The Night Shift by Natalka Burian

Author:Natalka Burian
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Park Row Books
Published: 2022-05-03T18:43:38+00:00

Fifteen

Inside, the restaurant was more crowded than ever—the temperature and humidity reminded Jean of her fourth grade field trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo and its climate-controlled rainforest room. She felt the same foreign shock she’d felt as a nine-year-old, her senses jolting at the contrast. Jean and Claire found their empty seats; their chairs were so crowded together they were touching. Jean carefully maneuvered herself in after Claire.

“I just need to ask. How did she keep it from you? Dr. Goldstein?”

“We weren’t close like that. And I don’t think she had much to do with the shortcuts after the initial study.”

“Are you sure about that?” Claire gave her a strange look.

“I mean, obviously, no! I’m not sure about anything.”

“Hey,” Carlos said accusingly, pushing their refilled glasses forward. “I didn’t know if you two were coming back.” He looked at Claire. “How did she take it?”

“Fine,” Jean said acidly.

“Cool. Two mafaldine Bolognese,” Carlos announced, setting the dishes before them with a practiced flourish.

“Thanks,” Claire said, with a businesslike smile. Jean was suddenly ravenous; the pasta was beautiful, all golden and shining. Jean spooled the lacy noodles into her mouth, grateful for every bite after so many drinks on an empty stomach. Jean felt more like herself when she was finished, fully aware of Claire’s eyes on her while she ate.

Jean pressed her napkin to her lips.

“Well?” Claire asked.

“I’m pretty sure Iggy isn’t stuck in any of the cuts.”

“Okay,” Claire said. “Then where do you think he is?”

“This is the part I don’t really understand. You warned me before, about not going through the other way—remember? Do you know what happens when you do that?”

Claire’s face grew scarlet in the dim light. “Not really. It’s just something I’ve always heard. That it kind of fucks you up forever. I figured it was like when people tell you not to have sex on ecstasy. Better not do it and find out. Going through one way is enough for me.”

“Well, maybe not for Iggy. You said he was reckless with the shortcuts, right?”

“More reckless than the rest of us. But Iggy is like that with everything. Always pushing anything as far as it goes. He says it’s for his creative process.”

“Do you think he went the wrong way on purpose?”

“Maybe? If he thought it would help him write a better song or inspire him or some shit like that.”

Carlos approached them with another bottle and Jean flattened her hand across the top of her glass. “I have to work tonight.”

“I don’t,” Claire said. She pulled Jean’s glass toward her plate and motioned for Carlos to pour on.

Jean drank deeply from her water glass, the ice long since melted.

“So, do you know more about what happens when you go the wrong way?” Claire’s tone was bent harshly by the extra drink.

“I think so, and I think it might mean we won’t be seeing Iggy again. Although I’m pretty sure, if what I think happened actually happened, he’s alive and probably doing okay.” Jean took a deep breath.

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