Hub - Issue 32 by A.H. Jennings / James Bacon / Alasdair Stuart / Scott Harrison

Author:A.H. Jennings / James Bacon / Alasdair Stuart / Scott Harrison
Format: epub

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Silence was the only answer when Joan Ellen knocked at Patrick’s bedroom door.

Church? When she and Pieter first met, his status as a committed atheist had been her parents’ chief reservation about him.

Joan shut her eyes and tried to remember what had happened in the hospital room. She pictured Patrick lying unconscious in the hospital bed, then saw him yawn and stretch. But what about the IV? What about – ? Why couldn’t she remember?

She thought of Dr. Ben Azir’s expression as he apologized for the hospital’s mistake: I’ve read today’s imaging results. It was – Like you said, Madame, it was just an equipment failure. There’s no damage after all.

Something had happened. Something –

“Hi.”

“Huh – Hi,” Joan said, blinking her surprise. Patrick stood just outside his bedroom, the door closed behind him. Without realizing it, Joan must have stepped back to let him into the hall.

“I – How are you today? I wanted to talk about school.”

“I’m not going.”

“Well, not today, of course. I think we should – ”

“That’s not what I meant,” he said.

“I don’t understand.”

“I don’t have time for school,” Patrick said, and Joan was amazed by how like Pieter he sounded. “Call ACST and tell them you’re withdrawing me. Cite my recent health problems. Then go to the Commissary and buy three cans of coffee, five bottles of bleach, all the cheese you can find, and a tub of peanut butter.”

Joan just goggled at him.

“When you get back, I’ll tell you what I’ll need from the hardware store.”

“You’re not Patrick.”

He laughed Patrick’s laugh. “Sure I am. While you’re out, pick up a pack of cigarettes. They’ll calm your nerves.”

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