Dammit. Patrick dialed his cell phone and waited.
“Caliban, S&T.”
“This is Patrick. Doc, I’ll be in later. Please do not let anyone repair or power up the new bot. Not until I can scan for an internal transceiver.”
“You think the robot has its own beacon?” Caliban sounded more peeved than surprised.
“Yes. Treat it like a dangerous weapon.”
“Why? More paranoia? Or are you worried we’ll discover your secret beacon technology? You think you’re protecting us from ourselves, but the truth is you set us back years in a war to prevent alien invasion. Had we been able to learn how to teleport troops and equipment, we’d not only have been able to guard our borders, we would have been able to take the war to our enemy.
“Thanks for the professional advice, Dr. McDugan, but I would rather not see this bot blow up before we can examine it. In fact, don’t bother coming in today. I’m putting you on administrative leave until you decide to share the information I’ve asked of you. I want those schema. Simmons can fill in while you’re gone.”
“You’re makin’ a huge mistake—”
“I think not. Call me when you’re ready to share.” Caliban ended the call.
Patrick cocked his arm to dash his cellphone against the wall, but instead took a deep breath and called Dr. Simmons.
“You palmed the microprocessor, didn’t you?” Simmons asked.
Patrick sighed. “Yes. I’m afraid what might happen if you turned on the bot. Listen. I want to see if I can reprogram the microprocessor from here. It may be the safest course of action.”
“You can do that from home?” Simmons sounded skeptical.
“Yes. I’m making progress. The robot’s name is Zander.”
“You named him?” Simmons asked.
“Sounds better than Robot #7. I’ll call if I get a breakthrough, but please feel free to call if you need me.”
Patrick crossed back into the phased lab for another marathon session.
Chapter 18
The Terran sun set and the world became colder. Jack rang Lori’s doorbell and glanced back at his red car parked on the snowy street. Ben sat in the driver’s seat and gave him a ‘thumbs-up.’ Jack groaned. He couldn’t help but notice Brandon’s pickup truck in Lori’s driveway.
His eyes returned to the door as it opened. Lori stood there looking beautiful but anxious. He tried to smile, but it fell away when he saw the ‘Venus Blush’ on her cheeks. The rash of tiny pimples became a common side effective of the latest birth control implant.
Everything made sense. He’d never gone past third base with Lori because a pregnancy would upset both their futures. Besides, getting an implant for himself would have required parental approval for which he was too embarrassed to ask. Lori had been disappointed with him because she wanted him to be her ‘first.’ He’d told her no, because he loved her enough not to take chances. Seems as if she moved on.
“Jack, come in.” Lori’s smile projected strength, but her eyes seemed guarded.
He stepped into the foyer, closed the door, but didn’t know what to do. Should he shake Lori’s hand, hug her, or kiss her cheek? He felt stupid. His heart urged him forward, but his legs felt as frozen as the Gore’s statue in the park. “Hi, Lori. How are you?”
Her stony facade crumpled and she hugged him. “Believe it or not, I’ve missed you.”
“Me too.” He returned the hug, but she broke the embrace after three heartbeats.
“Brandon’s here,” she said.
“Yeah. Saw his truck outside.”
“Be cool, okay?” She tilted her head slightly.
He took a deep breath and nodded. “I’ll try.”
“Good. Have a seat in the living room. Can I get you a drink?”
“Water, please. Thanks.”
As she walked toward the kitchen, he entered the living room. Brandon rose from the couch with his linebacker’s face—ready to tackle. “Hello, Jack.”
“Brandon.” Jack balled his hands into fists, but kept them down by his side. He remembered what had happened at tonight’s party and fought the impulse to hurt Brandon. “Didn’t know you were going to be here . . . friend.” Jack stepped forward, but left a three-foot gap between himself and Brandon.
“I wanted to be here,” Brandon said. “I’m sorry for . . .” Brandon offered his hand.
Jack crossed his arms. “I need to speak with her privately.”
“I asked Brandon to visit,” Lori said as she entered the room. She handed Jack his glass of water. “Please, have a seat.”
Jack sat in the chair behind him, while Lori sat inches away from Brandon on the couch. His best friend lay his big wrestler’s paw on top of hers.
Lori looked grim. “I’m glad you called.”
“I wanted to see you.” Jack felt as if he was trapped in a surreal painting, his blood red heart melting off the canvas as his friends watched. “I’ve missed you . . . both, actually.” He held her eyes. “I hoped you and I could’ve stayed together, but I lost you somehow.” He glanced at Brandon.
Brandon sighed. “Lori’s not lost. She’s been right here all along. You went away to college and things changed. We’re together now.”
Jack bit his lip, yet kept his eyes fixed on Lori.
She raised her chin. “Jack, you knew we wanted different things. We grew apart. You left, and I’m still in high school. Besides, Brandon was there for me. He kept calling to make sure I wasn’t lonely, he made me laugh, and . . . we just clicked. I never wanted to hurt you.”
Jack’s eyes narrowed. Her voice betrayed neither remorse nor shame, but pity. Jack’s throat constricted and he took a sip of water. I should go. “Why didn’t you tell me you found someone else?”
“Look,” Brandon said, “let’s not get ugly. Aren’t there plenty of other girls at college?”
Jack’s eyes drilled into Brandon. “How did you break the news to your ex-girlfriend, Trudy? I assume you told her, right?” He turned toward Lori, “Must have been tough explaining all . . . this to your cousin.” I have to get outta here!
Brandon shook his head. “You’re hurt. I get it, but give Lori a break. This isn’t easy for her, and you’re just making it worse.”
Jack blinked and searched Lori’s face. Her eyes held no soft magic for him as they once had. Her pupils were islands in a vast and angry ocean. Pity had been replaced by contempt—the same unsympathetic look she’d given his future-self at the party. Was the girl he’d once loved gone? Did someone else walk the world in her body? Things had changed. Maybe he should just mourn her loss and move on. Fuck all this clever cowshit.
Jack rose to his feet. Brandon stood as well, but in a defensive stance with knees bent slightly, feet spread apart, and ready to defend his new life, and girlfriend, despite disappointing his childhood friend. He understood how Brandon had been attracted to her. She was the prize, though maybe not as shiny as he remembered.
Lori arose and mirrored Brandon’s expression—almost. She stood ready to shield her new love. Jack’s resentment, pride, and shame throbbed like a fetid boil, but lancing out at his friends would only make things worse. He pictured future-Jack’s feeble struggle against Brandon’s headlock, and didn’t want to repeat his mistakes. God help me, but I get to decide how this ends.
He took a deep breath and exhaled. A wee touch of grace brushed against his soul and he realized how much he still loved them both. Jack pushed aside his anger and forgave them. “I understand,” he heard himself say. “I don’t want to hurt anyone either. Just be good to each other.” His hand sought Brandon’s and they shook. “Thanks for being there for Lori when she needed someone.”
Brandon’s eyes widened and his body relaxed. “Sorry, Dude. Lori and I just fell in—”
“I get it,” Jack said. “I’m going to be okay.” In about five years. Maybe. He turned toward Lori. “Sorry, I . . . still love you.” But I hate what you did. “I hope we can still talk once in a while.”
“Me too.” Her eyes softened.
When she hugged him, she felt real to him once more. His body no longer melted on a blood red canvas. He’d changed himself and the future for the better. “Good luck to both of you.” He tried to smile. “I have to go. Ben’s waiting for me outside.”
“Charlie Horse is back in town?” Brandon said. “Tell him I said ‘hi.’ In fact, why don’t you guys stop by my house tonight? The party’s at 8:30. We’ll have some brew.”
Jack smiled. “Thanks, Brando. We gotta take care of a few things. Who knows, maybe we’ll stop by.” Or not. If I do, I might still punch you in the eye.
Once outside, He wiped his eyes on the way to the car. He knew he’d done the right thing, but needed time and distance to heal.
Ben wiped the frost off the car window as the snow continued to fall. He watched his doppel-brother leave Lori’s house. Brandon and Lori waved from the porch and he returned the gesture. Jack’s smile disappeared when he climbed into the passenger seat.
“That was fast,” Ben said. “How did it go?”
“Drive.” Jack tried to clear his throat.
Ben pulled out on the snowy road. The electric motor whirred as he drove in low gear. “You okay?”
“Yup. It’s going to be okay.” Jack smiled, but his red eyes betrayed him.
Ben squinted at Jack. “You didn’t punch anybody did you?”
“Wanted to, but no. I shook Brando’s hand, wished them well, and let her go.”
“Damn!” He chuckled. “I’m impressed.”
“Me too. Don’t think I could’ve done it without our peek into the future. Thanks for having my back, Bro.”
“That’s why I’m here. Now it’s your turn to watch mine.”
Ben parked in front of Ruth and Trudy’s house. Jack stayed in the car with the window down, while Ben walked up the snowy path. Before he could ring the bell, Trudy opened the door.
“Charlie Horse, it’s really you. Weren’t sure if we’d ever see you again.” She shook her head slowly. Her eyes swept toward the car and saw Jack. “C’mon in, Jack,” Trudy called. “We want to see what a real college man looks like.”
Jack jogged up the snowy sidewalk with a grin and followed them inside the house.
Ben scanned the foyer, but saw no sign of Ruth. His eyes settled on Trudy and felt a little unsettled. The Terran doppelganger looked exactly like his current girlfriend, Trudy, back home on Earth. She even wore the same perfume. If he were back on Earth, she’d wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him silly. Here, she kept her distance.
Trudy searched Jack’s eyes. “How are you?” Her long brown hair was pulled into a ponytail.
“Fine, and you?” Jack’s attempt to smile failed.
She placed her hand on Jack’s shoulder. “I just got off the phone with Lori. You sure you’re okay?”
“Yep. Didn’t turn out like I hoped, but—,” his forehead wrinkled, “I’m surprised you two are still talking, cousins or not.”
Trudy shrugged. “Blood’s thicker than boyfriends, though some might argue the opposite in Brandon’s case.”
Jack sighed. “Well I don’t like what happened, but it’s done.”
Trudy crushed her blue sweater against Jack in a quick hug. “You deserve better.”
“As do you.” Jack touched Trudy’s arm gently.
“Believe it or not, I let Brandon go. I could tell he lost interest in me. One night I saw a smoky look pass between him and Lori, and I just knew. Life’s too short to waste time loving someone who doesn’t love you back.”
Jack nodded. “You’re right, but it still sucks.”
“Big time.” She cleared her throat, turned, and glanced at Ben. “And why are you here?”
“I told you on the phone.” Ben’s shoulders tightened. “I want to see Ruth.”
She studied him. “She’s upstairs in her room. I told her you were coming, but I’m not sure if I should let you see her.” Trudy folded her arms across her chest. “You spent one night with her and disappeared. She’s crazy for you, but you never even called her back. She felt so alone. But now the wild-child Charlie returns, or should we call you ‘Ben’?” She arched her thin eyebrows.
Earth’s Trudy had moved her eyebrows the same way when he’d surprised her with a bouquet of flowers. Focus. “It’s Ben.” Shit. “I’m sorry I’ve been away so long.”
“Ruth is vulnerable right now. What are your intentions?” Her eyes left him nowhere to hide.
“Just want to see her again.” Ben shrugged. “She was very nice to me and we had fun. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”
Trudy frowned. “Had some fun! Are you kidding me?” She rolled her eyes and Ben winced. “You know she’s pregnant, right?”
Ben’s eyes moved to the floor and back up. “I just found out today.”
Trudy’s hands went to her hips. “You’re not going to ask her if it’s really yours, are you?”
Ben glanced at the door and then back to her. “No.”
Jack looked grim.
Trudy sighed. “It is yours. She’s four months along and she wants to keep it. She can’t wait to see you, so you better be nice to her. If you hurt her feelings, I’m going to take my pointy-toed boot and kick your ass. Got it?”
Ben paled. “Yes. I understand.”
She turned to Jack. “Can I trust him to be alone with her, or do you think he needs a chaperone?”
“He’ll be cool.” Jack gave him an even stare.
She motioned her head toward the stairway. “Upstairs and second door on the left.”
“Thanks.” As Ben climbed the stairs slowly, he sensed their eyes upon him and his heart beat faster. He remembered a scene from Dicken’s Tale of Two Cities, where an innocent man willingly walked to the guillotine to save another. I’m in the tale of two universes, but maybe not so innocent. He had wanted to see her again, but didn’t have the means to travel between worlds after he destroyed GranPat’s beacon. Months later, GranPat had given him a new p-medallion, but he’d stayed away from Terra.
At the top of the stairs, memories of Terra’s Ruth poured through his mind. Last summer, she’d been beautiful, sweet, and kind. Her kisses had been phenomenal and intoxicating. How might she treat him now? Would she greet him with a hug, question his prolonged absence, or chop off his head? No. Ruth was never like her earthly doppelganger, Rouge.
With each step he felt as if he trudged toward that guillotine. Whether his soul would be consigned to heaven, hell, or somewhere in-between, he wanted to do the right thing. But what should he tell her? She didn’t know anything about teleportation, or parallel universes, none of which were good excuses for his behavior. He had stayed away simply because I wanted my old life back.
The floor creaked when he approached her door, and he froze. Last chance to run.
“Ben, is that you?” Ruth asked. Her sweet voice sounded as beautiful as he remembered and he entered her room.
“Hi, Ruth.” The bedroom walls were pink and the window curtains a fine white lace. A menagerie of stuffed animals lined her shelf two by two, as if they waited for an ark. She sat on the bed—her eyes red, her face puffy and plump, and her stomach a gentle rolling hill, yet her hopeful smile eclipsed all else. His heart felt light as he returned her smile.
“I knew you’d come back to me. I’ve missed you so much.” She levered herself off the bed.
He opened his arms and hugged her. “Sorry I took so long. I missed you too. I . . .”
“Shhh. You’re here now. You don’t have to explain.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. “Are you finally done with the Witness Protection Program?” Her eyes probed his.
He blinked. “Yes.” Jack had used the WPP as a cover story when the CSD had pursued them last summer. He kissed her again, slowly, and her mouth tasted like peppermint. Her hair smelled like strawberries. His mind reeled back four months, and he wondered how he could have left her. She was . . . everything.
Ruth ste
pped away from him and closed the door. She drew him to the bed. He laid on his back as she climbed to kiss his lips. Her large breasts rubbed against him and his pants became far too tight. He wanted her more than Trudy, more than a state championship, more than . . . Earth? Her touch overpowered his senses and . . .
“Now that you’re back, we can all be together.” She whispered in his ear. “I’m having your baby. She’ll be beautiful. Like you.”
His eyes opened. “She?”
“Yes, a little girl.” She sat on the bed and leaned on his shoulder. “I want to name her Flora.”
“Flora?” Ben’s chest tightened. “Sounds like a good name.”
Her forehead wrinkled. “Do you think you can be a good father?” Her fingers squeezed his bicep. “Tell me the truth.”
He blinked rapidly. “I don’t know.” A father? “Maybe.” Beads of perspiration grew on his face. Why is it so hot in here?
“You’re young, but I think you can learn. You’re kind, gentle, and . . . loving. You could be part of our family and maybe live here with us, if Mom and Dad get to know you.”
He sat up and she began kneading his shoulders and back. “You could work part time and finish high school. The community college will be affordable. We could have a good life.”
“Live here, with your parents?” He stood up and began to pace. “I don’t know. I have responsibilities back home. I have—”
“A family here. Do you love me?” Her eyes glistened with hope. “Please. Tell me the truth.”
His body tensed. He felt the p-medallion through his shirt and glanced at the door. During a wrestling match his instincts would take over, allowing him to spin and twist with one practiced move after another until he had the advantage. This wasn’t even a match. She had already pinned him. He felt like running, but that wasn’t him. Was it?
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