Page 62 of Even in the Dark

Dylan:[no response]

Dr. Morley:Well? Are you going to eat it or just stare at it like it’s a modern still life?

Dylan:What’s the catch?

Dr. Morley:Aside from my apparently exorbitant hourly rate? None. And technically, that’s your father’s issue to deal with.

Dylan:[no response]

Dr. Morley:There’s no other catch, Dylan. You have my word.

Dylan:I’m not gonna start spilling my life story to you just ’cos you got me a burger and fries.

Dr. Morley:Good God, I would hope not! I’m not sure I could stomach working with someone who’s so shallow they can be bought with a McDonald’s combo meal.

Dylan:[no response]

Dr. Morley:Mmpf. Fries are good. They’re getting cold, though. Eat up.

[Few minutes of eating sounds, rustling of paper]

Dr. Morley:So? Tell me one thing about the last few days.

Dylan:[no response]

Dr. Morley:Alright, then. I’ll start… I learned how to make risotto a couple of days ago.

Dylan:What’s that?

Dr. Morley:Basically a fancy, creamy rice dish… Only I messed it up. You’re supposed to add broth slowly to the rice, and I was impatient. It turned out mushy, with the taste and consistency of baby cereal.

Dylan:[no response]

Dr. Morley:Okay. Your turn—something you did this week.

Dylan:[no response]

Dr. Morley:First thing that comes to mind when you think of the past few days.

Dylan:[sighs] … I read a comic to my little sister.

Dr. Morley:Really? Mackenzie?

Dylan:Kenzie, yeah.

Dr. Morley:That’s great. How did that come about?

Dylan:Asked Diane if I could read to her the other night, then I did.

Dr. Morley:So what made you decide to read to Kenzie?

Dylan:[no response]

Dr. Morley:Anything specific that brought this about?

Dylan:Yeah.

Dr. Morley:Want to share?

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