MARIEL

15 ~ Genius ~

Hawk Caravan was determined to work as hard as he possibly could, especially after his father's heart attack. He was not sure how he could speed the creative process for his invention, but he decided that if anyone could do it, it would be Kaemon Spears. He'd already contacted him, explaining the situation, telling him that he needed someone with a powerful pull to help him get this project underway. Surprisingly, the mayor responded quickly, telling him that he would get Hawk in contact with the CEO of the research center. And that he hoped his father recovered quickly.

The hospital intended to keep his father for a couple days to ensure that his health was on the rise. Due to their varying schedules, most of them were not with Todd at the same time. On Thursday, the day after the heart attack, his mother opened the bookstore due to Esther's morning college schedule. Once Esther took over her shift, Mary retrieved Hawk from school and brought him to visit Todd.

Todd was in good spirits, joking a little, asking Hawk about his day. While Mary sat at the edge of the hospital bed, the boy sprawled onto the cot and told Todd about the topics he had learned, about the substitute teacher who had taught history.

"She was kind of stupid," he said, slurping his straw from the styrofoam cup of water that a nurse had given him. "It was like she didn't know history at all."

"Hawk, don't talk about your teacher like that." Mary's voice was soft, but firm.

Instead, Todd laughed. "He's probably not wrong. Our kid is smart, Mary, if he says the sub was stupid, she was probably stupid."

Waving the cup outwards, Hawk gestured his thanks. "Exactly. Trust the intelligent child, Mom. I'm the only one you will ever have."

Mary frowned, whipped her head backwards to look at her son. "Jason. You need to stop berating your sister."

"I didn't even say her name, Mom."

Todd tapped the bed. "Stop it, Hawk."

Incredulously, Hawk stared at his parents. His eyes were wide. "I didn't do anything. Why am I in trouble all of the sudden? It's not my fault Grandpa wants to kill Esther for whatever reason."

"Hawk!" Todd slapped the bed.

Mary's face whitened. She twitched and, slowly, the woman turned her head towards her husband. "Todd...?" she said, dragging out his name at a pace that sounded similar to a drawl. "What is he talking about?"

Hawk slurped the rest of his water, realizing that he had announced information that he was not even supposed to know. Last night, after his dinner with Mary at the cafeteria, he had returned to the hospital room to retrieve his cell phone. As he had opened the door, he had heard the soft murmurs of Todd and Esther, noting the frustration and urgency in both of their voices.

While standing in the doorway, Hawk had heard Todd mention Jacob Caravan's name, talking about how the heart attack had occurred after the old man had apparently suggested that Esther was a problem that needed to be handled. Granted, Hawk agreed to some extent, as she was a waste of space on Earth, but he didn't want her hurt. Dead.

Behind the hospital curtains, Esther had asked Todd for further clarification, wanting to know exactly what 'a problem that needed to be handled' meant. Hawk had heard his father sigh, as if embarrassed. Then, quoting Jacob Caravan, Todd had said something about 'giving the people on Earth a little more time to find God'. More inaudible words had been spoken. Hawk had cringed to hear them, but a nurse had stepped past him and had interrupted his eavesdropping.

Thinking about it now, he understood that his grandfather was crazy. But, he meant well. His intentions, Hawk was certain, were good. Unethical, but good. Not that he wanted his sister dead, but he could see how Jacob could come to the conclusion that Esther was evil. Personally, Hawk did not think she was evil. Stupid, maybe. Definitely slutty. But, not evil. Not worth death.