Imaginary Friends by John Marco & Martin H Greenberg (eds.)

Author:John Marco & Martin H Greenberg (eds.) [Marco, John & Greenberg, Martin H]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sci Fi & Fantasy
Publisher: DAW
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

GREG AND ELI

Paul Genesse

“AD, the light’s red!” Greg’s fingers dug into the armrest, and he ducked below the dashboard as his father stomped on the gas pedal. Their van streaked across the dark intersection, while the headlights glaring through the passenger window made shadow monsters on the dusty upholstery. His father would normally have cursed at the honking cars, but he remained silent as he guided the car faster than Greg could ever remember. Dad hadn’t said a word since Vegas Valley Hospital had called. Greg had answered the phone, and when the doctor started talking, he thought the day had finally come; but his excitement about the birth of his little brother, Joe, had been replaced by teeth-clenching fear.

Dad pulled a hard left turn. Greg lurched against the door as their van bounced into a parking lot. They stopped with a screech in front of a tall white building with mostly dark windows. Greg ran after his father, and they passed a creepy old man in a wheelchair smoking a cigarette.

The desk lady in the emergency room said Mom was now in the “I See You” on the sixth floor. The sign at the elevator said: Labor & Delivery, Fourth Floor. “Dad, isn’t Mom there? We took the tour there. Remember?”

The muscles in his father’s jaw stood out as he poked the sixth floor button as if he were playing a video game and shooting space aliens rapid fire. When the elevator ride was over, Greg had to jog to keep up. The air in the “I See You” smelled wrong, as if someone had forgotten to clean up dog pee, then tried to hide it with orange-scented air freshener.

Dad talked to a man in a white coat while Greg took in all the strange beeps and bongs, trying to figure out where they were coming from.

“Hi, honey, I’m Megan.” A freckled woman with short red hair wearing blue pajama pants smiled at him. “You sure are cute with those puppy dog eyes. How old are you, sweetie?”

“I’m six.” Greg just wanted to find Mom and see his new brother. “Where’s the glass wall to see the babies? This is the ‘I See You,’ right?”

She stifled a smile, and two more ladies in pajamas joined her. Dad went into a room with the tall man in the white coat, and Megan tried to distract him. “What grade are you in?”

“First.” He shifted uncomfortably as they stared at him. “Where’s my mom?”

Megan tried to keep her smile, but her eyes flashed with worry. She peeked into the room where Dad had gone, then slipped past the curtain. A moment later, Megan came out and knelt down, her brown eyes at his level. “Sweetie, your dad wants me to bring you to your mom’s room. She was in a car accident tonight. She’s hurt, but she’s going to be okay.”

“No,” he shook his head in disbelief, “she’s here to have a baby, my little brother.” Greg felt his face squinching together. Megan was nice, and her freckles were cool, but she had to be wrong.

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