THE MOMENT
Roy sat in his recliner next to the fire. A small, pink bundle lay on the floor close enough to get some warmth. It was the middle of winter and a gentle, sun-lit snowfall could be seen through the windows. The swaddled, green-haired child dozed while the two adults in the room decided her future.
"It don't matter how special she is," Roy shook his head. "You can't just give me a child, Mundo," he admonished his friend. Mundo shook her head.
"I didn't say special, I said Unique," she corrected him. Roy shrugged.
"It's the same thing, and I want no part of it. This lil lady deserves a proper home without hiding or worrying someone's gonna take her away from her family. Which is exactly what's going to happen when someone finds out she was a Christmas gift."
"It's not the same thing," Mundo said. She sighed at him. "There's a lot about me you don't know," she said. Mundo sat up straighter in her chair. "We'll have to have that conversation soon; but, I don't have time tonight. The short version is, when I say she's Unique, I'm referring to a very specific definition. She's going to have some odd abilities and I want to put her with someone that I know can handle it." Roy tilted his head at Mundo.
"Abilities like what?" he asked. "And, how do you know?"
"The 'how' is going to have to wait," Mundo said. "But, she's going to be able to talk to plants. At least," she said.
"Talk to plants?" Roy asked with a plain tone. Mundo nodded. "You're serious?" Mundo nodded again.
"100%," she added. Roy narrowed his eyes and gave Mundo an appraising look up and down. They'd been friends for years; she was at his wedding and at his wife's funeral. In all their time together, he could always tell when she was trying to lie or play a prank; but, at the moment she had no tells.
"I can guarantee you won't have to worry about anyone taking her away from you. I'm sure you're wondering how, but again, that's for the other discussion when we have more time. I do need to get back to work soon," she said. Roy looked down at the pink bundle and wondered if it was a sign.
Roy's pregnant wife passed away two years ago; but, he woke up that morning finally ready to move on. He was on his way out to the home store when Mundo called that she was on her way over. Roy planned to redecorate the unused nursery that day. He was ready; but, it seemed the universe had other plans. The coincidental timing was too perfect for Roy to ignore. And, he knew he could put faith in Mundo's assurances even if he didn't understand the logistics. Mundo's word was gold.
"She got a name?" Roy asked. Mundo nodded and smiled.
--
"And, did anyone ever say anything?" Oz asked Barley. He, Barley, and Astra were sitting at Barley's table over the remnants of their fried chicken meal. Oz was curious about Barley's past and she happily obliged with how she was adopted, according to her father. Barley shook her head; the motion made her green curls bounce.
"Naw. Once Mundo gave her the talk, pops was thrilled. He's the best dad I could have had," Barley said.
"Is he...," Oz didn't know how to phrase the question. Luckily, Barley caught on easily enough. She shook her head again.
"Once I moved to the AlterNet, he didn't hafta stay on this Earth anymore. He's out seeing the multiverse, but we keep in touch and meet up often,” Barley said. After a quiet moment, she spoke up again while focusing on Oz.
“So, what about you? Got any family back on your Earth?” she asked. Oz smiled and made a point of pushing his plate away from himself.
“About me, well,...if we’re done eating, I believe we should resume the quest so that I might visit Marciegeddon.” He stood up from the table and nodded at Astra.
“Okay!” Barley said. She was oblivious to his attempts to dodge the subject. "You can tell us about it while we walk.”