Chapter 106

“Where?”

“You know that tiny scar between your breasts?”

“Yes.”

“There...” “Uh oh.”

“What’s it say?”

“Property of the United States of America. You can do nothing. Resistance is futile.”

Nervous laughter from me. I may have had a slight release of fluid. Then I noticed the grin.

“Got me,” I said.

“Got ya,” she said. Then, “It says ‘Tyche Selene McGregor.’ If found Call Zoe McGregor, Gold Coast, Queensland Australia. A phone number ... unless you want to keep her.”

“Ha ... nice try.”

“Wanna see? Step behind the counter.”

“Well ... shit. Mom is in so much trouble!” I said. “And that is our Gold Coast phone number.”

I whipped out my cell and punched buttons. Pushed SEND.

“McGregor Residence, How may I direct your call?”

“Grandpa?”

“Who is this?”

“Why did you have me chipped?”

“Tyche Selene.” Not a question.

“Yes.”

“At least he married her.”

“Chipped ... Grandpa ... chipped.”

“I was hoping someone would keep you.”

“They did.”

“Did? Who?”

“Auntie Surprise.”

“Not Cynthia Mae?”

“No ... Surprise.”

“Cynthia said she gave you away.”

“She did ... when I was five.” “She sent me to Pentwater.”

“Michigan.”

“Princessapality.”

“Former state in the United States.” “Used to be United States.”

“Fed A ... Federated America.”

“Shows just how much attention you pay to Geography.”

“It does ... changes too fast to draw and print maps.”

“Texas.”

“Look it up.”