The Quarry

The Quarry - Part 22

Falling into a routine in the house was almost frighteningly simple for Din. Each morning, he awoke to Versa's sleeping form pressed against him in the room they slept in, her skin warm against his and her breathing slow and even. He'd lay still, watching her torso rise and fall with her breathing, brushing stray hairs out of her face and gently running his fingers along her shoulders until she'd open her eyes and smile at him.

They'd get dressed and help Lai with breakfast and getting Vee ready for the day. Lai owned a small textile shop in the center of the settlement. Since Jon had fallen ill, she'd relied on her employees more, and they'd picked up the slack willingly, but she still went in every few rotations to check in. If she went, Din would sit with Vee while Versa spent time with Jon, and when Lai would return, Versa would either sit and chat with both of them or clear out to allow Lai to have her time with her husband. Din could tell Versa was terrified of intruding and taking more time than she deserved, particularly with Jon's health failing him, but Lai was generous and understanding, never questioning the significance of Versa being there. Vee wandered in and out of the room at her leisure, but Din could see she was struggling to grasp what was happening to her father. Lai had told him they'd discussed it as gently as she could, but she had struggled to make her daughter understand what was happening to her father, and she feared what was coming when Jon eventually did pass.

Din himself had yet to see Jon. Excuses clashed in his mind. Versa, Lai, and Vee should have his time. He probably doesn't even remember me. I can't take up time that's finite. Lai needs help around the house. Deep down, he knew the real reason he was avoiding Jon, but he didn't dare examine that too closely. Lai and Versa both noticed, but neither of them had pressed him on it as Din continued to busy himself around the house, helping Lai where he could.

One afternoon, he found himself outside under the dwelling's generator, finishing up replacing a faulty power coupling in the system. There'd been a red blinking warning light for a while, but Lai had sheepishly admitted she wasn't sure how to repair the unit and had been meaning to find someone to repair it. Din had volunteered without hesitation, crawling underneath with the spare part that Lai had managed to find. He had just finished soldering the last wires in place when he felt a nudge against his ankle. Twisting, he saw a pair of blue legs and sandaled feet standing next to his boots. Shutting the maintenance panel, he squirmed back out, coming face to face with Lai.

"That should fix it," he said, dusting himself off and wiping a smear of dirt off the helmet's visor.

Lai squatted down next to him as he rested his back against the generator's housing. "Thank you. Really appreciate all the help you've been around here."

"Not a problem."

She nodded. "I wanted to let you know that Versa, Vee, and I are going to head in to the market for a little bit. I need to do some shopping for groceries and to find some supplies for the shop."

"I can go with you," he said, starting to push himself up before he felt her hand rest on his shoulder. He looked up at her, meeting her golden irises through his visor.

"You should stay," she said.

"Lai, it's fine. I can-"

"Din," she said quietly, "he'd like to see you. Stay with him." With that, she stood, giving him one last nod before turning and heading back into the house. He sat for a while, listening to Lai call out for Vee before he heard the front door close behind them. The silence inside the house was deafening, and he took it in for a bit before heaving himself back up with a deep sigh. He dusted himself off further before heading back inside. Quietly, he walked down the hallway, his heart slamming against his ribs as he reached the door that led into Jon and Lai's room. He stood silently, flexing his fingers nervously as he debated opening the door.