your thoughts and wishes to your father, but I doubt that will change the impending visit. As for Michelle leaving, I highly doubt one visit will cause her departure. But, after losing her once before”—she looked pointedly at Jim—“I ensured we could track her with her phone. We just need to make sure she takes it with her.”
* * * *
Sleep never came. Despite Winifred’s assurances, I knew the visit wouldn’t go well. Michelle and her brothers had been with us for five weeks. So much had happened in such a short time. Now, we were asking for more. Always more.
When I heard the boys on the stairs, I left my place on the couch where I’d been contemplating a lonely future, and went to check on Michelle. She was sitting at the island, staring at the tablet again.
“Good morning,” I said.
She turned on the stool. “Morning.”
She was chipper and beautiful. I leaned against the doorframe so I could just take her in for a minute. Her smiled slowly faded as she looked at me.
“Didn’t you sleep well?”
I shrugged. “Coming down for breakfast?”
She glanced at the dirty bowls next to the sink.
“Sorry. I’ll see you downstairs.”
Jim was already outside with the boys when I reached the first floor.
“Did you sleep at all?” Winifred asked when she saw me.
“I don’t think so.”
“Come on. I’ll fix you some breakfast. Your brother can watch the cubs until you’re done eating.”
I didn’t argue but followed her to her kitchen.
“I think you’re overreacting,” she said as she pulled out a pan.
“So you’ve said.” I didn’t feel like going over it again. Whatever would happen, would happen. Like I told her last night, I was tired of waiting.
Winifred had put something into the pan when Michelle started down the steps. I didn’t have to wait long for her to appear.
“Did your friend Sam call already?” she asked, as she set papers on the table and sat next to me.
She seemed so at ease. How long would it last?
“Yes,” Winifred said. “We discussed your gift, though, and feel that it shouldn’t be used. He thanked you for your help so far but will research on his own from now on.”
Michelle’s panic swelled. “But, you can’t—”
“We can. We won’t use you. But, I did hear what you said about the pain. You can still give the information to me,” she said, indicating the papers on the table with the spatula in her hand. “I will read it so you won’t suffer, then I’ll destroy it.”
Michelle sat there for a moment, a look of awe on her face.
“By the way, there are a few people coming today who’d like to meet you,” Nana said, turning back to the stove. “They should be here in about an hour.”
Michelle flinched.
Why, Winifred? She didn’t need to know ahead of time.
Winifred plated a heap of food and placed it before me. Michelle’s gaze met mine. I saw the pain and worry there.
“What people?” she asked.
Winifred answered before I could. “They are from the Compound in Canada. Friends of Jim and Emmitt’s parents. They are coming down with their sons to meet you and your brothers.”
Michelle’s fear grew.
“Why are they coming?” she asked.
I caught Winifred’s gaze.
Don’t. She doesn’t need to know they are coming here just to meet her.
I think she deserves the truth.
I started to shake my head before I stopped myself.
She deserves to feel safe.
Winifred sighed and focused on Michelle.
“We thought it would be good to start exposing you to more of our kind whom you can trust.”
“And who decides who’s trustworthy?”
The sharp, bitter flavor of Michelle’s anger filled my nose. Winifred’s too, based on the way she tilted her head to study my Mate.
I told you she wasn’t ready for this. We’ve pushed her too far, too fast. She bares everything to us, and we bring more of our kind here. The same kind she was running from, the same kind who had threatened her brothers’ lives. How did you think she would react? Anger and fear are—
Enough, Emmitt, Winifred thought at me.
“I’m sorry, Nana, but I don’t feel like good company today,” Michelle said, standing. She left us and went outside. Before Winifred could lecture me aloud, we both heard what Michelle said to Jim.
“Jim, may I have the truck keys?”
My heart stopped.
“Emmitt, calm down,” Winifred said. “She’s not leaving. She wants to take her brothers to a movie. Jim,” she said, knowing Jim would hear her, “make sure she takes her phone with her.”