Page 41 of Soul Sucker

“I’m going to get another beer. Do either of you want one?”

“I’m good,” Ella said.

Vadim showed Dave his half-empty plastic cup. “I’ve got wine, thanks.”

He waited for Ella to make some smart-ass remark but she remained quiet, her gaze fixed on the swimming pool. Having an interesting family dynamic himself, he decided to divert the conversation into less volatile channels.

“I didn’t know the American government was investing in special medical units to liaise with the SBLE.”

“Why would you? You don’t live here.”

Ah, she was back to being prickly. Vadim sipped his mediocre too-warm wine. “It’s a good idea.”

“You think so?”

“Surely the more people who are aware of the nature of Otherworld, the better it can be contained.”

“I’ve always got the impression that our government was intent on keeping the majority of the population in blissful ignorance. My folks had to know, but most people would rather not.”

“Maybe in this insane digital age, they’ve realized they can no longer do that.”

“That’s a good point.” Ella tucked her hair behind her ear. He liked it down around her shoulders. He liked her soft blue dress too. “Maybe if they keep opening up the boundaries, they won’t need empaths anymore.”

“I’m sure there’ll be plenty for you to do. Not everything that comes out of Otherworld is super-cute and fluffy.”

She shuddered. “Ugh. Some of those things still give me nightmares. I don’t think most human brains could survive the experience.”

“So you’ll always be needed.”

“Unfortunately, yes.” Her cell phone chimed and she glanced down at the green-lit screen. “It’s Laney. She’s supposed to be coming over.” She frowned. “Looks like she’s in the middle of changing her mind. I wonder what happened with her OCOS mate? Maybe I should call her.”

She was just about to rise when there was a clapping noise from beside the pool. Ella’s parents joined hands with another younger couple Vadim could only assume were the aforementioned Scott and Julie.

“Damn,” Ella muttered as she sank back down. “I hope this is quick, whatever it is.”

Ned cleared his throat. “Firstly, we’d like to thank you all for coming.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Ella’s cell chimed again and she squinted at the screen.

Her father continued. “Secondly, we’d like to offer our congratulations to Scott and Julie who are expecting their first child at the end of the year!”

Everyone started to clap and whistle. Ella’s thumbs stopped texting.

A proud looking Scott stepped forward, one arm around his wife. “I’m also pleased to tell you that we will be having a little girl.”

More cheers and then Darlene and Madison started handing around trays of something pink and bubbly. Ella stood up.

“Excuse me.”

Vadim rose too and followed her direct path toward the house. She was waylaid by her father who put his arm around her waist.

“Honey, aren’t you going to wish Scott and Julie well?”

“Sure!” Ella’s smile was brief. “That’s awesome news, you guys!”

Julie’s eyes filled with tears. “That’s so sweet of you, considering everything, I mean…” She swallowed hard. “We’re even thinking of giving her your name if…”

“If I don’t make it?” Ella disengaged herself from her father’s arm. “Cool. Thanks.”

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