#us52

Maru looked at her feet. “I guess,” she said.

Vincent bounded up to Penny, a single wild flower in his hand.

“Look, Miss Penny. It’s almost as pretty as you.”

Penny smiled and took the flower from him. “Thank you, Vincent,” she said. “That’s so sweet of you to say.”

His smile widened as he turned away, hopping back to the river.

Penny turned to Maru and offered her the flower.

Harvey cleared his throat behind them. “Am I interrupting?”

Penny turned to him and smiled. “Of course not.”

Harvey walked to her side. “I just wanted to let you know that I’m releasing Jas tonight.”

“Good,” Penny said with a nod. “Vincent has been missing her.”

“You’ll have to ask her about my equipment,” Harvey said proudly. “She hasn’t stopped asking questions. Even quizzing me!”

“Maybe we’ll have another doctor in out future.”

“I could always use the help,” Harvey said. He turned to Maru. “I heard you have some experience.”

“I went to school for nursing,” Maru said. She hesitated. “I only had a year left. But the Shadow People had other plans, apparently.”

“Well,” Harvey started. “I’d be happy to offer you some on the job training. Nothing can beat that kind of schooling.”

Maru beamed. “I’d love that.”

*****

Sebastian leaned over the engine of the Hummer. “She’s so arrogant,” he said from under the hood. “Little Miss Perfect. She’s always been that way.”

“Uh huh,” Sam said, disinterested. He leaned against the vehicle, holding the oil stick for Sebastian.

Sebastian took it from him and replaced the cap, double checking the measurements. “Perfect little girl from the perfect little marriage,” he muttered.

Sam handed him the rag as he let the hood drop down. “You’re the mistake, man.”

Sebastian wiped his hands on the rag, staring at the Hummer. “I know,” he said. “I’ve known that from the moment I met Demetrius. He doesn’t let me forget it.”

“Fuck him,” Sam said. “What do you care, anyway?”

“I don’t,” Sebastian said, throwing the rag against the hood. “I’m not stuck with him anymore. He and Maru can have their perfect little father-daughter relationship and pretend I don’t exist. It’s not like they didn’t do that before the invasion. The only thing I had in common with them was my mother. I swear, Demetrius only let me live with them because I was his wife’s son.”

“Did he lock you in a tiny room under the stairs?”

Sebastian glared at Sam. “If only I had the power of magic to turn you into a toad,” he hissed.

Sam shrugged. “Maybe someone pretty will kiss me and turn into a prince.”

“No sane woman would kiss a toad,” Sebastian said. “Especially if they knew it would turn into you.”

Sam crossed his arms. “Maybe you would get along with them if you weren’t such an ass.”

“Demetrius is the ass.”

“He can’t be that much of an ass if your mother stayed with him,” Sam said. “I bet he’s better than your biological father.”

“I don’t remember him,” Sebastian muttered. “He left when I was little.”

“Demetrius could have left you,” Sam pointed out. “Give him a break. You’re a weird asshole that probably made his life hell.”

“He’s had all these years to be a decent step-father,” Sebastian snapped. “I didn’t need him then and I don’t need him now.”

“I’d take a step-father over a dead father,” Sam mumbled.

“You can have mine.”

“Get over your petty ass problems,” Sam hissed, “and grow up. Maru is your sister. Stop blaming your problems on her and just be happy you have some family left.”

Sebastian grabbed the rag and threw it at Sam.

“Ouch,” Sam said, rolling his eyes. “That was so hurtful.” He threw the rag back at Sebastian.

“Wipe the shit off your nose,” Sebastian said, throwing it back to Sam.

“It’s filthy.” Sam tossed it back.

“It would be an improvement.” Sebastian returned fire.

“Why don’t you go cry into it?” Sam threw the rag.

“Jerk off with it.” Sebastian tossed it back.

“You need it more than me,” Sam said.

Sebastian caught the rag and threw it on the ground. “Go to hell.”

“I’m already there.”

Sebastian watched Sam walk behind the Hummer. “What are you doing?” he barked.

“Drinking Gil’s driving whisky,” Sam said. He returned with a flask in hand and lifted it to his lips.

“Give me that,” Sebastian said, taking the flask from Sam and drinking.

Sam grabbed it when Sebastian was finished. “Don’t tell Gil.”

*****

Sam fell onto the couch beside Penny. They watched as Vincent flipped through an old book, admiring the pictures quietly and reading the words to himself slowly.

“Tough day?” Penny asked.

“All Sebastian has done is bitch about Maru.”

Penny smiled. “Maru’s had some words about Sebastian, too.”

“At least I’m not the only one that has to deal with their shit.” He turned to Penny and smiled. “Can I hide out here with you?”

Penny met his gaze. “Yeah. I could use some adult company.”

Sam stretched out his legs. “Being with Vincent all day must make you go crazy.”

“Not at all,” she said. “Teaching kids is what I’ve always loved to do. And it keeps his mind off of…” Penny trailed off. She met Sam’s gaze. “You know.”

“Our dead father?”

Penny shifted uncomfortable on the couch. She turned her attention back to Vincent. “I’m sorry, Sam.”

Sam shook his head and sighed. “No, I’m sorry.” He watched Vincent as he flipped a page in the book. “I didn’t mean to snap.”

Penny hesitated. “You can talk to me if you need to,” she said softly.

Sam shrugged. “Thanks for keeping Vincent busy.” He got onto the floor beside his brother and pointed at the book in his lap.

“Why is that bear wearing glasses?” Sam asked.

Vincent giggled. “Because he’s smart, Sam.” He pushed his older brother’s chest. “Smarter than you!”

“At least I know how to ride a bike,” Sam said.