The World Forgot Read Free Page B

“Let’s file it under ‘Old News.’”
    â€œOld news? It happened, like, three seconds ago. And need I remind you that you’ve been swoony over that guy since you first laid eyes on him?”
    â€œSeriously, Duck. Focus. We’re almost home. Well, to the Poconos, at least. One short helicopter trip away from the Poconos.”
    Ducky clears his throat. “Helicopter. Goodie.”
    â€œDuck, you can barf out the window, okay? Nut up. We’ve got to be ready to leave as soon as we dock. And I’ve got one more Dad-shaped piece of luggage left to pack up.”
    We reach the med bay, and I knock gently on the door. There’s no response, so I knock again and finally receive a very weak “Come in” from inside. Ducky and I enter quickly, closing the door behind us in order to give Dad some privacy from the hustle and bustle out in the hallway.
    â€œDad, everything’s nearly ready to— Oh my God! ” I spin around away from Dad and try to grab the door but instead smash head-on into Ducky.
    Ducky slaps a hand over his eyes, but it’s too late for him. For either of us. “Mr. Nara! I’m so sorry. Marnie told us you were almost ready to, um, go.”
    â€œElvie, Donald, for heaven’s sake, what’s the matter?” Dad asks, his voice thin.
    â€œScarred. For. Life,” I tell my father, emphasizing each bit of punctuation so that I really make my point clear. I push myself against the door, leaning my forehead against the cool metal surface. There’s a hideous sloshing behind me, but I don’t dare turn around again for fear of being subjected to the horrific sight another time.
    â€œDearheart, please don’t be so dramatic,” Dad scolds.
    â€œDramatic?” I shout, rather dramatically. “Did it ever occur to you that if someone has the decency to knock before entering that you should try to sink below the goo line if you’re floating naked in a tub?”
    â€œIt’s a medical recuperation bath, Elvie, and this ‘goo’ is healing my wounds. It’s not like I’m in here enjoying a leisurely soak.”
    â€œThat doesn’t mean you should reenact Welcome to My Dingle for your daughter,” I say. “Goo line. Get under it. I’m begging you.”
    Ducky still has a hand over his eyes, which is making it difficult for him to find the doorknob and escape. “I just . . . I just . . .” He gives up and slithers to the floor, back against the wall, eyes still shut tight. “Don’t mind me,” he says. “I’ll be over here. Not looking at anything.”
    â€œDad, for God’s sake, you’ve broken Ducky,” I say.
    â€œPlease tell me you’re not here to make me drink more of that vile tea,” is Dad’s only reply. His voice is wavering between legitimately enfeebled and playing the martyr. “Donald, tell your girlfriend her tea stinks.”
    Ducky manages the incredible feat of becoming even more flustered. With his eyes still squeezed shut, his face turns a crimson red, and he begins sputtering like a backed-up faucet. “She’s not my girlfriend,” he gets out at last.
    â€œDad, Marnie told me she was getting you out of the tub.” I shield my eyes with my hand, in case Dad hasn’t found the good sense to shift deeper into the goo yet, and turn to speak to him more directly. “It’s almost time to leave.”
    Dad sloshes a bit in the tub, making a sickening slorp! sound. I try to keep down the little bit of food I managed to eat today. “I’d never make the trip, Elvie,” he says, laying it on even thicker than the liquid he’s currently marinating in. “Not in my condition.”
    â€œDad.” I roll my eyes, which is a mistake, because the ceiling is reflective. “Marnie says you’re more than capable of making the helicopter journey. And in any case, you don’t