Page 18 of Omega Chattel

“Why wouldn’t you succeed?” I asked. “You have a healthy brain. You have a need to be on your own, away from the farm, for your own reasons. Is that not enough of a push for you?”

“It is, but I don’t know how smart I really am.”

“It’s a matter of testing for your aptitudes. But that can come later. For now, I want you to read what I give you now.”

“All right.”

I left him to his reading for an hour and a half. Some light math problems and a short story.

When I came back, I gave him some tests to see if he’d done it all.

He passed. More than that, he got every question I put to him correct.

“Do you want more?” I asked.

He nodded. “I like the numbers when they make sense. But they’re the hardest for me.”

“If something doesn’t make sense, you ask.”

The tests I gave him were all rudimentary, but at least I could assess where he was on the learning scale.

Later in the morning, he asked, “Does this mean you’re not kicking me out?”

“Maybe.” I gave him a little wink before I realized he might see it as flirting.

His face flushed beautifully.

I needed to watch myself around this one. He was too easy on the eyes, and that scent—it was intoxicating.

He sat up a little straighter. “I’m afraid I’ll mess up.”

“Not to worry. You’re doing fine.”

I liked how he sat up; how he looked to me for more. It stirred me up again, and I clamped down hard on my response.

Later, after lunch, I gave him some free time and heard him go into the game room. I knew Oren was in there and I heard them talking. I wanted to spy, to see if they were getting along, but knowing Oren, everything was just fine.

I stayed away and went to my own room for a couple of hours where I had a second work computer.

That night, over dinner, which I had ordered in, Alli seemed more open and comfortable.

Oren and Alli were talking together as if they were old friends now. Oren was explaining how he loved organization and was really good at it.

Over pizza and hot wings, which all the boys loved, we made casual conversation.

Alli was quiet but relaxed, and he didn’t eat too quickly, now. He was safe. For now he knew where his next meal was coming from.

When the feasting of hungry boys slowed, I brought out the cake.

Alli’s eyes got very big.

“Why?” he asked.

“Why not?”

“You barely know me.”

“It doesn’t matter. I know it’s your birthday. And I happen to like cake.”