The Returnee

Chapter 8

"I'm joking, mostly. I am going to spend the day working. Not my job, I have chores to do," Lee said as Joey went to protest. "I need to check my finances and a few other things. I should probably drop my sister a line as well to let her know I'm well. You know, normal everyday things that need doing."

"Sounds like things you can all those things here."

"I could, but I want to do them there," Heels digging in, Lee steeled himself, ready to fight. "I'll happily eat breakfast and dinner here if that will soothe your caretaker itch."

Caretaker or enforcer was the question. Was Joey trying to look after him and get him back on track, or was he trying to keep a tight hold on him to stop him from breaking the rules again? Both were reasonable stances for the man to have. Lee knew which one he'd rather. If it was a desire to chain him up, he was getting on the next plane out of there. He could reason with protectiveness.

"You'll come back for dinner?" Joey said, making their eyes meet. The gaze went through to Lee's soul. His mouth turned dry. Lying to Joey would be a foolish thing to do now.

Lee nodded, not trusting his voice.

"And stay the night?"

"I didn't say that," Lee said, crossing his eyes defensively. He refused to turn into their next bed warmer because of Devon's fears and Joey's need to watch over him. They didn't have a spare room; Lee would definitely be in their bed again. He could hear the justification now already. He'd slept in it once; why would a second time be a problem? "What? Are you also haunted by the idea your group might recall you?"

"Haunted, no. They have twice," Joey offered both his arms out. His tattoo sat proudly on his right arm, and on the left, the identical scars rested. The warmth drained from Lee. Joey's words sounded cheerful, but he spoke with no emotion behind them. "They approved of my role in the family and were kind enough not to touch my ink." Joey beamed at him afterwards. The smile hurt. If Lee's group spoke as little as possible to him, Joey's group were the opposite. They taught their humans to speak their language and taught them how to behave. Their approval sealed something in Joey that should never have been broken.

"Mine wouldn't be so thoughtful," Lee's voice cracked, looking at the scars. Checkups didn't take long, but a recall long enough for them to be placed back in the machine? Lee trembled. Maybe he had more reason to worry than simple anxiety.

"A lot don't. More do than you'd think," Joey withdrew his arms, crossing them and rubbing his thumbs over the raised edges. "More and more of them are acknowledging us now. My group's social experiments proved that we are capable of sentience in their eyes." Nothing about Joey's words or body language showed if he considered that good or bad.

It offered new nightmare fuel.

"That will be interesting,"

"Something like that. Certainly will create new issues. Will you spend the night?"

Lee let his body language fall, and he fell onto the sofa. He curled up, fiddling with one of the buttons on pillows. "I'd prefer not. I'm rather surprised that you got me to stay last night. Even with all the beer." And good food and hugs. Not to mention the ever so painful feeling of family; he had fallen headfirst into their trap. Worse yet, he'd seen it coming and continued to walk into it. Maybe he needed more help than he first thought.

"Wasn't hard," Joey sat down on the chair closest and studied him. Those words stabbed into Lee. They weren't arrogant or cruel, just simple facts that Lee could not ignore. "Anyway, we're rather used to getting stubborn returnees to do what they need to do. We aren't asking much."

"A shame that it requires me to give up everything that I'm trying to achieve."

Lee heard gears changing in Joey's head. A low hum came from the man. A challenge issued that Lee would regret. He should have fled the city when it was an opinion. Now he'd be more of a coward than the family already thought he was.