Page 50 of Severed Heart
DELPHINE
EYEING MY BOTTLE, I opt out of uncapping it to continue to arrange my soldiers from where I stand at the end of the kitchen table. It’s when I do that I realize I’ve only sipped three-quarters of the pint tonight!
The low amount of drink encouraging me since I started mentoring Tyler—sometimes, forgetting to sip for the needed concentration. The anticipation of our matches often has me getting lost in strategy, distracted from the haze, and helps to keep my head above water.
The haze is always there but less stifling with Tyler’s lessons, forcing me to stay present and focused during our matches. Much like it did in the past when I hosted meetings or when I played with Ezekiel. Again, having something to look forward to.
Trying is working!
The excitement of my next match with Tyler has me situating my battalion carefully as the sliding glass door opens behind me.
“You have no chance tonight, private,” I warn through a laugh.
When I get no answer, I glance over to see Dom approaching before he tosses a small box onto the kitchen table, which knocks down a few of my soldiers. This earns him my glare. “I just spent an hour moving those soldiers into position.”
“Oops,” he mutters without apology as I eye the box.
“What is it?”
“Open it,” he says, “or rather,lookat the pretty picture like you so often do.”
His insult strikes where he intended, but I wave it off as I do the box.
“I don’t need this.”
“Everyone is or has switched to cell phones, Tatie,” he sighs with impatience. “It’s only a matter of time before landlines cease to exist.”
“Landlines you still use for your internet,” I point out, picking up my fallen soldiers.
“For now.” He shakes his head with impatience. “We’re years into the twenty-first century, and while I couldn’t give a fuck less if you want to remain in the stone age, this gift isn’t from me.”
“I’mtwenty-nine,” I snap, “far from the relic you accuse me of being.” I pick up the box, considering the gift. “From Ezekiel?”
“He wants us all wired and connected, so you at least need to learn the basics.”
“Fine,” I say, unpackaging the box before examining the cell phone in confusion. Dom sighs before flipping the screen.
“This is ... a keyboard, not a cell phone,” I tell him.
“Jesus. The board is meant for texting.” He points exaggeratedly to the large letters on the box. Embarrassment threatening, I blink at the words, doing my best not to move my mouth.
“It’s a Sidekick Two,” he enunciates as if I’m imbecilic, “the latest model.”
I can’t help but smile.
“What?” he demands, reading my pleased expression.
“That is what I called Ezekiel when he was a boy. My acolyte, err, sidekick. I wonder if he remembers and it’s why he got methismodel.”
“Doubt it. He bought us all the same one,” he supplies, eliminating that possibility.
Smile fading, I swallow that truth and nod. “Will you show me how to use it?”
“There’s an instruction book inside.”
“Is there a French translation—”
“Probably, but you can read English,” he snaps, “I know you can, and you’ve been here in the States, what,halfyour life now?”
