Page 88 of Rhymes with Metaphor
Reg burst out laughing.
“It’s not funny!”said Joel.
“It is, because you’re being ridiculous.”
“I’m serious, Reg!”
Reg sat up against the headboard.“What can I do?”
“Tell me it’s going to be all right.”
Reg laughed and ruffled Joel’s hair.“Everything’s going to be all right, cariad.Go back to sleep.”
Reg pushed Joel onto his back, tucked the covers in around him and kissed his forehead.
“This is the first time in my life I haven’t been in school,” said Joel.“What if I fucked up?”
“You can always go back.”
“I don’t want to go back,” said Joel.
“Medical school is your Solero,” said Reg.“You need to find your Maxibon.”
“But I don’t know where to start.What am I going to do?”
“If all else fails, you can get a job castrating garden gnomes.You seem to enjoy doing that.”
Joel snorted a laugh.They lay quietly in the dark, but Joel was still tense.
“Do I have to put the cat’s bell on you again?”said Reg.
“No,” said Joel, affronted.
“Meow.”
“Fuck off.”
