OBSIDIAN: Birth to Venus

2119

The trip home seemed faster than any flight Jai had flown in the past. From the cockpit, she watched the clouds pass by, the tension melting away from her shoulders as the jet surfed through the sky. She couldn’t believe it. In just two days, her family had grown from a family of two, to a family of seven. They had already planned a few trips, to Chicago and New Orleans, to visit their friends in the clubs there; and, Sean had promised to introduce Jai to everything she’d missed so far. It was a brave new world, foreign, with so much to discover. But, for the first time in her life, a life that would span the lifetime of many humans, Jai knew she wouldn’t have to make the journey alone.

“Here, it’s the least I can do,” said Jai, gifting the Polaroid to Mach.

“I couldn’t,” he said, pushing it back at her. “There are only a few functional ones left in the world, and your collection of cameras is nearly perfect.”

Diana agreed. “Don’t put yourself out, Jai. You should keep it. I swear he loves the search as much as the thing itself.”

“No, I insist.” Jai folded Mach’s hands down on it. “I want you to have it. Please. Take care of it, for me.” It was the best Jai could do. She couldn’t put what she felt into words, the sense of warmth and belonging that she’d never felt before. She was not only welcome, but understood, by people who were actually capable of truly understanding her. For decades, she believed it would never be possible. In the past, she had to make up some excuse, some bogus reason to move far away, before her friends would catch on…before they would notice their bodies aging, surpassing hers. It was exhausting. Her new friends shattered that illusion. Like Avena had said, being seen was important, but it was far more important than Jai had ever realized. These five, they were the first people, aside from her mother, to see her for who and what she was. And, for the right reasons. Even Borda wasn’t prying out of curiosity. He was sincere. Jai had sensed it, deep in the pit of her stomach. In fact, since she’d met Sean, she’d found it hard to turn off her sixth sense, her internal sensor. It was like an invisible red string tying her to each of them, and her mind couldn’t help but unravel the knots they held inside.

As Jai landed the craft, they disembarked. Jai stood at the door, not ready to watch them go. It was an unfamiliar feeling, a complete departure from her normally ascetic ways. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt that sense of longing. Sean waved goodbye to the group as he paused to say goodbye. “You okay?”

Jai took a deep breath and grinned. “Yes.” She looked inward, noticing, “Yes, I am.”

“I thought so,” Sean said. He smiled at her, not only with his mouth, but with his eyes. He caressed her face with his right hand. “Can I see you tomorrow night? We could do dinner, my place?”

“Yes, see you then.” He kissed her cheek and zipped his black leather jacket. Jai watched him walk to his navy Vyrus. He revved the motorcycle and waved before speeding away.

“Home,” Jai said, shutting off the alarm. She rested on the door before shutting it behind her. Her body hummed with excitement, with all that had happened. She knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep anytime soon.

“Jai, that you?” Joy called out as the elevator opened to the first floor.

“Who else could it be?”

“I can tell by the look on your face, you made the right decision. Spending time with them agrees with you.”

“Yes. And, would you believe, they asked me point-blank?”

“They asked if you were sentient?” Joy’s eyes widened as Jai nodded her head. “Not shy now, are they?”

“Yea. Tell me about it, especially Borda.”

“He’s a cheeky one,” Joy said, grinning. Jai shuddered to think of what Borda could’ve said to her.

“To be fair, they all sort of guessed it. Apparently, going out to the club was my debutante debut of sorts.”

Joy laughed. “Not exactly traditional.”

“Hardly,” Jai agreed. “I just don’t know how to explain it. It’s like I’m finally looking in a mirror, finally seeing myself reflected in other people. I’m not used to it. I’ve never known anyone like me.”

“I know,” Joy said. “You can’t imagine how pleased I am, Jai. This is what I’ve always wanted for you.” Joy was tearing up. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I’ve been afraid these last few years. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve worried more and more about it. I know you’re no shrinking violet. You’ve always had a lot of friends. But, not necessarily the deepest of friendships. I get it. It’s easier to keep people at a distance when you know you’ll have to pick up and move. Leaving friends behind has been rough on me and on you. At least I can still keep in touch and visit my friends. I was overjoyed when sentients were finally discovered. And, in my lifetime too! Knowing you can have a home, maybe even a family…it’s a blessing. It gives me peace to know it’s possible, even when I’m gone.”

Jai fidgeted with the keys, still in her hand. “Please, not again, Mom.”

Joy smiled. “I know, it’s hard for you to hear, but I’m about to turn 100. It’s only a matter of time….”

Jai placed two hands on Joy’s shoulders and ushered her to the kitchen. “No time for that.” Jai ran to the cupboards, reached in, and hid the despair in her voice. “It’s time for popcorn and a movie!”