Page 27 of Doran

“Excuse me, guys, but I was asked to inform you that the boys are on their way home, and Nick wishes to discuss bicycles with you.”

Darren and I looked at each other, befuddled by this announcement.

“Bikes? They don’t have any bikes.”

I shrugged. “My kids neither. Perhaps his do, and they had a squabble over who got to ride?”

His shoulders slumped. “Maybe.”

We ate in silence after that.

17

SARAH

The bikes thing had merely been about Nick suggesting we all have the general store obtain some for all of our kids, so they could enjoy the safe, open roads and ride back and forth to school and friends’ houses. I had to admit, I was liking the idea, and so he promised he’d speak to Kelran about it before returning home.

“Maybe he’ll be able to replicate some, even. He has a larger replicator for bigger stuff.”

Darren nodded. “If he can, Tarek and I should look at getting some too. We can go on family rides, and use them to get around while working. We’ve got access to a flitter, but bikes will keep us in better shape and beat walking everywhere.”

“Can we afford bikes?” I asked Doran, and he nodded. “We both got our settlement stipend, and you got extra because of the bonus scheme.”

I nodded. He was right. I had gotten extra, some of which was payable to me, and the larger amount, which I’d sent to Grammie.

“Which reminds me, I need to call my mom and dad so they know they can book an earlier flight.”

Bob let me know that the time wasn’t an unsociable hour to be calling when I asked, so I had him open a comm call, video on.

“Hello? Oh! You look tired, dear!”

I laughed. “I’m still getting used to the time difference and only woke up from a nap a little while ago.” It had been just over an hour now, but potato, potahto.

“I see. That’s understandable.” She peered as if trying to see behind me to get a glimpse at my surroundings. “Where are you? Is that Grammie’s table I see?”

“It is! She had the Mylos come collect it and bring it to me. Wasn’t that sweet of her? And we’re in our house. They got it finished just in time for us to get here and move in!”

Her eyes darted off to the side. “I see.”

“Anyway, everything is all set. We just need for you and Dad to bring the kids and his folks to get here, and we can get married.”

“Now?”

“Well, whenever the Mylos can get you a flight out, yeah. Bob said you could probably go tomorrow and be here in three days.”

“No, no, no. I’m afraid we can’t do that.”

“Why the hell not?” I asked her, leaning back.

“Language! And it’s because we decided to take the kids on a trip to Disneyland. So, you see, while I’m on my laptop, I’m in our hotel room, and we just got checked in. “

I deflated.

“Oh. Okay, and how long will you be there?”

“A week.”

“I’ll find out if the Mylos can pick you up from down there and get a refund for your tickets home.”