Page 15 of Kiss Across the Universe
Alannah laid her hand on Veris’ arm. It was bare, because he was wearing one of the sleeveless shirts he favored. She felt the comforting sensation of cool flesh and muscles shifting beneath. “By the way,Far, why on earth did you invite Kit, of all people, to eat with us?”
Veris’ brows wrinkled. It wasn’t the way Aran frowned. Her father’s expression looked thunderous by default. “Why shouldn’t he eat with us? He’s been a good friend to the family.”
“Sure, if dropping a fish on the verandah every month is being friendly. He dumps and runs.”
“How would you know, daughter?” Veris shot back. “You’re never here.”
Alannah ignored the jibe. It would pull her into an argument she didn’t want. More importantly, it would deflect her from the point she was trying to make. She had been navigating conversational shoals for years, and brought some of the slipperiest people to the point. She wouldn’t be distracted now.
“I should…help in the kitchen,” Kieren said.
“No, don’t go,” Alannah told him. “I’m nearly done.” She looked at her father. “Kit’s not part of the family. We can’t relax around the table if he’s here. We have to watch everything we say. It ruins the meal. The whole day.”
It was an exaggeration, but not much of one. One of the pleasures of visiting her parents was being able to let down her guard and speak freely, without worrying about who was listening. But she also liked listening to the strangers they brought to the table, and their non-time-travel conversations, so why was she complaining now?
“It’s Thanksgiving,” she added. “Well, the Canadian one, at least. Isn’t it supposed to be about family?”
Veris scowled. “You’ve forgotten the history of Thanksgiving if you think it’s just about family.”
“No, I haven’t,” Alannah shot back. Damn it, he was getting to her. She could feel her irritation building. Many conversations with Veris ended up like this—a battle of wills that she always lost. But not this time…. “You and Mom andAtharare so hot about staying current with the culture you’re living in. No one honors the roots of the holiday. Thanksgiving isallabout family these days.”
“I thought it was all about Black Friday sales, these days,” Veris said, his tone mild. But he’d crossed his arms. Not a good sign.
“It kicks off the Christmas season!” Alannah replied. “Everyone in the family is supposed to sit around the table, eat and drink too much and fall asleep afterwards. It’s traditional! How can we be a family if there are non-family at the table?”
Quietly, Alannah. Your voice is carrying.It was Kieren’s mental voice in her head. He was a natural psychic, which separated him from the psi-filers of the future, who had been developed in a laboratory.
Alannah glanced at Kieren, startled. Shehadbeen speaking stridently. Damn it, Veris had got under her skin again. Although Marit had an even harder time dealing with him. She and Veris werealwaysarguing.
Alannah grimaced. “I’m done,” she said quietly. “I just wanted to register my protest.”
“Which you have,” Veris said, his tone grim.
Alannah sighed. “I just want to relax and enjoy myself, today,” she added, trying to explain herself. Although the damage was done.Farwas pissed at her.
“Isn’t letting down your guard a luxury here and now?” Kieren asked, his voice very soft, so that only her andFarcould hear it. Which was the way she should have been speaking all along.
“There, see?” Alannah told her father. “Itisa luxury,” she added, responding to Kieren. “One I value.”
“It’s one you shouldn’t expect or demand,” Veris replied, at a volume that nearly matched Kieren’s. “You’re lucky you have us and a place where you can be yourself. We passed through most of history and never got to fully relax.”
Alannah didn’t quite roll her eyes. Veris rarely beat his chest about how things had been for him in earlier eras, while the stories she’d heard from friends with purely human families told her that the older generations did nothingbutlecture about how easy everyone had it, these days.
Besides, the conversation with her mother on the phone a week ago had been reverberating in Alannah’s mind all week, leaving bloody barbs. How longdidshe have before Veris, Brody and Taylor moved on to a life that didn’t include her and Aran and Marit?
Veris telling her she was lucky to have them buried another sharp barb in her heart, and made her shift on her feet. “Exactly!” she railed at Veris. She lowered her voice, but it came out strained, instead. “How longdowe get before you three are on to your next life? I want to enjoy the time we have left!”
Veris blinked. He glanced at Kieren and Alannah could almostfeelher father’s discomfort. Kieren was family in a way that Kit McDonald would never be, but Veris hated having anyone witness him being slapped around by emotions.
Her father scrubbed at his hair, leaving it ruffled. “We would never leave you, Alannah. Not like that.”
“No? Mum thinks differently.”
His eyes widened, making the painted blue pop even more than usual.
“Better talk to her, huh?” Alannah added sweetly.
You’ve made your point. He’ll think about it now. Kieren’s tone was gentle.
