Near Future 1: Awakening by Randal Sloan Read Free Book Online Page B

imitation, and everyone laughed. "I'll have you know that I can easily carry on a conversation. I really don't know much about Miranda. We only just met a few days ago after all."
    Miranda felt like she needed to get out of her shell too, but she didn't think she could pull off a turtle imitation. So instead, she decided she had to explain things a little. "Well, I don't know that much about Miranda either," she laughed. "I woke up from a coma a couple of weeks ago, and I have no memory of my past. So I guess I'll just have to make it up as we go along. But you two already are a healthy percentage of my new memories, so you're ahead of nearly everyone else."
    They talked for a few minutes until Caitlyn came up and they had to leave. But Emily now knew for sure, and the little wheels were already turning.
    The next day when Zeke dropped them off, he headed for the coffee shop. There was a long line, but he didn't care. This time he bought two cups of coffee, then headed out to find Miranda. She, of course, was in her usual spot, sitting and reading in the little area with the water fountain surrounded by plants and sunlight filtering in from above. "For you," he said, handing her one of the cups of coffee from the coffee shop. Her eyes lit up at that and when she took a sip of the coffee, she gave a small sigh of pleasure.
    "Thank you so much." Miranda set the coffee down and looked back up at a smiling Zeke. "This is so good!"
    "Good," he said and gave her a thumbs up. "It was my great pleasure to help you create a new good memory."
    About that time, Emily and Caitlyn came up. When Caitlyn saw the two of them, she rather loudly said, "We have to go. I'm done here, and I have an appointment with the coach to talk about when I will be able to practice with the soccer team." She started toward the door, walking as if her ankle was suddenly magically healed.
    As Zeke turned to leave, he gave Miranda a poor me look and she laughed. Miranda had begun to think that Caitlyn maybe thought a lot more of Zeke than he thought of her. She couldn't help but wonder if Zeke was only being nice to the girl with the crutches, or if it was more than that. She guessed that it probably didn't matter, since she didn't expect she would see him again.
    Of course, Emily saw it all and decided she would have to go to Plan B.
    #
    Zeke had finally thought he was making a real connection with Miranda. And then Caitlyn had to show up and mess it all up. He knew it was his own fault, too. He should have told Caitlyn that she would have to wait to leave. As usual, he merely attempted to avoid conflict and went along with her. He was going to have to do something about that, but not today. He looked over at Emily and saw that she had that look she got when she was scheming something. He wondered what she was up to now. When he dropped Caitlyn off in front of the building that housed the soccer team coaches, he wasn't surprised when Emily moved up to the front to ride with him.
    "What are you up to, my favorite sister?" he asked her. He figured he would get the first word in, since it would probably be his last for a while. He knew he was in trouble when Emily ignored the setup. Her usual answer was, "But I'm you're only sister..."
    "I was just thinking about Miranda. I haven't seen anyone there visiting her, and I don't think she has any close family here. I bet she could use some help from some of the local kids about her age. If you are willing to help out, chauffeuring us when needed, I want to call the hospital to see about helping out in any way that I can."
    Zeke was caught completely by surprise. "Close your mouth, brother. You look like a fish." Emily was back to her usual teasing self. "I noticed how much attention you were paying her, and I really do think she could use some help. Do you know the name of the doctor on her case?"
    "No, but I saw the name badge on the patient rep who was with her the other day. It was Andrea James, and if we contact