John Varley by Blue Champagne (epub)

Author:Blue Champagne (epub)
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-18T00:00:00+00:00

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Cleo hated breakfast.

Her energy level was lowest in the morning, but not so the children’s. There was always some school crisis, something that had to be located at the last minute, some argument that had to be settled.

This morning it was a bowl of cereal spilled in Lilli’s lap. Cleo hadn’t seen it happen; her attention had been diverted momentarily by Feather, her youngest.

And of course it had to happen after Lilli was dressed.

“Mom, this was the last outfit I had.”

“Well, if you wouldn’t use them so hard they might last more than three days, and if you didn’t…” She stopped before she lost her temper. “Just take it off and go as you are.”

“But Mom, nobody goes to school naked. Nobody. Give me some money and I’ll stop at the store on—”

Cleo raised her voice, something she tried never to do. “Child, I know there are kids in your class whose parents can’t afford to buy clothes at all.”

“All right, so the poor kids don’t—”

“That’s enough. You’re late already. Get going.”

Lilli stalked from the room. Cleo heard the door slam.

Through it all Jules was an island of calm at the other end of the table, his nose in his newspad, sipping his second cup of coffee. Cleo glanced at her own bacon and eggs cooling on the plate, poured herself a first cup of coffee, then had to get up and help Paul find his other shoe.

By then Feather was wet again, so she put her on the table and peeled off the sopping diaper.

“Hey, listen to this,” Jules said. “‘The City Council today passed without objection an ordinance requiring—’”

“Jules, aren’t you a little behind schedule?”

He glanced at his thumbnail. “You’re right. Thanks.” He finished his coffee, folded his newspad and tucked it under his arm, bent over to kiss her, then frowned.

“You really ought to eat more, honey,” he said, indicating the untouched eggs. “Eating for two, you know. ’Bye now.”

“Good-bye,” Cleo said, through clenched teeth. “And if I hear that ‘eating for two’ business again, I’ll…” But he was gone.

She had time to scorch her lip on the coffee, then was out the door, hurrying to catch the train.

There were seats on the sun car, but of course Feather was with her and the UV wasn’t good for her tender skin. After a longing look at the passengers reclining with the dark cups strapped over their eyes—and a rueful glance down at her own pale skin—Cleo boarded the next car and found a seat by a large man wearing a hardhat. She settled down in the cushions, adjusted the straps on the carrier slung in front of her, and let Feather have a nipple. She unfolded her newspad and spread it out in her lap.

“Cute,” the man said. “How old is he?”

“She,” Cleo said, without looking up. “Eleven days.” And five hours and thirty-six minutes…

She shifted in the seat, pointedly turning her shoulder to him, and made a show of activating her newspad and scanning the day’s contents.

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