Julie glared at him and felt the walls closing in on her. She had to get out of there. She turned and stormed through the kitchen and out the back door.
“Nice job, Doctor Samson,” Eli said and followed after Julie.
Uncle Gregg looked disapprovingly at Marcus.
“What? Everything I said was true, was it not?” Marcus asked.
“Marcus, I love you like a son, so I feel I can ask this of you. Next time, please, refrain from commenting. Julie and Austin are dealing with a lot right now. Your words are only making things worse,” Uncle Gregg told him.
“So, in other words, you want me to shut the hell up,” Marcus rephrased.
“Exactly,” Uncle Gregg said, standing. “I’m going to go check on Austin,” he said.
Outside
Julie had started for the forest but stopped short of entering. She did not want to deal with Percone at the moment.
“Don’t let Marcus’ words get to you,” Eli said, coming up behind her.
“I know … yet every time he opens his mouth I want to deck him,” Julie confessed.
“I’m inclined to agree with you,” Eli said.
Julie sat down on the grass. She closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh mountain air.
“You must think I’m crazy.” Julie chuckled. “I wanted so badly to find out everything I could about myself. Now, with it right here at my fingertips, all I want to do is run from it,” she said.
“Do you mind if I make an observation?” Eli asked, sitting across from her.
“Please do, I would welcome it,” she answered.
“I remember that when we first met, in addition to wanting to help people feel better, you said you wanted a normal life. Maybe having the information you have about yourself will finally allow you to have those things,” Eli explained.
“I know Uncle G said I’m free to live my life as I wish, but we both know he wants me to stay with him up here. I feel guilty, I guess. I just want to go home. Then there is Austin. I don’t even know what he is going to want to do,” Julie fretted.
“You can’t worry about what everyone else wants. It’s time to stand on your own two feet and do the things you want to do. It’s your life… finally,” Eli said.
Upstairs
Uncle Gregg and Austin were having a similar conversation.
“I don’t know if I want to go home, Uncle Gordi. I feel betrayed,” Austin said.
“Austin, my boy, you are more than welcome to stay here with me, but do not be angry with your parents. They had your best interest at heart,” Uncle Gregg explained.
“Julie wants to go home,” Austin said distantly.
“She has mentioned that, yes,” Uncle Gregg confirmed.
“I’ll lose her if I don’t go back with her,” Austin said.
“Austin, I know you care for her, but you need to do what is best for you,” Uncle Gregg advised.
“How do I know what that is?” Austin asked, looking out the window. He saw Eli and Julie sitting and talking on the grass.
Outside
“Whatever happened to that toxic dumping that Luke threatened?” Julie asked.
Eli had heard from Orel that the men never executed the orders. He did not know why. “The mission was aborted. I’m unsure why,” Eli said honestly. He, again, did not tell her about Luke’s remains not being recovered at the crash site.
“Couldn’t you or your people have, like, created some kind of storm to prevent them from dumping it?” Julie was curious.
“Actually, no. We cannot go near it. It is as poisonous to us as it is to the Earth,” Eli told her.
“Makes sense,” Julie nodded. She took a deep breath. “Okay, I’m ready. Let’s go do this,” she said.
Eli and Julie reentered the living room at the same time as Austin and Uncle Gregg. “Just when it was finally quiet,” Marcus complained. He had been dozing in the armchair. Austin and Eli stared at each other for a moment. Austin fought back the anger he felt toward him.
Julie walked over to Austin. “How are you feeling?” she asked with genuine concern.
“I’m better. I’m sorry about before,” Austin told her. Julie smiled as her reply.
“I’ve made a decision, Uncle G,” Julie said, sitting down on the sofa. “I’m going home. I need to do this. I promise to keep in contact with you, but it is time to stand on my own two feet,” she said, glancing at Eli.
“I’ve made a decision too,” Austin said. “I’m going home as well, but I need a place to stay,” he told, looking at Julie.
Julie swallowed hard. She wasn’t sure that she wanted anyone living with her right now. “Austin,” she started to say.
“I’m not asking you. I would never put you in that position,” Austin said before turning to Marcus. “I was wondering if I could crash with you?” he asked him.
“Me?” Marcus laughed until he realized Austin was serious. “Ah, man, c’mon. I’m a bachelor. After working all those hours at the hospital, I sometimes have parties… private parties,” he winked to emphasize his point.
“That’s fine. I can make myself scarce, if need be. I’m sure you would do the same for me,” Austin said.
Marcus thought about it for a few moments when a smile came to his face. “We could host some wild parties!” he exclaimed.
“That we could,” Austin smiled.
“Deal!” Marcus said, raising his hand up to seal the arrangement with Austin. The two men slapped hands.
Julie looked uneasy about the deal, but she liked the smile it put on Austin’s face. She smiled at him as he glanced her way.
“Well. I’m happy that everyone seems happy,” Uncle Gregg said.
Julie went over to Uncle Gregg and hugged him. “I’m grateful for everything you’ve done,” she said to him. Austin joined them and Uncle Gregg embraced them both. The older man was fighting back tears.
“No one leaves until they eat again,” Uncle Gregg said, clearing his throat.
“I’ll second that,” Marcus agreed.
“Come along, now. I’ve got steak, chicken, and my famous baked potatoes,” Uncle Gregg described.
Austin put his arm around Julie as they followed Uncle Gregg out onto the deck. Marcus was close behind.
Eli hung back a bit. He was happy that Julie would be back working with him, but was concerned about the negativity Austin was directing toward him.
Julie came back inside. “You okay?” she asked.
“I’m fine,” Eli smiled.
She grabbed his hand. “Come sit down. I know you don’t have to eat, but come sit with us,” she encouraged.
Out on the deck, Julie resumed her seat next to Austin as Uncle Gregg served the food. “Last chance, Eli. I’ve been told my baked potatoes are legendary,” Uncle Gregg said, winking at Austin and Julie.
“I think you’ve talked me into it,” Eli agreed. Julie flashed him a bright smile.
After dinner, everyone began to trickle back inside. This time, it was Julie that hung back. “Jules?” Austin questioned.
“You go ahead and get ready. I just want to spend some time alone before we leave,” she said. “I want to soak in the beauty and take some home,” she added, seeing the worried look on his face.
Once everyone was inside, she causally strolled near the woods. After a minute she ducked into the forest. She had one more thing to do before she left.
“Percone!” she shouted in a whispered tone. “Percone? Where are you?” she asked.
“Come to play with me again?” Percone whispered in her ear.
Julie gasped and put a hand to her chest. “Do you have to do that?” she asked.
“I like scaring you,” he said.
“Startled is not the same thing as scared,” she told him. “And that’s just creepy,” she added.
“Want to look at the trees with me?” he asked, opening his hand that held another berry.
“Ah, no. Thank you. I do, however, have a favor to ask you,” she said.<
br />
“A favor? You’ve piqued my interest. Come sit with me,” he said. With a wave of his hand, two generous piles of leaves gathered by a tree. Percone walked over and sat down on one. Julie fought to keep her eyes raised as she was again reminded of his lack of attire. She came and sat down next to him.
“I want to talk to Suron on Eli’s behalf. Can you arrange something?” she asked him.
“Perhaps,” Percone said, tapping a finger to his lips. “It will have to wait until Suron is ready to hand down his punishment,” Percone told her.
“When will that be?” she asked.
“With Suron… it could be tomorrow, it could be five human years from now,” he said.
“How will I know?” she asked.
“I could be persuaded to keep you informed.” Percone smiled.
Something about Percone’s smile made Julie nervous. She stood up. “You know what, let’s forget it. I’m not going to play games with you,” she said firmly.
“Do you want to help him or not?” Percone asked.
Julie stood with her hands on her hips. “Why would you do this for me? From what I could tell, there is no love lost between you two,” she commented.
“Let’s just say… you fascinate me. All this fuss over a simple blend,” he tilted his head and smiled.
“I have to go,” she said, tired of the games Percone was playing.
Percone created a dirt devil storm around her, halting her ability to leave.
“Percone, stop!” she yelled, shielding her eyes.
“If you change your mind… you know where to find me,” he sung through the treetops as the dirt settled.
“Julie!” Eli shouted and rushed over to her. “What are you doing out here?” he asked her, looking around.
“I came to say goodbye to Percone. Bad idea,” she said, blinking a few times to make sure there was no residue of the dirt in her eyes.
“Did he hurt you?” Eli asked.
“No, no. He just played his stupid games,” she said.
“Let’s go,” Eli said, leading her out of the forest.
Austin and Julie said their tearful goodbyes to Uncle Gregg. “You both take care of yourselves. Know that you can call me anytime of the day or night. I will answer any thoughts or concerns you may have,” Uncle Gregg instructed.
“We will,” Austin answered for both of them. Uncle Gregg hugged them and held back his tears.
“Marcus, behave yourself,” he warned.
“Always,” Marcus answered with a twinkle in his eyes.
Eli drove, with Marcus in the passenger seat. Austin and Julie were in the back. Julie drifted in and out of sleep, dreaming of having a life of her own. She was finally about to embark on that journey.
The End
###
Many Thanks
I wish to thank my husband Mark and our two boys, Marko & Christopher, for spending countless hours listening to paragraphs of storyline. I want to thank my early readers: Ann Marie Shour, Heidi Peterson, Lenna Wennberg, Mara Kleinman, and Melissa Pinto for your feedback and support. A special thanks to Melissa Pinto for helping with the concept of the book cover; it is not exactly as we had planned, but it is the best I could do. Love your vision!
I also wish to give a special shout out to the amazing teachers who supported me during this adventure: Janene Raisman, Shari Wohl, Kim Gibson, Jacky Seigel, Stacey Greenberg, Melissa Pinto, Abby Greenberg, Julie Feldman, Lisa Wenick and Jodi Snyder.
Thank you to all my girls online that have been with me from start to finish. Your support and encouragement means the world to me. Barb S, Belinda B, Brandii HW,Cerstin W, Darlene C, Elizabeth G, Jamie B, Janette D, Jennifer C, Kathy K, Maggie C, Maureen CI, Olga J, Samantha F, Sandy DM, Shea G, Susan S, Theresa O, Tina M, & Tracey E.
Another special thank you to my two very special friends and fellow writers who have been telling me to do this for years. Thank you Ann Marie Shour & Tiffany Castle. Love you both!
A heartfelt thanks to Sheryl Milstein, for her time and attention in editing my proof. You rock! Thank you to Ellen Rackas for your insight and support. Special shout out to my cheerleader Susan Richman. Thank you Laurie Jenkins and Karen Fuller for even more editing
Some locations depicted in the book are real and as accurate as my research has allowed me to be. All characters in the book are fictional and bear no intentional resemblance to persons living or dead. This book was a joy to write.
Love you all, Lori Pescatore
Lori Pescatore is currently teaching preschool in Bucks County, PA. She is a married mom of two boys and has been actively writing her whole life. Human Blend is her first in a trilogy of books in this series. Multiple Sclerosis became part of her life seven years ago, a battle she continues today. You can find her on facebook under Lori Pescatore Author.
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