Thicker Than Blood by Matthew Newhall Read Free Book Online Page A

day counts," Joe said smiling, "What happened ?" "It's those Iranian bastards. They killed my son in the war. They ruined me, our life..." the man said. Anger was changing the shape of his eyes. "What do you care? You look like you've got it easy! You think this is easy? Where was your family? Huh?" The man began to stir and straighten like he might confront him, and Joe began to back away. He turned his back on the man and hustled away, ignoring the furious rant. That was a mistake, Joe thought. Sobriety isn't always sanity. When he arrived at Lucy's, he opened the door and called inside. "Lucy, you home?" A pair of small eyes peered around the corner. "Did I see something?" Joe wondered aloud. Joe heard a child laughing. The eyes reappeared, then disappeared just as quickly. "What was that? A troll? A goblin? A toad?" More laughing. "Boo!" Finny jumped out. "Aaahhhhh!" Joe yelled. "It's you Finny. I was scared!" "No you weren't," Finny said giggling. Joe walked over and picked her up, kissing her on the cheek. "Hi, cutie." "Hi. I missed you Uncle Joe." "I missed you too." "Hi, Joe." Lucy walked out in her nightgown. Her form was accentuated by the silky nightwear. She pulled a terrycloth robe over her shoulders hiding her breasts and slim waist. Joe had trouble hiding his attraction to her. "I'm doing laundry," Lucy said. "Oh, right." Joe turned away, embarrassed by his boyish ways. Finny seemed to noticed all this going on from Joe's hip and was delighted. She was grinning from ear to ear. "Joe, can you stay and play?" Joe went to open his mouth but Lucy interrupted. "No honey, Joe has stuff he needs to do." Lucy shot Joe a sly look. Finny stuck her lip out and hugged Joe. She looked him in the face. "Mommy is right. I have to meet another friend. I promised him I'd play today," Joe said. "I don't call her Mommy anymore." Joe looked confused. "I call her Mom. I'm a big girl."
    Joe kissed her cheek and put Finny down. Lucy grabbed the keys from the top of the night stand. "Joe you know how weird this whole thing can get. Be careful. Don't just spill it." Joe grinned. Lucy frowned. Joe thought about telling Lucy about the run in with the homeless man. He decided against it. "Bye, kiddo," he said. "Bye Uncle Joe. We have to play sooon!" Finny was struggling to restrain herself. "I promise," Joe said smiling. Joe walked toward the Team van. Man, I have to remember to date. I'm turning into such a nerd.
Chapter 10
    Joe noticed Kento's motorcycle as he pulled up the cafe. The five year old touring style bike was shaped to allow the rider to sit in a hunched over position. It was covered with scuff marks and dirt. Joe couldn't help thinking, Kento was worse off than he let on. The bike was looking a little sad. Joe parked Lucy's van in front and walked inside. The cafe was a diner converted into a coffee shop. It was dimly lit and had comfortable mismatched chairs and couches scattered all around. Joe tapped the screen on his arm computer three times. His clarks blinked, and the driving HUD yielded to a series of colored arrows that pointed to every visible person in the room. A small green triangle pointed toward Kento's position. Joe smiled at a waitress, as he walked toward the back of the cafe. Kento was tall and slender, with dirty blond hair that was short on top and covered his neck in the back. Loose blue and red clothing that looked like silk was draped over his frame. His collar was sticking up. A slender arm band computer and a pair clarks were laying on the table. Kento turned his head toward Joe. "Joe! Long time no see." Kento smiled. "Kento. Your fashion has improved!" "And your mastery of expression in the English language has not," Kento smiled. Joe pulled his clarks off. He was blushing. "So what's the new robot going to look like? I heard on the net that Cyborg Wars might disallow spinners and wedges. You'll need a more humanoid design." "Where did you here that?" Joe mumbled as his jaw hung. "I have my