All in all, it’s not actually as embarrassing as I thought it would be. Atticus sits beside me, drinking in every new photograph, beaming widely as we all joke and josh around.
“You were so cute as a baby,” Ausha says as she sits between my brother’s legs on the ground. He dutifully rubs her shoulders. “Do you think you’ll have any, someday?”
I hesitate. “Probably not. I’ve actually considered fostering, and I think that’s what I’ll probably end up doing someday. I need to get around to filling out applications, going through all the steps. And I probably need a slightly nicer place.”
Ausha is the newest member of the family, with her pretty little teardrop ring on her finger and a promise of marriage after Everett graduates. She’s also the most inquisitive, but I don’t mind. She’s sweet, and she suits my brother well. “Do you think you’ll continue teaching in St. Morgan?”
“I think so, for now,” I reply. “I’ve no intention of going anywhere.”
“I hope not,” Atticus says dryly. “I don’t want to be stuck with Bryant or Sullivan.”
I chuckle. “God forbid.”
“You should really pick up influencing again,” Everett suggests. “I mean, come on, that video blew up. Making more for the school and stuff is great and all, but think about it—you could do a blog, maybe even videos, talking about what it’s like working with Atticus. I think people would eat it up.”
“I won’t pretend the thought hasn’t occurred to me,” I admit. The teacher’s conference, where the other instructors refused to use respectful language to refer to Atticus, has remained stuck in the back of my mind. Creating an educating platform, where he and I could speak to the internet en masse together and open minds? It’s a tempting thought.
Too bad I’m currently terrified of showing my face anywhere on the web. “We’ll see what happens. I’m content with taking charge of the school’s platforms for now. We’ve got a fundraiser for the gym set up. I’m hoping folks come.”
“They will,” Atticus assures with some confidence. “If anyone can get them through the door, it’s you.”
Embarrassed, I toy with a braid. My mom smiles at me knowingly, getting up from her seat.
“How does buttermilk pie with strawberries sound to everybody? Atticus, I know you can’t have any, honey, but I wish you could. Old family recipe. I can send it with you, if you like?”
“The smell of your cooking makes me wish I could eat.” Atticus chuckles. “Thank you.”
I wish Atticus and I had more time. I’d spend all of it here, where I’ve always felt safest and happiest. But I’d like to show him New Carnegie, and we have to leave tomorrow. My parents don’t put up too much of a fuss when I let them know, although Mom is a little disappointed she can’t send me home with a veritable tower of leftovers.
I exchange hugs with everyone, and I’m amused when they hug Atticus too. He really doesn’t have a choice in the matter, it seems, but he adapts quickly, embracing them in return.
“When you get back, we’ll really have to party,” Everett says. “I’m talking, like, Grandma’s seafood boil, type of party.”
“Sounds good to me,” I tell him. “You text me when that baby comes, okay?”
My mother accompanies me out to the car that’s waiting for us. Being here with her makes me want to tell Atticusfuck it, we’re getting out of that small townand drive us both right on back to the big city, St. Morgan be damned.
She rubs my arms. “Listen here, my baby girl,” she tells me as she gives me one final, big hug. “You do whatever it takes to be happy. Whatever it takes, you hear?”
“Mom?” I ask, puzzled.
“Oh, I caught you looking at him like he was the sun and you were the earth a couple times today,” she says under her breath. “And I just want you to know that your father and I—machine or not—we’ll support you. He’s a good man.”
I’m not sure if Atticus can hear as he comes to join me. I smile at my mom and just try to keep it together. I don’t want to cry today. I want to have fun. “Thanks, Mom.”
“You both be safe and take care,” she calls as we slide into our ride. “Been some android attacks downtown, so keep your eyes out for trouble and don’t go anywhere you don’t need to be.”
She stays in the yard and waves as we drive by. The tears finally get to me.
Atticus frowns. “Lucy?”
“I’m fine,” I say with all the sincerity I can muster. “I just miss them already.”
But I’m grateful as he curls his arm around me, leaning into him as he holds me close. I hug him tightly in return, not caring if our human driver gives us odd stares in the rear mirror.
* * *
Atticus
