“We all hate him,” Tina says.
“But I hate him the most.”
“You can’t quantify hate,” Chad says.
“I’m sure we can,” I tell him. “Edward, see if you can find an app that quantifies hate.”
“Stay still and look at the camera,” Edward says.
“No way.” I shake my head then start moving my head in big circles while I talk. “Now, let’s pursue another method of determining who should go, like … who’s the best public speaker on the team or umm, maybe we go back to Chad, who’s a master debater. A master, people. We can’t overlook that.”
“Oh,” Tina says, pointing to an open page in the information package. “It says here that due to parts of the trek being through the Amazon rain forest, the delegate will have to be fully vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever, and rabies.”
“That means I’m out. I only have my hepatitis shots,” Allie says with a grin that I am not too fond of at the moment.
“Who has had all of the shots listed?” Keenan asks.
I have, but for once in my life, I’m keeping my big mouth shut. Heads around the table shake while I stare down at my fingernails, hoping against all logic that he won’t remember.
Keenan clears his throat. “Gwen, you went to Puerto Rico when you were in grad school to study at the Arecibo radio telescope, yes?”
Shit. He remembers. “Yes.”
“And I assume you had all the vaccinations before you went?”
Fucking shitballs. “Uh-huh.”
“It’s decided then. Gwen is going.”
Fox Family Chat
Ben
Gwen, Carla and I saw the video of Dick Napper. Did that actually happen or was that some crazy fake?
Sadly, it was very real. A huge loss for our foundation and the world, to be honest.
Mom
Dad and I were both sorry to hear about it.
Thanks, Mom.
Carla
How are you doing with all of this? It’s got to be a shock. I’m here if you need to talk.
Thank you, Carla. I appreciate it. It’s definitely a shock, and I’m worried about what’s going to happen to my job without him here as our champion, but I’m all right.
Ben
Don’t be a hero, G. You should really talk to Carla.
Carla
If not me, someone else who can help you process your feelings.
Don’t worry, I will. Although, I won’t have time for now. Dr. Napper asked for a representative from each team to attend his big send off, and I was chosen to go. In a couple of hours, I’ll be heading to Peru for a week. I’ll be in touch when I get back.