Human Blend by Lori Pescatore Page B

today,” she said and went back to work.
    The day was flying by. On her lunch break,
she checked the bulletin board for rentals. There was only one
posted. It sounded too good to be true. It was a one bedroom
apartment a block from the hospital. Even the price was reasonable.
Julie called the number listed. She talked to a woman who seemed
very anxious to show her the place. “Have you gotten a lot of
calls?” Julie asked her.
    “Yes, but nobody I liked,” the woman
said.
    “Oh,” Julie said, wondering what kind of
screening process the woman used.
    “Can anyone vouch for your character?” the
woman asked, pointedly.
    “I think so,” Julie said, uneasily.
    “Good then. Stop by tomorrow morning to take
a look at the place,” she said.
    “Um, okay. Thank you,” Julie replied, and
hung up the phone. That was a weird conversation , she
thought.
    Back at work, the rest of day passed as
quickly as before. It was almost six o'clock by the time she saw
Doctor Elsworth again. She was in the supply cabinet re-stocking
some supplies when she felt him behind her. “I think I am getting
used to you sneaking up on me,” she said, without turning
around.
    “Did you call about the rental?” he
asked.
    “Actually, I did. The woman is a bit...
unusual,” Julie said. “She wants character references,” Julie
finished.
    “Mrs. Gosley is wary of people,” Doctor
Elsworth said. She turned around to face him.
    “How did you know which apartment I was
talking about?” Julie asked.
    “It was the only one advertised when I
checked,” he stated, looking at his chart. “Don't worry about it,
I'll take care of the reference,” he added. Julie stared at him
until he met her eyes.
    “I'm sure I can handle it,” she said.
    Eli folded his arms. “Julie, we are going to
be working closely together. You are going to have to trust me,” he
said.
    “You don't trust me enough to tell me about
yourself,” Julie argued.
    Eli thought for a moment. “You can ask me one
question, per day,” he said. “I will answer as honestly as I can. I
will expect the same in return,” he added.
    “Fair enough,” Julie agreed. “Me first,” she
said. She had a million questions, but didn't know which one to
start with. Finally, deciding on one, she asked, “Why don't you
have a heartbeat?” she asked.
    “Because, I don't need one,” he answered.
    “Why don't you need one?” she pushed.
    “That's two questions,” Eli said.
    “No, it's a qualifying question. Those are
allowed,” Julie was not going to let him get away with non-defined
answers.
    “I don't need one, because my body does not
function the way a human body does. There are only some
similarities,” he answered.
    “Are you saying...” Julie began to ask, but
he put a finger to her lips.
    “My turn,” he said, his face close to hers.
“Where are you from?” he asked her.
    “Florida,” she replied, feeling slightly off
balance.
    “Is that what you tell everyone?” he asked,
his lips near her ear.
    “Stop,” she said, pushing him away. “I asked
you not to do that anymore,” she hated that feeling of helplessness
when he got close to her.
    “I want the truth, Julie,” he said, trapping
her against the counter.
    “The truth could get you killed,” Julie
threatened.
    “I answered your question honestly. I expect
no less from you,” he countered. She closed her eyes. Julie knew
that if she wanted answers, she was going to have to provide some
of her own. She opened her eyes when she felt his fingers on her
face. “I'm trying to make it easier for you.” His voice, once
again, was soft and soothing. “Where are you from?” his lips
brushed her cheek.
    “Nevada,” she heard herself reply.
    “Where in Nevada?” he asked, his lips gently
brushing hers.
    “Las Vegas,” she whispered as their lips met
again.
    “Good girl,” he said, moving his face away
from hers. He kept a hand near her until she recovered enough.
    Julie shook the haze from her