Chapter 26
The empty coffee cups were set aside. We each ordered a glass of red wine.
I would not finish mine, not with the drive back to Portland ahead of me, but I wanted the taste of it and the weight of a glass in my hand.
Our server did not try to hurry us along, though the restaurant was almost full and I could see people waiting for tables by the door.
At times, the intensity of a conversation will communicate itself to others and they will know better than to disturb its flow.
“This is a cycle,” said Angel. “It repeats itself, over and over. We’re trapped in it, and we don’t even understand why.”
“It’s a punishment,” I said.
Jennifer had said as much, when last she spoke to me.
i should have hidden myself better
i should have hidden us both
Why?
because now they may try to reset the machine
What machine?
the punishment machine
“A punishment for what?” Angel asked. “What did we do?”
But when I asked Jennifer the same question, she refused to answer. I believed that Angel might be right, and the issue should not be forced. If we waited, it might emerge. But waiting required time, time we might not be given.
they may try to reset the machine
the punishment machine
“Something has changed,” I said. “That’s why you’re starting to remember, and why Jennifer has visited each of us. The machine is out of sync. The cycle isn’t repeating as it should.”
“If that’s true, what about you?” said Angel. “What else do you remember?”
I reached for my glass but my fingers missed it by a fraction, knocking it over. I watched the wine spread across the tablecloth as the spell over our table was broken. The server bustled across to deal with the mess.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“It happens,” said the server. “I’ll bring you another.”
“There’s no need. We’re done. Just the check, please.”
The server took a leather holder from his apron, the check already in place, and stood it far away from the spilt wine. Angel and I did not speak as I settled up, or as we left the restaurant. Only outside did Angel repeat his question.
“What else do you remember?”
“Falling,” I said. “I remember falling.”