Free Linkage: The Narrows of Time by Jay Falconer

science lab. To his right was a flower garden flush with mums,
pansies, petunias, and some other flowers he did not recognize.
Perhaps the botany department was experimenting with some new type
of flora. He strolled next to the flowerbed, reached down, and
snapped off one of the more radiant red flowers. He placed it
across his lap, then un-tucked his shirt and used it to hide the
gift. He resumed his trip, entering the west end of the Student
Union where he rode the elevator up two levels and found Abby
sitting at a table near the front of the Wildcat House restaurant.
She was wearing a low-cut pink sweater and jeans. In front of her
were two jumbo-sized Styrofoam cups of coffee and a plate of
chocolate chip muffins.
    She smiled when they made eye contact. Drew
blushed. She stood up and walked over to greet him, wrapping her
arms around his shoulders for a tight hug. Drew wanted to hug her
back, but missed the opportunity when she let go before he could
act. She looked into his eyes, as if he needed to say something.
“Wow, it’s nice in here,” he said loud enough for everyone to
hear—not what he expected his lips to say.
    “Haven’t you been in here before?” she
asked.
    “No. We always eat in the cafeteria on the
first floor.”
    “Well, then, I guess it’s up to me to show
you all the hot spots,” she said, handing him one of the cups of
coffee as he reached the cozy, two-person table. “I love this
place.”
    He put the cup on the table before sliding
his wheelchair under the edge. He was sitting directly across from
her, only an arm’s length away. He wasn’t sure if the time was
right, but couldn’t wait any longer. He reached under his shirt to
retrieve the red flower, then gave it to her. “This is for
you.”
    “Oh Drew, it’s so beautiful. Thank you sooooo
much. Nobody has ever given me flowers before.”
    Drew smiled but didn’t respond.
    “What kind of flower is it?”
    “I really don’t know. But when I saw it, it
made me think of you. It’s breathtaking.” He wasn’t sure where
those words came from, but he actually sounded smooth and charming,
as if he’d done this before. Lucas would be proud of him.
    Abby gently hugged the flower across her
chest. She stood up, came to his side of the table, and then hugged
him again, though this time she lingered much longer. A second
chance, he thought. Don’t mess up. He wrapped his arms around her,
finding her tiny body soft and inviting. The warmth of her sweet
breathe caressed his neck and her perfume was intoxicating. He was
in heaven. He prayed she’d never let go, but she did.
    Drew wasn’t sure what to say next, so he just
smelled his cup of steaming java, hoping she might continue the
conversation. The coffee blend had an enjoyable aroma. If it tasted
as good as it smelled, he might actually like it. He took a sip.
God, it was nasty. He wanted to spit it back into the cup, but
didn’t. Abby loved this place—he needed to play along. He smiled at
her, then sucked in another mouthful. The java was scorching hot,
burning the roof of his mouth.
    “Do you like it? It’s my favorite,” she
said.
    “Yes. It’s delicious.” He tore open and
dumped four packs of sugar into it. He took another drink,
wondering if he could ever get used to the disgusting taste. “Hmmm.
They sure make good coffee here.”
    “Yeah, I come here all the time. It’s always
packed. Did you have any trouble getting here?”
    “No, I took the shuttle. It dropped me off a
block away.”
    “Lucas didn’t drive you?”
    “No, we don’t have a car. But the shuttle’s
pretty handy. Not expensive either.”
    “Do you live close by?”
    “We’re just north of Speedway, in an old
apartment building that Dr. Kleezebee owns.”
    “He owns an apartment building? I never would
have guessed that.”
    “Don’t let his appearance fool you,
Kleezebee’s loaded.”
    “Seriously? Dr. Kleezebee?”
    “It’s true. Have you’ve seen those BTX
Enterprises signs