“But what happened to the creature in the movie, tadpole?”
“The people in the town went after him with torches, and…and they killed him.” I had been appalled.
He nodded. “Because they were afraid of him.”
“They would hurt Daddy? Because he’s Brachi?” I knew in the lagoon those who were different often didn’t survive.
“The first time I saw him, when I was swimming in the Lagoon…” His smile was one of warm reminiscence. “He never told me what he looked like. All of a sudden he was there in the murky water, and I almost swallowed my regulator.”
“Silly Papa.”
“Very silly, Da’. I love your daddy more than anyone. Except for you and Maggie, of course.”
“And Esme?”
“And Esme.” He gave my shoulder a squeeze. “So you’ll be careful. Now, I have to meet with some former colleagues at the univ
