Free Timescape by Robert Liparulo Page B

He’s playing me , he thought. And he knows the exact buttons to push. He leaned back against the tub, determined to find the peace his brother had disrupted. But the water had cooled and his heartbeat wasn’t slowing and his brother’s concerns had invaded his mind.
    Aaaahhhh! He slapped the water and yanked on the chain that unplugged the drain.

CHAPTER

eighteen
    WEDNESDAY, 9:00 P.M.
    â€œCan’t we at least go see Jesse?” David said.
    Xander, Toria, David, and Dad were sitting around the dining room table, the remnants of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup in front of them. Though Toria had set a plate and bowl out for Nana, their grandmother was still asleep upstairs. Toria had also remembered to put a place setting down for Mom. Dad had told them it was a way of honoring a missing loved one and anticipating her return, but it only made David sad, and Xander even more agitated.
    Dad said, “Not tonight, Dae. We’ll see how things look in the morning. When Keal called, Jesse was just getting wheeled into the emergency room. We’ll have to wait and see.”
    â€œBut he’s going to be all right?”
    â€œHe’s in good hands, Dae.”
    David scratched his cast. After his bath, Dad had wrapped an Ace bandage around it to keep it from falling apart. But under all that crumbling plaster, his skin tingled and itched like a thousand mosquito bites.
    He pushed a piece of crust across his plate. Despite being sick with worry for Jesse, he had wolfed down more than he thought he could. The whole family had eaten like starving dogs. All that exertion, he guessed, like how hungry he always was after a hard practice.
    A knock sounded at the door. They all jumped and looked at each other. David was getting tired of being so jumpy. It was like getting zapped with a cattle prod every time you relaxed.
    Dad got up. Xander pushed back from the table, but Dad pointed at him and said, “Wait here.” He went into the foyer.
    â€œIf it’s Taksidian, I’m going to pound him,” Xander whispered.
    David prayed it wasn’t for a million reasons, not the least of which was the image of Taksidian’s clawlike fingernails slashing at his brother.
    They heard the door open and Dad mumbling something.
    A deep voice answered.
    Dad and Keal walked into the dining room.
    David almost jumped up. He said, “How is he? How’s Jesse?”
    Keal shook his head. “Can’t tell you, David. After they rushed him into a treatment room, a nurse started asking questions. You know, who is he, who am I, how’d he get hurt, when’d it happen. I realized that was a can of worms I didn’t want to open. None of it would affect the care Jesse got, but it could bring a lot of grief down on you guys. You’re having enough trouble staying in the house. Last thing you need is an attempted murder here.” He looked at Dad. “I assume you’re not ready to leave.”
    â€œWe’re not,” Dad said. He locked eyes with Xander. “Not till we get Mom back.”
    â€œI went to use the bathroom,” Keal continued. “When I came out, I slipped away.”
    â€œYou just left him ?” David felt like he’d been punched.
    â€œHad to,” Keal said.
    David thought Keal looked as sad as anyone could look. He knew Keal loved the old man. He wouldn’t have left him unless he felt he had no other choice. Still . . . “Shouldn’t someone be there for him?” David said.
    â€œThey’re taking care of him,” Keal said. “We’ll figure out a way to keep tabs on his condition later.”
    Dad said, “No way they can trace him back to us?”
    Keal shook his head. “I didn’t give them any information.”
    Dad patted Keal on the back and headed for his seat. As he passed Nana’s setting, he gestured toward it. “Hungry?”
    Toria, ever the hostess, said, “That’s