Crux Year

Chapter Four - Shay

I observe my dad with new eyes this afternoon, searching for any indication of unhappiness. It's infuriating that I let Royal get to me earlier today at school. But, I'd be lying if I said he hasn't upended everything in my head and shaken it.

All I could think about after he left me at the nurse's office was how sad he'd seemed. That only made me feel sicker than I already was after my fainting episode because it made me wonder how I'd feel if it were one of my dads who'd gone to the rehabilitation facility.

"Someone's a little blue tonight," Dad Spencer says, brows knitted together in concern. "Want to talk about it?"

Of my two fathers, I'm the most like Dad Spencer. Sure, I have the same blue eyes and brown hair as Dad Oliver, but Dad Spencer's high anxiety and tendency to worry about everything is what I got the most of.

"Nothing," I lie. "Need help?"

Dad Oliver is still at the office but should be home soon. Lately, he's been working more and more hours. The Rock City council is looking to roll out some new AI later this year and he's heading up the efforts.

"Froddy can handle the rotisserie just fine," Dad Spencer assures me. "Right, Froddy?"

Froddy's lights glitter as he replies in a robotic voice, "Absolutely, sir. Twelve minutes until supper is ready."

Dad Spencer winks at me and clutches my shoulder. "Come on. Let's sit on the back patio while we let Froddy finish up. Tell me what's on your mind. You may as well get it off your chest or I'll be a nervous wreck until your father gets home."

I groan but nod. It's easier telling Dad Spencer things that go on in my life than Dad Oliver. You're not supposed to favor one parent, and I don't, but Dad Spencer just gets me better. Sometimes Dad Oliver can be firm when I just need a little softness.

Dad Spencer opens the sliding glass door and ushers me out into the late afternoon warmth. We sit down on the swing, side by side, and stare off into the woods behind our house. You can almost see the wall between the trees. The wall has always been something I avoid. I'm not at all interested in what lies on the other side.

"Are you worried about the Crux ceremony?" he asks, cutting his eyes my way. "Because, when I had mine, I was terrified."

We don't talk much about their Crux ceremony. It was the first one after the 2X virus and I know they were still raw with grief from losing the females in their lives. Dad Spencer, according to stories I've heard over the years, was especially devastated when his sister died.

I can't even imagine knowing a female, much less being related to one.

"Did you like Dad Oliver before you were matched?"

He scoffs. "God no. He was arrogant and career driven."

"Really?" This is news to me. "Why did they match you together then?"

"That's a question for him. You know Oliver is well-versed in the technical side of how the matches are calculated."

"Were you, uh, attracted to him?" My cheeks burn and it has nothing to do with the sun that's beating on me as it makes its descent toward the horizon.

He lets out a long sigh. "Things were different back then."

"How?"

"Most of us weren't even..."