Page 47 of Ezra
“Why don’t you?” I ask.
She folds her arms. “You heard him back there. The way my dad tells it, Humanity First won’t listen to me if I take that stance. Not when the corporations went all-or-nothing with their layoffs.” Katrina looks pained. “So he’s trying to take them on with a similar all-or-nothing strategy, but it isn’t working. People affected by this can’t see past their own suffering to think of others. Especially when the people replacing them aren’t human like they are.”
Her shoulders slump as she hangs her head, as though her own words weigh heavily upon her. She seems to show no discomfort in referring to us as people.
“You could change that,” I reply.
“I wish that were true,” Katrina mutters. “I’m not so sure. But now I feel like I have this responsibility to speak the truth,toreallyhelp, not just pander to people’s emotions. Dad was on the right track at first, but he’s so bitter about Schroeder, bitter about his work being stolen, and he can’t see past his own anger to try to peacefully handle everyone else’s. I wish I’d known what I was taking on when I jumped in. But that’s not an excuse. So I have to try to fix it. I just don’t know how.”
When Rashelle has become emotional, Deion taught me that oftentimes offering her a hug or to make her a cup of tea will do wonders. My gratification drive urges me to comfort Katrina. Even though she isn’t crying or outwardly deeply upset, I understand how the hospital visit and her father’s words weigh upon her.
“Do you desire comfort or solutions?” I ask.
She glances up from ruffling her hair and staring at the floor. “Do you have solutions for me?”
“Nothing that will instantly remove your worries,” I reply. “But I think you’re overwhelmed by matters at large. It may be better to tackle things in smaller amounts.”
“What do you mean?”
“You have a knack for social media. Use it to your advantage. You might find more people agree with you than you think.”
“Yeah. Wow, I’m being awful, aren’t I?” She looks embarrassed. “Should be lying on a couch while you charge me four hundred dollars an hour for therapy. This definitely isn’t your job. Friends don’t dump their troubles on each other.”
I peer at her curiously through narrowed eyes. I’m not sure I heard that right. But then I replay it in my head, and there it is. “It’s not my job to be your therapist,” I agree slowly. “But friends do rely on one another for new perspectives, especially when one can’t see outside their own. I learned that from Deion early on.”
Katrina jerks her head up. “What?”
“What?”
“You said I was your friend.” She speaks quickly, motioning at me.
“You said we were friends first,” I reply just as swiftly, lifting an eyebrow.
“Did I say that?”
“You did, yes.”
“Are we friends?”
“Do you want to be friends?”
Katrina points between us with a finger, looking somewhat guarded. “I mean, I want to be friends if you want to be friends, but is that allowed when I’m Humanity First and you’re bionic?”
“You tell me,” I retort dryly.
She doesn’t skip a beat. I imagine this is why she’s an excellent debater. “Yes, because androids aren’t the problem. People are.”
“And your father?”
“I’m an adult.”
“And your following?”
“Small changes at a time.”
“And you’re not worried about the repercussions?” I ask.
“Are you?” she counters.
