Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
“Goal!”
A swarm of little bodies crash into me, some celebrating with me, and others less impressed that I scored against their team. Although, I’m not sure some of them even know what team they’re on.
“Lucky shot,” my younger brother Connor says, shaking his head as he retrieves the soccer ball from the net.
I give him an innocent smile, gesturing to the group of our nieces and nephews still buzzing around me. “Or we’re just pure talent.”
Malcolm, my other younger brother, furrows his brow and crosses his arms as he watches the kids all chase after the ball again in complete chaos, with no regard for any rules. “Not sure I’d call this talent,” he mutters.
I just shrug, glancing at the swarm of kids. There’s eight of them playing with us, ranging in age from three to eleven, so the fact that we’re even managing a half-decent game of soccer feels like a small miracle .
“Well, they wore me out anyway,” Alex, my other younger brother chimes in, turning to head towards the patio where the barbeque is still smoking and filling the yard with the scent of grilled burgers. “I’m going to eat.”
“Again?” Connor asks, hiding a smirk.
Alex spins around, pointing a finger at him. “Oh fu—” He glances at the kids, but they’re not paying any attention as they continue to chase each other around. “Fuck off,” he says, lowering his voice. “I’m bulking up. I need to gain muscle for hockey tryouts in the fall if I’m going to make Junior A.”
Connor’s smile widens. “How many burgers you at now?”
Alex’s eyes narrow, but I don’t miss the familiar spark of competition “Three…”
Connor raises an eyebrow and crosses his arms. “Bet I can eat more than you. And I bet I can gain more muscle by tryouts too. I’ve already hit the weight room twice this week. So, if one of us is making the team?—”
“It’s me ,” Alex says, jabbing a thumb to his chest. “And don’t you even think I won’t?—”
“Alright, stop,” I step in and gesture towards the deck. “Your dad just finished making more burgers so go eat and shut up.”
Alex flips Connor off and heads towards the food, while Connor huffs in disbelief, but follows close behind. The two of them are like fire and gasoline, always ready to ignite. They’re Irish twins, born just eleven months apart, and they definitely act like it. Mom and my stepdad, Bryan, often joke that they had them so close together because they’d been through it before with their older kids, so why not just go for it. But the bickering and one-upping hasn’t slowed down since they could walk, so I think they feel the consequences of that decision every day.
I glance back at the kids to see them now completely absorbed in their version of soccer with Malcolm, and slip away before they can pull me in for another game. I head across the yard where my sisters, Brooke and April, sit near the water, shaded by the trees that frame the edge of the property.
“Looking good out there,” Brooke teases, as I take the empty seat next to her.
“Thanks. I’ve been practicing a lot,” I say with a serious nod.
Brooke snorts and April shakes her head with a chuckle.
My eyes land on Neville as he waddles by, paying me no attention as he continues to hunt for scraps of food. The family dogs all eye him warily as he crawls between them, knowing better than to get in his way when he’s on a mission. And he is on a mission . It’s my oldest niece’s birthday, so the entire family is here. And that’s a lot of people. Which means there are plenty of opportunities to sneak a little snack.
“So, what have you been up to this weekend?” Brooke asks, her gaze drifting out to the kids playing soccer.
“Hiking Cobbler’s Path,” I reply, watching Neville expertly reach up to grab a piece of food off my stepmom’s plate when she isn’t looking.
“With Mike?” April asks, finishing off the last bite of her burger. “How’s he doing anyway? The wedding is getting close.”
I nod. “It is.” I chuckle as I recall the conversation I had with him at work on Friday. “He’s feeling great because he’s busy planning the wedding and,” I hold my fingers up in air quotes, “‘getting shit done’.”
Brooke and April exchange confused looks.
“Planning?” April asks. “What’s he planning…?”
“Things that are already done.” I shrug. “Andrea’s just keeping him busy. ”
“Ah,” they both say in unison with an understanding nod. They know Mike well enough to know why that’s needed.
“And what about you?” Brooke smiles slyly at me. “Find a date yet?”
“Yeah.” April perks up and leans forward. “And is it Sean?”
I roll my eyes. “I don’t know why you think Sean and I are going to get together. We went on one date, months ago, and quickly realized we have nothing in common. End of story.”
Brooke just shrugs. “Yeah, but… family friend, easy access, hot… good for a wedding date.”
April nods in agreement and I huff with a shake of my head, my gaze wandering out to the water. The conversation fades into the background as my thoughts drift like ripples on the lake… straight to someone else.
Arthur.
His bright green eyes pop into my mind, and I hold back a smile as the corner of my lips twitch.
I’m not sure I can picture him going to a wedding…
“Oh.” Brooke pokes me. “It looks like you’re thinking of someone. Are you thinking of someone? Who is it?”
I brush her off and shoot her a look. But before she can press me any further, we’re interrupted by Anna.
“Mom!” she yells as she runs to April with tears in her eyes. “Jackson pushed me!”
Jackson’s jaw drops and he turns to my brother, Jonathan, where he sits on the deck. “Dad, it's not true! I didn’t, I swear!”
I sit back in my seat, watching as the parents try to untangle the truth and urge the kids back to play. But my mind drifts again, slipping away from the noise and chaos… back to Arthur. To yesterday, when we shared something I can’t quite put into words. I had the chance to look into his wild soul and see the real him, and in return, I was able to share parts of myself that I usually guard so closely .
It just felt so natural and comfortable with him as we quietly hiked the trail, and he took beautiful photos. And whenever we came across a bird, he shared facts and information about it with an intensity that made me feel like I was part of something rare and important.
Especially when we saw a Belted Kingfisher diving for fish. Which was really, really fucking cool. And he was so excited.
I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone, immediately tapping on his name to send him a text.
Hey. What’s up?
I glance back up at the yard where the showdown between Jackson and Anna is still going on, and see Jackson pointing at Avery as she sits quietly in the grass and watches a butterfly. I shake my head with a sigh. If Jackson’s going to pin his crime on someone else, it can’t be Avery. She’s far too softhearted and innocent. He needs to go for one of the tougher kids, like Kyleigh or Henrie. It’s like I taught him nothing.
My phone buzzes in my hand, immediately pulling my focus back to it.
Arthur
I’m at La Manche Park. Reading.
What are you reading?
A book about the origins of our present-day conditioning and how biotechnology and artificial intelligence will transform human nature.
I blink at the screen, rereading his text. Damn. Just some light reading at a park on a Sunday. It seems like everything he does is always so… purposeful, and intense.
I like that about him.
And that book sounds really good.
Before I can reply, another text pops up.
What are you doing?
I’m at my mom’s house for my niece’s birthday.
But I’m going to need more information on how our species is going to be impacted by technology.
Immediately he starts typing and I just stare down at my phone with a stupid grin as I wait.
Intelligence is separating from consciousness. Humans are building technology and data processing networks that clearly don’t have a conscience, yet can process our behaviour and feelings faster than we can even recognize it ourselves. This could change what it means to be human.
I eagerly tap out a reply, needing to know even more. I wasn’t lying when I told him I also consider myself a collector of information, and this is totally getting me going.
So, basically, we as humans are at the height of our power and potential, and probably reached our limit? I can see that.
Likely. Human’s ability to control our world is turning us into something new. Soon, humans could be just like other animals, capable of suffering at the hands of something with superior intelligence.
That’s frightening.
I hesitate for a moment, my thumbs hovering over the screen, before I tap out another message. One that’s a bit more… personal.
All the more reason to stay wild.
His reply takes a moment, but when it comes through, I smile.
Agreed.
Excitement flows through me as I see him texting again, and I patiently wait for his message as the little bubbles disappear and reappear several times.
How old is your niece?
My smile grows even bigger, because he’s trying to keep this conversation going. And I know this isn’t easy for him.
I glance up at the yard to see the kids are all back to playing soccer, and April and Brooke are now talking with my dad as they watch them.
She’s eleven. The oldest of ten nieces and nephews.
That’s a lot.
I chuckle.
Tell me about it. I have seven siblings, so we’re a big bunch.
Seven? ?
Now I can’t help but laugh out loud. I should probably explain that better.
Yeah, it’s a bit complicated. I have one full brother, one full sister, two half brothers, one half sister, a stepbrother, and a stepsister.
Oh my god.
Yeah. And they’re all here.
They’re all on one side of your family??
I wince, trying to figure out how best to explain this. I know he likes order, but… my family is far from typical and orderly.
Both sides of my family are here.
My parents divorced when I was young, and I have an older sister and a younger brother, Ingrid and Malcolm. My parents both remarried, and on my dad’s side I have an older stepbrother, Jonathan, and a younger half sister, Brooke. On my mom’s side I have an older stepsister, April, and two younger half brothers, Connor and Alex.
And everyone is there for your niece’s birthday…?
I huff out a laugh, realizing how odd that probably sounds. “Broken” homes and families don’t usually party together…
Yup. My parents stayed close, and my mom and stepmom are actually really good friends. So, we’re all really close. Some say it’s weird, but… we like it.
I glance around the yard, where everyone is mingling and laughing, with several dogs and Neville weaving between legs while kids chase after them… and I can’t help but wonder what Arthur would think of all of this.
Do you have siblings?
No.
Hm. Now I really wonder what he would think of all of this. Even for the most outgoing people, my family is a lot. They’re loud, chaotic, busy, and close-knit in a way that confuses most outsiders.
“Alright, we’re heading out!” Ingrid calls from the deck, waving goodbye to everyone as her husband wrangles their kids.
Everything is starting to wind down as my mom and stepmom start clearing plates, and the kids complain that they’re not ready to leave yet.
And I get an idea. Because I’m ready to step out of this noise, and into something… quieter.
I turn back to my phone and tap out a message.
I’m heading out now.
Then I pull in a deep breath and go for it. Because I really want to see him again.
La Manche Park is right by my place, if you want to meet up? I just need to take Neville home first.
But then I get another idea. Something bolder, that makes my pulse quicken with excitement. I type it out, and quickly hit send before I can overthink it and back out.
Or, if you want to come over? We can hang with Neville, and you can tell me more about how humans are creating their own demise.
And then a wave of nerves crashes into me.
Dammit. What if that was too much? I already know he doesn’t like to deviate from his routine, and I didn’t even ask him what his plans were…
Everyone around me is starting to pack up and say their goodbyes, but the hum of conversation and clinking dishes fades as my attention zeros in on my phone. I bite my thumbnail as I stare at the screen, anxiously waiting to see if I just fucked this up.
But when his text comes through, a grin spreads across my face.
What’s your address?