Page 7 of Collin: Episodes 4-6
Dr. Ryker raised an eyebrow. “I did not know this.”
“We courted him. And he was cautious. Very cautious. He turned us down. He didn’t agree until he had proof that our mission aligned with his values, and even then, he was taking his time until his incident. Perhaps, Dr. Ryker, you taught him better than you realize. He even used a lawyer to verify the identity of the police you sent to our door.”
“You did that, Collin?”
Collin flinched at his mother’s sudden glance. It had been much easier letting the two battle it out and trying to pretend he was a thousand miles away. “I don’t forget, Mom.”
Dr. Ryker’s shoulders slumped. “You’re really in this because you want to be.”
“Yes, Mom.”
“You actually like him? You don’t care that he’s married?”
“Mom! One, you’re the one who taught me that monogamy is not the natural default of Homo sapiens, and two, I am not discussing my sexual preferences right now.”
She raised her eyebrow.
“Fine.” Collin’s nostrils flared. “I think he’s drop-dead gorgeous. I like making profiteroles at midnight with his husband. The smell of his shirt helps me fall asleep. The cat thinks I’m her personal bed. I am catnapping her if I ever leave. Mr. Reevesworth brings me my hat when I go out without it. When my ex-roommate threatened to sell Grandpa’s record, he took the phone, shut Andy down, and helped me get everything back. And that, that was way sexier than any centerfold model. Good looks are one thing, but actions… Seriously, Mom, don’t make me make you blush, okay?”
Dr. Ryker closed her eyes and breathed out slowly. “So, you’re not giving up your education and your future for him?”
“No. I’m not.”
“And you will try to finish school?”
“I will finish an education. It might be in a different school. It might not be traditional. It will serve me.”
“And you’ll come home for Samhain.”
“I’m not cutting you or Alice out. I’m not sure I can explain all this to Grandma, though.”
Dr. Ryker rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Mercy, no. What Grandma doesn’t know can’t kill her. She doesn’t even know you’re gay.”
“She doesn’t know you’re a practicing Wiccan.”
“Well, we both have our secrets from the old bat.” Dr. Ryker took a long drink of coffee, carefully looking at no one.
The food came. It was good even though Collin could barely look at it, too engrossed in the dynamics of the table.
Ellisandre picked up the conversation after scarfing down their first crepe. “So, have you studied the effects of car ownership on gender disparity?”
Dr. Ryker’s fork paused on its way to her mouth. “No. Most of my recent work has been around mixed economies versus more homogenous economies and what that means for income distributions and mental health outcomes.”
Ellisandre lifted one shoulder. “Where are you pulling your sample data? Are you controlling for cultural differences, such as elder care expectations?”
“I’m doing my best, but we’re using data that’s already available. It’s difficult to correlate rates of hospital visits among the elderly with their addresses.” She went on for a bit. Despite himself, Collin realized that he did understand what she was saying. He was more like his mother than he’d realized. At home, they talked about home things, not their professional interests.
Ellisandre leaned forward, catching on a particular point. “What about when you control for the same rates of education?”
Dr. Ryker grinned. “There’s a high level of causation between education and forms of religious practice.”
Ellisandre tilted their head to the side. “Do you find any parallels between single-sector-leaning economies and religious groupings?”
“Actually, yes.” Dr. Ryker crossed her arms. “I’m surprised you’d know that. What’s your background?”
Neither Collin nor Mr. Reevesworth were much needed for the rest of the meal. Mr. Reevesworth excused himself for the bathroom and paid the bill before returning to his seat.
Collin eyed his coffee mug, refilled three times, and considered his options as Ellisandre and Dr. Ryker continued to get on like a house on fire. Finally, he reached under the table and tapped Mr. Reevesworth’s leg in the safe signal written out in his contract. He’d never used it, but if he didn’t get relief soon, he’d lose his composure.
