Free Uncertain by Avery Kirk Page B

you know.”
    “Kevin told you he discussed with me what happened in California, right?”
    I nodded.
    “OK, but you aren’t sure what kind of detail I know?”
    I nodded.
    “Would you like me to tell you what I know?”
    I looked up at her and nodded.
    “Well now, let’s see. In California, you got pains and had visions and knew where to go to help a young woman. Then you delivered her baby. Then, you had incredible fighting skills. Oh, wait, you delivered the baby after you fought some gangster. And then you had incredible strength.” She ended with a wistful sound to her voice.
    I thought she sounded as though she didn’t believe it.
    The teakettle made simmering noises and Vita got up and grabbed it. “I just hate when mine is too hot. Are you OK with it like this?”
    “Sure.” I didn’t care in the least what the hot chocolate was like.
    “OK. Did I get the events right?” she asked, pouring the water into the cups.
    I swallowed hard. I felt foolish.
    “It seems as if you don’t believe what happened.” I heard a small catch in my voice. I hoped she didn’t notice.
    “I do, sweetheart. I truly do. I think what you’re picking up on in my inflection and tone is worry about my boy and worry for you in that kind of situation. That’s all it is. I promise.” She touched me on my chin and then picked up the fork and stirred the hot chocolate in her cup.
    “It’s unbelievable, Mel, it really is. But that’s not to say that I don’t believe it. I just don’t understand it. At all.” She took a sip. “And let me tell you, I drilled Kevin on the details. Drilled him.” She shook her head. “When y’all were there, I was out of my mind. I was on the verge of hiring a private investigator to watch out for you. To be sure you were OK.”
    She stirred her cup again. “On another day I was gettin’ ready to fly out there to be with you.” She sighed and shook her head. “You know, I think there’s a reason that we don’t have a word for ‘adult child.’”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Well, we don’t have a word to describe grown children. I say ‘I have three children who are grown. I don’t have a real way to say it. And I think the reason is because you never feel that they aren’t your babies. I acknowledge that they’re men, but the difference in age between a parent and a child is a constant—so they always seem to be your babies.”
    I felt guilty that she had worried about Kevin when we went to California. “I would never have let Kevin get hurt. I had no idea when we went that we’d be involved in anything dangerous.”
    “Oh, I know, baby. I know. You’re a tremendous friend to him, and I’m very grateful for that.” She grabbed my hand across the countertop and shook it a little, smiling in an understanding way.
    “I got another call from the same travel agency,” I blurted out.
    “Noooo—the same one that called you for the California trip?” she asked, sitting up straighter.
    I nodded.
    “When?” she asked.
    “Just before I spoke to you today.”
    “Well, what did they tell you?”
    “Just that I have tickets to Mexico this time.”
    “Mexico.” She looked off into the distance. “Did they say anything else?”
    “Just that it’s the same setup. Tickets are paid for. Just calling to finalize details.”
    “When?”
    “About two weeks away.”
    Vita’s voice was more lively now. “What are you going to do? Have you talked to your grampa?”
    I shook my head.
    “What about Kevin?”
    “Not yet.”
    She put a hand up as if she had no answers and then set it under her chin. “So you only know that nothing else has happened, but you got this call. Again. Have you still been having weird dreams?”
    “Some.”
    She nodded in understanding. “Does it seem related?”
    “I don’t know.” I felt frustrated and my words didn’t hide my emotion.
    “What are you gonna do?” she asked me gently, leaning on the counter with her elbows.
    I shook my head