Mara and Anna glided down to just feet above Uncle Jack’s head, so close that Anna could reach out and ruffle his hair. He was cleaned up now and smelled like soap. He was even wearing a new shirt, and his hair was neater than usual. Dr. Gloria walked by his side. A large cowboy hat offered shade from the hot afternoon sun. Both of them looked down at the ground as they talked.
Anna swooped down in front of her uncle, missing him by inches. He mistook the sudden fluctuation in air pressure as a bug buzzing by and absently swatted the air in front of his face. Anna had spent a good part of her life being invisible to the other kids around her. She remembered what it felt like to smile at someone who didn’t return her smile, that hollow feeling that came from being not just looked past but looked through. But now that she was actually invisible, she felt a strange sense of power and a faint but perceptible sense of guilt.
“It’s like having a superpower. I can literally spy on anyone without being detected,” Anna said over her iCom.
“Hmm. Maybe I should have spent a little more time with you on the ethical implications of this technology,” Mara said. She kept a safe distance.
“I know. ‘With great power comes great . . .’”
Anna stopped mid-sentence. Dr. Gloria had started talking and she wanted to listen in.
“We’ve known each other a long time, Jack,” Dr. Gloria said. “So I hope you don’t take offense to what I’m about to ask you.”
Uncle Jack slowed his pace. He looked concerned.
Anna leaned in to hear.
“Of course. You can ask me anything,” Uncle Jack said.
“Are you actually wearing hair product?” Dr. Gloria stifled a laugh. A broad grin brightened his face.
Uncle Jack looked away and closed his eyes, embarrassed. He took in a deep breath and then smiled back. “Why yes, RG. I am wearing hair product. Thanks for noticing.”
“I just don’t think I’ve seen you this cleaned up. At least not since our grade school pictures,” Dr. Gloria said. “This doesn’t have anything to do with a recent visitor to the farm, does it?”
“Visitor?” Uncle Jack wasn’t very good at playing coy.
Mara flew down by Anna’s side. She was leaning in now too, positioning herself closer to the conversation.
“Gladness said she spotted a woman with Anna earlier today. Said she looked like an Amazon goddess,” Dr. Gloria said.
“Ohhh, yeah. That visitor.” Uncle Jack rubbed the back of his head. “Anna’s new tutor, Mara. She is a little tall.”
“Tall? That’s all you have to say?”
Anna could sense where this was going and put her hands over Mara’s ears.
“Lalalalalalalalala.”
Mara pushed her hands away. “Stop it. I want to hear this.”
“But what about all that ethical implications stuff?” Anna asked.
Mara kept Anna at a distance with one hand and signaled for her to shush with the other.
“Did you see her?” Uncle Jack asked.
Dr. Gloria shook his head no.
“She rides a motorcycle, RG. A motorcycle. And she has a PhD. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone so cool in my entire life.” Uncle Jack shook his head.
“And it doesn’t hurt that she’s beautiful. Gladness’s words. Not mine.”
“Nope, doesn’t hurt at all.” Uncle Jack squinted in the sun.
“You know, we shouldn’t be listening to this.” Anna tugged at Mara’s sleeve. “This is a private conversation.”
Mara ignored her.
“So, what are you going to do about it, Jack?”
“Just met her today, RG. I’m not doing anything about it.” Uncle Jack turned and picked up his pace as he headed across the barnyard. A signal this conversation was over.
Dr. Gloria had to run to catch up. Anna and Mara split in different directions and glided quickly away, just in time to let Uncle Jack, oblivious to their presence, march straight between them. They glided back together and floated several feet behind.
“All right, all right. No pressure, Jack,” Dr. Gloria laughed. He had to half jog to keep up. “Though Lord knows you could use a push.”