Coalescence (Camden Investigations Book 1) by Gary Starta Read Free Book Online Page B

definition of the object, it doesn’t mean we’re stymied. It might be more
objective to find the answer ourselves.”
    “Taking the positive approach, I see.” DJ smiled.
    “I like your smile. It’s honest.”
    “I’m glad we met. You’re pretty down to earth.
Yet . . .” DJ paused while the waitress served the coffees. “It
seems you don’t share every idea.”
    “Uh, well I try to be cautious with my
speech—unlike my buddy, Gavin. He speaks without thinking. Sometimes his
thoughts are brilliant; emphasis on the word sometimes .”
    DJ laughed. “I think that’s good. I will make the
supposition that your caution keeps you unbiased during your investigations.”
She sipped her latte.
    “I like your vocabulary. I make the supposition that
is why your favorite subjects in school were debate team and public speaking.”
    “You suppose correct. Although, I do have a temper
that is sometimes beneficial for the debating team, sometimes not so
advantageous during public speeches. I tend to let the audience’s
reaction—or lack of reaction—bother me. My
mom . . .” She paused to stir sugar into her coffee. “My mom
is—was—a lot like that.”
    “When something bothers me, I try to analyze it.”
    “Like you’re some kind of computer app?”
    “No, quite human—but with artificial assistance. I
have a home recording studio. I like to write about what’s troubling me and
turn it into a song. By playing it, singing the words and adding musical
accompaniment with guitar, I give what’s bothering me physicality.”
    “ Sounds fascinating,” DJ quipped. “Please tell me
more. I’ve always appreciated musicians.”
    Darian laughed and scratched his neck. “I don’t know if I
qualify as a musician. But what I’m saying is that I put a thought into a more
tangible form. It then seems I can mentally deal with it. It sounds crazy,
because whatever I was thinking about hasn’t really changed, just the way I
perceive it. Playing a song repeatedly helped me get over a high school crush.”
    “I would like to hear your songs sometime. I appreciate musical
talent. I couldn’t write or sing a song to save my life, so while I appreciate
your method, I don’t think I could necessarily implement it into my life. But
that’s just me.”
    “You could still write down what’s bothering you.
Extracting the idea from your mind and placing it on paper—or
screen—could really help you through troubling times.”
    DJ refused to acknowledge what Darian might be referring
to. Did Iris tell him about her mother’s visitations? She didn’t want to
display her anger at him. She opted for a diversion.
    “So I like your name, Darian, spelled with two A’s .”
Darian stared into his cup as she blew air onto her hot beverage.
    “What’s the matter? You don’t?” DJ asked.
    “Actually, I can’t stand it.”
    “Why don’t you go by your middle name or your initials? I
obviously took that recourse.”
    “Why don’t you like your name?”
    “It’s Doris. And I don’t dislike it. It’s just that my
mother named me after her.”
    “So, do initials change anything for you?”
    “I really wish they could.” She stared into her mug.
    “I don’t know. I think I’ll stick with Darian. I would
always know it’s my name even if I stopped using it.”
    “I think what you’re implying is that even though I’ve
tried to stop using my gift, it’s still a part of me. I can’t really escape it,
can’t I?”
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
    “No.” She cupped her hand over his. “You didn’t. You were
trying to be caring.” She attempted a smile but it was doleful.
    “So, you’re lucky. You never had cause to write a lame
song about unrequited love.”
    “I wish I did. When I socialized all I seemed to find was
a string of bad first dates.” She released his hand.
    “I take it you haven’t socialized since your accident?”
    “No, I haven’t. Well, up until