HUM by Dan Hawley (book club reads .TXT) 📗

familiar click and stared after him. Her phone came to life beside her, vibrating on the floor. When she answered, it was her doctor’s office, asking if she could come in that afternoon.

I guess we’ll both be getting bad news today, she thought and rested her glistening body down into child’s pose.

Later, Samantha was sitting at the kitchen island, a plate with half a sandwich in front of her. She heard the keyboard cease its clicking, and soon Jason opened the door to the office.

“Hey,” he said meekly.

“Hey,” Sam replied. “How’s it going in there?” “Productive,” he said. “But I’m so tired. I don’t think I slept at all last night.”

On another plate next to Sam was a sandwich stuffed with turkey and cheese. A dark-green pickle lay beside it.

“That’s the last of the sandwich meat and bread,” Sam said.

“That’s ok; we can get some stuff tonight after I get home if you want.”

Jason sat down and grabbed the hefty sandwich in both hands.

“Sure.” Sam thought a moment. “I have an appointment this afternoon too.”

Jason’s sandwich stopped mid-air.

“The same time as my appointment?”

“Basically, yeah.”

“Shit,” Jason said. “I wanted to be there for that, for you. Will you be ok? I could reschedule…”

“No,” Samantha interrupted. “It’s ok, I’ll be fine. We need to know what your doctor says too.”

Jason finished his meal quickly, thanked Sam, and gave her a peck on the cheek.

“I have a bunch of stuff to do before I take off later, so I’m gonna head back to work, ok?”

Jason got up and rested his hand on Sam’s shoulder. She put down her fork, clasped his hand in hers, and gave it a little squeeze.

“Ok.”

At 3:30 p.m., Jason emerged from the office again. Samantha was focused on a sudoku puzzle on the couch. He brushed his teeth, showered, and got dressed. When he came back out into the living room, Samantha was putting on her shoes.

“Want me to drop you off?” Jason asked as he headed towards the apartment door.

“No, that’s ok. I’d like a walk. It’s only a few blocks anyway.”

Jason slid on his shoes and jacket, and the couple headed out the door. The elevator dinged, and the door opened to the lobby. Samantha leaned in and gave Jason a quick kiss.

“Good luck,” she whispered.

“You too, babe.”

Jason watched her walk away as the chrome door closed, and he descended to the parking level.

* * *

After parking at the clinic, Jason checked his phone. Samantha hadn’t texted. It hasn’t been that long, he thought; she probably hasn’t seen the doctor yet. Jason put his phone in his pocket, slipped on his surgical mask, and headed into the sleep clinic.

A few people were waiting in the plastic chairs in the waiting room, but the receptionist took Jason back to Dr. Luu’s office immediately.

“Hello, Jason!” Dr. Luu exclaimed from behind his desk. The receptionist smiled and left Jason standing in the doorway. He hesitated.

“Well? Come on in.” Dr. Luu stood up and gestured to the chair in front of his desk.

“Hey, doc,” Jason said as he entered the room and dropped himself down into a chair. He looked up at the doctor, completely stiff and on edge.

“How bad is it?” he asked.

Dr. Luu observed Jason carefully for a moment, hands clasped on the desk in front of him.

“Honestly Jason, it’s not that bad.”

Jason exhaled a breath that he had been holding since the doctor had called the night before. He relaxed back into the chair and risked a smile.

“Really.” A statement instead of a question.

“The brain scan data was fairly normal except for a few blips.”

“A few blips?” Jason asked, the now reinvigorated worry scratching at his throat.

“Nothing to be too concerned about, Jason. There was some talking, and you did sleepwalk.”

Jason’s face flushed with embarrassment. The thought of that creepy male nurse watching him talking and walking around all night sat uncomfortably in his chest.

“This is good, Jason,” Dr. Luu said, noticing the discomfort on Jason’s face. “Because now we have some good data from when you were having an occurrence.”

Just call it what it is, doc, a fucking weirdo episode, Jason thought.

“Ok? So you haven’t actually figured out why this is happening? Why am I here, doc?” Jason couldn’t help the strained, annoyed tone of his voice. “Shouldn’t you be working on it right now?” His face turned into a mean scowl.

Dr. Luu continued, unphased by Jason’s change in demeanor.

“Please relax, Jason. I understand your frustration. Please understand we are working on the data, even at this very moment.”

Jason did relax and felt that touch of flushed embarrassment again.

“Sorry, doc.”

“It’s ok; it happens all the time,” Dr. Luu replied lightheartedly. “You’re here because we need more data. I want to send you home with a portable monitor that you can wear when you sleep tonight. That should give us enough information to figure out what’s going on and what we can do about it. How does that sound?”

Jason sat quietly for a moment.

“Well, I was hoping you had some answers today, and that’s why you called, but I guess I’m happy that you believe there isn’t anything serious going on. No tumors; no insanity.”

“No, none of that, Jason. Physically, everything appears normal; I just need more data. And having the monitor on when you’re in your natural…environment should provide all the information I need to help you.”

“Sounds good, doc.”

“Good, then here’s the monitor. The instructions are in the box too. It’s simple, but if you have any problems, call the number on the sheet, and someone will be able to assist.”

Dr. Luu stood up and handed the small white box to Jason, who also got up.

“Thanks again, doc.” Jason turned and left the office, disappointed but hopeful.

Dr. Luu sat back down in his office chair. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully with his thumb and forefinger. He clicked his mouse, and the monitor came to life, flooding his face with light. On the screen, two videos were paused—a man and a little boy standing against