock and it’s going to be nasty. Are you guys planning to stay the night or at least for dinner?”

Alita spoke for the first time, “Hopefully! Your Auntie took outthat therepound cake and she did mention making ice cream. I'm all for that! A home cooked meal with potential new friends sounds like great evening!”

Micah asked, “The cake has my vote, but what is for dinner?”

He was a chameleon and intentionally changed characters in front of the teen girls. An evening with the two-delivery people would prove interesting since Micah had made an effort to fit in with teens, which meant he was more than likely around the same age.

Ayanna wanted to know, “Are you guys here interviewing to attend the University? Doc over there heads up the chemistry department and we sometimes get visiting scholars who come to the house. Are you guys visiting scholars?”

“No, we are doing some campus visits next week though,” Alita said, still seated in the Texas accent. “Miami University is sort of on the list, but the town, I dunno, seems a little too Americana if you know what I mean.”

“Girl, try living here,” Bria said as they laughed a little. “Are you guys staying the night?”

“If your mom says it's okay,” Alita said. “Sometimes, with just the two of us on the road, people want to try stuff, and it’s frightening. This seems likes a nice home that’s full of love.”

Neither girl corrected Alita on calling Lemon their mother, and neither did Lemon, who offered to allow them to spend the night, especially with a storm coming.

Keeping with the theme of kids being kids,Helen asked, “Any requests for dinner other than pizza?”

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