“Last I checked those ‘toys’ were called computers and they just so happened to, oh I dunno, revolutionize the new world,” Ceci said. “And in case you’ve never used one before, I’ll tell you a secret. They’re really fucking complicated to figure out, let alone program.”
Under the table I pinched Ceci this time. She didn’t so much as flinch, taking the assault as she took up for me. While it was sort of dread-inducing having her flickering flames over the explosives of the conversation, it was also sort of heartwarming to see her fighting for me. Without question or hesitation, just here. On my side.
Still, she needed to stop. I changed from pinching her to palming her bare knee. Squeezing slightly to try and smooth her growing agitation. She just shook me off.
Across from us, mom continued to wave that same dismissive motion. “Yes, I suppose. But really we’ve been fine for years. We’ll get through this and things will keep working like they always have.”
“Nothing’s going to be working when the rest of your shit gets hacked,” Ceci mumbled.
“Celestia,” Tine said sweetly, but sternly. “Stop.”
Ceci shrugged.
Malcolm continued, still confused. “Sorry. Is cyber security not part of what Connor is doing for you all?”
“We actually don’t know what Connor does. It’s quite a mystery to all of us,” Mom answered. “He could be doing so much and yet—”
“Why are you picking a fight right now?” I cut in, exasperated.
“I’m not doing anything, sweetie,” she said, laughing humorlessly. “We are allactuallywondering what it is you do. You said you’ve been finding out who the file tampering sources back to, but you haven’t done that yet. You said you were securing data throughout the company but you obviously haven’t done that either. So whatareyou doing, Son? Other than jeopardizing your entire family and this business?”
“I’m doing whatever you tell me to do, Mom!” I said, my voice raising minutely, but that’s it. “I’ve always done what you tell me to do. You wanted it this way, so that’s why things are this way. I’m sorry I haven’t found the guy yet but I’ve been—” I cut off my eyes flashing to my side momentarily before focusing back on mom “—busy with something important and I haven’t had the time or the fucking tools to backtrack on mistakes that shouldn’t have been made in the first place.”
Marsha Ferguson glared at me from across the table and I felt a frog in my throat begin to rise, “You’re right. These mistakes shouldn’t have been made because I should have been tougher with you. You were always smart and always had a gift for learning. I should have guided you more on your path instead of indulging you. Maybe then you would be prioritizing your family over whatever you’ve been playing around withthis time.”
More utensils hit the table, and I swear the seat beside me burst into flames. “It sounds like if you close your mouth and actually listen for a change you wouldn’t be in this situation in the first place.”
Mom blinked, her head tilting back as she looked at Ceci with eyes that were truly seeing for the first time. Then she blinked around the table at her children.
“Who brought this girl here?” Mom growled.
“Tine did,” Clint said, still way too calm in the middle of this chaos.
Mom faltered, shooting a guilty look at my sister before saying, “Oh.”
“Marsha,” Papa said from beside my mother. Laying a hand on her arm he caught her attention fully, looking at her. She looked back and, as always there was the smallest bit of softness that only he could bring out of her. Quietly, almost inaudibly he whispered to her, “Cálmate.”
This would usually work. Calm her down enough to be a silent force rather than a punishing one. But that was on the occasion we didn’t have Ceci the hornet buzzing around stinging wherever she saw open flesh.
“Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see you’re just doubling down on your mistakes,Marsha,” Ceci taunted.
Mom’s gaze ripped from Papa’s, easily baited. “And what mistakes would that be,little girl?”
“Being too proud to admit you’re wrong,” Cee said. “You have this crazy smart son who has his own programs for exactly the kind of support you need and you refuse to acknowledge it because he’s not doing what you envisioned him doing.”
This got the attention of my brothers and sisters, my true support system. My people. People who didn’t know about my programs yet.
They all perked up, heads whipping to look at me for answers. But I didn’t have answers, because I hadn’t expected any of this.
Tonight was supposed to be like any other night. I was supposed to say goodbye to my friends and thank them for visiting with a nice dinner and maybe some talk on the beach. Tomorrow when I woke up I would drop them off at the airport and then find Ceci.MyCeci, not this psycho crazy hot and cold version of herself and we would be normal.
None of this was supposed to happen. I wasn’t supposed to be feeling like this right now, and that was making me mad. So fucking mad that for once I was quiet because I couldn’t find the words to speak, not just because I’d decided not to say the ones in my head.
“Your own programming, Connor?” Clint spoke up slowly, confused. “You’ve never said anything to us.”
“Yeah,” Clay said. “Half-pint, how do you even know about it?”
“Oh…I don’t know about it,” Ceci said slowly, her voice sounding a little cautious as she realized her error. “I don’t know anything about it really, I was just saying.”
