A Five-Minute Life

“You mean my gaping at you standing at the window, looking incredibly ripped and manly?”

He crossed his arms, his mouth grim.

I sighed. “You’re right. No bad jokes. I… I think I lost a few seconds. Twice. Once at the coffee shop and once crossing the street.”

Jimmy’s bare shoulders slumped, and his mouth parted, but he drew himself up quickly, mentally bracing himself.

“But I’m okay now,” I said. “I need to call Delia. Let her know the plan.”

I need to call her before I can’t remember what I wanted to say to her.

“I’m going to shower,” Jimmy said slowly. “Don’t…”

“Don’t wander out the door?” I smiled grimly. “I won’t. It might’ve been my imagination. Go. Shower. I’ll call my sister.”

He nodded and went to the bathroom, probably to take the fastest shower in human existence. I sat on the bed and called Delia.

She answered after one ring. “How are you?”

“I’m okay,” I said. “We need to talk.”

“When are you coming back? James said it would be today. Are you driving now?”

“You need to rescind the conservatorship or power of attorney or whatever hold you have over me.”

“We’re not talking about that now. You need to come back. Be safe—”

“I’m safe with Jimmy,” I said. “I’m coming back, but I swear to God, you cannot use your power to keep him away from Blue Ridge. Or wherever I end up. You cannot.”

She sighed. “Thea, just come back and we’ll talk about it.”

“We’ll talk now. I might not be around to talk to when I get back. Or maybe you’d prefer that?” I closed my eyes. “I’m sorry. I know you’re only looking out for me.”

“Has it started?” she asked, her voice gentle.

“I don’t know. Maybe. Does Dr. Chen know how long I have before I… go back?” I put my hand to my forehead, willing myself not to fall apart yet.

“No,” Delia said. “I asked her, but it’s been a disaster in Sydney. She’s trying to get as much info from Dr. Milton about the patients who survived.”

“Keep me posted,” I said. The water shut off in the bathroom. “We’re heading out soon. But we’re not racing back. We’re going to stop and have lunch and take our time.”

If I have time.

“Look, I think you need to go to a hospital. The patients who had strokes…”

“They were taking the Hazarin weeks ahead of me. I’m driving back with Jimmy and I’m not going to hear anything more about it. It’s horrible enough that I’m losing…”

Myself. My consciousness. Everything I built with Jimmy…

“But I mean it,” I added quickly, turning my back to the bathroom door. “If you care about me at all, you won’t keep Jimmy away from me. I came here of my own free will. Do you hear me? My own free will. I love him.”

The bathroom door opened, and Jimmy strode out in a towel. Relief so evident on his face, I guessed it was the last time he’d let me out of his sight.

“I gotta go,” I said. “I’ll call you from the road.” I ended the call and tossed my phone on the bed.

“How’d it go?” Jimmy asked, drawing on a pair of boxer briefs.

“I’m afraid she’s going to keep you away from me.”