Aftercare: General's Daughter, Book 4

by Breanna Hayse

  “They can’t stop him. Neither can my bull. I promised Mike I wouldn’t tell them. I guess now I really know how they feel when I do this stuff. I can’t believe how terrible I’ve been to them.”

  Splasher imaged dark swirls, slow, undulating, not at all soothing or seductive. Sadness, loss, grief. He understood her fear. She nodded. He then imaged the swirls being pushed towards his bull, who wiped them away with his flukes. She sighed. “I know, Daddy can make things better. But I still promised. Michael would never trust me again if I break it.”

  With a snort, the little dolphin turned and left. Sam was surprised; they weren’t usually that abrupt. She then sensed Ton approaching her. The little dolphin had gone to get his adopted bull to help. Great, time for more lectures. Ton surfaced a few yards away, then stuck his big head out of the water in greeting. He questioned her darkness and she explained that Michael was swimming into a net and that he could beach himself. Ton’s solution was to break the net.

  Of course. With a smile, the girl dove in next to her companion, hugging his snout. “You are so smart. I’ll plant harmful information into the research to get him to see the risk is too high. I also need you to help me dissuade him. Can you touch my bull?”

  Ton imaged swimming against a rip tide. It was slow and difficult, but he would be able to do it.

  Sam rubbed the skin around his blowhole, leaning against the huge head, “I know it will be hard, especially without the band. Can you be at my pod this evening? I’ll get Daddy to go diving with me. This way you can contact him directly and I can honestly tell Mike that I said nothing. I love you, my friend. Thank you.” She sent swirls into his mind. He was pleased, his calf was learning quickly.

  “Honey? Is something bothering you?” Dr. Quimby asked on the way home. Michael shot his sister a look.

  “Rich has duty tonight. I miss him,” she answered.

  Scott looked around at her. “You see that boy constantly. How could you possibly miss him?”

  “If I saw Daddy more, it would be easier,” she hinted.

  Dr. Quimby grimaced. “I’ve been trying not to get in your way, baby. You should have told me that you wanted some time together. I’m sorry. Would you like to do something tonight?”

  “I need to dive, though. I’m not feeling normal. You could come with me if you want.” She sounded depressed. She felt her brother’s eyes on her. “I’m not saying anything, don’t worry. I promised,” she whispered.

  “You better not,” he whispered back.

  “We could go out to the shelf if you like. The squid are running so it should be interesting. I want to check you out first, though. You have me worried.”

  “Okay. I just need some quiet time underneath. I’m going to skip dinner tonight and take a nap, if you don’t mind. We can go when it gets dark. Don’t forget to bring your camera and lights.” She yawned.

  “Do what you need to do, honey. You do look a little peaked.” Her father glanced in the rear view mirror.

  “Is she okay, Mike? I told you something was wrong,” Jen whispered. She was sitting between them. “She feels real warm.”

  Michael frowned, reaching over to touch his sister’s face. She was warm. He bit his lip, considering that perhaps she really was out of balance and needed to go out. “Sammi? Do you want me to go with you?”

  “No, I’ll be fine. Daddy will be there. Spend some time with Jen. Scott’s bowling tonight, so it will give you some time alone.”

  “I could stay home, you know,” Scott announced. “I don’t have to go bowling.”

  “No, please, go bowling. I’m begging you,” Michael said. Scott’s bowling nights were the occasions when he could hit something hard and make a lot of noise, which was a huge stress release for him. In the family’s opinion, it made life with him a little easier. Because his goal was to break the pins, coupled with his tendency to be highly competitive, the family opted to remove themselves from the activity. Further, he and his team would then go to Hooters to flirt with the waitresses and get their egos stroked, putting him in an even better mood. It was a win-win situation.

  Dr. Quimby watched his daughter enter the house and stopped his son. “Did you two get into a fight today?”

  “No, sir. Why?”

  “Either that or she’s sick. That is the only time I ever see her drag like this.”

  “Take her out and see how it goes. Maybe it’s her balance issue.”

  “Do you sense anything?”

  “No, not really,” Michael answered hesitantly, “I mean, nothing really unusual.”

  “Please tell me if you do. I’m still so afraid that that damn chemical is going to turn on her and kill her. I wish to God I’d never even thought of it,” he admitted sadly, not knowing that his youngest was concentrating on bringing these hidden thoughts of his to surface, forcing him to verbalize his fears aloud. She had to try, in order to get him to openly express his sorrow to Michael before it was too late.

  Michael did not even suspect her interference. “She’s going to be fine, Dad. The pod would know if she were in danger and would find a way to notify us. Plus, there have been no further changes other than the adjustment. Who knows, maybe it will reverse itself?”

  “While she’s 300 feet down and without a tank? You have no idea the thoughts that go through my mind, son. No idea. I’ll start dinner.”

  “It’s my turn, Dad. I’ll do it,” Michael said, putting his arm around his father’s shoulders.

  Dr. Quimby hugged him. “Nah, I want to. It’s a good way for me to get my mind off things. I enjoy it.”

  “I’ll do the dishes, then.”

  “Okay, thanks.”

  Michael excused himself to go upstairs to change and then see his sister. She was lying on her bed, still dressed, with her head buried in a pillow. She looked like she was fighting a headache, but she was really concentrating as hard as she could manage.

  “Sam?” Michael touched her back, startling her into reality. She looked at him sleepily. “Are you really okay?”

  “No. My head hurts and I’m sick to my stomach.”

  “This came on rather quickly, didn’t it? After we talked.”

  “I wasn’t paying attention,” she said, putting her face back into her pillow.

  Michael patted her thigh. “I’ll get you an aspirin. Dad’s really acting weird.” He told her what their father had confessed.

  “Maybe his parental vibes are telling him what you are planning on doing. Mike, I promised I wouldn’t tell, but please reconsider. I don’t feel good about it at all. There’s a foreboding there. I’m begging you.”

  “My mind is made up. I need to try. “

  “Promise me that if you see anything whatsoever in the research that indicates a serious risk, that you won’t pursue it. Promise me!”

  “I promise. Unlike you, I don’t like to terrify my family.” He smiled gently, stroking her hair.

  She inhaled; she was counting on that. “Let me go back to sleep. Please make sure I wake before I transition. I should have about two or three hours before it happens.”

  “Do you have your suit on?”

  “Under these cammies.”

  “Okay, then. Sleep tight. I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  Michael kissed her cheek before leaving the room. He leaned against her closed door, closing his eyes. Guilt welled inside of him. He knew why she was miserable. Could he really do this to her? He had to face the truth about himself at that moment. He was jealous and he hated feeling that way. He wanted the freedom she had. How stupid could I be? He thought to himself. Risk everything for what? Was it worth it?

  His head turned to her door. He could hear her crying. Sighing, he walked back in. “Hey, baby girl. I knew there was something more.” He rubbed her back before lying down next to her and pulling her close to him. “This is my fault. I’m so sorry. I promise, I won’t do it. I have to admit something to you. I’m jealous of you.”

  “Yo
u’re what?” She sniffed, looking at him.

  He flipped to his back to stare at the ceiling, resting her head on his chest. “Stupid, huh? I’ve never felt that way in my entire life. I just want the freedom you have.”

  “Mike, it’s not as great as you think.” She cuddled into his arms. “The price is terrible. Daddy thinks I’m going to get cancer or something any minute from the chemical exposure, or that the process will suddenly reverse while I’m too deep to do anything. I always wonder if my body will suddenly fail me. These fears go through my mind every day, too. I try to ignore them, but they’re real. What if I did want to have kids? What if Rich changes his mind? If I had the choice, I would use the mask any day. But I don’t.”

  “I didn’t know you felt this way. Why didn’t you tell me? You tell me everything.”

  “I didn’t want to face it and if I said something, I would have to. Now you’re wanting to be this way and that doubles the fear – that all this terrible stuff could happen to you, too.” She began to sob.

  “Shh, I won’t do it. I swear on my honor. I’m so sorry, birthday present. Please forgive me.” Michael felt the tears in his own eyes come, seeing the grief he brought upon her. “Jealousy is an ugly thing. I don’t want it.”

  “I’ve always been jealous of you, but you know that.” She sniffed. “It’s made me work harder.”

  “But it’s also made you try to be something you’re not. I don’t have the ability to memorize like you do. I could be jealous over that, but I can’t change it.”

  “But you can take everything you learn and instantly assimilate it. I can’t. And you’re so well behaved. I certainly am not.”

  “I wasn’t always the good kid. Believe me, I got into a lot of trouble. My problem was that I would find a way not to repeat the same offense and tried to use that to my benefit.”

  “You did?”

  “Oh yes.” He chuckled. “I would also do it when one of the folks wasn’t around, so they didn’t know about it until I got busted. Yeah, I was a handful at one time. Ask Scott. I vaguely remembering Mom in a panic one day because I decided to climb a big tree that hung over our roof. She promised everything to get me down, but I didn’t want to.”

  “Why didn’t she come up to get you?”

  “You were already walking and climbing out of your playpen, so she couldn’t leave you unattended for a second. Even then, you were into everything.” He kissed her temple. “Needless to say, I was half her size by then and had no fear of her. She called Scott, crying that I was going to break a bone or something.”

  “Why didn’t you come down?”

  “I didn’t want to. I wanted to see how far I could climb. I was on the roof by the time Uncle Scott got there. Trust me, I didn’t have the fear of him at the time either, so his ordering me down didn’t get any results.”

  “You disobeyed Uncle Scott deliberately?”

  Chapter 11

  “The first and last time. He climbed up that tree and hauled my little butt down. Mom was all over me, kissing and hugging when he informed her that I was going to learn a lesson about minding my elders that I would never forget. He was right. He paddled me right there and then. Not a happy day for me. But he was right. It was a lesson I never forgot. I also remember it didn’t hurt that much, but both he and Mom looked so sad that my heart hurt.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I climbed into your playpen and cried, holding you. You just sat in my lap and let me, with your little head against my chest like this.” He stroked her face warmly. “You were always my comfort when I was sad or hurt. The only way I could sleep after Mom died was if you were with me. I needed to hold onto you. Dad found me in your crib every morning. He finally allowed you to sleep in my bed with me. That was when you and I started climbing into bed with him.”

  “Then you know how I feel about this whole thing?”

  “Yes. I forgot how much it hurts to be afraid to lose someone you love. I can’t do that to you intentionally. Or to Dad or Scott. It’s selfish and you all deserve better.”

  “Tell me some more stories,” she requested, holding his arms tightly around her middle.

  Michael chuckled. “There are so many. We really did have a happy childhood. An odd one, but good. I remember when we discovered your ability to memorize instantly.” He laughed. “You were about 14 months old and I decided that you were old enough to learn how to read. It was my intent to teach you.”

  “How cute. What were you, five?”

  “Yeah. The folks thought it was a good idea and really encouraged it. I had starting reading at two, so they were a little prepared. You were already talking quite a bit as well. I took the alphabet letters and started telling you what they were. You got bored after I said each one and didn’t want to repeat it. It got me mad. I went to tell Dad that you wouldn’t do your homework and that he needed to tell you to mind me.”

  “You didn’t!”

  “I think the term they used for me was precocious. I would always speak to you like an adult and had a pretty complete adult vocabulary by four, which drove them nuts. Dad started laughing and tried to explain to me that not everybody can learn like I did. Then we heard you in the other room, repeating all the alphabet sounds. We went in and, sure enough, you knew everything I had showed you. Dad was so excited, but I was pissed.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know. Goofy kid thing. Dad’s good, though, he praised me for being such a good teacher and asked me to show him how I did it. You learned the whole alphabet in one sitting and how to spell in an hour. He couldn’t wait to show you off to Scott. He also gave me all the credit.”

  “We do have a smart father. It kept you from getting discouraged.”

  “It sure did, and it was fun. I liked teaching you things. I still do.”

  “You’re the best, Michael. I can’t say that enough.”

  “It’s easy when I have you to look after. I wish you wouldn’t grow up.”

  “Uncle Scott still took care of Mama once she grew up. You won’t be any different. Thank you for being here with me.”

  “My pleasure. You look like you need a swim, baby doll. Sure you don’t want me to go?”

  “I think Daddy wants some time with me. He’s afraid of me growing up too. Stay here and screw Jen’s brains out.”

  “I shouldn’t ask, but…” Michael hinted.

  “Yes. It was amazing. Rich is a dream. He’s like the best of my family wrapped into a gorgeous, muscular package. I love him so much, Mike. We were meant for each other.”

  “I believe you were. And the fact that he can handle your temper is even better. How’s that going?”

  “After that last incident with him, I have not even thought of tempting fate. He likes to play, though.” She giggled. “He has a bit of a kinky side. He really likes my ass.”

  “He’s good for you. And for Jen and the family. You like her, huh?”

  “She’s like a sister to me and she makes you happy. Of course I do. You’ve fallen in love with her, too. I can tell.”

  “Yeah, I have. It’s still early in our relationship and I really want to go slow, but she’s the one.”

  “I know she is. There is still a lot for her to learn about us, though. She hasn’t had to deal with us going out on assignments yet.”

  “She’ll have the family to support her when we do. I just hope she can handle it. We also need to monitor her partying when school begins again. As Scott says, she has that little devil inside her.”

  “You like that though, right?”

  “After dealing with you, I can handle any type of brat. You’ve given me lots of practice.”

  “You’re welcome. I need to swim,” she said, sitting up. She kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

  They walked downstairs and into the kitchen where Dr. Quimby was happily sautéing some onions. Michael winked at his sister and hugged his father from behind. “Hi Mom, what’s for dinner?”

  “Very funny.
Cooking relaxes me. How’s your— hey honey, are you all right?”

  “I need to go out for a while. It that okay?”

  “Go ahead. Can you wait for me? I’ll have Mike finish this,” he asked, washing his hands in the sink.

  She nodded. “I’ll be in the inlet waiting for you. Daddy? I love you. Please try to stop worrying.”

  “I can’t help myself. You know that. I’ll be there as soon as I get my suit on.”

  “Wear one of mine, Dad. I have the mask with it in my bag upstairs,” Michael said, arm around his sister’s neck.

  “I hate that mask, it makes me feel unsafe. Thanks, but I’ll go the old fashioned way. It’s more predictable.”

  “I’ll try to keep him out so you can have some time with Jen.” Sam elbowed her father lovingly.

  “Come back when you’re ready. I want you home with me tonight.” Michael hugged her tightly. He held out his hand to walk down to the dock with her after telling Jen he’d be back in a few.

  Jen waved to her friend with a smile. “Have a good swim and be careful. It’s already so quiet with Scott gone,” she commented, plopping down in Scott’s chair.

  “I can’t believe you’re sitting in his spot. Nobody sits there. You are braver than I am.” Sam giggled.

  “It’s comfy. And Scott doesn’t scare me... when he isn’t around.” Jen grinned folding her legs underneath her.

  Michael watched his sister slide under the water to the bottom, the bubbles rising to the surface as she emptied her lungs to permit the gas exchange. He waited until his father came down, hauling the scuba equipment.

  “I could have helped you,” Michael said, lifting the double tank onto the man’s back and strapping it in place. He checked the air and regulator before handing it over.

  “Son, I’ve been diving since long before you were born. I know how to do this stuff.”

  “Habit, sorry. Dad?”

  “Yes, m’boy?”

  “I love you. I don’t tell you enough how much I appreciate what you and Scott have done for us. Thanks.”

  “Where is this coming from?” Dr. Quimby looked confused.