Nine-Tenths by Meira Pentermann Read Free Book Online Page B

stepped around the couch. “Would you like some chamomile tea, sweetheart?” she asked in an overtly audible tone. “This nature program is not at all relaxing.”
    Lost in his thoughts, he answered absentmindedly. “Yeah…whatever you’d like.”
    He continued to speculate. Parallel universe. It’s the only thing that makes sense. Alina’s right. One man could not create this nightmare. So the question is, can I get out? If I build another time machine, can I get back?
    Alina’s clamoring in the kitchen broke his concentration. He looked over his shoulder for a moment before returning to his thoughts.
    It’s worth a try. Perhaps I’ll end up somewhere else, but it’s got to be better than this. Children become wards of the state? Whispering in my own home? And what the hell am I doing for an organization called the Department of Interrogation and Defense? He shuddered.
    The music on the television ended abruptly and a nasal male voice interrupted.
    “This is a public service announcement reminding all women to report to the nearest Department of Health facility after confirming a positive pregnancy test.”
    A red and gold logo with the letters DOH appeared on the screen.
    “Pregnancy test kits are available for free at any pharmacy. You are required by law to monitor your condition. The CARS assessment can be performed as early as two months’ gestation. Unfortunately, the incidence of CARS positive fetuses is on the rise. Be prepared for this potential outcome. Should your fetus test positive you will be required to terminate the pregnancy immediately in order to protect the health and welfare of the general population. Failure to comply is a federal crime and can lead to prison sentences of up to ten years. This is Barney Smith from the Department of Health. Enjoy the duration of your program. Coming up next: Eric Stehlen, a Man with a Vision.”
    Alina returned with the tea. She grabbed the remote and turned the television off.
    “We are so fortunate that the Department of Health has developed a fetal test for CARS,” she said cheerfully. Leonard gazed at her and noticed that her feigned smile was tainted with pain. Alina handed Leonard a mug, but she did not take her place beside him. “That’s my department. I draw amniotic fluid and run tests.”
    “You run tests? What about surgeries and all that fancy doctor stuff?” He winked.
    His joviality did not seem to brighten Alina’s spirit. She continued as if she did not hear him. “Of course, it is difficult when we find a positive. There are more and more positives these days.” She glanced away as if she could not face her husband.
    “I’m so sorry, Alina.”
    “Women who come in are prepared for bad news.” She returned to the couch and perched on the edge, resembling a nervous debutante.
    Leonard could not quite reconcile the incongruity of her words and her facial expressions. He also found it inconceivable that a woman would pursue childbearing if the baby would be snatched from her arms. The willingness to believe that the situation would change in less than nine months seemed naïve if not self-destructive. He did not envy Alina’s situation.
    At that moment, Leonard forgot the plight of pregnant women, as he realized he would have to face his own occupation. When he originally believed the alternate timeline was a dream, the job had been an intriguing mystery. Now it was reality, a frightening unknown. Clearly, if he did not show up for work, he would be missed, and given Alina’s portrayal of the government and its plethora of regulations and punishments, he doubted they’d let him get away with a spontaneous sabbatical. He leaned over and whispered in Alina’s ear.
    “Do I have to report to the DID tomorrow?”
    “Tomorrow is Sunday.”
    Leonard experienced a wave of relief.
    “But we’ll need to find your ID and troubleshoot how you’re going to bluff your way through the day.”
    “I need an ID to get in?” he asked,