Zion nodded in agreement. Harmony went to sit down at one of the conference table chairs and watched Preston. He was very precise and she couldn’t help but notice that all the food items he chose were kept away from each other on the plate.
“So, why can’t you do anything about this?” Clive asked, an edge to his tone.
“The President possesses influence and is the face of the university, but, like the King in chess, wields very little power over decisions or strategy.” He said simply.
“That’s a raw deal, man.” Arrow said bluntly.
“It pays well.” Preston laughed darkly.
He then took his plate and sat diagonally from Harmony and across the table. As he sat, he smiled at her. She returned a somewhat awkward half smile because her mouth was full of bean dip.
“So, do I get to meet everybody before we start?” Preston asked as he picked up a baby carrot and bit down hard on it. His canines were sharper than all the rest of his teeth and Harmony was getting sparkly vampire vibes from him.
“Of course” Zion said.
They all introduced themselves and Harmony finished the introductions. Preston looked pleased and then started in on informing them all of the goings on at the higher education level. Harmony was unfamiliar with most of the names he mentioned and the concepts since she had not attended college herself. Clive, Arrow, Zion, Rachel, and Pat were all listening intently and offering comments so Harmony got the feeling that they were informed.
“So, Preston, continue to monitor how fast privacy for chip recipients will be ending. Also, try to slow it down as much as you can. We still don’t truly know what’s happening right now with the functionality of the chip.” Zion said. “That’s what we will be working on.”
“Of course I will.” Preston agreed. He stood and threw away his plate in preparation to leave. “Rachel, thank you for dinner.” Preston bowed at the waist and then turned to wish the others good night. “I must go but I appreciate all the feedback.”
“I’ll walk you out.” Zion said.
As Preston allowed himself to be escorted out of the room, he caught Harmony’s eye and she could have sworn he winked.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
PAT WAS NOT looking forward to more manual labor. He didn't want to admit this to Arrow because he was enjoying Clive being the butt of the jokes. He also wasn’t sure how comfortable he felt with everybody yet. From what he knew about friendship, you were supposed to feel comfortable sharing parts of yourself even if those things were ugly. He didn’t feel comfortable sharing those things with this group and especially sharing about how before coming to New Life Rehab screams seemed to reverberate in his mind daily.
These thoughts weren't far from his mind as he continued to clean and polish old furniture with Arrow on Saturday morning. Harmony and Clive were in charge of organizing the pieces in the building so he hadn’t seen much of them.
“So, why didn’t you come with us in the beginning?” Arrow asked suddenly as they were polishing a high-backed armchair the color of puke.
“Clive.” Pat said. “He’s an arrogant creep.”
“Well, maybe sometimes.” Arrow conceded.
“And the sailor of the vessel we would be riding in was an alcoholic.” Pat added half teasing, half serious.
Arrow glared at him. “That was a low blow.”
“You were in the hospital for alcohol poisoning.” Pat said defensively
Arrow didn’t respond to that and Pat felt a tinge of regret. Arrow was much taller and bigger than him so hitting below the belt wasn’t wise. Pat wasn’t comfortable apologizing though so he polished furniture harder.
“What do you think they’re talking about in there?” Arrow asked.
Pat was surprised by the question. “Dr. Evers’ abs?” He offered.
This made Arrow laugh and Pat felt a wave of relief wash over him. “Harmony isn’t nearly that shallow.”
“Clive is.” Pat said adamantly.
“True.”
“So, how does this manly-hunk-of-nerdiness before me bag women?” Arrow shook out his cleaning cloth and sprayed it again with the polish.
Pat shrugged. “It’s mostly my money and messed up psyche. Women think I’m deep because of my problems.”
“That’s good. I’ll have to keep that in mind. I’ve been out of the dating game for a long time and I don’t have any solid techniques.” Arrow admitted. He then mimed introducing himself to a girl. “Excuse me, miss…I’m not wealthy but I have an unhealthy addiction to alcohol and major depression. Date me?”
Pat chuckled. It seemed strange to him that he could feel close to somebody after making self-deprecating comments about each other, but he did. “Do you have a girl in mind?”
“Oh yeah.” Arrow grinned secretively and marched over to the building to notify Clive that there was another furniture piece ready. When Arrow came back, he began working on a desk that looked like it had dust a quarter of an inch thick on its surface.
When Arrow didn’t say anything else, Pat asked, “So, who?” If Pat had had friends in high school, this is what he imagined it would have been like. Sharing with each other about girls and life. Arrow would have never been friends with him in school, though. Guys like him ate guys like Pat for breakfast.
Arrow looked like he was about to speak, but then Harmony and Clive both came outside to take a few items. At that moment, something clicked for Pat as he saw Arrow’s gaze lingering on Harmony. He looked lost and sick and Pat knew who Arrow was pining for.
***
Sunday morning dawned and Pat found himself awake at 7 am, which was highly unusual. As he rolled over he realized why he must be alert at this early hour. A cascade of red hair fell across the pillow beside him and the slow sleepy breathing of his wife filled the silence. His breath caught in his throat and he glanced over at Arrow’s bed to make sure he wasn’t awake. Thankfully, Pat’s roommate appeared to be sleeping as well. He was twisted up in the sheets, his pillow forgotten and lying on the floor.
Pat turned back to Justice sleeping in his bed and quietly reached a tentative hand towards her to make sure she was real. His hand just kept going and his heart sunk into his stomach as he watched his love dissolve before his eyes. A sob slipped out from his throat and his hand flew up to capture it. To try and calm himself he began taking slow deep breaths through his nostrils.
Just then, a knock came at the door. Pat didn’t turn around but he frantically began cleaning his face and smoothing the sheets on the side of the bed where Justice had seemingly laid. Arrow was stirring in the bed beside him as another knock rapped on the door. The large man went padding over to answer it and swung it open.
“Good morning!” Pat immediately recognized the chipper voice of Zion. “Is Pat awake, too?”
