Page 64 of Nolan
“What would make you happy?”
“How long until you go?”
“My flight’s at four tomorrow, with Apollo and the others.”
“Apollo’s going too?” The shift in her tone betrays her growing trepidation. “He didn’t say anything. All day. Not a word.”
“I asked him not to. I wanted to be the one to tell you. He’ll be returning far sooner than me.”
“And you’ll take care of him, won’t you?”
“I’ll guard him with my life, Mia. I always do.”
“And you. So that you can come back to me when it’s over.” She sighs softly. “I can live with this. It’s like a work trip. A long work trip that happens to be on fire. No big deal. I have stuff I can do here. So I guess we can text. We can call. I can video with you, maybe, until you get back. When and if you have time for it. If you don’t, I understand. I’m trying to find the silver lining. Maybe this is it. But . . . can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“We moved pretty fast, didn’t we?”
Lightning races across my motherboard. “We did.”
“Maybe this is just the thing to slow us down a bit. So we aren’t fucking like rabbits.”
“I’m a lot of things, but rabbit, I’m not sure.”
She giggles, and it’s good to hear her laugh again. “And you won’t forget to check in with me, as much as you can? So I know you’re safe?”
“It’s impossible to forget anything related to you,” I reassure her. “Droid, remember?”
“Right,” she says. “I should go and spend some time with Apollo and the family before he leaves too. I’ll text you later tonight, okay?”
The promise of later is enough for me. “Okay. Until then.”
“Talk soon.”
Reassured I haven’t lost one of the two people I’m not sure I could operate without, I finally let myself rest and slip into sleep mode to recharge.
“Hey.”
Hours after my conversation with Mia, it’s nearly midnight. She and I texted back and forth before she fell asleep. Roused by a familiar voice, I look up, slowly lurching forward when I see Apollo entering my room.
He shoves his phone into his pocket. “Just had quite the family night. Played those card games, the ones with the crazy answers? Don’t think I’ve laughed so hard in my life. Have to try it with you sometime, see how your bionic mind reacts to this kind of stupid humor.”
“Sounds like a plan. You’re not staying the night with your wife?” I ask, trying to gauge if he’s been told about Jessica’s condition yet. I suspect no. Apollo isn’t the type to play it this cool if there’s a bun in the oven. He’d be bouncing-off-walls happy, if I know him at all.
“I’ll head back in a bit so I can be with her for the night, before we leave. Mia told me what happened. Figured I’d come and make sure you’re okay. Close call with her, huh?”
I stand up. “I started to think I should’ve listened to you.”
“Everyone should listen to me,” Apollo says with a slight grin, rubbing the back of his neck as he sits next to me. “Maybe.” He rests his elbows on his knees. “Look, Mia . . . she’s . . .” He heaves an agitated sigh as he tries to find the right words. “She’s never been in a serious relationship, you know? There’s probably going to be a few bumps with her. Learning our way of life, I mean. You and I both know being married to guys like us isn’t for the faint of heart. I’m not trying to sway you any which way, but there are times where I wonder if she’s strong enough to handle what we do. Specifically, what you do.”
I was close to wondering the same thing today. “We’ll find out. We’re going to give it a shot. That’s what matters.”
Apollo nods. “I just need you to be absolutely sure with her. You need someone who’s going to back you, no matter what. It might be a bit much for her.”
“I think you should have more faith in your sister,” I reply. “Regardless of what happens, I think we’re all gonna be fine.”
“Fair enough.” He sighs, and I can see hints of worry etched in his face, the way he pinches his brow together. “Two guys have died already, fighting this thing.”
