Chapter 55

He knew what that something felt like, but he could not think of a word to describe it. He removed his hand again, but slowly this time, and stared at Alonzo.

“What?” he whispered. “What is that?”

Alonzo said nothing, and Garner realized that he was to describe what he had felt himself. He replayed in his mind the impression he had gotten, and examined it in greater detail.

“You—your heart,” he said, feeling for the words. “I think—it’s—what is it? It’s—kind of—vibrating.”

Alonzo smiled and nodded. Garner stared at him.

“But—” he began, and broke off, shaking his head in confusion.

“No,” Alonzo said. “You got it right. I’m impressed. Kind of vibratingis really the best expression for it, in common words.”

Garner basked in the glow of his success. Then he caught the implication.

“And—in uncommon words?” he said.

“Have you ever heard of fibrillation?”