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Megaman Is Not Okay

“Megaman!” A man in the blini line waved.

Paul took a deep breath and headed down to meet him. “Hey there!”

“My nephew is such a huge fan of yours.”

“Wow, thanks.” Megaman smiled. “What’s his name?”

“Eric, just like—”

“Yeah, Slipstream. That’s great.” He struggled to stay upright. “Would you like me to…?” He wiggled his blue marker.

“Yes, please. I heard you were going to be here, and I hoped you could autograph some stuff for him for Christmas.”

“Sure. I’d be glad to. What do you have?”

“Are you sure? Look, I’d be happy to get you some blinis in exchange.”

“I appreciate the offer, but that’s not necessary.” He dropped his marker. ‘Not sure I could keep it down. Going to have to find the girls.’

“Here, I’ll get that.” The guy ducked to pick it up.

Paul looked around in a panic for Trilby or Marta. ‘Pull yourself together, MM. You can do this.’

“I’ve got some comics, a postcard and a figurine.” The guy dug through a tote bag. “Oh, and I wanted you to see this.”

“Oh? What have you got?” Paul kept the cheerful smile pasted on his face.

“It’s this digital picture frame.” The guy held it up. It had a video loop of him growing thirty feet high to stand the tree and put the topper on.

‘Ryan was right. That’s really a ridiculous-looking sweater.’ He uncapped his marker. “That’s going to be quite a keepsake for him.”

“Hey, Carol. You’d better check in with your guy.” Earl looked up the hill. “He isn’t looking so good.”

“Oh, thanks for telling me. Is everything a go for Phase II?”

“Sure, sure. The morning guys will head home at noon for a rest and meet the afternoon crew back here at sunset with the building supplies. It will go like clockwork.”

“Great.” She headed up toward the big tree.

Ryan flagged her down near the fried ice cream trailer.

“Hey, I spoke to Sarah. She said she didn’t mean anything by it. She’s just keeping an eye on everything for me.”

“Forget I said anything.” He shook his head. “I wanted to tell you. Megaman is not okay.”

“Earl mentioned that. You don’t look so great yourself.”

“Rough night.” He looked away. “I’ll get over it.”

“Sure. Look, if you want to talk or anything.”

“Pastor’s got that covered. It’s a wonder I still have ears on my head.”

She smiled. “I’ll bet. The offer stands. Okay?”

He nodded and headed off. She continued up the hill.

“Carol.” Trilby said.

“Yes, I heard. Do you know where he is?”

“Signing stuff for a guy in the blini line.” She looked in that direction.

“Okay, thanks.”

“He says he wants to stay for the sing-along this afternoon, but…”

“That bad?”

She shrugged and see-sawed her hand.

“I’ll see how he’s doing. Maybe I can talk him into taking a break.”

“Jeb was pretty specific.” Trilby pushed her glasses up.

Carol nodded and hurried on to catch up with Paul. “Megaman!”

He turned and headed up to meet her. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Look, you put in a really big effort yesterday.”

“No pun intended?” He grinned.

“Huh? Oh, ha ha. Yeah.” She took his hand. “I totally understand if you’re not feeling up to it today.”

“I’d feel bad about ditching and I was looking forward to the sing-along.”

“How about a compromise? Want to get a quick bite somewhere? If you’re okay, we can be back in time for the sing-along. If not, Trilby can take you back to Jeb’s place.”

He looked around for the girls. “I don’t know if I could keep anything down. Maybe I should just go.”

“Can you pull over?” Paul’s head was swimming.

Marta checked for a safe spot and pulled onto the shoulder. He tossed open the passenger door and retched.

Trilby reached over the seat to hand him a towelette.

“Thanks.”

“Are you going to be alright, Paul?” Marta asked as he buckled himself back in.

“Sorry about that. I don’t know what’s the matter with me.” He reclined the seat.

“What’s that?” Trilby asked.

Paul opened a flap in his glove. “HEARTH?”

“Symptoms are consistent with nervous exhaustion. Please return to the Powell residence. I will notify Dr. Defay to provide a course of treatment.”

“We’re almost there, HEARTH. Let me know what Phillipe says. Megaman, out.”

“Is she…” Trilby peeked over his shoulder.

“Virtual Intellect, Administrator, Secretary, Den Mom and a bunch more.” He hugged himself. “Do you have a blanket in here?”

Trilby took off her coat and passed it over the seat to him. Marta turned up the heat.

“Thanks.” He whispered.

“Hang on, Paul. Almost there.” Marta said.

“Mind if I ask you something?”

“Trilby?” He rolled over toward the gap between the front seats. “Sure.”

“What’s it like being a superhero?”

“Mostly it’s fun. When it’s not, it’s terrifying.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not.” He snuggled under her coat. “I’ve done a lot of good, I think.”

“How did you meet Jeb?”

“A while back in Empire City. He was in town to visit Aundrea, but there was a massive incursion of Chaosians that day. They were grabbing people left and right. I got him away from one of them before it could drag him into a Chaos Rift.”

“I’m glad you did. I would never have met Brendan if Jeb hadn’t made it back.”

“I’m glad, too. Makes it all worthwhile when I see how people get past it.”

“Trilby, maybe let him rest a bit.” Marta said.

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Paul grumbled. “I’m used to all kinds of crazy questions from fans. She’s just making conversation. I don’t mind.”

“Paul?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Are you going to be alright?”

“Sure hope so. Can’t think of a nicer place to try.”

Marta spotted the turn for Jeb’s farm. “Almost there. Say, have you met Ryan?”

“Streets guy?”

“Yes.”

“He’s nice. Pretty self-conscious about his situation, though.”

“What situation?”

“Fresh out of the system. Guys have a hard time adapting to normal life, depending on how long they’ve been in and how much prep they had for being released.”

“Released? From prison?” Trilby gasped.

“So what if he was?” Marta turned onto Jeb’s private lane. “If he did his time…”

“That’s all that matters.” Paul whispered. “When that’s over, it’s over. Fair and square. Fresh start.”

“Do you think he’d go for a nerdy little Korean girl?” Trilby asked.

“Why?” Marta asked sharply. “Do you know one?”

Paul just smiled.