Chapter 13

Eileen has another confusing vision, and Cadeyrn and Astaire cross paths.

I had another vision the next day.
    It was a Saturday. I had just gotten home from work. The landlady had had the air conditioning fixed, but now the cable was out. I realized this the hard way when I sat down with my microwaved dinner and turned on the TV.
    They were in the TV screen, and they cut in and out with the white noise. They were clearly standing in Aaron's New Orleans Brotherhood office, and Eugene was clearly displeased.
    "It's time we did something about this," Eugene was saying. "We've made too many gains to fall back now."
    "Yes, Eugene, but there has to be another way," Aaron said.
    The picture cut out.
    "We don't understand the situation well enough to send a civilian in blind," Aaron pointed out once the picture came back.
    "Who said anything about blind?" Eugene rebutted.
    The picture cut out again.
    "We can't wait any longer," Eugene said. "Jonathan is in danger, and so is everything we stand for. If we lose him, it'll be another Japan."
    "Yes, yes," Aaron sighed. "But does that justify endangering an innocent life?"
    More white noise covered up Eugene's answer.
    "You don't care about the risks," Aaron said hotly.
    "Of course I care," Eugene shouted back. "But what's one life compared to the future of the entire Gifted population?"
    "Send me in."
    Aaron and Eugene turned to Astaire. He was the only one sitting, his legs propped up on a glass table. His voice was still at an "indoor" level.
    "No," Aaron said. "It's too dangerous."
    Eugene actually agreed. "We can't afford to lose you, Astaire."
    "But we can afford to lose her?"
    Aaron sighed again. Eugene turned away.
    "I've been there before," Astaire continued. "And I'm the one seeing the future you're so worried about. I can protect her."
    The scene cut out again.
    "I don't like this," Aaron said.
    Astaire said, "I won't allow it any other way."
    Aaron looked at Eugene, who looked at Astaire and nodded slowly. Astaire turned to Aaron and said, "Make the arrangements."
    The screen fuzzed out. I thought it was done, but the scene reappeared a few seconds later. Eugene was leaving, and Astaire was standing up.
    "Astaire."
    He turned around slightly.
    "Please be careful," Aaron said. "You're the son I never had."
    Astaire nodded and turned away.
    "What did the psychiatrist say?"
    Astaire stopped for a moment, then walked out, letting the door swing shut behind him.
    More white noise commenced. I turned the TV off and ate my dinner. These visions were too confusing for me to bother with.

    A week passed with nothing changed. I was surprised to find that Cadeyrn was still willing to stick with me. I hadn't known what to expect.
    I played my first set at Chance that Wednesday. I sang a few songs I'd written in college. Dawn and I hadn't had a chance to set up a band yet, so I sang and played my songs on a keyboard and, in one case, a mandolin. Astaire was amused by my instrument of choice.
    "Nothing's wrong with the mandolin," he said after I pretended to be offended. "It's just, y'know, most people would play a guitar."
    "I'm not most people."
    "Clearly."
    "Maybe next week I'll bring a sitar."
    "I bet you would."
    I smirked. Astaire looked behind me, over my shoulder. I turned around.  
    "Good job," Cadeyrn told me.
    "Thanks," I answered.
    Cadeyrn took a seat on the stool to my left. Astaire was sitting to my right.
    "Hey Cadeyrn, Eileen, Astaire," Tamia said. "Can I get you good people anything?"
    At the same time:
    Cadeyrn said, "Whatever's on tap for me, and an apple martini for the lady."
    Astaire said, "Nothing for me, thanks."
    I said, "The usual, please."
    Cadeyrn and Tamia looked at me. Astaire looked at Tamia.
    "An apple martini, please," I said.
    Astaire glanced at his watch and got up. "I'll catch up with you later."
    "Okay," I said, puzzled. "Bye."
    "Smart guy," Cadeyrn remarked.