Elle tilts her head a little and knits her brows at me. Her concern is palpable. It warms my chest that she cares so openly over a stranger like me.
“To be honest,” I whisper, staring back at her. “I’ve read files of what occurred to you. Your memory…”
When I trail off, uncertain how to phrase myself, she finishes for me. “My memory was foggy from Clo’s Kys, yes.”
She’s still smiling, even when we both know how much she had to sacrifice to survive such adversity, comparable to what her brother went through as well.
“But more and more memories are coming back,” Elle says. “Lots, actually, like what my father was working on, if that’s of any interest to you.”
“It would be,” I say. “Very much.”
“My brother thought so too. He told me I should come to you if I remembered anything useful.”
A subtle thrill courses through me at the thought of him doing that. Of him thinking ahead. Of him thinking of me. “That was kind of him to consider,” I say.
Elle appears pleased. “Yes, he’s like that.”
We resume walking, the hallway opening into a brighter wing of the house. Sunlight spills through wide windows, illuminating aspace in the middle of renovation. While we move, I ask her about her name, specifically why she still goes by Elle when her file says she’s named after her mother. She tells me she’s accepting the change in her life, and that the love of her life calls her Elle, so she wouldn’t change a thing.
“Accepting things as it is,” Elle tells me, “is part of the journey I’m on.”
Then she giggles, light and effortless.
“When Sterling says my name, it feels right,” she says with a soft smile. “That’s all that matters to me when it comes to my name.”
I smile back, taking note of her interesting sentiment. I suppose I can relate. I’m named after my mother too, and I cherish that thought immensely like a treasured memory.
By the time we reach the nursery, my thoughts are rearranging themselves around what’s been shared. This new insight’s inspiring me to return to the experiment.
“Here we are,” Elle says, presenting a spacious room without a door installed.
I step inside with her, taking in the pale gray walls, the open floor, and the scent of fresh wood. Along the far walls, four cribs are partially assembled.
“There are various cribs,” I note out loud. “Is someone expecting a multiple birth?”
“Good eye, Em.” Elle giggles again. “Kaye’s expecting twins. She recently did her ultrasound, and got inspired to buy these cribs, so our babies can grow up together.”
“Oh.” I smile. “That sounds like a lovely idea.”
“Yes, it’s always wonderful being surrounded by family and friends.” Elle walks over to the cribs. “That reminds me. Would you be interested in attending my birthday gathering?”
“A gathering,” I repeat, calibrating the offer. “Who will beattending?”
Elle considers the question as she adjusts one of the crib rails. “It’ll just be us, so the Song-Smiths will be there,” she says. “Damon as well. He plans on returning for it. I think Kaye bullied him to come back in time. He’ll be bringing the Adels with him too.”
Hearing Idris’ last name makes me think of him immediately. I’ve missed him. He must be working hard, patching up the failures I left behind in the ship.
Looking out of the window, I wonder about the pills he made me. I wonder if he ever thought I’d realize something was off about them.
Elle straightens from the crib and turns toward me, her voice quieter. “Em, is everything okay?”
I draw a measured breath, keeping my gaze on the wood grain of the crib closest to the window. “I’d love to attend,” I say instead, to redirect her unearned concern. “Thank you for inviting me.”
“I’m glad,” she whispers. “I really would love you to be there.”
I nod, rather distracted but trying to shake off the thoughts I was having over Idris and Kys.
Elle rests her hand on the crib I’ve been staring at. “What do you think of a neutral color for this one?”
