«I don't care! I want to leave. I wish to God I'd never let you talk me into coming here.»

«Oh, that's right; it's all my fault. My fault the children are going to live in a tropical paradise, with clean air and fresh food. My fault they're here in a world where they don't have to take a stunpulse with them every time they step outside the house in case they're raped or worse. My fault they're going to have an education we could never afford to give them on Earth. My fault they're going to have a chance at life . And you want to take it away because of your stupid blind prejudice. Well, count me out of your proud poverty of existence, Jocelyn. You go running back to that ball of disease you call a world. I'm staying here, and the children are staying with me. Because I'm going to do the best job of being a parent I can, and that means giving them the opportunities which only exist here.»

Her eyes narrowed, staring hard at me.

«Now what?» I snapped.

«What's that on the back of your neck?»

My anger voided into some black chasm. «A dermal patch,» I said calmly. «It's there because I had an affinity symbiont implant this afternoon.»

«How could you?» She simply stared at me, completely expressionless. «How could you, Harvey? After all the Church has done for us.»

«I did it because I have to, it's my job.»

«We mean so little to you, don't we?»

«You mean everything.»

Jocelyn shook her head. «No. I won't have any more of your lies.» She put the clothes down gently on one of the pods. «If you want to talk, I shall be in the church. Praying for all of us.»

I didn't even know there was a church in Eden. It seemed a little strange given the current state of relations between the Vatican and the habitat. But then there's always that more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner piousness to consider.

I really ought to make an effort not to be so bitter.

Nicolette had slumped down onto the bed when I went back to her.

«You had a row,» she said without looking up.

I sat on the mattress beside her. She's a lovely girl; perhaps not cable starlet beautiful, but she's tall, and slim, and she's got a heart-shaped face with shoulder-length auburn hair. Very popular with the boys back in the arcology. I'm so proud of what she is, the way she's growing up. I wasn't going to let Earth stunt her, not with Eden able to offer so much more. «Yes, we had a row.» Again.

«I didn't know she was going to be so upset over the chimps.»

«Hey, what happens between me and your mother isn't your fault. I don't want to hear you blaming yourself again.»

She sniffed heavily, then smiled. «Thanks, Dad.»

«Use the chimps in here all you want, but for God's sake don't let them into the house.»