Catastrophe Theory by Rebecca Lowry Warchut

Author:Rebecca Lowry Warchut
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Woodhall Press
Published: 2022-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

2 Catalan saying: A mouse that knows only one hole is caught.

3 Catalan saying: When the cat is not there, the rats dance.

CHAPTER 35

VERA

After living in darkness, Vera exited the hospital, overwhelmed by the technicolor world around her. She’d never seen colors this vibrant, except maybe in a candy store. She turned her attention to the more practical problem of finding Nick. He’d said 4th Ave and 6th Street, right? Or was it the other way around? And which way did the grid go? The overly saturated green of the street signs glowed, hurting her eyes. She started looking for him and then realized foolishly that she had no idea what he looked like. Even if he walked up to her, would she recognize him?

Just as she was about to pull out her phone to text him again, she heard his voice calling her name. After their hours on the phone over the past few nights, she’d recognize that voice anywhere. She turned, taking in his square jaw, crooked grin, and corkscrew hair. She wanted to touch it. “Nick?” she asked, wanting to be sure.

He nodded. “Hope you aren’t disappointed…”

Vera laughed, shaking her head no. He was definitely cuter than any boy she knew back home. Not that she’d pursued any of them. Soccer always came first.

“So, you’re okay? The surgery?”

“Went great. I feel better than ever,” she said, grinning at him.

He grinned back. He brushed an auburn strand of hair out of her eyes and behind her ear. Electrified by his touch, she tingled, goosebumps formed up and down her arms.

This is what she’d come for, but she didn’t want to get caught and have this end before it even started. “Are we just going to stand here, or are you going to show me around St. Pete?”

“I could do that, but how do you feel?

“Fine… Amazing, actually.”

“Really?”

“I’m fine. I told you. I promise. Just maybe a little hungry.” Sensing his hesitation, she went on, “You heard my mom. She said I’d be better than new.”

“We could grab a quick snack first? Then you could go back?”

The faster they could get off this corner and preferably off the street, the better. “That’s more like it. What did you have in mind?”

“There’s this ice cream place you have to try…”

“Ice cream?” Did he think she was a kid? “I can get ice cream back home.”

“Trust me. St. Pete is famous for it. They scrape it and roll it. Thai-style. Bet they don’t do that in Arkansas.”

“Tennessee.”

“I know,” he teased. “It’s only a few blocks away. Then I’ll bring you right back here. And when else will you get to explore St. Pete with your own personal tour guide?” He held out his hand for her.

She took it.

“That’s my girl,” he said, squeezing her hand with one of his hands. Even though it was warm, her skin prickled with the thrill of being held. He carried the weight of her hands in his, and she felt lighter.

“Welcome to Sunshine City!”

“Sunshine?” Despite her vivid surroundings, the sky was definitely gray.

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