“You did it.”
Still lost, I reply, “Yeah, I did some sketches…”
“You didn’t feel it?” Merc asks, and my confusion magnifies. “You activated The Sight, right? I think you were just using it. Why didn’t you say anything? Change your mind?”
My head snaps back and I shake it wildly. The Sight? I’d know if I unlocked that. Wouldn’t I? I should’ve felt a buzz in my veins, or my blood should be charged like Sprite.
“There’s no way,” I reply. I was only drawing and thinking about Moyo.
“It’s morning.”
As soon as the words leave Merc’s mouth, I open my blinds to sunlight.
It’s been hours and I didn’t even notice the time passing.
“I did it,” I mutter, stunned. Time flew by and I rode the wave.
“I came over to apologize for the other day…” Merc says softly, sittingbeside me. “I shouldn’t have gotten heated like that. Your experience with this family thing is yours, and I should’ve listened. I should’ve stayed and heard you out.”
“’Preciate it. I shouldn’t have raised my voice first.”
“I know the job’s been hard for you, but I’ve enjoyed our time together. Yeah, we work together, but we’re also like…” Merc pauses, seemingly searching for the right word.
“Like family?”
“It’s been different, with you as Saturn. Your dad made Vee and I efficient—Cupid’s Bowat its prime. But with you, we’ve learned how to not only focus on the work.”
Theylearned something fromme?
“Y’all taught me parts of this family are worth having,” I say, honestly.
“So…we good?” Merc asks.
“Yeah, we good.”
We hug it out.
When they pull back, they say, “I also came over to ask if youreallywanted me to find the Jakandes, but you were locked in.” I roll my eyes. “Plus, I’ve never seen a Saturn work before. What was it like?” they ask.
Is this just a Saturn thing? Is this how my father felt? Is this why he quit? Is this why he was never around? Is that why he never noticed what was going on with Mom? Questions bang around in my skull. My stomach bubbles, the contents threatening to rise in my throat.
“Ah, the nausea,” Merc says, their voice drifting like it’s a fond memory. “It’ll pass.”
“Is there a way to…” I struggle to find the words, “notget that sucked in?” I never want to experience this unsettling feeling again. The zone was easy to slip into, and I’m not gonna lie, it was addicting. If Merc hadn’t stopped me, I’m not sure I would’ve stopped.
“I’m not sure how it works for you, but for Mercuries, the trick is working through an anchor because unfortunately, we have to be all-in for it to work. It’s why we love our gadgets.”
“I was just sucked into a zone.” My stomach flips over.
“It’s called The Sight because it gives us insight into another plane. Forthe most part, we’re humans cosplaying gods but when we’re in that zone, our consciousness no longer exists in this realm.” Merc shrugs and carries on like they didn’t just provide life-changing news. “Didn’t Uncle B mention it?”
My head shakes on its own accord. “No,” I say, remembering all the moments I’d ask about how work was, or I’d tell him how weak Mom was, and he wouldn’t reply. When I was older, I’d ask if I could help him, and he’d respond that he needed to focus. All the times between elementary school and going to college, I wondered how exactly being Saturn and playing matchmaker took up so much time.
Everything feels like it’s turned on its head. I thought The Sight would be something I could control, not something that would control me.
“You should ask him. Maybe he has advice,” Merc says. “Now that you have The Sight, do you still want to relinquish the role?” they ask slowly. “Really think about it. If it is what you want, I’ll help, but consider everything before deciding.”
I have The Sight. I finally unlocked it. I could do the job…be Saturn and become someone who loses hours at a time. I thought my dad was special, getting together with my mom and having me, but after seeing the full extent of the power, I know he was selfish.
