The Evolution of the Stars

IX

We stayed in Charlotte for another two days, Macx regaining memories rather quickly. By the end of the second day, he remembered everything but about fifteen minutes before the initial accident.

Basil decided also by the second day that he would be accompanying us the rest of the way, only to ensure Macx's safety.

"Basil, I still don't think you quite grasp the fact that I don't want you to come with! This was supposed to be something I did on my own! Macx was kind of unexpected, let alone you." I try explaining to him for the fifth or sixth time why he shouldn't come along.

He only shrugs his shoulders and cocks an eyebrow up. "Too bad."

"Too bad?"

"Yeah. Too bad." He smiles broadly, stuffing a pair of shorts into a back pack.

"No," I reach into the bag and pull the shorts out before he stuffs another pair in. "You're not even listening to me. You can't come with us."

He pulls the bag away from me and tosses it across the room. "Aster, don't get me wrong here -"

"Oh boy," I interrupt him

"But you won't be able to take care of Macx. There's a reason he had a beat stroke. It wasn't dumb luck. The next people might not be as kind." He stares sympatheticly at me.

"Basil, come on - What about your brother?" I protest, knowing he isn't entirely wrong. Though it stings to hear him say it was my fault, I know it partly to be the truth.

Basil chuckles softly. "He'll stay here. My parents are due home tonight. We'll leave then. And plus, I want to know exactly why you're glowing." He pokes my arm with a teasing smile. "It'll be fun."

With that, I give in. What's the harm in bringing him along when all he's done is help us? He's obviously harmless, and I can only see positive outcomes.

"Pack a bag of solely water. As much as you can," he directs with a calm tone. "Please."

And obediently, I do. It ends up being two milk gallons full with it and three canteens Basil had around the house.

Basil was I'm charge of food. He went to a gas station in the middle of town whose roof and outer walls were beyond bleached by the sun. He mainly bought granola bars and canned vegetables, a few candy bars and bags of chips.

He sent Macx on a clothing run to the Walmart two towns over. Bubba went with him, helping Macx choose cautiously. He came back with thin clothing for all of us, and what Macx considered fashionable hats.

"Because eighty percent of your body heat escapes from your head," he told me proudly.

I don't think he quite understood that we were going to be in the desert.

But then again, I didn't realize I had technically kidnapped him.

And as Basil had promised, his parents arrived at about 7:30 that night.

"Mom, dad, this is Ast - Ruby -," he gives his parents a fake name. "and her little brother Macx. She's a friend from school. Ruby, this is my mother Rebecca and my father Todd."

His father and mother both look at me suspiciously, and for a second I had no idea why. Then I remembered. Glowing, love, you're glowing.

Todd and Rebecca both (mercifully) decide to ignore my blue aura, instead both taking a turn to shake my hand.

"Don't take this the wrong way, dear," Rebecca starts. "But you don't look related."

I smile innocently, cocking my head to the side as I shake her hand. "What do you mean?"

"Well," she blushes, embarrassed by her remark. "You're just very . . ."

Blue? Glowing?

"Caucasian . . . and he's so . . . not?"

I know in my head what she meant, though. Something along the lines of; "Is your aura hereditary or is it contagious?"

"He's adopted." I chuckle, ruffling Macx's hair. Which really meant; "It very well may be hereditary but my mother doesn't glow, and I've never met my father. And I've never met anyone else that glowed, so I don't think it's contagious, either. But I have this strange feeling that this is a gift and that it was given to me because I'm special. Because I'm chosen."

And Basil tenses up beside me, and I know he understood.

Rebecca smiles at Macx, waving like she would to a baby, causing Macx to roll his eyes.

"Anyways," Basil smiles warmly at his mother. "Mom, the reason Ruby and Macx are here is because they're heading North and wanted me to go with them. A little trip before I head to college." Not a complete lie.

"No." His father looks me dead in the eye. "Absolutely not."

Basil stares him down. "I wasn't talking to you."

"Basil," His mother pleads. "Not in front of company."

They must do this a lot.

"Rebecca, please." His father's tone is sopping, dripping, with self-righteousness. "I said no, Basil. That doesn't mean argue with me. That means no."

"I don't believe I even looked at you. Let alone said your name. Butt out." Basil hisses at his father.

"Rebecca," Todd speaks firmly. "Answer your son."

Smiling, Rebecca responds. "Go ahead, baby. Just promise to have fun."

"Thanks, ma," Basil hugs her, sending a glare to his father.

I can't tell you what I would've paid to be able to take a picture of Todd's expression.

We left at 8:00.

°•°•°•°••°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Wow. Almost seven months without an update? I'm so, so, so sorry.

And I thank you so much for sticking with the story. And all for a sucky update every 6ish months.

Thank you all so much.

And 750 reads??? What????

Just so y'all know, this is nowhere near done. There's still a lot in store for our little glowing friend.

Again, thank you for your patience.

Not proof read