Split Ends (36 page)

“We've still seen it a few times,” I try half-heartedly. I've started it. Now we'll get into the deeper discussions— like why Spock, without feeling, would sacrifice himself for mankind in
Star Trek Genesis
.

“Do you want to watch
Lord of the Rings
?” Seth asks.

I can't help my audible sigh. “No. I'm going to my mom's. Never mind. I was just thinking out loud.” That must be the burning smell in the car.

Seth's face screws up into a tight knot. He cannot understand my problem today, and I can't fathom my own lack of interest in the life around me. Engineers have their own language, their own culture. My fear is that I speak it fluently, and if I ever leave, will I still be able to speak English? Or will I revert to discussions about the battle for Middle-earth? These are my people.