Becky's Gift

Suma Introduces Uncle Paranor

 "I'll stay with all of you until your mama comes back. You have an uncle. Want to meet him? He's Zheien, and he has two fingers, and he loves you. Want to see? His name is Paranor."

Another diplomat came to the bed. He was crying.

"Sit here, Paranor. These are Stacy's kids. Here's Serie, and she's 5, in the yellow dress. She has brown eyes and brown curls, and pretty brown skin." As she gave each fact, she smoothed the hem of the dress on her ankle and gently stroked her arm. 

Serie moved closer to Suma. Touched her hair. "You have brown hair, like me." Hers was straight.

"Yes, I do. And my eyes are brown, like yours."

"But, you're white." She touched her forearm.

"Yes, I am. But skin is good, whether it's brown or white, because it's part of you."

"Skin is good?" She frowned and rubbed her arm.

"Yes. Skin is good. Look at Paranor's skin. He's yellow."

"And, he has two fingers. He's an alien."

"We're on his planet, so we're the aliens, now!" Suma giggled.

"We're aliens! Like Guardians Of The Galaxy!" Serie laughed.

"Guardians Galaxy boom! Boom!" The older boy pretended to take aim. "I'll save you!"

Suma laughed. "Yeah! Paranor, this is Brian, and he's 4. He's got brown hair and blue eyes like Paranor has."

"Not blue eyes." Brian moved closer to him.

"Paranor's worried about you, so right now, his eyes are black. When he's happier, you'll see the blue."

"His eyes change? Why can't my eyes change?"

"Because you're not from Esta Faho, silly!"

He grabbed his hand, then let go! "What happened to his hands? Ew!"

"His hands are Zheien hands. His feet are, too. Paranor, can I show him your foot?"

"I wish nae to frighten a child! Perhaps I should leave—"

Brian got in his lap. "Don't go! Daddy, hold me!" He hugged him and Paranor did.

"Paranor is Het Paran's brother, so he's your new uncle."

"Uncle! Uncle Pear! I like pears!"

He chuckled. "Would you like one?"

"Uh, huh!"

A wave, and Paranor gave him one.

"We gotta rinse it."

"Here is water." He gave him a bowl of water, and he rolled it. Water splashed, and he cowered.

"O, water nae harms." Paranor made a tiny splash, so water hit the bed. "I can run a vaporizer on the bed. See?" Another wave and white light cleaned up the water.

"Really? Awesome!"

The other kids gathered to splash and Suma smiled. Brian ate his pear while he splashed. Water in the bowl didn't go down.

Suma gave another bowl of water to the younger boy. "This is Kerr, and he's 3." His blond hair was wet now, and he dripped more on it. Splashed his hand in the bowl. "In the water!"

The last child didn't play in her bowl, but just watched her reflection. "Lucy is 2, and she has blond curls. Do you like your water, Lucy?"

She nodded.