Page 29 of Perfection

Chapter Six

Amanda slid onto the red acrylic barstool and accepted the cup of coffee Vi offered.

“Thank you. I’m so glad you were home. I was in the area and took a chance.”

“I’m on second shift today, so I’m going to work later.”

“I can’t stay long. It’s just been quite some time since the two of us have gotten together.” Amanda’s eyes roamed the room. “You’ve redecorated.”

“Yes. I use a furniture trade-in program. It keeps the look fresh.”

“I’ll have to give that a try.” She sighed, then took a sip of her coffee. “You know, I think of you as the daughter I never had.”

“I appreciate that,” Vi said. “Since my parents are gone, it’s nice to feel like I have someone. York is like family to me.”

“I’m so disappointed you and Cal split up.” She leaned back in her seat, thoughtful. It seemed as though it had been a good two years when Vi and Cal were together. “Ah, that’s why I haven’t seen much of you lately… It must be awkward with me being your ex-boyfriend’s mother and all.”

Vi topped off her mug and added cream. “It is a little strange.”

With a wave of her hand, she shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. I care about you regardless.” She smiled. “So, how angry was York about my protest? Do you think it’s safe to call him yet?”

Vi chuckled. “He’s threatening to place an ad for new relatives.”

“He’ll get over it. He always does,” Amanda said. “I think he’s finally letting Cal off the hook. I guess brothers shouldn’t push each other toward women. But Cal thought what York needed after Danny died and Madison divorced him was another woman.” She leaned forward. “You don’t think York is interested in the B-Zaika gal, do you?”

“Nah.” Vi shook her head.

“Good. I was worried. I saw the way he looked at her on the news reports. Like he wants to protect her or something.” She sighed and rushed on to the reason for her visit. “I’ve watched all the news stories on the B-Gastion case.” She tsked. “So sad. And unprecedented. Would you say it has something to do with GEI engineering gone wrong?”

A scowl wrinkled Vi’s pretty features. “I’m not going there, Amanda. It’s an active case, and York will replace me with a robot if I whisper even a word about what we know.”

“Oh, pooh. He hates robots.”

“Exactly.”

“So you know something?”

Vi shrugged. “Not much more than what’s been on the news. Little Isabelle died in her bedroom. York had to meet with that geneticist from Seville.”

Yes, she knew that already. “I’m sure he loved doing that,” Amanda said, looking over the rim of her cup as she drank.

“Yeah. Right.”

“Have you heard from him today?”

“Not yet.” Vi’s lips tugged to the side as if thinking. “Would you like more coffee?”

Vi’s home computer announced, “There is a call from York Richmond.”

“Accept,” Vi instructed, looking across the counter at Amanda as the woman pulled herself straighter in her seat.

“Hi, York,” Vi said. “What’s up?”

“I’m heading home from Seville now. Thought I’d stop by your place and fill you in.”

“Sure. See you in a few.” The speaker went silent. Her eyes met Amanda’s. The older woman seemed to be contemplating the same thing she was. Any minute, the mom was going to come face-to-face with her son.

“He’s only now on his way home?” Amanda asked, covering up her sudden frustration at the change of plans.