667: Issue #7 Pt. 2 "The Seventh Son"

Subject #002: that was me.

Josiah had called me into his study to go over my file and let me have some insight into where I came from.

They had taken me from my birth mother as a way to protect me; at least I could thank L. Cipher for that much. They had also mentioned another reason for taking custody of me: the source of my father, so to speak.

I had no idea what any of that meant, but it sounded almost…dangerous.

The sun was just starting to set and Medusa had decided to make a spread of Southern eats for dinner. As she put it, “You earned it, sugar.”

Boy, did we.

I was starving as I entered the kitchen to boisterous laughter and loud conversation.

Jackie was in front of the stove stirring a pot of gravy as Medusa made biscuits on the counter.

“What’s happenin’, cuz’?” Jackie handed me a forkful of red beans and rice to test. It was perfect for me; not too spicy.

“Just got done going over my file; I was number two.” I sat down at the island and reached for a slice of steaming cornbread when Medusa whacked my knuckles with a wooden spoon.

“Uh uh, Adam Baudin. That is for dinner.” She winked at me and went back to dropping biscuits on a baking pan.

“Number two—and Violet was number one. What are the odds of that?” Jackie went to check the chicken that was popping away in the skillet.

“Pretty slim…except when you both were born in New Orleans.”

Jackie slowly turned to face me with fork in hand, “Excuse me?”

“We were both born here.” I tapped the counter, “She was fabricated in the same clinic as I was.”

“Did she know this before now?” Jackie went back to checking the various pots that were simmering on the stove top.

“I don’t think she did when we first met, but after she found the files in Salem I am sure she did. Why she didn’t tell me; I don’t know.” I snuck a smaller slice of cornbread and popped it into my mouth.

“Shock most likely. Imagine growing up your whole life thinking you are one thing and then finding out you’re technically not.” Jackie flipped the chicken as he spoke.

“Uh, hello!” I wiggled my gloved hands at him.

“You know what I mean. She had pride in where she was from because that is all she knew and now she finds out that she was technically an American first; that could be overwhelming. I’m sure knowing that she and you were cultivated side by side doesn’t help. I don’t know if you see it, Adam—but the two of you have a connection.” Jackie let Medusa take over and came to sit with me at the island.

“Maybe.” I turned my head away because I knew that look in Jackie’s eyes; he was reading me.

“Let Jessica go, Adam. She isn’t the end of everything.” Jackie waved his hand in front of his face.

This wasn’t the conversation I wanted to be having. Love was just not an option for me at this point.

“Maybe not, but I don’t want to start anything right now. Where would that get me in all of this? Shit is way too out of control and unpredictable to be starting a relationship with someone.” I rambled as I stared out the kitchen window.

Violet and Asher were strolling through the backyard and she was laughing at something he said, her head thrown back with joy. She was finding love in this, but I wasn’t going to.

“Whatever you say, but I can see it in your face: you want something more than what you have, but you are afraid to go get it. Better make a decision before that opportunity is gone.” Jackie’s eyes had followed my gaze and he too noticed Asher and Violet out behind the house.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I smacked my hands down on the counter and rose from my stool before grabbing another piece of cornbread and retiring to my room until dinner.