Page 120 of Ezra
I lay Humanity First to rest. It’s officially dissolved. The interests of the people remain, but whatever I build must be alongside androids, not against them. The burden off my shoulders is indescribable, even when there’s so much more work to do, to learn from the mistakes we’ve made and stillvouch for the rights of the people. At least now I can be true to myself, whether or not I’m in front of a camera or in my own home.
A silver lining in all of this is the reopening of the museum. Diana has returned to her position, and so will I, once I get back to work. Arnold Vaughn insisted I take some paid time off and properly recuperate, which I’m grateful for. Everything has been so emotionally exhausting that I really don’t want to see anyone. Zoey has been arrested and is cooperating with authorities, and is going to plead guilty to terrorism and kidnapping, which may take the death penalty off the table. She’s going to be in federal prison for a very long time. I’m still grappling with the fact that my former friend is responsible for the museum bombing. I reached out to her boyfriend, Bridger, but he’s lying low and doesn’t seem keen to talk to me. Last I heard, he’s sticking by Zoey no matter what.
“How are you feeling?” I ask my dad over the phone as I peer out my bedroom window from where I’m snuggled beneath blankets and a fort I’ve made of pillows. It’s been two weeks since the incident at the bridge. I’ve deleted all the social media off my phone for now, and the peace of mind that comes with that is exactly the sort of serenity I needed in my life. Charlie trills as he rests on my stomach, his multiple eyes squinted contentedly. Everything outside seems calm, yet the city is always bustling.
It’s been two weeks since the ordeal, and things are finally returning to some semblance of normal. People are on to the next big thing. Nothing in New Carnegie ever stays still for very long.
“Like I’m a free man,” Dad replies. He and Mom left the city right after his retirement announcement, and I don’t think they’ll be back any time soon. They plan to stay in California indefinitely. They’re already talking about selling the house remotely, and heading farther north, maybe to Seattle.
“I hope you can forgive me, Katrina. I’ve been a fool. I’ve dragged you and your mother through hell with me because I couldn’t let go of an old slight years ago. I pretended to care about people, but I was being selfish. I let myself become blinded by hatred against androids. Zoey, unfortunately, was right about one thing. TerraPura likely exists because of me.”
“Dad, don’t say that.”
“No. It’s true. Hatred begets hatred. Only love can put it out. Those pro-bionic kids were onto something, and I missed the mark. TerraPura and the people who died... That’s something I’ll have on my conscience for the rest of my life. The cost was too great. It isn’t justice if it’s at the expense of others. I see that now.”
This is the dad I remember from my childhood. The contemplative, philosophical man who enjoyed a decent political debate over cigars and whiskey at a gathering of friends. Whatever anger he’s carried with him has finally been doused.
“You won’t believe who called me yesterday,” Dad says.
“Who?”
“Ezra,” he replies. “He was checking in to make sure I was okay.”
That captures my attention completely. I’ve been waiting on pins and needles for Ezra to reach out to me. The silence I’ve had to endure without him is a torment I never want to live through again. But why did he reach out to Dad and not me? I sit up slowly in bed, blinking. “Really? That’s...wow. That’s really sweet of him.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t know about it,” Dad says. “You’re dating, right? Haven’t you talked to him?”
My stomach twists into a knot. “I didn’t know he was out of the lab. I haven’t heard from him.”
“I see,” Dad says. “Well, I wouldn’t worry too much. Because we mostly talked about you.”
“What about me?”
“He cares very greatly for you,” Dad replies. “And while he disagrees with many of the things I’ve said and done . . . he wanted to be honest with me about that. And I was—impressed. By his honesty, by the way he carried himself through the conversation. He didn’t ask for permission or a blessing or anything of the sort, but—it felt like it was near to it. And I respected him for it.” He pauses. “That’s something else I have to apologize for.”
My spirit already feels lighter. I never expected Ezra would do anything like call my father. Like I always hoped a man might, if he were interested in me. And the fact that they could have a conversation—a real conversation—that’s some incredible progress, for my dad. “What do you mean?”
“I realize I didn’t handle it very well when you told me,” Dad replies. “Perhaps I should’ve been a little flattered. Every father dreams of the perfect man for his baby girl—but I’m the only one who can say I had a hand in building one for her myself.”
I smile, then laugh softly.
“I just ask that you be patient with us, Kat. An android boyfriend for you will take some getting used to, and we’re not quite there yet. But we both know you’ve never been a mindless or impulsive young woman. And he means a lot to you. We’d like to get to know him so he can mean a lot to us too. After all, he’ll be part of our family someday.”
My heart soars. My mom slides into view with my father and kisses his brow. “Love you, Kat,” she echoes affectionately.
“Love you too. Thank you, Dad. Mom.”
“Get some rest.”
“I will.”
I disconnect and toss my phone to the side. Charlie beeps at me, and I hug him, rolling over on my stomach as I try to stop thinking about why Ezra hasn’t called me yet. My heart’s been through the ringer; any more, and I’ll lose my mind. I can’t ruminate over this. No doubt he woke up to a pile of reports, to a complete mess at the ACU, and his own family needs him too. I can’t be selfish or greedy.
Yet I can’t think of anyone else. I keep checking my phone, hoping just one time, I’ll see a message or a missed call from him that I didn’t hear.
Charlie gently touches my face with a leg. “I’m okay,” I tell him with a soft chuckle. “I promise.”
Alone with my thoughts, I put on some music and take a shower, then treat myself to some much-needed self-care, trying to cheer myself up. I’ve only burst into tears twice today. That’s much better than the day before. I don’t know where to start when it comes to healing after everything that’s happened, and there’s still some part of me that worries it isn’t over.
