Perception

Part 87

Luke POV

I volunteer to do the cleanup after dinner. I don't mind cleaning--especially if it delays the conversation I know we're about to have with Mr. Blackbourne. The look he gave us after seeing that Sang had been crying was enough to flay the flesh off of our bodies and pour salt on the raw nerves.

After slowly stacking the last dish, I silently creep back to the living room where everyone is gathered to either play Rummy or watch television. Sang is once again curled up with North; Silas is on the floor with her feet resting on his chest where they hang off the couch. I watch as he turns his head to kiss her calf or brush his hand over the top of her feet every couple minutes or so.

I don't see Kota or Gabe, so I may still have a chance to meet up with them to get our approach worked out. I silently start through the living room aimed toward the stairs when a hand clamps over my shoulder.

"Excellent. I've been waiting for you, Mr. Taylor. Shall we join Mr. Lee and Mr. Coleman upstairs?" Mr. Blackbourne asks silkily. Dangerously.

He motions for me to go first, and I continue my silent strides as I climb the stairs. I can hear Gabe and Kota in the room at the end of the hall and call out to them so that Mr. Blackbourne doesn't hear the wrong conversation.

"Oy, we're in here. Did you bring Mr. B.?" Gabe asks, sounding hopeful.

Oh boy. I guess he's already forgotten the eye juice that Cupcake squeezed out earlier because of us. He's much too happy sounding to have realized we're probably going to be doing hours, lots of hours.

"Yes. Mr. Blackbourne and I are on our way," I call out. He should guess by my formal use of Mr. B.'s name that it's not a happy meeting that's about to take place.

Mr. Blackbourne reaches past me to fling to door open then gestures for me to proceed him into the room. If I didn't trust the man so much, his being at my back would probably make me nervous.

Upon entering the room, I notice that Kota is standing at military rest near the window and Gabe is lounging across the bed. Gabe's eyes are closed as he plays an air guitar and hums quietly. I decide to find the middle ground between their composure, so I round the bed and sit against the headboard with my sock-clad feet crossed at the ankles.

"Took you long enough," Gabe grumbles while continuing with whatever song he has floating around in his head. "Let's get this party started," he sings softly before opening his eyes at Kota's throat clearing.

"Mr. Blackbourne, I realize you have your own topics you wish to discuss, but please allow us--me to speak first. There's something we need to talk to you about, and it is a bit more urgent than assigning us hours," Kota states formally with small corrections in his posture to appear more formal.

I want to laugh at his approach, but all things considered, I'm glad he's doing the talking instead of me. Mr. B. nods with eyes slightly narrowed and leans his hip against the dresser near the door in what must be a contrived attempt to look relaxed and casual.

"It has come to my attention that my and a few of my brothers' feelings toward Sang have changed," Kota starts, looking slightly pale. Mr. B. stiffens, his face closing off further. At Mr. Blackbourne's hand circling, motioning Kota to continue with his speech, Kota clears his throat again.

"It seems that a few of us are experiencing feelings that go beyond those of friendship or brotherly feelings toward Sang," Kota stumbles in an uncharacteristic show of nerves.

"Just what exactly are you trying to say, Mr. Lee?" Mr. Blackbourne's tone is sharp and he seems to have completely lost his patience now.

"I'm in love with her. So are Luke and Gabe. The others are probably as well," Kota says in a rush. From here I can see Kota's eyes are huge behind his glasses, and his cheeks are blooming in angry red splotches.