Give Me Love Read Free Page A

 
    “Vivienne?” the woman says again, and Viv takes another step back toward the line of people standing behind her.  
    Mikah cocks his head, trying to understand how this woman, who is no older than Vivienne, could be her mother.
    Elizabeth answers his unasked question. “When those who die on earth are brought to Elysium, they take on the appearance of their younger selves, when they were happiest and when they were their healthiest.”  
    Behind Mikah, Red has started mumbling to himself. Mikah turns his head to look, and his forehead creases in confusion. Red is staring intently at Vivienne’s mother as if he knows her. Mikah strains to hear what he is saying, but it’s incomprehensible.
    “What is going on here?” Mikah says.
    Vivienne looks at him, confused, but then her gaze follows his to Red, and Red’s back to Rebecca, who is still staring at Vivienne.
    “Red?” Mikah says, watching Rebecca closely.  
    She doesn’t disappoint him. She raises her eyes to Mikah, and then her gaze shifts from Mikah to the man standing to his right.  
    Vivienne takes a few more steps backwards, putting distance between herself and everyone else. She can’t stop staring at Red.  
    “I always thought there was something strangely familiar about you,” Vivienne says, “but I could never place it. The picture. The one I carry in my purse.” Vivienne looks from Red to her mother and back again. “It’s you in that picture, isn’t it?”
    “Vivienne, what are you talking about?” Mikah says.
    He takes a step toward her, and she steps away from him. He reaches out for her, but she doesn’t see it. She’s still staring at Red.
    “You—” She squints and cocks her head to the side. Red squints back at her and there is no doubt in her mind. “You’re my father.”

SIX
    Red can only stare at Vivienne, looking confused. Something is passing between them when someone breaks the silence within the room.  
    “Impossible,” Seraphina says. Her voice isn’t angry, but rather sweet and breathless.  
    “Vivienne, I—” Red stops. Something in his voice and the way he is looking at Vivienne suggest that he had no idea.
    Suddenly Vivienne understands. “Mother, is there something you’d like to tell us all?” she says sternly.
    “Yes, please do.” This time it’s Mikah.  
    Vivienne finally pulls her eyes away from Red to look at Mikah. The concern is clear on his features, but his eyes are alight with curiosity, too, as this twenty-two year old mystery unfolds.
    “I...I don’t know,” Rebecca says, but Vivienne isn’t fooled. Her mother is notorious for avoiding the truth.
    Vivienne turns toward her mother, who is still staring at Red. “For the love of Christ, Mother, now is not the time for games or jokes.” The wings on Vivienne’s back flare in frustration. “This is it, isn’t it? Despite the fact that you’re here, you’re still going to continue to play games. Stop it. I’ve had enough. Is he or is he not my father?”
    Rebecca starts to sob, and she crumples, as if in pain, to the floor.  
    Andrew and Connor rush to help her, but Vivienne puts her hand up. “Stop, leave her be. She’s still up to her same old tricks. Resorting to tears to get her way or avoid dealing with something she knows she needs to explain. She doesn’t want to discuss this, so she is going to play the blubbering fool on the floor.” Vivienne notices Mikah out of the corner of her eye. He is gaping at her, slack-jawed, and she realizes he’s never seen her like this.  
    Vivienne is also surprised by her tone. Growing up, she could never be cross with her mother. But now, after all this time, the anger and frustration have reached a boiling point, and she resolves to be done with her mother’s games.  
    “Red?” Mikah says.
    “I honestly don’t know. I met Rebecca some years ago, and—” He stops again.  
    Vivienne looks toward him. He seems to be doing some math in his head.  
    “It would’ve been