Shadow Dragon

by wade coleman

  It’s quiet around the table.

  After a while, the captain speaks. “Twenty million.”

  My dad scratches his chin. “Ten’s good; twenty is better.”

  Using my tablet, I access the stock market, sell shares and transfer the money into two accounts. Pam’s phone beeps and her eyes go round.

  “Okay, it’s done.”

  Laughter sounds around the table. Mom goes to the kitchen, brings back a bottle of vodka and splashes it into her wine. I pour out my wine on the ground and fill my glass with vodka.

  Kim looks at me. We stand up, and she pulls me to the side. “I’ll need a few million credits for upgrades.” We walk out on the front porch, away from the crowd.

  “Do you think that’s necessary?” We exposed the virus; they’ll never do that again.”

  Kim leans against the railing, looking out at our orchard. “Those people at the party… they see mutants as cattle. They feed off our labor, our organs, our lives. Don’t think for a minute that video you took is going to change anything. As soon as the press dies down, they’ll be back to their old tricks.”

  Kim points at her chest. “This time, I’m gonna have an edge. While the Purebloods lick their wounds, I’m getting augmented bones and muscles.”

  “How much stronger will you be?”

  Kim puts her hands on my waist. “I should be able to pick you up by your little tiny waist and throw you in the air like the little tiny ballerina, girly boy.” Kim walks backward on her tip- toes with her hands above her head, head held high, doing a ballerina pose.

  “You should have been a dancer,” I say as we walk down the driveway.

  “And you should play an instrument, probably a guitar. You got the hands for it. But face it, you’re no lead singer, and your ass is screwed too tight to dance.”

  I change the subject. “So, how are you and Maggie adjusting to Vike living with you?”

  Kim smirks. “The girl can eat. She starts school in September. I’m teaching her how to shoot while Maggie’s showing her how to cook.”

  “Both important skills for a farm girl.”

  Kim smiles, puts her hand on my shoulder. We walk to the door. Kim speaks softly in my ear. “Pam likes you, but don’t think she’s forgiven you for the Hellhound in her lap and ruining her dress.” She stops at the door, hugs me and then punches my shoulder affectionately. “If things don’t work out with Pam, Lieutenant Grant will fuck you, and Vanyah will give you another go.”

  Amy Grant was the head of the expedition into the tunnels under the army base. Thinking of Vanyah, I blush. I had sex with her when I was horny and frustrated. It was Natasha’s first time, and things got a little out of hand.

  “How do you know about those two?”

  She turns around and walks towards her house. “Because you army brats are a bunch of gossiping bitches.” She walks backward out of the garage. “If it does work out with Pam, you can invite her over for tea.” Kim smiles, touching her tongue to her nose.

  I smile, thinking what it would be like to have the four of us in the same bed together. Then I realize Kim and Maggie would want her all to themselves, and I would end up on the couch watching TV. But then again…that’s my luck with women.

  I return to the backyard and find Pam walking through the garden. We stop in front of the pumpkins, the fruit the size of soccer balls.

  “The woman at the country club knows that it was my date that beat up the man on the spider. They’re very curious about mysterious Brazilian.”

  “What did you say?”

  “I said you own a plane and come and go as you please.”

  “How will you explain your newfound wealth to your friends?”

  “It’s impolite to ask, but they’ll think that I came to an arrangement with Mr. Norwich.”

  “So, when Mr. Norwich is in town, it would be expected for us to be seen together.”

  “It would be expected.”

  I follow her to the car and say goodbye. Dad and Mr. Fields come out of the garage, the captain holding a Hellhound tooth, a gift from Dad, while Mom talks to Carol.

  Mr. Fields walks over to me. “So, you have one have one more chance, and then boom.”

  I nod.

  “I was thinking of using my share of the money to hire a special ops team to take you out for the stunt you pull with my daughter. But then I decided that I want a new boat more than killing you.”

  “God bless your greed, Captain Richey.”

  He glares at me, gets in the car and drives off.

  Mom gives me the “we have news” look, and we sit at the kitchen table.

  Dad hands me a paper. “This is the deed to the house. I transferred it to you.”

  “Huh?”

  “We’re building a home on the new farmland,” Daniel says. “Since you won’t leave home…we will.”

  This gets a chuckle from all of us.

  After we finish cleaning up, Bev and Daniel decide to go for a walk.

  When I’m alone, Natasha appears. “Darling, you need new furniture. Why don’t you let me pick some things out?”

  “Natasha, my dear, I trust your impeccable taste. Besides, you’re the only woman I know that will never leave me.”

  “Darling, I think this is the beginning of a long and beautiful friendship.”

  “You’re telling me, kid.”