AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We’re quiet for a beat, both of us breathing. It feels like the first relaxing moment I’ve had all week.
“I saw the prototype for the app, for Opate,” she says. There’s a rustle in the background and I picture her lying on one of her sofas.
“What did you think?”
“It’s good, Anthony. You… you created an app where Vivienne and I are still needed. Where we chat with new sign-ups and vet the candidates.”
“Of course I did.” She’d convinced me, after all. The human touch is necessary for Opate’s magic to work. Candidates need to be vetted. Interviewed. Nudged. “If this works, you’ll need to hire more personnel.”
“Expanding,” she murmurs. “Vivienne will be… I… well. Thank you, Anthony.”
“I should thank you. You’re the one who showed me how Opate truly works.”
“Mmm. By setting you up on dates thatdidn’twork.”
“I’m very glad none of them worked.”
“So am I,” she says and sighs. “I miss not seeing you.”
“I know, baby. Me too.”
“Are you sure this is necessary?”
The bleakness of the last few days hangs over me like a cloak, still visible despite the warmth in her voice. I still haven’t called Dr. Johnson.
“Yes,” I say. “But things are getting better.”
“That’s good, Anthony. I’m here if you need me.”
“That’s why I’m doing this in the first place, Summer. To get back to you.”
We hang up shortly after, and I carry her voice with me into sleep, waking refreshed for the first time since I’d made the decision to adjust.
* * *
Dr. Johnson’s silence is incredulous on the other end. It has taken me another week to make the call, but now that I’m on the phone, he doesn’t seem inclined to believe me.
“You’d like me to put you in contact with the Foundation for the Blind,” he repeats. “Is that correct, Mr. Winter?”
“Yes,” I say. My skin feels sticky with sweat, and it’s not just from the sweltering July heat. “You told me you could recommend a specialist who can help walk me through what I might expect.”
“I did, yes. I’ve emailed you his contact details. Twice, in fact.”
“Right. Well, I deleted both emails.”
His silence is incredulous again, but then he chuckles. “Of course you did. Well, I’m happy to send his information over again. He’ll set up meetings with people who’ve gone through the same thing as you’re currently experiencing. Many of them are happy to share how they managed.”
“Yes. Good.”
“You’re too early for cane training, but a guide dog might be a good idea. It takes a while getting used to, and the bond is a great thing to establish.”
“That’s the first time you’ve said I’m too early for something. Usually, you like to say I’m advancing rapidly.”
Dr. Johnson laughs again. “You’ve got time yet, Mr. Winter. But most importantly, you’ve got plenty of time after as well.”
“Yes,” I say. “I’m starting to realize that.”
26
