The Perfect Clone (10 page)

Taking time for a break would be the equivalent of taking an extended vacation. He imagined it had been a trying day for her already, so who was he to tell her differently. “You have plenty of time,” he said.

Sarah wrapped her hands around the mug, enjoying the heat against her hands. Clinical facilities were always so cold. She watched the steam curl up from the mug and got lost in her own thoughts.

After making his own cup, Luke took a seat across the table from her.

Sarah wasn’t the only female he’d brought in over the past month or so, and he doubted she’d be the last. As a matter of fact, he’d just dropped another one off in the waiting room before coming to retrieve her. For reasons he couldn’t begin to explain or understand though, he was anxious to hear how
this
particular interview had gone. “So, how’d it go?”

Lifting her head, Sarah shrugged. “I don’t really know. I guess it went ok. You know how these things go. You hope you knocked their socks off, but you never know if you’ll get a call back. Guess I have to wait and see.”

“Getting this job seems pretty important to you.” It was his responsibility to report on certain information about the potential candidates, but he realized he was asking because he wanted to know, rather than out of duty.

Shaking her head up and down in agreement she answered, “This is the most important thing I could ever hope to do. As far back as I can remember I’ve loved everything about science. Even the smallest details captivated me.”

“I’m not sure I understand what you mean by small details.” Luke liked the way her face lit up. The woman’s love of science was obvious.

“I know it sounds silly, but just simple things, you know? Like the way glass beakers fit perfectly inside my palm. I love the smell of Bunsen burners when they’re lit and the tiny roar of the flame while they’re burning. The sound test tubes make when you pop the tops off and even the way that safety glasses protrude off a person’s face making them look half alien.” Sarah looked over at him, slightly ashamed that she’d shared such intimate thoughts with a total stranger. “You must think I’m crazy.” Lord knows she thought she was sometimes.

Completely enthralled and surprised at the amount of passion she had, Luke asked her, “What stopped you from becoming a scientist?” After the way she talked about it, he couldn’t imagine her doing anything else.

Giving him a wistful smile Sarah answered, “That’s my intention. I have everything all planned out; leukemia research being my long term goal. Hopefully one day, I’ll even help find a cure. Funny thing about best laid plans though, sometimes life has a way of changing them for you. For now, those plans are on hold.”

“What happened to cause your change?” Not only was she pretty on the outside, she was absolutely gorgeous on the inside.

Taking a sip from her cup, Sarah sat the mug back down and crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s enough about me. I swear, you must think I’m an open book. What about you?”

“What about me? There’s not much to know. I love what I do, I like coffee, and I walk too fast. That’s about all there is to know.”

Sarah laughed, releasing the tension that had mounted in her jaw. Carrying her cup over to the sink, she washed it out and placed it on a towel next to the other clean cups. Luke followed her example and did the same.

Standing this close to him, butterflies mounted in her chest as his fresh scent washed over her. Quickly moving away from the counter, she found a spot next to the table. What a complete buffoon. She didn’t need this. Not now, maybe not ever. Her body kicked into overdrive around this guy. She had to get a grip. She couldn’t afford to lose her chance to be a part of this research.

Deciding that conversation would be the best defense against the onslaught of quivers that were coursing through her body, Sarah humbly suggested, “So, I’d best get to my next appointment.”

Glancing at her over his shoulder, Luke was nonchalant. “Actually, you’re done for the day. I was asked to drive you to the hotel.” Not wanting her to see the result her nearness had caused his body, he didn’t turn around. Instead he kept washing out his cup, trying to think of anything he could to get his manhood back to a presentable size.

“I wish you would have said something sooner. You could have saved my nerves a lot of grief,” she declared with a smile.

Finally gaining full control over his body, Luke turned and walked toward the door. “And here I thought my amazing knack for conversation was enough.”

“If that thought makes you happy, you can think whatever you want. What about the rest of the interview? Do they want me back tomorrow? Did they say anything?”

“I just do what I’m told.” That wasn’t a total lie. “They asked me to tell you that they’d contact you as soon as possible for the second phase; pending the results of this first one, of course.”

Just wonderful, there was more waiting in store. This could go either way. The doctor had told her that everything was in order, so she should be good.

Arriving at the hotel, Luke turned in the seat and handed her the room key. “You’ve been assigned room 114. Room service was ordered to bring you dinner tonight and breakfast in the morning. I’d recommend that you don’t stray too far away from the phone. Someone will call and let you know if you have or haven’t made it into phase two. Either way, I’ll be here at eight A.M. to get you. Whether you make it through or not, bring your luggage with you when I pick you up. Do you have any questions?”

“You’ve been with the company for a while, what’s your honest opinion on the way things are going? Do I stand a chance?”

Luke got out of the car, grabbed her luggage from the trunk, and opened her door. Handing Sarah the carry on, he looked her straight in the eye. “Were you honest with them about your qualifications?”

“Every last one of them,” she smiled. She was glad that he apparently didn’t know what the qualifications were.

“If you’re what you said you were, then there’s no need to worry. Other than that, I can’t really say.”

“How many people have made it through to the second phase?”

“I’m not at liberty to say. Don’t wouldn’t worry about it Sarah, you’ll do just fine. You’d better get inside and get some rest. Eight A.M. comes around pretty regular.”

“Yes it does. See you then.” Pulling her sweater closed at the front, Sarah headed to her room, carry-on bag rolling clumsily behind her. Did he just say get some rest? Yeah right, she thought. Like that was going to happen. She was wound up tighter than a ten day clock.

There were so many things that could have happened in her past to cause the exam to show a false result. She knew the truth. She just hoped her body told the same story.

Chapter 10

Hospitals—she hated them. Laura sat in the waiting room, sipping stale coffee out of a cardboard cup that Richard had miraculously seemed to pull out of thin air. The hard grey chairs lined in chrome and the grey carpeting, fit the overall mood of the room… gloomy.

Looking around, it was hard not to notice the grim looks on the faces of the other occupants. Everyone was waiting to hear the outcome of their own personal crisis, no one in control of the results. This had to be the worst part, not knowing how the visit would end. Not knowing if your life would be forever changed. Everyone lifted their heads in unison each time someone entered the area. Hoping for good news, but at the same time, afraid it would be their turn to receive the bad.

Laura eyed a couple of kids quietly playing with toy cars as the family sitting next to them watched with blank stares. Everyone here was bound by a common theme; the fear of losing someone they loved.

A sigh of relief escaped the other occupants when Roger entered the environment and they realized that he was a victim of destiny just like they were. Their world was safe for a few minutes longer.

Taking a seat next to Laura, Roger placed a steady hand on her knee and squeezed.

With a weak smile, she turned and hugged him. “Thanks for coming Roger.” Her voice was filled with worry.

Pulling her out of the hug, Roger placed a hand on both sides of Laura’s pale face. Looking her straight in the eyes, he wished he could will her some of his strength. “You knew this was coming. I know it doesn’t make things any easier, but you’ve got to put things in perspective. If your dad pulls through, then he’ll need you to be strong, Laura. You can do that can’t you, be strong?”

Tears cascaded down her face, stopping when they reached his hands. “I’m trying, but what if he doesn’t, Roger? What if he doesn’t pull through? He’s all I have.”

With the same matter of fact hardened response that she’d grown to appreciate, he replied, “We’ll deal with that when the time comes, but for now, try to prepare for the worst. That’s all we can do.”

Overhearing the conversation, Richard lowered his head. He hated this. Sometimes the universe dealt a hard hand and all you could do was play the cards that were given.

The vibrating buzz in his jacket drew Laura and Roger from their candid discussion. Checking the caller ID on his phone, Richard excused himself and stepped out into the hall.

“Ms. Greggario?” Laura slowly turned her head toward the direction of the unknown female voice. Her heart sank with a cold shiver. “The doctor will see you now.”

Following the nurse to the consultation room, Laura didn’t notice Richard or Roger falling in step behind her. All she could see was the sign plastered to the wall beside the small room.

Wringing her hands, Laura fell into the closest chair. For some unknown reason she stared at the curved designs in the carpet, thinking that square designs would have been better for this room.

Finding it hard to breathe in the tight space, she gasped for air, hardly aware of the tears that were dripping onto her jeans. An eternity seemed to pass as they waited. Finally becoming aware of how raw her hands were because of the incessant rubbing, Laura forced herself to stop fidgeting, and instead focused on rationalizing the situation; after all, that’s what scientists did. They rationalized and based their understanding on facts.

The fact was that her dad had been brought to the hospital via ambulance because his nurse thought he was exhibiting the signs of a heart attack. After notifying ‘911’ for assistance, the nurse had immediately called Laura and recounted the events. Richard had driven like a bat out of hell to get them here in time. Now, all they knew was that her dad had been taken into the ER. After a long delay in the waiting room, they were now sitting in the consultation room. Once again they were waiting, only this time to speak with a doctor.

Never taking her eyes off the circular patterns in the carpet and to no one in particular, Laura announced, “Dad’s a fighter. His heart is strong. People have heart attacks all the time and live for decades afterwards, right? A by-pass and a few stints, and he’ll be good as new, you’ll see.” The words were filled with growing desperation as she rocked back and forth in the chair. Tears continued to fall, soaking through the legs of her denim jeans.

The two men looked at one another but remained quiet. They’d both seen this before. Laura was attempting to talk herself out of her grief. It was a normal process and the two men greatly respected her need to voice it. There was nothing either of them could do but wait and offer what little support they could, if or when, the time came.

Richard grew irritated at the wait. He couldn’t stand seeing Laura suffer. “Where’s that damned doctor?”

Agonizing minutes dragged by for the anxious trio. The door finally opened. The doctor entered causing the small room to reach full capacity.

Laura found it strange that the curves on the carpet appeared to be moving. Clenching the arms of the grey chair for support, Laura looked up and searched the sad face of the female standing before her. She silently begged for a miracle. It didn’t come.

As the surgical gown squatted down in front of the chair, Laura covered her mouth, trying to squash the loud moan that forced its way out. The doctor’s mouth moved and sounds came out, but the words didn’t make any sense.

Laura looked at her two friends, hoping that one of them would translate what this woman was telling her. Why couldn’t she understand the doctor? Surely this woman was speaking in English.

Horrible wailing, Laura couldn’t hear past the wailing. It threatened to swallow her whole. The noise grew so deafening that she had to clamp her eyes shut and cover her ears to block out the stake it was driving through her temples.

The doctor stood and exited the room, softly closing the door as she left.

Richard knelt down in front of Laura, taking the same spot the doctor had vacated. He wrapped his arms around her as she continued to rock back and forth.

Finally uncovering her ears, Laura lowered a limp head on the shoulder in front of her, not really caring who it belonged to. Opening her mouth to ask what all the commotion was about, it was then that the doctor’s words registered in her brain. The wailing sounds, the cracking in her voice, the dry mouth, the deafening sobs, they all belonged to her. The day had come. Her father was dead.

**********

Roger held the door to the townhouse open and flipped on the lights.

Richard carried a sleeping Laura inside and laid her against the soft cushions of the sectional, waking her up. He smoothed the hair back from Laura’s face and knelt down on the floor beside her.

Sorrowful eyes begged to be told that her father’s death was a horrible lie. He couldn’t offer that.