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“Well, it’s only that their kind is the cowardly kind, turning to stone at the drop of a hat. Missing all the calls to action that men of other species heed.” The grandfather—what was his name? She couldn’t remember—narrowed his bushy white eyebrows, sneering at Decker with what seemed like real hate.
Essence pushed herself in front of Decker. “Mr. Fuller,” she said, giving him a big, bright smile, “we’re just so, so grateful that you’re willing to help us out.”
The grandfather looked her over. “Well, I can’t say this is a surprise, really. When you left Zebedee, I knew you weren’t very bright.”
“When I left Zebedee,” repeated Essence. She blinked at Zebedee. “This is what you told your family?”
“You did,” said Zebedee. “I mean, you’re the one who broke things off.”
“Yeah,” said Decker from behind her, “after you told her that if she was pregnant with your child, you’d rather she didn’t have the baby, and then ghosted her for weeks.”
Zebedee scoffed. “No.” He turned to his grandfather. “Obviously, Grandpa, I would never—”
“Would have too if I’d known she was a gargoyle groupie,” said the grandfather, still sneering.
“Okay,” said Essence, “well, we’re leaving. This has been great, Zebedee, and remind me that I never want your help or your speciesist family’s help with anything, ever again. Goodbye.” She turned to walk out.
Decker didn’t move.
She turned back. “Decker, come on. We don’t have to listen to this.”
“It’s fine,” said Decker, unruffled except for the fact that his voice seemed deeper than usual. “After all, being a cowardly gargoyle who turns to stone at the first hint of danger, I’m very capable of dealing with this sort of thing.”
That didn’t really make any sense, did it? She squinted up at him. “Decker,” she whispered. “We’ll just go back to Hollis.”
“We came all this way,” said Decker, not to her, but to Zebedee. “And we’d be so, so grateful for anything you elves could do, considering you’re the superior species and all.” He thrust out his shackled hand, which brought hers along with it.
“I don’t think elves are superior,” she said.
“Oh, not all elves, nice, Essence,” said Decker.
She cringed, her face falling.
“I don’t think I like your tone, boy,” said the grandfather.
“Oh, so sorry,” said Decker, not a hint of sarcasm in his voice. “We really would be so grateful for your help, sir.”
“Stop it,” said Essence, tugging on the handcuffs. “I mean it. We’re not doing this.” She was angry now.
Decker met her gaze, and he was angry, too. She could see it, simmering behind his calm expression. “Let him try.”
“Don’t know if I want to try,” said the grandfather.
“Grandpa!” said Zebedee.
“We don’t need help from him,” Essence said in an even voice. She tugged again on the handcuffs. “Let’s go.” She pulled hard.
Decker was so still it was almost as if he was stone. But then he cracked, and he let her pull him out the front door.
They were halfway across the driveway, heading for his car when Zebedee came out after them.
He thrust himself in front of Essence. “I had no idea he’d do that. I would never have brought you guys out here if I thought—”
“You were unaware your grandfather was a speciesist asshole?” said Essence. “I find that hard to believe.”
“He got worse lately,” said Zebedee, shoving his hands in his pockets. “You know, with the way everything was during the pandemic and with all the weird political upheaval and just being old. He thinks he can say whatever he wants. He doesn’t care. I’m really sorry.”
“Well, it’s not me you need to apologize to,” said Essence.
