Page 84 of Shifting Years
"Yes, but not as a five-year-old."
She looked off to the side, retreating into her private world, just like I've seen with Vietnam vets. She was fifteen, but some 'men' in my squad were only three years older. Different gender, country, and decade, but haunted eyes look the same.
"The two ladies," said Mike. "They told me I could keep someone who'd live a lonely life in terror, or you could have a family with sisters and years without nightmares."
"How would you know what happened? Hell, you don't know a single thing about me."
It was typical teenage arrogance and a whole lot of hurt slammed into Mike, but he answered. "Because those two don't lie, and I know you fought for your sisters. You refused to go withother couples who wanted a child because they wouldn't take everyone."
Her ice-blue eyes widened slightly.
He segued into birthdays, gifts from forgotten relatives, and things she forgot. "I love the paintings you've given as presents." He swallowed. "Of course, you don't call them 'doggies' anymore."
"Those dreams are true too?"
"Maybe?" said Mike. "That's the thing about magic. If you believe anything's possible…"
It was a tender moment, but I shot him a look and my ammonia smell begged him to stop. Belief or Disbelief exploding in a crowded restaurant would be fatal. Believing in the impossible was wonderful until it wasn't.
She stared at her hand, and she wouldn't try a test I'm sure, but she was young. "You can't shift until you're mated," I said. "That's how the magic works."
"Someone told me that once." It wasn't a question. Her blue eyes widened. "But you're both mated. Cany'allshow me?"
***
We exited a restaurant between stares from a few men. I don't know what problem they had, but we were going out with our daughter.If anyone starts anything…Mike's hand slowly dropped down, telling me to please cool it.
We approached my black 'Knight Rider' sports car, and she wavered, but not out of fear. She faced two strange men, had her worldview altered, and pretty much knew magic existed, and there was a monstrous snake out there.
We were answers to questions and there was no going back. She'd be different.
"You know," I said after we all climbed in, "I was angry at your father, thinking he made me, uh, gay, but I was always me. My experience can help, but you know what's best for you, at least in the things that really matter." I paused. "We can show you something amazing, which might become your life." I shrugged. "Or we can drive you home, and you'll have enough explanations to satisfy most of your questions."
Mike's light green eyes pleaded.
"I'm not telling her not to come, but she should know what this means."
"She deserves an open mind."
"Like in your books?"
"Why not? It's better than planting seeds in her head."
"She should know what this means," I said.
"And what willsheknow?" asked Angel with the same gruff, vocal inflection as her father.
"The truth," I said. "The day will come when you decide which world you want."
"She doesn't have to answer now, Todd. Magic is possibilities and wonder and—"
My hand ran over my face. "I had a speech ready. You know the kind a man gives to a daughter." It was an assumption since she didn't come out of me and might not want another or two extra dads.
"So, I speak and ruin things," said Mike. "I'msosorry!"
"Whoa," Angel drew out the word. "You two reallyaremarried."
"Mated," we said in unison.
