Ford's Rise - L. Ann Marie Page 0,42
off. It’s off. The good thing is she feels connected here. Work is her comfort zone. No matter what’s happening, work is where she’s safe. That could be because her only work experience has been with the good guys. FBI isn’t perfect but they’re better than the other agencies.”
I smile. “She likes working to help kids and making it safe for people here.”
He nods. “She does. It’s all she knows. That’s the comfort thing showing. You have learned connections to the Brothers, the Alpha-Bits, your new brothers and Alexia. She will too. It will take time but she’s already connected to you. She’s never going to be a social magnet or comfortable with change. You know how to talk to her and get her calm. Like Ford with Télia, time has taught him how to live in a way that Télia is comfortable and functioning close to normal most of the time. Alexia is higher functioning than Télia but has lived a sheltered existence. She’ll grow with the Alpha-Bits and you close. I’m impressed with her. I saw what happened today. Two weeks ago, she would have shut down with Boulder yelling. Today she stepped up and got herself, Garren and Michael away from him.”
I’m impressed too. She’s growing. “I never want her to have to again. Before you showed I was thinking that she’s more confident and growing.”
“She is.”
“Does Michael have Asperger’s?”
His head shakes. “No, he’s Fragile X. Harper has Garren as a mild case. I’d say Michael matches him almost exactly. He thinks in a different language so he’s fuckin’ smart, Brother.”
He is. “The differences are environmental?”
“They are. When Garren gets scared, he’s alone, Ford is dead and he’s alone. His mind is like a cyclone so I can’t get everything. He always goes back to Ford is gone even if Ford is sitting with him.”
I close my eyes, my poor brother went through hell. I clear my throat as we’re getting close to the pool again. “Anything else I need?”
“Ford asked if you were Fragile X. You’re not. You feel everything and empathize with everyone. It’s a good thing you do. You protect the most valuable gifts we’ve ever gotten, Web. I don’t think Ford knows or he sees himself differently than I do but he’s like that too. He didn’t let anyone close until he moved to Providence. Then he felt family and love. He found Garren and still kisses his head regularly like he’s five. The Brother even thinks like you do. He’s a Protector too. He just doesn’t know it. Do you have any more questions before we go back in?”
I shake my head. “No. I don’t mind living and feeling as we go. I’ll learn and Alexia will help. Thanks. I won’t bring up the aunt or her dad. What she does with it is hers. I love her no matter what she decides.”
He laughs. “You’re too fuckin’ smart. I didn’t want to say she may not care that she has a father. He isn’t known or familiar to her.”
I nod opening the gate. “I understood.”
He’s gone but I can still hear his laughing. Alder is right. I could use a vacation from freaky too. That’s just fucking weird.
~*~*~
Brothers start leaving and I snag Alexia for a walk before the spirit party. She’s quiet and I leave it alone until we get to the arroyo. This isn’t as deep as others or as wide. It’s just a pathway for water to move through the desert before it sinks into the sand or dries up. I like the stark white against the higher orange clay color. At night the white looks like it’s glowing. I sit and smile when Alexia sits on my lap. I love how she owns that spot.
“Today was crazy, sexy Lexi. When you got out of the SUV, I held my breath for so long I was dizzy.”
“I was so scared. Security couldn’t get to the car and the big guy couldn’t get back to the SUV. That man was shooting at them and getting closer to me and the car. I couldn’t let him shoot Michael and Garren. They were so scared too.”
I kiss her head hoping to stop her shaking. The thought has her on edge again. “I saw. What were you getting at the store?” Changing her focus might help.
“A gift for the baby and AJ. Garren wanted me to help with a gift for AJ. He wouldn’t leave my office. I thought it would be quicker