Chapter 88

Anthony waited in line at the registration desk while simultaneously trying to convince himself to relax. His gut was churning with discomfort. The pain in his head was excruciating. The more he waited, the more severe the situation became. He was praying to himself that he wouldn't throw up.

Anthony Clark, this is not typical of you at all. Get your rear end back into the game.

Anthony advanced his position in line by a few feet.

Therefore, he is not familiar with who you are. Therefore, he does not share the same aspirations.

To what end?

He seemed to be gazing at the girl's head in front of her for a considerable amount of time. Even more flawless braids. Where can you buy a shirt like that with a horse on it? This one was discussing a location known as Rice and Riches as they were on their mobile phone. Anthony had the long thought of what a place like that would be like. But nothing was able to pull his attention away from his own heartbeat for more than a moment at a time.

You are aware that she is genuine now. You are aware that she is present. You are both correct. That can't be without some significance, can it? Isn't that the most vital point to make?

What else was the significance of the fact that he continued to be by himself in his dreams? What did he anticipate that his evenings would be just as enchantedly full of him as hers were of him?

Who gave a damn?

Perhaps the dreams' sole purpose was to bring the two of us closer together. Like Lady of the Lake. Or Lady of the Lake.

It's possible that I don't require them any longer.

Perhaps all of this has been leading up to this point all along.

Even though Anthony was very close to the reception desk at this point, his thoughts were still a thousand miles away. The constant pounding in his brain gave him the impression that it could break his skull in two.

Imagine supposing you never had any dreams again. How would that feel?

What would it be like to not feel a connection of that kind to anyone, with the possible exception of Sasha?

Could I possibly be any more isolated than I am right now?

He attempted to conjure up his father's face, but all he could remember were his father's shadows. His deep, blue eyes. When Anthony held him, he felt the other edges, the firm ribs that were hidden beneath his lab coat.

Be as tenacious as a bull and as razor-sharp as a blade.

Even though it was only to himself, he responded, "Okay, Celine Duport." "Let's get this thing done."

What should I do? A quiet voice inquired.

Anthony was taken aback by this. He was unaware that he had moved to the very front of the queue, where an attractive Canadian woman wearing sunglasses and a UFO cap was observing him from behind the front desk. He didn't realize that he was there.

Jas Louis was her name at the time. At least, that was what it read on her badge.

Anthony took a deep breath in and out.

Jas spoke again. "Weren't you talking to me the whole time?"

Anthony responded with a negative while handing his colleague a registration form. "I'm sorry, Ms. Louis," they said.

"Registration on the same day? So, let's get you logged into the computer, shall we? You just made it on time." Then, with a grimace on her face, Jas entered a few things into her computer.

"That is quite amusing. There is a problem here of some type."

Anthony reasoned that of course there would be.

"I don't comprehend." It states that you do not have a copy of your birth certificate on file in this section.

Of course, I don't. She pondered Sasha's possessions before coming to the conclusion that she most likely did. Anthony made a valiant effort to appear unconcerned.

"There must be some sort of oversight there." Then, putting on his finest performance as a self-centered teenager, he said, "My mom must have fouled everything up." Again. She consistently acts in this manner.

Jas showed his understanding by giving him a compassionate nod. "But in all honesty, I'm not supposed to register you without one," you said. Anthony received back the registration paperwork that she had given him.

"Is one of your parents here with you? Or one you could get in touch with?"

Of course not.

Anthony put on a show as though he was considering it. "You can find them working. But you could always talk to my trainer."

"Perfect. The office contains all of the necessary forms. Do you mind?" Jas made a gesture at him. "Please make your way around the counter."