Becky's Gift

Instant Justice

We ported back to Rainbow, but outside. Lanapah and other healers bathed Tom, Nathanhai, Fa and Mea, Fae and Meae, and Bedelia was there bathing Jos Keil, and Elsie bathed Nespa. Stacy bathed Het, one slow stroke down his arm at a time. His smiles made her just beam. Ella bathed Farley, but his healer carried him back and she went with him. She's shy, anyway, but I felt bad. He has a lot of family with him that have to be carried.

My family walked to us with all Stacy's kids in tow, and they chattered happily with Rilley and her two. Suma was with 'em. And, another girl that could be Suma's twin.

She ran to me and gave a graceful bow. "Hi, Yea Becky! I'm Suma's sister Eleanor, and your parents said I can live with them! I was born because Rilley needed a friend her age. I'll be your sister, too!" She had long, brown hair and brown eyes. Suma smiled, but she's very laid back. This girl had an energetic smile, and Rilley giggled and hugged her. I did, too! A sister! But I can have clones, just wanted to wait a bit.

"Yeah, my babies just love her! She'll help me with 'em. She loves Barbies, too! And, music! We learned to play a duet on my piano, and she's teaching me voice lessons! Osanor is teaching us both Elshar songs and dances, and Zheien songs and dances, and German songs and dances. Did you know Areon came from Germany, so they know a lot of 'em, too? Osanor studied with an Areonian family before we came, and so did his parents! They're all great tutors! I didn't know what I was missing, on Earth." She got a frightened look in her brown eyes.

Osanor held her hand, and she looked happy again. He looked worried. "Oh, I'm okay, Os! I-I mean, Osanor."

"You may call me Os, Rilley. We are friends." He kept looking away, with dark eyes.

She stepped closer to him. Her face got very red. "Do Zheien have—girlfriends? I mean—proper girlfriends?"

Daddy moved closer. "Honey, you're only 13. Just be friends, okay?"

"People at school had boyfriends, and they didn't do anything, they just hung out together." She shook all over and her healer moved closer.

"I think you shouldn't think about Earth, Rilley. That's why you gave yourself a shortname, isn't it? To avoid thoughts that upset you?"

Eleanor took her other hand. "It's okay to have feelings for Osanor. Do you have feelings for Rilley?"

He looked down. "Fa tells me is too soon, but I love her. She should nae be alone, to raise her sae!"

"That's all right. Just follow the Protocols. Don't hold her hand too tight, and talk about things that aren't serious. Earthans have to do that, too. The two of you have me to chaperon, and both sets of your parents. Do you feel sick?"

He nodded. His parents got the dark eyes.

"Let Tilla look at you. Let her see. Don't hide."

"But, all of us must! If we show weakness, Elshars will come!"

I rubbed the back of his head. "Are you afraid of any Elshars here?"

"Pah! Artisan! Last time I visited, you apprenticed to Oparnen! You will trade for me like your spineless father. Or, I will—"

His black eyes were open past wide, and he dripped sweat! "I will keep Oparnen as my tutor!"

I gasped.

He looked up. "Yea Becky, I am well." He didn't look well. White, and going gray! Sweat-powder made a yellow cloud on his toes!

"My son, you are nae, after Oparnen harmed you! You need a healer who can help you!" I held his head in both my hands.