Inconstant Moon - Default Font Edition

by Laurel L. Russwurm

  “Even bodyguards need their beauty sleep.” Advancing with the stethoscope the doctor suggests “Let's see how we're doing here, shall we?”

  chapter 103 . . .

  Jake has only two cameras strung around his neck and a slim notepad under his arm when he comes along the hall and drops into step beside Krystal, who is juggling her laptop and book bag, along with a few loose manuals as she comes out of a nearly empty classroom.

  “Hey Krystal, you look like you could use a hand.”

  She looks at him and smiles, “Oh hi, Jake. I've just got to learn to be a little better organized.”

  “I'll help,” Jake holds out his hand, “Where're you off to?”

  Passing him the loose manuals, Krystal says, “I've got a spare so I was heading to the cafeteria.”

  “But it's not open.”

  “They aren't serving food, but it's open. It'll be a great place to work on my laptop. I get a lot done when nobody's there. There's a ton of light from all the windows, lots more than the library, and if you can believe it, it's even quieter.”

  chapter 104 . . .

  Draped in cameras, Liz makes her way toward Natasha's room. She's reaching for the door when it opens and Boris steps out. He looks beat but smiles when he sees it's Liz.

  She asks, “Is everything OK?”

  “Tired. The doc's giving her an examination.”

  “Mmm. I hate hospitals myself.”

  “I think they're probably gonna let her go. You could have waited and taken the pictures back at the Res.”

  Liz shakes her head while effortlessly performing a practiced shoulder roll to reposition the bags hanging there.

  “Oh no, it's much better to do it here, Bo. The light will be better for one, but nothing beats an institutional setting for an insurance claim. I imagine it'll help just as much in criminal court.”

  “That sounds so cynical, Liz.”

  Liz laughs. “I am cynical. But think it through. By the time they catch the guy and bring him to court her cuts and bruises will probably be gone. Because Natasha was knocked out so she can't even tell a horrifying story on the stand. The pictures I take will probably go the farthest in convicting the guy.”

  Boris is looking at her. “How do you know all this stuff?”

  “I was making a living off newspaper and insurance photos before I decided to go back to school.”

  “I didn't know that. I thought you were our age.”

  Liz laughs. “I'm only a couple years older. Close enough.”

  The door opens behind them and the doctor emerges. She looks at Liz and nods. “You'd better get in there fast if you want pictures because I'm releasing her.”

  Liz and Boris go in to find Natasha throwing some clothes in a bag. “Woo hoo! They're letting me out of here!”

  “Wait. I have to take pictures first.”

  “We can do it later! The doc says I'm gonna be fine, other than being stiff and sore. Nothing's wrong medically except a lot of bruising. No concussion, nothing broken.”

  “That's great.” nods Bo, “But let Liz take the pictures here. She's been holding out on us, She's already a professional. Insurance companies have paid her to take pictures.”

  “No way!” squeals Natasha. Why didn't you say something?”

  “I'm just here to learn like everybody else.” Liz stammers, suddenly uncomfortable, not wanting to stand out.

  “Just let her take the pictures Nat. Liz knows what she's doing. Tell you what, I'll go round up some transport while you pose for her.”

  “All right already! Just go, Bo,” urges Natasha as she starts untying her robe. Boris looks like he'd like nothing better than to stay, but he turns and heads out.

  chapter 105 . . .

  Krystal's computer stuff is spread across the long back table of the cafeteria. Her laptop is disassembled, and various internal bits are sorted into plates and bowls.

  A saucer holds the screws. She's shining a penlight into the DVD drive when Jake pops his head up from under the table.

  “Ah ha!” he proffers a tiny screw. “Got it.”

  As Jake clambers out from under the table she says, “Oh Jake, that's great. You're a life saver. I was beginning to give up all hope.”

  Krystal positions the screw, then casts around for the tiny driver, which Jake lays in her hand.

  “There you go, Doc.” Looking around Jake notices students are beginning to flow into the cafeteria. “The lunch rush is starting. We're gonna be pressed for space in a few minutes, Krys.”

  “I'm going as fast as I can.”

  Oscar slides in beside her. “Want a hand?”

  “Yeah, that'd be great. This is such a pain.” She holds up a network card. “There's already an Ethernet card so I don't know what to do with this one.”

  Oscar starts sorting things out and putting it back together with far more assurance than Krystal had. “Why did you decide to do this here and now?”

  “It wasn't working right and I thought it just needed a good tweak. Except it's been a horror show.”

  “Way over my head.” adds Jake.

  “Yes, I imagine.”

  Krystal says, “Adam did a great web architecture presentation.” Krystal tidies the surrounding area, tucking books and papers into her bag. “Too bad you guys missed it.” Expecting an explanation.

  Jake's looking at loose ends, so Oscar suggests, “Hey Jake,” Oscar suggests, “Can I get you to grab me a cup of tea?”

  “Oh yeah, sure.” Oscar tosses him a Toonie and Jake heads down to the food dispensary.

  Krystal says, “You're not gonna tell me where you were?”

  “Maggie is tucked up in bed in the Res.”

  “You finally got her in the sack?” Krystal asks.

  Oscar blushes. “No, nothing like that. She's just a bit shaken, since I took her down to identify her flasher.”

  “No! They got the guy? I don't believe it.”

  “She identified him, but she's having a hard time with it.”

  Krystal asks, “Why? If she IDed the creep she's a hero, Oz. We'll all be safe again.”

  “Really? As safe as Natasha was when she was attacked?”

  Krystal tightly cinches the straps around her bag. “Don't be a downer Oz. You know what I mean. Natasha's creep is caught.”

  “We don't really know that, love. A creep is caught. He may or may not be the right creep but he certainly will not be the only creep. Sadly there are many many creeps in the world.” Krystal watches Oscar snap the case closed then she catches a glimpse of motion and her head turns. Sure enough, there's Jose. She turns her head away as Oz looks too. Jose trails Eric to the food counter, nodding to Jake in passing. Jake brings his tray of tea things back to rejoin his friends.

  Oscar pushes the reassembled laptop back across the table to Krystal. “Good as new.”

  “Really?” she asks expectantly.

  Oz laughs. “No, but all the bits are reattached anyway.”

  “Thanks, Oz. I would have got it together eventually.”

  “It's fine.” Jake sets the tray down. They each take an anonymous white cafeteria mug, and Oscar paws through the pile of tea bags in the centre of the tray.

  “Jake you're brilliant. How long have they had Earl Grey, Darjeeling and oh my god Oolong! The ladies have only ever given me that Orange Pekoe crap you Americans drink.”

  Jake holds up his hand, “Please Oz . . . Canadians.”

  “Sorry mate, didn't mean to offend.”

  Krystal drops a Darjeeling bag in her cup and pours hot water over it. “Could you pass me a creamer Jake?”

  “I didn't bring any, they're terrible in tea.”

  Krystal frowns “What are those things then?”

  Jake looks down. “These are milk.”

  “No, what do you call that thing? If it was cream you'd call it a 'creamer'. But it's milk.”

  Jake looks down at the tiny canister. “I don't know. A 'milker'?'

  Oz snickers. “
Isn't that what you'd call the great hairy beast who provides the milk?”

  Jake laughs with Oz as Krystal reaches across to grab a couple of the milkers which she adds to her tea.

  Across the room Jose is picking at a green salad while Eric eats a hamburger. “You know I used to think I was so incredibly lucky to have such an awesome girlfriend. Smart, gorgeous and built. And man oh man did she ever like sex. I mean how convenient can you get, just one floor up.”

  Jose nods sadly. “Yeah man, that's rough.”

  Eric pelts him with a French fry. “Don't be a jerk. It's a serious problem. I mean now, how do I get rid of her?”

  “I don't get it man. I know she got around and all but what happened to all that undying love? How can you just turn it off?”

  “Seeing her fucking some other guy was bad, but finding out he wasn't the only one. I guess it wasn't really love after all.”

  Jose nods. “Yeah. That might do it for me too.”

  “I just want to get one with my life. But now she's everywhere. I only used to see her when she'd text me to come to her room, coupla times she'd just show up in mine. She never wanted to go anywhere, do anything. But now I can't seem to get away from her. She's even coming out to the pub.”

  “Like they say man, careful what you wish for, 'cause you might just get it.”

  “She never wanted to go to the pub. Coursework and sex was all there was time for. If I was lucky I could get her to grab a bite if we managed to co-ordinate our dinner hour.”

  “That's a problem?” asks Jose. “Cheap date, man.”

  Eric shakes his head. “Thing is, once in a blue moon I could drag her out for breakfast, only if I caught after an all night lab. Maybe she was tired and her guard was down. Or something. No, wait, maybe she never had all night labs. Maybe that was all lies too. She was probably out fucking the football team those nights. No wonder she'd never go out in public with me.”

  “You dumped her, man. It's over now. Move on with your life. You like that Amelia, right. She's pretty smart for a girl.”

  “No, wait, Amelia and me, well, we're just friends. Not the same. She's more like a sister. Except I don't like my sister.”

  “Just, it sounds like you're not done with the redhead.”

  “I didn't think I would be, but I pretty much am. It's like she's not done with me, though. Everywhere I go, there she is. Yet she never spent much time with me outside the sack. Which is a sad commentary in itself.”

  “I dunno, bro, sounds like a perfect world to me. No talking just fucking.”

  “Not for me. I like talking. And I just never really saw it when we were together, but I guess my hormones were always running at full throttle. Really that's all she wanted.”

  “That wouldn't be a problem for me. The fact that she was messing with other guys, now, that'd be a problem.”

  “What do you think about her wanting to get back together? Do you think she's like, well, you know, stalking me?”

  “What? 'Cause she went out to the pub?”

  “Um, yeah. She never did before.”

  “Sorry to bust your bubble. she didn't have to before.”

  “I don't get it, what do you mean?”

  Jose lays his fork down and looks at his friend. “She had her meat at home, and anything she wanted extra was on the side. You say you were humping like bunnies the whole time and it wasn't enough. That means she's got a big appetite, pal. So now that you're not there to provide service with a smile she's gotta cruise the meat markets 'cause she needs to find fresh every time.”

  “God you're a cynical bastard. I thought you Latins were supposed to be romantic.”

  “Stereotypes are for hacks, Eric. I don't see you gorging all day and hacking your enemies to bits every night either. Maybe you miss riding your Valkyrie”

  Eric laughs. “You're such an asshole sometimes, Jose.”

  Jose spears a tomato. “Aren't we all.”

  Jake watches Krystal, noting she's more attuned to Jose framed in the window across the room than to the people she's sitting here drinking tea with. Jake only half listens to the conversation, watching her in much the same way she watches Jose. It's better sitting beside her he could reach over and touch her cheek if he was brave enough. He can smell her hair from here.

  Jake considers what would happen if he told Jose that Krystal was in love with him . . . hung up on him. That'd be the end of his friendship with Krys, one way or another. Either she'd end up as Jose's girlfriend and she'd never have time for him anymore, or maybe it wouldn't happen at all and she'll hate him for telling. Either way she'd probably kill him for telling.

  Maybe she'll come around, he thinks, maybe she'll forget Jose. Jose's not very smart, he just looks like a Greek god. Jake sighs. Maybe in time she'll realize that even though he himself isn't a hunk like Jose, at least he's got a brain. And a heart. Maybe in time. Jake sips his tea, smiling as he watches her laugh at something Oscar said. Not that she has time. Why would God take someone so beautiful? So full of life. And then just take her out. It's just not fair.

  Kate sees the gang along the back wall, noting Jake's eyes on Krystal, who is just as inevitably watching Jose across the room. She's so glad she doesn't have to do that dance any more, it leaves so much more time to actually get things done.

  Oscar waves and she heads over. If Krystal is that hung up on the guy she should tell him.

  Crossing the room Kate wonders if she should just tell Jose and get it over with. Put them all out of Krystal's misery. Or maybe she should tell Krystal to look at Jake. The problem there is that looking at Jake feels like cradle robbing.

  “Hey guys!” Jake's reverie is broken by Kate's noisy entrance. “Who's up for a computer club meeting tonight?”

  Jake says, “I didn't think you were gonna have any meetings til they caught the rapist.”

  “Didn't you hear?” interjects Krystal, “Oz told me they picked up Maggie's flasher.”

  “I heard there'd been an arrest.” Kate doesn't mention that Nick had told her, unsure if it was supposed to be in confidence.

  “That's good, now maybe we can get back to normal.”

  “So who's up for a club meeting tonight?” asks Kate.

  Krystal says, “I can probably make it.”

  “Me too,” chimes in Jake.

  “Don't know about Maggie,” Oscar says, “but I'll be along.”

  “That's great guys.”

  “Do you have a topic picked out yet?” Jake asks.

  “There's a couple of new add-ons I thought we could try out. I'm thinking maybe be could brainstorm our own.”

  Oscar asks, “Brainstorm our own what?”

  “Maybe we come up with an add-on for Firefox or a game or something. Create our own, do it all open source, and if we can get it together maybe we can get it bundled with the next Ubuntu distro.”

  Krystal grins. “Holy cow, what an awesome idea. I like it. Count me in.”

  “Thinking big, I like it too.” smiles Jake, watching Krystal's eyes following Jose as he gathers up his tray. “Just I don't see I can be much help. I use software, I don't develop it.”

  Kate grins, “You could be a beta tester, Jake.”

  Oscar adds, “You take great pictures, maybe marketing?”

  Krystal says, “It would be a hot addition to a CV. Put us head and shoulders above the rest of our graduating year.”

  Kate says, “Great, then, see you all there. There's Adam, I'm gonna see if he'll be able to come to the meeting.”

  Kate makes her way past Eric and Jose on their way out, and joins Adam and another buttoned down guy Jake doesn't know. Kate perches on the third chair as she launches in to her pitch. One of the things Jake likes about Kate is that she's such a power house. Organizing, co-coordinating, never tiring of making them all do the things that are good for all of them.

  When Jake turns back, Oscar has finished his tea and is clearing up, so Jake drains his mug and adds it to the tray. Glancing at Kry
stal he's shocked all the colour has drained out of her face. Damn Jose. She's so pallid, if there was something he could do.

  “See you tonight then,” Oscar says then carries off the tray.

  “Where are you off to next Krystal?”

  “I've got an elective, but all of a sudden i feel pretty beat, so I think I'm just gonna go home.”

  “I'll help you get your stuff out to your car then.”

  Krystal looks tired. “Thanks Jake, you're a real sweetie.”

  Jake smiles, “It's OK when I'm around to help, but you really gotta stop trying to drag around so much crap.”

  Krystal smiles back. “You think?

  chapter 106 . . .

  Oscar bends to tighten the laces of his running shoes, then does some stretching exercises. From a distance it rather looks like he might be dancing until he indulges in a little shadow boxing before stepping onto the cinder track. Making the circuit at a leisurely lope he's startled to be passed by Jose running at a much faster pace.

  Biological imperative forces Oscar to increase his pace. He doesn't catch up exactly, but with effort he can keep the same distance between them. As he runs, Oscar marvels that Jose doesn't seem to even break into a sweat. Effortless.

  “Damn,” thinks Oscar, who feels himself dying here. Wondering how Jose can keep it up. As his breathing becomes more laboured, and a corresponding longing for a cigarette grows, Oscar decides living through the run is much more important. After all, no matter what he does he'll never look like Superman. He allows his speed to drop back. In fact, the bench up ahead looks awfully inviting.

  So Oscar starts to slow down and stops altogether.

  He's overcome by a deep fit of coughing, and he grabs the back of the bench for support. Jose goes by, but slows, watching Oscar a moment, decides he's not gonna die and sketches a salute before resuming his speed. Oscar unties the sweatshirt from around his waist and mops his shaved head, then pulls it on, reaching into his pocket for the packet of cigarettes that isn't there. As his breathing returns to normal he watches Jose running with the grace of a natural athlete. Oscar knows he himself more resembles a lumbering bull. Taking up smoking was the stupidest thing he's ever done. His foot taps hyperactively. God, he wants a cigarette.