Page 66 of Seer
The sparkles spelled outT-H-E-Y-T-H-E-M.
“Got it, thank you.”
Cal asked Ms. Jackson if he could move them to the tabletop, and Edgar took the other side of the stone board to lift it.
Mom touched my arm. “Come help me make breakfast,” she said. It wasn’t a request.
I told the others where we were going, then I followed Mom to the kitchen.
“You can make the biscuits,” Mom told me.
“You may have to remind me of the recipe,” I said. I washed my hands and pulled out a giant mixing bowl I remembered from my childhood.
Mom turned the oven on for the biscuits, then she put the large cast iron skillet on the stovetop and dumped an entire package of bacon in it.
She still kept butter in the freezer specifically for making biscuits. I grated it, then busied myself measuring and mixing the other ingredients while I waited for her opening salvo.
“I like Cal,” she said, starting off with a softball. My guard went up even higher.
“I do too.” I was slightly surprised to find that to be true. Cal was bristly and defensive, but he was also smart and funny, and he didn’t hesitate to jump into danger to help people.
“I’m guessing that connection you have didn’t happen in a romantic way.”
I snorted. “No, Mom, we haven’t had sex. I met him on Monday.” I dumped the dough out onto the flour-covered countertop.
She glanced over at me with her eyebrows up. “What are you waiting for? Your connection won’t go away, and his magic is crazy strong. You’re foolish to not take advantage of the power boost. Both of you are.”
I flattened the dough with my hands as I tried to decide how to respond. Finally I said, “Certain aspects of Cal trigger my anxiety.”
“Like what?” She whirled, pointing her grease-covered tongs at me. “Gregory Martin Shaw, donottell me you have an issue with his weight!”
I was so stunned at her accusation I couldn’t form words for a moment. “You know better than that! I have no problem with his weight.” I felt my face heating up. I definitely liked Cal’s body. “Look, I’m not really comfortable talking about this with you.”
She pointed her tongs at me again. “Okay, but are you talking withanyoneabout this?” She narrowed her eyes at my expression. “That’s a no. Look, you don’t need to go into specifics, but walk me through what the general issue is. Is it you? Are you scared to get in a relationship? I mean, I wouldn’t blame you after all those pretty-boy ding dongs you’ve dated over the years.”
I blinked. “Ding dongs?” I shook my head. “No, that’s not it, Mom. He... certain things he does set off my anxiety.”
She scowled. “Like what? Does he not respect your boundaries or something?”
I held up a hand. “No, nothing like that. He’s... messy. Like, doesn’t pick up after himself and doesn’t take care of his things.” But his backpack’s formerly ratty condition was due to its age, not to Cal forgetting to take care of it. Though his truck was still covered in trash.
Mom poked at the bacon. She said, “Have you told him that these things set your anxiety off?”
“No.”
I was looking at the biscuits I was putting on the baking sheet, but I could feel the eye roll she aimed at me.
“If you told him, Greg, you might find that he’d be willing to make changes. Nothing you mentioned was a personality trait. If he knows it upsets you, he might be willing to pick up after himself or whatever. But if you don’t tell him, then you’re willfully missing out on what could be the strongest bond I’ve ever seen.”
I put the biscuits in the oven with a frown. “I’ll think about it.”
Mom smiled triumphantly. “And then the two of you can move back to TWIST and take over running it so I can retire.”
I gaped at her in horror. “Mom, you know how hard it is for me to even visit. There’s no way I can move back.” I waved a hand in the direction of the book room. “And, even if I was willing to sell my share of the pet resort to Craig, Cal is a partner in a software company. He’s not going to just give that up.”
She slumped, running the tongs through the sizzling bacon dejectedly. “Greg, you know your brother isn’t built to be an administrator. I had hopes that Caroline would feel a pull to come back, but obviously not.” She stared at me with pleading eyes. “I’m sixty-seven years old. Max might still be considered a kid at this age, but I’m just a human magic-carrier. I’m not even bonded anymore, so I don’t have many decades left.” She looked down at the frying pan. “I’m ready to retire, but I can’t just abandon all the Wonders who need a sanctuary.”
I took the tongs out of her hand and set them aside, then I pulled her into a hug. “I need to deal with these fog monster things, but as soon as that’s done, I’ll help you find someone to take over. I promise.”
