Page 37 of Sky Song
“Why should it matter? You’re their daughter.”
“Emma.”
“I go by Cricket, actually.”
“Funny. Cricket. I always felt Emma was too stuffy. Well, thank you, Cricket, for opening your mind to me more than my own family.” Paloma’s voice broke over the last word.
Cricket tentatively reached out and lightly took her by the hand. “I’m sorry.”
Paloma clutched the offered hand tightly. “It was bound to happen. In retrospect, they lasted longer than is normal for them to tolerate.”
“But what about you?”
“Me? I won’t go to any more ofmaman’sprofessional anniversaries. That sure as hell is a bonus. Honestly, I wishmamanhad a little girl that would be able to appreciate those galas more than I ever did.”
Cricket frowned, not sure she grasped Paloma’s meaning. “Your mother is pregnant?”
Meeus restricted children to two per woman. Three in very rare cases. It didn’t have to be biological children, but only two were allowed to a mother to maintain a stable population level. Since Paloma’smamanalready had two to her name… “Does renouncing an existing child open up an option of having a new one?”
“You wish, right? Nope, it doesn’t.” Paloma shrugged and released Cricket’s hand. “You know there are women who never have children?”
“Sure. I’ve met plenty.” Salty was one. Kim didn’t have any kids, as far as Cricket knew.
Paloma nodded. “Those who don’t have any can choose to sign an official waiver giving up their rights in favor of another woman who wishes to have more than two.”
Comprehension dawned, and with it came sorrow and disgust. “Paloma, surely you don’t mean…”
“Only one.Mamanfelt I owed it to her, with the way things didn’t work out.”
“No.”
“It’s okay, Emma… Cricket. It’s not like I’ll ever have children, and they know that. But in an unlikely event I decide to procreate, I still have one to my name.”
“Your mother. How could she?” Cricket grasped for understanding that eluded her. She imagined, just for a second, Ruby making such a demand. Tossing her out like a trial version of a daughter in favor of a new, better one. The idea was as foreign as it was incomprehensible.
“Maman’s acting legacy is vitally important to her, and because of me, it’s been a sensitive topic for a long time. Like, the-third-rail-that-nobody-would-touch sensitive,” Paloma continued, detached, as if talking about some random lady on the news. “But finally, there’s a solution.Mamanis not young, so I understand a gestational carrier will be involved. They plan to invest in genetic tweaking to make sure the right personality is achieved. I can’t blame them.”
Cricket flopped back on the couch and stared at the soothing off-white ceiling, the product of a careful consideration by a well-trained interior designer. She couldn't wrap her head around this family’s casual cruelty, couldn't fathom the depth of some people’s selfishness. She turned and looked again at Paloma’s lovely face. Sure, she had flaws, but she was silly and funny and kind.
“I can’t believe it.”
Paloma gently touched Cricket’s arm, the first contact she’d initiated. “It’s okay, Cricket. Now, everyone’s free to live their lives the way they want. But I better get going to Atticus if I want to come back at a decent hour. Those little monsters will torture me in the morning.” She made scary faces, more relaxed and animated now though it still felt forced.
Chapter 7
Kim Creek missed work again.
When their shift was well underway, and it became obvious Kim wasn’t coming, the three of them got together.
Salty kicked off the discussion. “What’s this, another Don’t Go to Work day? We have overdue samples.”
“Do either of you have a way of contacting Kim?” Cricket asked.
“No, we aren’t friends,” Salty spat.
“Same here,” said Terrance. “And it’s not like Kim freely shared her personal information with people. That bitch is paranoid as hell.”
Cricket chewed her lip. “We should probably report it. It’s the policy.”
