Free Red Angel by C. R. Daems Page A

seems
very inefficient. How do they stay in business?" I had studied economics
and understood the basics of running a business.
    "Both
the membership fees and the coffee are very expensive." She laughed but
looked pensive until we were seated and given menus. "Well, my daughter,
what do you think of Stauffer's offer?"
    "The job
is wonderful, but ..." In truth I wasn't smart enough to know what
questions I should be asking. "You've provided me everything I’ve ever
needed. That's been wonderful, but it means I don't know how to take care of
myself or what this new job would require or what you expect of me. Can I still
live at home ... your house?" Tears clouded my vision as emotions and
fears I hadn't had in years surfaced. She reached out and took my hand in hers.
    "Anna,
you are my daughter. Everything I have is yours to share while I'm alive and
yours when I die. It's not my house; it's our home. But you are right; there
are lots of things to consider with this job or any job. For example, would you
prefer to live on your own or stay home for now—?"
    "Home!"
I blurted, squeezing her hand. The thought of living on my own terrified me as
much as not having Alexa's companionship each day.
    "I'd
like that. But we must consider how you are going to get to work and back.
Jason won't work, for two reasons. First, the hours. You and I will have far
different schedules, and I believe yours will be less predictable. You will
need transportation of your own—"
    "I can't
drive!" I interrupted, feeling desperate. I was starting to feel like a
child and wanted to run home to my bedroom and throw the covers over my head.
    "I hired
Jason to drive a ground vehicle. Although it is much slower, it provides me an
opportunity to relax and read if I want. You will not want to spend nearly
three hours driving back and forth. I suggest we buy a small two-person
skimmer—"
    "I can't
fly ... sorry, I keep interrupting."
    "It's all
right. Having graduated the academy, you’ll only need driving practice. You
already know the theory. I'll set up the classes. You'll also need work
clothes. And ..." Alexa stared at me for a long time without talking, her
eyes growing misty. "I've gotten a magistrate to sign an order authorizing
you to carry a weapon, concealed if you wish. He agrees with me that Red is an
asset valuable enough to justify you being armed to defend against theft, and
your cadet training qualifies you to carry one." She studied me carefully.
I understood her concern and fear. Before, I was either home, going or coming
with Jason, or on a military base. Now I would be out and about on my own and
the threat exponentially higher. "So, daughter mine, you are going to take
the week off and go shopping with your mother for clothes, a skimmer, and a
laser, and eat out and have fun."
    * * *
    The next day,
I told Stauffer I accepted but explained I had a bunch of things to take care
of before I'd be ready to start work. He told me to take as much time as I
needed.
    I had dressed
work-appropriately for my classes at the academy, as the cadets were always in
uniform, but Alexa had me buy a couple of extra outfits and a small suitcase to
keep a day or two of clothes, as she knew there would be times when I'd have to
stay overnight or possibly even travel.
    Next, we
found a shop that sold civilian weapons and purchased a small laser with enough
power to burn through most materials along with a belt, holster, and charger.
    The following
day we went to a skimmer mall. For two days, we were shown a variety of models
and given demo rides.
    "Well, which
one did you like?" Alexa asked that night back at the hotel. My head spun
with the cost of the twenty or so skimmers we had seen or ridden in.
    "Something
inexpensive. You've spent so much money on me. How can I ever repay you?"
This shopping trip had been a revelation, because I had little idea of the cost
of things. It made my head ache.
    "We needn’t
be conscious of cost. I'm well off because I