Page 83 of Soros
“This is Soros. He’s Eidron just like Dad was.”
My mother’s jaw dropped. I didn’t blame her because ever since I was a teenager, I had refused to talk about my father or listen to all her sob-stories about how knowing him had cost her everything.
When she didn’t speak, I explained, “I never told you this but when I was sixteen, I was contacted by the Federation and now I work for them as an agent.”
My mom sat flabbergasted with a hand to her mouth.
“Yes. That time I told you that I went backpacking in South America, I was really living in the hybrid colonies. But it wasn’t for me.”
Blinking her eyes, my mom swallowed as if she was trying to take in what I said. “Really?”
“I couldn’t tell you, Mom, because you’re not very good at keeping secrets.”
“No one believed me,” she breathed. “All this time, you knew as well.”
“Yes. I’ve known since I was sixteen. I’ve even met Dad.”
“You did? When?”
“Years ago. They punished him for having an illegal affair with a human. Crossbreeding without a permit is prohibited so when I showed up, it cost him dearly.”
“How was he? Did he ask about me?”
“He was sad to hear that you had destroyed your career.”
“I didn’t destroy it. It was those around me who couldn’t handle reality. They pushed me out and treated me like a crazy person when I was always telling the truth.”
“I know, Mom.”
“I’m sorry about what happened to you,” Soros said with empathy in his tone.
“Thank you. Are you really Eidron?”
Soros sat straight up in the white crew chair with his fingers intertwined with mine. “Yes, I’m really Eidron. It was my work that took me to Earth where I met your daughter.”
“Where are you two now? It doesn’t look like Tania’s apartment in Los Angeles.”
“It’s not,” I said. “Soros and I are onboard a spaceship where we have friends. Unfortunately, the Federation has denied Soros the opportunity to live on Earth. That means we’ll be forced to move to Eidrona and start a new life there together.”
“But you won’t know anyone,” my mother pointed out with both edges of her mouth downturned.
“I have two friends called Star and Nerix who are coming to Eidrona as well and I’m hoping to make more friends soon.”
“But when will I see you then?” My mother’s eyes teared up.
“I don’t know, Mom. And I don’t know when I’ll have the opportunity to call you again. I just couldn’t leave without telling you what’s going on.”
She was crying now, and it broke my heart. Most of all, I was scared that the stress of losing her only daughter might make her go back to drinking. With fear in my heart and regret that I could have done more for her, I added, “I love you, Mom.”
Taking off her glasses and drying her eyes, my mother, who had been so happy a moment ago, cried, “I have to go, baby. This is too much for me.”
“Alright, I understand. But I’ll send you a message with some practical details. There are few personal items that I need you to get from my apartment.”
“Yes, send it to me and try to call me as soon as you can. I just need to digest the shock, sweetheart.”
“I get that it’s a lot,” I assured her before she got off the call.
Soros rubbed my back. “That must have been difficult,” he said softly.
