The Apocalypse by Jack Parker Read Free Book Online Page B

Jake commented from Hannah's right. She turned and saw a smirk on his face; did that mean he was kidding? "I'd rather hoped we'd seen the end of that."
    "I think you're more of the sarcastic counterpart than she is," Isaac stated. Right after his mom set a plate of spaghetti in front of him, he tore into it as though he had been starving to death. "She's just cruel."
    Hannah's face lit up, but if anyone noticed, no one mentioned it. It really made Hannah's day that she wasn't being talked about in the past tense. Finally someone wasn't acting as though Hannah Ayers was gone or like Hannah Ayers should automatically know things and be just fine and dandy. Isaac had just lightly made a statement.
    "Maybe." Jake shrugged and drank from a bottle of Coke.
    No one spoke until everyone had sat down at the table with their food. Hannah glanced around the table, her brow furrowed. Frowning, she took a bite of her spaghetti, but after she'd swallowed that bite, she sighed. "Where's Dad?"
    Isaac flinched and took a deliberate bite of his dinner. A look swept between Diane and Patricia, but Hannah finally got an answer. "Working, honey," Patricia answered brightly. "He works late."
    "Oh." Hannah blinked and continued eating.
    "Are you going to school tomorrow?" Isaac asked suddenly, facing his older sister. "Please say yes. I don't want to have to ride the bus again. It gets here freaking early ."
    "I told you that you could ride with me," Jake reminded him.
    Isaac scoffed. "You leave about as early as the bus does. I'd rather ride with Hannah and be late, thanks."
    Ride? Hannah felt something tighten in her stomach. She couldn't drive! Was Isaac insane? She didn't even want to get in a car at all! Not ever again! And even if she did, she had no idea how to get to their school or anywhere else.
    Shrugging, Jake went on eating. "Suit yourself, dude."
    "I will," Isaac replied challengingly. He turned his eyes back to Hannah. "So are you going back tomorrow?"
    Patricia answered for her daughter quickly. "I don't think that's a good idea."
    "I think it might be," Diane commented, much to Hannah's surprise. "It's up to you guys, of course, but I mean…it won't be good for her to stay here too long. The sooner Hannah gets back into the swing of things, the better."
    "And the sooner people will stop asking me about her," Jake scoffed. He shot Hannah a look that she thought was rather dirty. "I don't know why people think I'm your keeper all of a sudden, but it's frustrating."
    Isaac smiled. "Nobody asks me anything after I used big medical terms."
    "Hannah, honey, do you want to go back to school?" Patricia asked, ignoring Jake and Isaac. Worry was etched into her forehead. "If you want to…I just—I guess it'd be okay. If you want to."
    Chewing thoughtfully, Hannah bought herself some time to mull it over in her head. The pros of going included getting out of the house, being normal, and maybe seeing something or someone that would affect her memory. The cons were being confused, getting lost, being annoyed by 'friends,' and not recognizing anyone. But the cons were bound to happen at some point. At least if she returned to school now, she'd also have the benefit of the pros.
    "Please say yes," Isaac pleaded with his eyes wide. "It's a matter of the bus driver's life or death. I'll kill him. I swear I will. Do you want that on your hands?"
    "If she goes to school, she is not driving," Patricia said sternly, sharing a nod with Diane. "There is no way that I'll allow that."
    "Of course not," Diane agreed. She gestured to Jake. "He can drive you both, Isaac. Hannah can stall, and then you'll arrive late. Problem solved."
    Jake groaned loudly. "Mom! Don't give her any ideas."
    "Excellent plan, Di!" Isaac grinned. Jake brandished his fork at him threateningly, but Isaac just rolled his eyes and looked at Hannah beseechingly. "Say you'll go."
    "Okay." Hannah shrugged and continued eating. "Why not."
    "Sweet!" Isaac exclaimed in jubilation. "I can