The Invisible World

Chapter 17: Electric Avenue

But Jenny's court hearing would have to wait. Eleven days of waiting, to be exact. I guess I'd have to do something else until that day came. That is, if that day came.

No, it had to come. A court hearing has too much literary intrigue not to be included. And what if it wasn't, and the book continues? Would I just have the memories of the court hearing in my head without the hearing ever happening, just like my entire life before I exited the void?

One of those "somethings to do," as I decided three days later, was to accompany Brian and Jenny to the eye doctor. After Brian's eyes recovered from the injury, he decided that he should get his peepers checked to make sure there were no long-term effects to his vision.

Once again, I sat in the backseat with Brian's wheelchair, which they were only carrying around for emergencies only at this point. Why haven't they decided to keep this thing in the trunk instead of shoving the wheels into my lap every time we decided to go somewhere? I watched them as they chatted merrily in the front seat. I felt like a third wheel riding around with them. Er, a fourth wheel. The wheelchair was the third wheel. And the fourth, fifth, and sixth, which put me in seventh. Nevertheless, it was better than being cooped up in Jack's house with him.

That's what I decided my "something to live for" would be. The whole book was going to end anyway. What was the point in finding a job and an apartment? I could stay with Jack, freeload off of his earnings, and bother him as much as I gosh-darn want. My "something to live for" didn't have to be as lovey-dovey as Jenny's. As long as it distracted me from the end of the world as we know it, I was set.

We pulled up to Dr. Grant's office at about 3 pm and entered the waiting room. Brian approached the reception desk while Jenny followed close behind. There was no platonic explanation for this, I decided as I sat in an open seat.

Once they got Brian checked in, they both sat down next to me. They seemed to ignore that I was even there. Why even bother to bring me along if they were just going to talk to each other? It was like I was a passive narrator all over again. Well, I might as well record what they're saying since I am a narrator. Maybe if there's time before the book ends, I should become a journalist.

"So do you want me to be ready with the wheelchair once you're done with the exam?" Jenny asked.

"Is the pope Catholic?" Brian replied. "Yes, I want the wheelchair ready. My eyes are going to be bugged out from the pupil dilation, and my legs aren't completely back, so that's going to make for a deadly combination."

"Okay, okay, I'll have the wheelchair ready, but that means I won't be able to accompany you in the exam room."

"I'll be alright," Brian assured her. "I'll have Katie with me. Isn't that right, Katie?" He put his hand on my shoulder.

I felt a jolt through my heart. I didn't expect him to touch me so suddenly. He snapped me out of the stupor I get into whenever I focus on other people's actions other than my own. "Oh, uh, of course I am." At least they didn't ignore me completely.

Brian turned to look at me. The smile on his face disappeared. "Invisible shoulder."

I looked down. All of me was visible except for the shoulder Brian had put his hand on. "I'd rather you not bring it up," I said.

"Oh." Brian took his hand off my shoulder. It reappeared. "Sorry."

Brian was called into the exam room shortly after. He had to go through a few tests with the assistant before seeing the doctor, which gave Jenny a few minutes to sit with him while he had air shot into his eyes or something like that. She even seemed delighted by the prospect. Honestly, Jenny. You two don't need to spend every minute together. This woman is obsessed.