“Good riddance,” I added. “So what’s going to happen to the Construct?”
“We’re going to find a hole to bury it in, bury it, then bury the hole.”
“Works for me,” I said.
Chapter 66
Mouse and I chatted a few minutes longer, then – after giving me Myshtal’s ring to return to her – he took his leave, saying there was a line of people waiting to see me. In actuality, the line turned out to consist of just two people: Alpha Prime and Smokey.
The latter only stayed a few minutes, saying he simply wanted to check up on me. Truth be told, Alpha Prime was practically broadcasting the fact that he wanted a father-son discussion, and Smokey easily picked up on it. After saying he’d swing by again later, Smokey left me alone with my father.
Alpha Prime was silent for a moment, then stated, “I probably should have said it when I first came in, but you did good, son. Great, in fact.”
“Thanks,” I said. “But how are you?”
He seemed to dwell on the question for a second. “I’m good. Physically, of course, I’m not having issues. Mentally, it’s still a little weird to know that I was under some other being’s control.”
“What was it like?”
“Honestly, it was like being in a dream. I could see things that were happening and understand the events taking place, but there was a surreal quality to it.”
I nodded. “I think I understand.”
“Anyway, one of the things that stuck with me was the time we spent together when…”
He trailed off, but I understood what he was trying to say. “When the Busuigno was controlling you.”
My father nodded. “It wasn’t lying. The time we spent together – when it was in control – those really were things I wanted to do. But I was out of your life for so long that I…I worry about being overbearing or smothering. I’m still feeling my way around in terms of this parent thing, and I don’t want to run you off.”
“Honestly, we’re both still learning our way around this thing, but you won’t get rid of me that easily.”
“Seems likely when you consider that some interdimensional creature did a better job of bonding with you than me.”
“Mid-dimensional,” I corrected.
“Huh?” muttered my father.
“Nothing,” I said. “In my opinion, you’ve done fine in terms of trying to bond. For instance, when you called me at brunch and asked me to dinner, were you under control of the Busuigno?”
Alpha Prime shook his head. “No.”
“Then there you go,” I said. “You’re doing fine on the bonding front.”
“Thanks, son,” Alpha Prime said with a smile.
“But speaking of that brunch,” I continued, “I know you went to see Cat’s mom.”
My father’s mood suddenly turned more serious. “It was important enough that I felt it necessary, so I had a friend who’s a teleporter take me there shortly after we spoke. Now that you’ve seen some of what Cat can do, hopefully you understand my concern.”
“Honestly, I still don’t quite understand what the big deal is.”
“That’s because you don’t quite understand what she is. Basically, she’s–”
“No,” I interjected. “Don’t tell me.”
My father looked at me in surprise. “You don’t want to know?”
“I do,” I confessed. “But it’s something Cat needs to tell me. I no more want you telling me her secret than I’d want Capri telling people I’m Kid Sensation.”
“She won’t,” he assured me. “She could occasionally benefit from having a gag in her mouth, but she’d never reveal anything like that.”
“How’d she even know I was your son?”
“She’s friends with your cousin Avis. I don’t know if you ever saw it, but a while back Avis posted on social media that Kid Sensation was her cousin. It wasn’t hard for Capri to put two and two together after that. She also seems to have gotten some info from her niece, Vestibule.”
“Nice,” I muttered sarcastically. “Everybody knows all about me.”
“It’s a small circle of people, son – your friends, for the most part, and nobody who wishes you ill. If staying low-key is a big deal for you, I don’t think you have much to worry about. After all, they’ve kept it under their hats this long.”
I spent a moment thinking about it, then said, “You’re probably right. I’m just used to flying under the radar.”
“Well, that may not last much longer,” he stated. “Kid Sensation is a big deal, and will only get bigger in the future.”
I didn’t immediately comment, as his statement brought to mind something I’d almost forgotten: my future self. I considered mentioning it to Alpha Prime but immediately rejected the idea. According to Mouse, I wasn’t even supposed to know about Older Jim. He’d have conniptions if I told someone else.
“Anyway,” my father went on, “I know you haven’t been back on your feet for long and I don’t want to tire you out, so I’m going to go.”
“Hold on,” I said as he began walking towards the door. “I don’t know how long they’re planning to hold me, but – assuming I can check myself out – you want to grab dinner tonight?”
“My calendar’s wide open,” he said with a smile.
***
Not long after my father left, Electra came by. I was a little surprised, as I had assumed she’d be in class.
“I’ve been under the control of some extra-dimensional thing for the past few days,” she said after I posed the question.
“Mid-dimensional,” I interjected.
Electra frowned. “What?”
“Never mind,” I said.
“Anyway,” she continued. “Bearing in mind that I only just became myself again in the last twelve hours or so, school is probably a wash for this week.”
“Understandable,” I remarked.
“I’m glad you approve,” Electra stated. “But you want to know what’s not understandable? You drugging me. Not cool, dude.”
“Uh, if anything, you drugged yourself, lady.”
“Well, you gave me a plate of drugged food. However you slice it, a guy serving up his ex something like that just
