The Loved and the Lost Read Free Page A

guess you’re right, Medeea. I guess you’re right,” Lincoln said out loud and laughing.
    â€œAm I going to have to watch Lincoln talking to himself from now on?” Hansum asked Arimus.
    â€œPerhaps,” Arimus answered. “Sometimes
a mind-delver and A.I. mentor’s relationship casts
a special bond that a lifetime lasts.”
    â€œOh, we’re going to have a special bond, all right. I can feel that.” Medeea said, and she touched Lincoln on the tip of his nose again.
    â€œThat tickles,” Lincoln said out loud.
    â€œSee?” Hansum said.
Chapter 2
    Shamira and Kingsley finally made it from the community garden to Arimus’s front door. Hand in hand, Shamira beamed as she looked up at her boyfriend and saw how he was smiling down at her.
    â€œLean down,” she told him.
    â€œAgain you’re telling me what to do?” he teased.
    â€œNow,” she laughed.
    The big man, well over two meters tall, sighed and bent over till he was face to face with Shamira.
    â€œDo your worst,” he said, and she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. He laughed as he put his massive arms around her and stood up, lifting her clear off the ground, still kissing.
    â€œMmmm. You still taste of the honey from the hive.”
    â€œAnd I still smart from that sting.”
    â€œIf you’re going to steal the nectar, you’ve got to pay the price.”
    â€œAll day long,” he answered, and they kissed again.
    â€œAh, young love,” Arimus’s voice said.
“From whatever century,
it always finds its mark.”
    Shamira and Kingsley looked and saw Arimus, Lincoln and Hansum standing in the doorway.
    â€œArimus, Hansum, it’s good to see you,” she said as Kingsley gently put her down. She immediately went and gave Hansum a long, meaningful hug. “Oh, Hansum, I really missed you.”
    â€œI see you two are still up to no good,” Lincoln said to Kingsley. “Young love,” he scoffed merrily. “Young lust, more like it.”
    â€œOne day, young Lincoln,” Kingsley said.
    Lincoln focused into blank space and smiled. “You never know, Kingsley, old boy. You never know.” And then he looked back at the much larger teen. “Kingsley, this is Arimus, our H.C. mentor. And this is Hansum.”
    â€œI’ve heard so much about both of you,” Kingsley said, shaking hands with Arimus. “It’s nice to finally meet, Elder.”
    â€œIt’s nice to meet you close up,
though I’ve seen you in action often,
live on the rugby pitch,” Arimus said.
“And I’ve gazed upon your sculpture.
Sublime work of both the male and female forms
for one so young.”
    â€œYou can’t be an athlete your whole life and I just have to create. I love to chisel away at marble, exposing the form within.”
    â€œWe’re all so glad you and our Shamira found each other.
Two talents together entwined often invite
visits by inspiration to take each other to even greater heights.”
    â€œThank you, Elder. And it’s so fantastic to meet you, Hansum,” Kingsley said, extending a hand. Hansum wore a melancholy smile as he took the larger youth’s hand. It was like Kingsley and Shamira’s happiness made him sad somehow.
    â€œI’m very pleased for both of you.” Hansum offered.
    Kingsley held on to Hansum’s hand, staring into his eyes. His smile turned into a sympathetic frown. He reached over with his second hand and grasped Hansum’s arm.
    â€œHansum,” he began gently. “I’m so sorry about Guilietta. I hear she was an amazing person, and Sham says they loved each other like sisters.”
    â€œThank you, Kingsley,” Hansum answered. “We all loved her.” Hansum’s eyes looked soft, but showed little emotion.
    â€œThe greetings done,
I must again assume the role of tutor,” Arimus said,
“and conclude