Human Blend (31 page)

“Austin, I know this is difficult for you,
but don't take it out on the people trying to help you,” Julie
advised.

“I need to sit down again,” he said, swaying
slightly. Julie walked him back to the bed.

“Lie down,” she coaxed.

“Stay with me,” Austin said. His eyes were
already beginning to close.

“I'm right here,” she said, holding his
hand.

Julie waited for Austin's breathing to become
steady. After about fifteen minutes, she felt that he was in a deep
enough sleep to leave him. She went to talk to Uncle Gregg.

She found him sitting in the living room,
talking with Marcus. “Where's Eli?” she asked.

“Probably hugging some trees,” Marcus
quipped. Julie frowned.

She sat down on the sofa, facing Uncle Gregg.
“I'm worried about Austin,” she started. “He is really having a
hard time dealing with all of this,” she told.

“How are you dealing with all the new
information?” Uncle Gregg asked her.

“That's just it... I'm not, really. I'm more
concerned over how I can help him through all of it and I haven't
had time to digest it all myself,” Julie said. “But I guess in
helping him... I'm sorta helping myself at the same time,” she
concluded.

“Julie, eventually both Austin and yourself
will get over the initial shock of it all and begin to figure out
what your next step is,” he said.

“I know what my next step is,” she said. “I
want to go home. That is, if I still have a place to live,” she
clarified.

“Why would you think you don't have a place
to live?” Eli asked, entering the room.

“I just figured with all the trouble I've
caused... and Mrs. Gosley,” she spoke.

“Julie, as tragic as the events were that
happened... none of it was your fault and you will always have a
place to stay,” Eli confirmed.

“As grateful as I am to you, Eli, for
providing that opportunity to her,” Uncle Gregg said to him before
turning to Julie. “I was hoping you would spend some time up here
with me. I'm sure you will have more questions as time goes on,”
Uncle Gregg said.

“I'm sure I will too, Uncle G, but that's
what telephones are for. I need to do this. I need to go home and
see what it is like to not live in fear every second of the day,”
she explained.

“Not that I'm volunteering, but I can keep an
eye on her since we will be working at the same hospital. I'm sure
Doc here wouldn't mind stepping in for those random freak-out
moments,” Marcus piped in.

Uncle Gregg closed his eyes and rubbed his
forehead. He knew what was coming next.

Julie stood up, anger evident in every part
of her body. “I do
not
need a babysitter! I can take care of
myself... and if I did have any problems or questions... you can be
sure
you
are the last person I would go to!” She ranted
angrily at Marcus.

“Sure, you can take care of yourself. That's
why we all spent the last two days chasing after you and that
crazy-ass thug with a death wish. Face it, Julie, your life screams
damsel in distress,” Marcus commented back.

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.

“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 good-bye 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!