20
“What are you going to do?” Julia’s mother asks.
“Skype with Dad, if that’s what it takes,” Julia responds, turning on the laptop.
As her video call is connecting, Julia motions for Eugene and me to come closer. We gather around the computer, and I see a middle-aged man with tired, beady eyes appear on the screen.
An expression of distaste crosses his stern face as he sees Eugene.
“Hello, Jacob, sir,” Eugene says respectfully.
“Hi Dad,” Julia says.
“Hello,” I say politely.
“Who are you?” Jacob asks, staring at me.
“This is Darren, Dad,” Julia says, “a new Reader we discovered.”
“A new Reader?” he says, watching me intently. “You look familiar to me, kid. Who are your parents?”
“He doesn’t know who they are,” Eugene jumps in, and Jacob’s face reddens at the sound of his voice.
