Panspermia Deorum by Hylton Smith Read Free Book Online Page B

when she’s not in
this…debilitating…gut-wrenching vomiting sequence. She goes wild at
anything you say which is disagreeable to her. I couldn’t take the
risk of having her at home never mind on a vacation. However, if
you’re serious about taking time off… and I mean really serious, I
could use a break. Go ahead, tell them we’re taking her home for a
few days, they can’t stop us, but we will need her medication.”
    When they got
Sophie back to Geraldine’s place she seemed even more confused. She
sat by the window looking at two little birds, pecking away at some
crumbs which had been scattered on the lawn. A haunting smile
passed over her face, a momentary flicker of awareness.
    “Elise, when I
said we should take Sophie for a break, I meant away from the city.
This is where the problem began, we need to give her something to
keep on stimulating a smile, like she’s smiling now. How about
going to the Cote D’Azur for the weekend? Geraldine, your company
would be most welcome, unless you have other plans.”
    “I don’t know,”
replied Elise, wearily, “it’s sure to be busy, I don’t like the
idea of her being in a crowd…you know, or amongst heavy
traffic.”
    “Yes, you’re
right. How would you feel about me taking her back to Guiana with
me?”
    “Julien, have
you been on drugs too? You’ve never had time for your family -
ever, so, just how do you think you could take care of her in a
place like that?”
    “Well, I have
people who could help out, that is if you want to stay here.”
    “Back to the
old trusted and tried life recipe, you mean? You go to work, I look
after the family all of the time, all of the bloody time. I said
I’d like a break; that sounds like hell.”
    “Fair point,
but when I said I have people who can help, I meant medical people.
The spaceport is in a remote location and we have to make sure the
employees’ wellbeing is a top priority. Listen, the remoteness
could be an advantage. It’s a beautiful, peaceful location with
very diverse wildlife and flora, an artist’s dream. I’d make sure
we got Sophie the best possible care, and we could take her out
whenever we want. Maybe we could help her to start painting again.
Geraldine, I think you would also like the country, the nearest
city isn’t too far away and the coastline is virtually unspoilt.
Would you come with us?”
    Elise looked at
her sister and detected a gleam of excitement.
    “Hold on a
moment. Can we just sleep on this… and …and decide in the morning?
I must have at least a thousand questions flying around in my head.
I can see the positives in what you say, I just need to get some
sleep… and uh…process everything carefully, including how much of
the time you’ll be accessible if we have problems of any kind. I
have trouble visualising you changing the habits of a lifetime
overnight. Maybe you don’t really know yourself, Julien, even after
all these years.”
    “Elise, I swear
that I’ll delegate as much work as humanly possible, to be with
Sophie, you, and Geraldine. I need to step back a little, you’re
right, and for the first time in my career I have subordinates
capable of taking the strain.”
    “Fine, we’ll
decide at breakfast tomorrow.”
    Julien nodded
and said he’d call Eugene.
    *
    “Hi Dad, how
are things with sis? I guess you were shocked, I just don’t get it,
really. Mother has her in that looney house, and I’ve tried my best
to tell her that Sophie needs a different environment altogether.
She won’t hear of it and Geraldine doesn’t help. I mean, I know my
aunt is a kind, caring person, but she just repeats whatever Mum
says, like a sodding parrot. Even some of the relevant stuff I had
to study at University, which could help Sophie is thrown back in
my face. Sophie has a gift, Sophie is sensitive, sure, and like
many talented people, doesn’t take criticism too well. I’m sure
that’s why her painting became a burden, more noir, bizarre, and
violent in