The Boy In My Head

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    "I told the doctorsabout the beta test and your headaches. They—and your dad—thought it best toremove the implant for now. You'll get the most recent approved version—the oneyou had before—after you get out of here. They figure the new technologycoupled with your stress caused the headaches, but the version you had beforeshould be fine." I nod in understanding. I'm a bit surprised he caught on tothe problem since I hardly mentioned my headaches to him. "Aren't you going toget in trouble?" I ask after a long silence. "I probably should. Your dad isupset about the headaches, but he says he's glad I pushed the limits. Now heknows we have to make the system more secure, even for Verde's own team. Hesays it's our little secret for now." My dad always did like J.P. "You said mydad was here?" I ask. J.P. returns to his seat. "Yeah. He and your mom havebeen talking with the doctors, and your dad had to report your headaches toVerde since you're a beta tester." "Am I the first case?" I ask. "It looks likeyou're the third reported one, but it seems like there's only a connection withthis current version and stress. We haven't even rolled out this version to allthe beta testers, but that's probably getting put on hold anyway." I look outthe window again at the dark sky. "How long have I been here?" I ask. "A fewhours. It's pretty late. Well, actually, it's early." I'm silent for a fewmoments as I mull over all this information and think of more questions I wantto ask. "You were the one who pulled me out of the fountain, weren't you? I sawyou for a second." J.P. nods and offers a sheepish smile. "I guess that makessense. If you're Parker, then you were supposed to meet me there." I pause fora moment. "Why did you choose the name Parker, anyway? In my head, you told meyour name was Parker. And it didn't sound like you at all. What's that allabout?" J.P. looks amused. "I told you my name was Parker because it is." Hepauses for a moment and watches as confusion crosses my face. "See? That's whatI mean. You've known me for this long and don't even know my full name. JasonParker Thompson. My dad's name is Jason, too, so at home my mom calls meParker. She never liked the J.P. nick name. And the voice? I figured I had todisguise it if you were going to talk to me. The computer helped with that."There are no words for what I'm feeling. I'm completely shocked while anotherpart of me is almost touched by his gesture. He hacked into Verde's system andjeopardized his job, and possibly broke some laws, just so he could talk to me?It's scary on one level and almost romantic on another. As much as I want tochew him out for what he did, I can't help but smile at him because for once inmy life, I feel like I have a real friend. Then I realize something. "Whatabout Will? He was at the fountain with me." "He stuck around here for a whilebut went home a while ago. He wanted me to let you know he hoped you would feelbetter." "So, he was just there by chance, then?" I ask, still not sure why hewanted to talk with me at the fountain. "That's where he and his buddies hangout sometimes. I thought you knew that." "Oh, yeah. I actually did know that,"I said, remembering all the times I'd spotted him there while visiting my dadat Verde. There's a long silence where neither of us talk. J.P. looks nervous,but he doesn't rub his neck like normal. Instead, he stares down at my hand. "Iwant you to know," he says as he reaches for it. His hands are warm andinviting as he touches it. "That I hope you feel better, too. And I don't meanphysically, although I'm glad your headache is gone. I mean, I hope you startfeeling happier. Maybe this whole experience will get you to open up topeople." Everything about this feels awkward for a moment, but then I findmyself smiling because he has it figured out on so many levels. How is it thatafter all this time, he seems to know me better than I know myself? And whothinks of something like hacking into my implant just to talk to me? He'sright. I really did need someone like him to help me open up. I think of theway I was able to talk with him when he was in my head and how natural it felt.It was such a relief. Is that what it's like to talk to everyone? Is that whatit would feel like to talk with J.P. in person? "Okay," I agree after a long silence. His face lights up. "But on onecondition," I add. His expression falls momentarily. "What's that?" 8򲡥