“No, but child protective services has my resume, and we are working to get me set up the moment I finish maternity recovery.”
“How long will you be off?”
“I will be ready for duty winter holidays next year.”
“Will you go out with a team?”
“They had better be sturdier stuff than the ones you used to send out with CPS.”
He grinned.“I will pick a team for you.Who’s the father?”
“No clue.Long story.Now, go give Neekil his award.That is why we are all here.”
She smiled, patted his cheek, and receded toward the shadows.
A round of applause rang out, and Elida ignored it, slipping back to the vendor’s table.
The award was given, Hannah kissed Neekil, and he returned the favour, and then the music began, and dancing kicked off.
Krys walked over to Elida and looked at her.“You have an amazing voice.”
“Thank you.My father is a love-talker.I get my eyes from him as well.”
Krys leaned back.“Oh, that makes sense.It’s also why you put down or ignore your impact on others.”
“I pull it in as much as I can.”Elida smiled.She looked around, smiling at familiar faces.
“It’s easier for them to forget you if they can’t see you.”
Elida looked at her.“You have a few layers yourself.”
“I do.Are you going to stay for the party?”
“Nope.I sang the song and drank my soda.Time to head out.Let them have their gala.”
A woman with white hair and pale blue eyes walked up.“Hi.I am Amy.I am dating Emmers.Were you on his team?”
“Occasionally.The thug squad occasionally needed folks to use more than two syllables.Kairek had to learn that he could only take his head off in rooms with kids who were more than eight years old.That kind of thing.The first graders were not up for it.”
Amy chuckled.“He has a ten-year-old who thinks that his own head coming off is the coolest thing.”
Krys watched Elida slowly smile.“The wedding.”
Amy said, “What?”
“We were all at a wedding, and Kairek was the best man, and a young woman had a few shots for courage and then stalked up to him, grabbed him by the tie, and hauled him off.He didn’t resist.”
Amy chuckled.“She didn’t describe it that way, but he always gets a pleased smile when it’s mentioned.”
“The greatest thing is to be desired by your partner for just being yourself in the moment.”
Amy’s cheeks got pink.“Yeah, I am feeling that.It’s pretty hot.”
Krys looked across the room to where Kairek and Emmers were standing and Emmers was watching Amy with a frown.
“Emmers wants to know if you will dance with him?”Amy said with a smile.“I am good with it.You have a little sister vibe for the guys, you know?”
Elida nodded.“I know.Fine.One dance, but only because you asked.I may have little sister vibes, but my body begs to differ.”
