I dreaded the ordeal of ordering in person. Most of the time, I ordered takeout online to avoid the embarrassment of silent pointing, which made me feel so useless. Sometimes I wanted to talk, but when I tried, nothing came out. Dr. Maeve said that I wasn’t trying. That deep down, I didn’t want my voice. She said I needed to find the right incentive.
I studied my menu and flipped it closed almost right away. Christopher was staring, but I was determined not to fidget under his gaze.
“Well, Lizzie. What’re you getting?”
He leaned back in his wooden chair, the picture of ease and relaxation, while I dripped with sweat, a side effect of extreme anxiety. I hoped it wasn’t obvious.
I pointed to the two items I’d chosen.
When our server returned with ice water and a pint of his chosen IPA, Christopher ordered. “The lady will have the lamb madras curry and I’ll have butter chicken. We need two orders of vegetable samosas, an order of naan, and a side of basmati rice.”
Grateful he’d handled my order with so little discomfort, I sipped my ice water. Why was he being so considerate?
“Thanks,”I texted. My tense shoulders loosened a little.
“I suppose I should explain.” He took a long drink of beer, then set it on the coaster. He adjusted it to sit in the exact center before speaking. “I didn’t know you were unaware of what happened to Brandon. I apologize. He’d said it was a rough breakup, and I respected both of you enough to stay out of it—give you space. It was none of my business. I thought you would’ve heard what happened to him through others at work. I didn’t consider how little you interact with people and I’m sorry I upset you.”
I shrugged, watching him play with his fork.
“I didn’t handle it well at first, either. I had a rough couple of years. We all need to escape. Hence the women. Though, as you may have noticed, I quit some time ago.”
I hadn’t noticed. As usual, I’d only noticed things I wanted to see.
I nodded, suspicious of his motives for taking me out for dinner. He was the last person I’d date, if I dated. Which I didn’t. That would require being close to someone.
Christopher took another sip. “Last night, I got a strange call. Someone called for Dr. Winters. I seldom use that name outside work, even though I have a doctorate. Then the man launched into gibberish about the serum and needing to restart human trials. He talked fast. Something about genetic enhancement.”
Startled into meeting his eyes, I grabbed my phone.‘He was looking for your brother.’I couldn’t type his name any more than I could say it. My fingers felt paralyzed.
“Yeah, I figured that, but he didn’t let me explain. It was a brief call. He freaked out near the end. Said he had to go, that they’d traced his line, that it was too dangerous. In the background, there was a crashing sound, then a bang, like a door had been forced open. There was a scuffle, and the line went dead.”
My eyes widened in surprise and my pulse quickened. Once, I’d overheard Brandon on the phone. He’d mentioned the pressure to start human trials. I’d asked him about it later. That conversation had been our last.
“I’ve tried calling back, but it goes straight to an automated voicemail with no name. I didn’t leave messages.”
I shook my head.
“What?”
“They might come for you if they think you’re him.”
“Who? Brandon?”
I cringed when he said the name, but maintained eye contact.
“Give me some credit. I blocked my number. But I appreciate your concern for my well-being.” He grinned, his dimple reappearing.
My heart lurched at the sight. I didn’t want to like him. I’d rather ignore him.
“What I was wondering,” he said. “Does any of that sound familiar? Brandon said you remember everything. So, if he mentioned anything odd like that, I figured you’d know.”
I must have hesitated or looked guilty because his eyes lit up and he talked faster.
“I knew it. It’s years later, but better late than never. The doctors say a drug overdose caused Brandon’s coma.”
I choked on my water and my hands shook as I set down the cold glass. I couldn’t have heard that right. Brandon had been career-driven, health-conscious, and careful. He’d never take drugs.
I shook my head. No way. The room became too hot as my cheeks burned. A tightness constricted my chest as it sucked the air from my lungs. The restaurant became too confining. I had to get out.
