The Forgotten Read Online Free

exercises in twenty-four hours. Nothing strenuous for now.” Gabe led him out of the exam room, into his office, which was nothing like Will’s. Gabe was a traditionalist, with cordovan leather chairs and a mahogany desk topped by an old-fashioned blotter and a turquoise case glass lamp that Will secretly coveted. Small framed photos of his sister’s family and of Kevin punctuated the books in the hutch behind the desk. The usual diplomas were on the walls and his computer and printer were discreetly hidden in a cabinet next to the desk.
    Gabe grunted as he lowered himself into his chair. Will sat opposite. “So, what’s Maggie think about the birds?”
    â€œI barely spoke to her,” Will admitted. “She’s having a busy day, but she said that sometimes birds can lose their sense of direction. That can drive them buggy. Same with whales, dolphins.”
    â€œAnd other migrating species. It’s the magnetite thing.” Gabe folded his hands.
    â€œYeah. Something throws it off.” Will paused. “Makes sense to me. Compared with birds, we have almost none of it in our brains, but once in a while, I’ll suddenly lose my sense of direction and it’s a physical thing—I feel nauseous until my bearings come back.”
    â€œI’ve felt that too. Personally, I think it’s a sense, just like sight and taste and so forth.”
    â€œThe real sixth sense?”
    â€œOr seventh or eighth.” Gabe smiled. “I can see you getting ready to lecture me about E.S.P.—don’t. Did Maggie say anything else?”
    â€œJust that she’d have to run tests to rule out illness.”
    â€œZoonoses.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œZoonoses. Diseases that pass from animals to humans. Let me have one of those birds, too. Just to be safe. If there’s anything weird, we’ll have to tell the authorities.” He paused. “We really should anyway.”
    Will made a face.
    â€œDon’t worry. We probably won’t find anything.”
    â€œWhat’s interesting to me is what could possibly throw off the flock’s sense of direction so badly that its members would commit mass suicide.”
    â€œBird brains.” Gabe shrugged. “Maybe we’re going to have an earthquake.”
    Will felt a little shiver. “Christ, I hope you’re wrong. Maggie was overrun with patients today. Animals know.” He checked his watch. “I need to get home and finish up some paperwork. Can’t really do it in my office, you know?”
    â€œI know. Are you going to open tomorrow?”
    â€œSure. I’ll use the extra office for now. My schedule’s busier than usual, too. I have three first-timers tomorrow and two requests for extra sessions I don’t feel I can refuse.”
    Gabe raised his eyebrows. “Sounds like a twelve-hour day.”
    â€œI hope not. Kevin did some rescheduling for me, so some of my hour sessions are half hours. Speaking of Kevin, do you two want to come for dinner tonight? I thought I’d ask Maggie, too.”
    â€œHow about a rain check for Saturday? Tonight’s an anniversary. You know how that is.”
    â€œIt’s August. I thought your commitment ceremony anniversary was in April.”
    Chuckling, Gabe stood. “That’s right. This is a different anniversary. Ten years ago tonight was the first time we . . .” He smiled.
    â€œGotcha.” Gabe and Kevin had ten years of romance and lust under their belts. He’d never had more than three anniversaries, and none of those included romance that lasted anywhere near that long. They were just legal dates, nothing more.
    â€œLet me steal a little blood, and you can be on your way.” Gabe came around the desk and patted Will’s shoulder. “You’ll find your match too, Will. You just have to open your eyes and look for someone who doesn’t treat you like shit.”

4
    â€œLast night