Page 15 of Damian & Jun, Episodes 9-12
“You want to see dead people?” Damian asked Armada.
She chuckled. “I like Egypt. It says they have cat mummies.”
Howser made a rude noise and moved off. Damian shook his head. Hopefully this was just Howser’s insecurities showing, but he seemed to have a real disdain for Armada and the younger kids in general. The relationship between him and Betti wasn’t something Damian had yet been able to get a read on.
Hypatia and Matthew joined them two hours later when they were partway into the permanent exhibit on evolution and extinction. Howser’s attitude had let up in the face of the ancient and colossal. Armada read placards out loud to Rue and Kimbo. Jun and Damian took turns carrying Habibi. Matthew and Hypatia integrated themselves with the kids in a matter of minutes, giving Jun and Damian a chance to fall to the back of the pack. Jun had Habibi again.
“How are you doing?” Jun asked.
“I should be asking you. This isn’t what you signed up for.”
“Stuff it,” Jun snorted. “I thought we settled that. You didn’t sign up for this either.”
“I forgot that.”
“So, how are you doing?”
“I don’t think I’ve stopped to ask myself.”
Jun stepped closer, walking with his arms touching Damian’s. “I’m here.”
“Thank you.”
“So, Matthew is a Residency boy, too?”
“Yes, though he belongs to Hypatia now.”
“He’s really calm.”
Damian chuckled. “He is. Don’t let that make you think he won’t give it to you when you need to hear something.”
Jun chuckled. “So you’ve said.”
Hypatia and Armada were falling into step together. Jun nodded forward and Damian moved, taking over the two little kids to give the women a moment together.
They ate in the cafeteria on the first floor. By then, the kids were flagging. Rue had cried once, and even Betti was drooping. It was just late enough to check into the new hotel that had been arranged. This time, there was a suite of rooms with a kitchenette. Matthew and Hypatia offered to stay with the kids for the night. Damian checked with Armada, but she was enthusiastically in support. Cedric volunteered to be security for the night. Damian shuddered inside at the overtime they were probably racking up with the security detail. He made a note to check with Richard about the cost. All of that meant that he could head over to the office, though, and get in a few badly needed hours of work.
“Can I talk to you in the hall?” Hypatia said as they were getting ready to leave.
They stepped out together. Hypatia closed the door. “Armada has agreed to stay with me at my place to go through with the medical abortion pills. She’s going to need a few days without the kids. There’s not a lot of time left before she can’t have the less invasion option.”
“Do you think she’ll let Habibi go that long?”
“I’m working on it.”
“I’ll see about getting more help.”
“Damian.” Hypatia paused, then went on. “This is a lot to drop on anyone. Are you letting Richard support you? Not just emotionally but financially?”
“I don’t want to. This isn’t his problem. He’s already helping a lot with funding the lawyers for Jun and flying him back privately.”
Hypatia inclined her head in agreement. “We’re here for you. Whether or not you choose to continue to take this all on.”
Damian grimaced. “The longer this goes on, the harder it is to say no.”
Hypatia nodded, eyes soft. “I get it. We want to save everyone. Just remember that saving someone at the sacrifice of ourselves means that someone else loses you. I know The Residency has taught you how to be in community. Don’t forget it.”
“We don’t even know if the kids will be able to stay away from their mother.”
