Page 56 of Finding the Forward: Part One
It wasn’t that I didn’t trust him. I’d just grown up guarding my research. Partly because the parents had taught me about avoiding sabotage, and partially because I didn’t like them making fun of mysilly flowers.
“Oh, I know.” Spencer looked toward the other part of the greenhouse. “But what did you find that you’re saving for later?”
I gave him awhat, me?look, tilting my head a little as I leaned on my crutch.
Spencer admired one of my blooms. “Do you know any of the Greek myths behind these flowers?”
Oh yes, he knew exactly what I was doing. Then again, he used to be in pharmaceuticals. Also, he was Greek and knew a lot of myths–and was well aware of the time I spent studying abroad in Greece in undergrad.
“Lilies are under the domain of Hera, goddess of marriage and family. These specific lilies were a marriage gift to the omega daughter of a Greek king. That's why we know them colloquially asomega lilies,” I replied. Hera was one of several goddesses that favored omegas in Greek mythology.
His tanned hand combed his dark hair as he nodded. “Do you know any others?”
Oh, he knew. He’d probably been sitting on this question for some time, too.
“I know a few. One I find particularly fascinating was that once there was a great alpha war on an island off the coast of Greece over something silly. The omegas and betas of the isle tired of it. None of the other gods listened, so they prayed to Hera out of desperation. Hera was already annoyed at alphas in general. So, she turned their battlefield into a field of flowers so intoxicating that the alphas fell asleep. The beta and omega spouses made their own truce for the sake of dinner and family, then dragged their alphas back home and tied them to chairs at the dinner table. When the alphas woke up, they were informed their war was over since it was time for dinner. The flowers continued to grow in that field, and people on the island always filled their homes with them to keep the alphas peaceful and their island free of war,” I told him as I took my tablet out of my bag and started making my daily notations.
“That island is still full of wild omega lilies. I visited there many times as a boy,” he told me.
“The best family vacation I ever had was when a university brought Baba out to Greece for an entire month one summer. Mama, me, and little Dare got to go with him. Chance wasn’t born yet. It was back when he was still a professor, before he went into the private sector,” I moved to the closed shelf of lilies.
It had been a fun trip, even though I’d missed Creed terribly.
“One day we had a picnic in a field of lilies on an island. I fell in love with the smell. That’s where I first heard the story about the battle. We were all in the best mood. The next day I bought some at the flower market. When we left, the student who told me the story gave me a bunch of bulbs and taught me how to grow them.” I gestured to my greenhouse. “Now look where I am.”
Grace put a hand to her heart. “That is the best story. I didn’t realize that was how you got interested in plants.”
“That was when I became interested in manipulating very specific properties in plants,” I replied, moving to another row oflilies. I’d been interested in plants all my life. Mama always loved growing herbs and vegetables.
I continued with my notations. “Therecouldbe some unusual properties to research beyond my current interests.”
Ultimately, I was interested in genetic engineering the specific alpha-subduing properties of the lilies.
“Indeed. Are you considering pharmaceutical applications?” Spencer asked.
I moved to another bank of flowers. “My immediate interests for the second lean more towards... aromatherapy.”
While I’m sure medicinal applications existed, I simply wanted a way to make households and public spaces a little more harmonious
Watching Grace’s face as she worked it out was priceless.
She beamed at me. “Oh. That’s my little sister. Though the potential ramifications.”
“Yes.” It made my chest tighten. Because the alpha-subduing properties absolutely could be weaponized.
But I’d take her pride. After a lifetime of having to earn the parents’ love, and often failing, I adored that she gave it to me so freely.
“That’s unexpected. I was thinking more... pharmaceutical,” he told me. “Who knows about this? Is your research promised elsewhere?”
“You. Creed. Dad or Dr. Winters may have guessed that there are other properties that I’m researching. I own my research. I’ve been careful about that. But I’m not ready for external funding.” Elation at Spencer’s interest in my work shot through me.
My research belonged to me. But I couldn’t just promise it to him or take his funding. I had university rules to navigate.
“I understand that you might have a specific vision, but I’d very much like to be considered first, whether it’s for external funding or your employment,” he told me.
“Of course. I’m honored. I won’t graduate for a while. But...” I was a little torn given the opportunities it represented, but I had to be honest with him. “I know we haven’t been together very long, but if things go well with Grif, I might not want to leave New York.” I looked at Grace. “Is it silly to be thinking of this so soon?”
“No, it’s not silly at all. Sometimes you justknow.I’m so happy for you. I hope it turns out exactly how you want,” she assured.
