“When your betrothal was announced, I cried for days. Being genetically modified limited me, I knew it would. They only changed my eye color and gave me better immunity, but they didn't make me unbreakable. I let myself believe that you and I had a future, and I blamed my parents when it all fell apart.
“Then I saw you with her. You were so cold and distant. Any reasonable man, even a young and stupid one, would have been overjoyed with your situation. Pictures from your betrothal party and the plans for your wedding and honeymoon were in every paper. I forced myself to read it all. Then it came to me, if he can't be happy with her, what chance would have? Your beautiful wife only wanted to make people happy, and from what I saw, she lavished you with her attention while you actively ignored her.”
Dredge took a long sip from his glass and turned to look at the crowded living room. “I don't see what our past has to do with my grandson now, Constance.”
“How is Jason any different from you? The beauty your wife embodied—I see that in my granddaughter. I will not have her married off to a cold man that ignores her and takes that rare beauty for granted.” I explained.
“My grandson is a better man than I could ever hope to be. I love him with all the life my old body can contain. He worships your Karine. He won't be able to ignore her.” Dredge explained.
“You are sure of this. My granddaughter listens to me, you know, more than my own daughter ever listened. Edgar told me about your plans for my Karine. My last piece of advice to her will be to find a worthy man or woman if she chooses—regardless of lineage or wealth.”
“Please be reasonable, Constance. For the love of God, consider the life my family name can provide her,” Dredge pleaded.
“God? You must be desperate to come to me like this with God of all things on your heathen tongue.” My words spat out at Dredge. This close to death, any mentions of my faith taken in vain enraged me.
“You have never lost your only daughter as I did mine. You have no idea what desperation will do to you. Jason is all that's left of her. If I must leave him here alone, I will know he is settled with the woman he loves before I go.”
“I can understand that need, believe me, I want to hold my great-grandchildren and learn to knit little sun suits. This ceremony is the right thing to do and the right time to do it, so I am leaving. My Rose and her family are well cared for. The children are grown. It is not for me to share in their futures. You need to leave Jason to his life. It is selfish for you to stay so long.”
“You think I don’t know that, when I scan my bank card, my age pops on the screen, and I get that judgmental look. Most of the time, I have Jason use his cards. I'm very aware I have overstayed my welcome.” Dredge admitted.
“I put your names on the guestlist for the Tree museum Sunday night. There will be a theology reading and a final remembrance. Attend for me, listen to the message of the old words, sit with my family, so they are not alone. If you are going to be a nuisance, you may as well be a useful one.”
“You will talk to Edgar about joining my family. I have all the papers showing that he is a cousin on my mother's side. It gives your children a lineage status. Jason and Karine would be far enough removed to marry.”
“I can ask Edgar for anything, but getting him to agree is a separate matter, besides Beryl is not married yet. Betrothing Karine before her is something of a slight,” I explained.
“Beryl chose the Scientific path. She isn't interested in marriage. I can give her fifty full university credits as a betrothal present to the family, and I can provide Hess with a trust and a status increase. As a chosen Three, that can only do good things for him.” Dredge stated.
“We don't talk about the sacrifice Hess made with outsiders. It's a personal family matter.” I scolded.
“Then speak in facts and truth woman. As a Three with lineage status, Hess would gain the most from Edgar becoming my cousin. Don't think I am not aware of your family's secrets, Constance. I have watched your grandchildren grow with my own. I remember the issues with baby Karine.”
“I could not believe it when they told me my grandchild was slated for disposal. I could have died, exploded like a bomb right where I stood.” I could easily recall the pain from that day—it was the worst day I have endured.
“No, you would have lived. The loss would have taken a toll on the family, but you would have lived with the pain. It would have changed you all. Make Edgar understand, and then call me once he does. It can be settled before the party tomorrow night. We can announce the new lineage, formally declare a betrothal between our families, and assign gifts to Beryl and Hess. It will be a ceremony the townsfolk will not soon forget.”
“Even with our history, Dredge, it pains me to think you may leave this world alone, let me try to arrange a widow's parting for you, there must be a woman close to your status that could use the company.”
“Please don't, just leave me a token of yours to take with me. I'll go alone, but it will be easier if I have something to remind me of how young we once were.” I nodded yes in agreement and pressed my rouged cheek to his bearded
