Tough Love

Chapter Eighty-Six

Chapter Eighty-Six

Dani

We spend Sunday morning just sitting in the garden in the sunshine. Eli's parents have a beautiful garden and they work hard to keep it that way. Connie grows her own herbs and vegetables. She says it makes food taste so much better when you grow it yourself. We're eating breakfast on the decking out the back, and everyone is shocked when I speak about my parents without any prompting.

“My momma did the same. She even had chickens...”

Connie smiles at me, “Did she? I'd love to have chickens. The fresh eggs must have been lovely.”

“Oh, yes ma'am. My momma used to make the most beautiful egg dishes. She was so sad when she had to sell her chickens to come over here. She'd have brought them with her if she had a chance. She loved those chickens...”

I get lost in my memories. Mostly of my momma talking to the chickens as she fed them, and a more recent memory of when I saw them when I was in a coma.

Eli's hand slips around my shoulder, bringing me out of my daze and causing me to jump. He apologizes for scaring me, but explains that he didn't want me to get caught up in the memories too much. Breakfast continues with a few questions about Russia and my parents. Don asks about my poppa's profession, very interested in the fact he was a heart surgeon.

“He used to read his medical journals to me. He used to say they were boring, but I'd beg him to read them. I just loved listening to him and I also loved to learn about whatever he was reading. Eventually, I used to read them to him, soaking up all of the information.”

Don asks, “So, you remember everything you read to him? Word for word?”

I feel the blush rising on my cheeks as I say, “Yes sir.”

“That is just amazing. You are very special, Dani. I don't think there are any recorded cases of people with a completely photographic memory...”

“My poppa kept me a secret because he didn't want me to be used as a lab rat.”

I can't stop myself from thinking, 'I was just used for other experiments instead. Probably ones far worse than any doctor would have exposed me to...'

I hear Eli's voice whisper in Russian, “Don't go there, Dani. Stop thinking like that.”

I nod, but my cheeks flush a very deep shade of red, giving it away that he was exactly right in his assessment of my thought process.

After breakfast is finished and Eli clears the table, he excuses himself to make a phone call. Leaving me outside with his parents.

Connie asks, “What would you like for dinner, Dani?”

“Oh, I don't mind. I'll eat pretty much anything you make.”

She chuckles, “You're beginning to sound like the boys when I ask them the same question. How about lamb?”

“That would be good. Thank you.”

I was about to say 'ma'am', but I caught myself before I actually let it slip out.

Connie slips away to start preparing for dinner, leaving just Don and myself. He asks, “How are you feeling, Dani?”

“Ok, sir.”

“You sure? Is the Modecate helping with the anxiety?”

“Yes sir. Thank you. It's working better than before.”