An Artificial Life Ch. 03

"You know, David, now that Vanessa is gone, you are going to need to make new friends." She tested him.

David quieted, but returned with "You're probably right, but the janitors around here won't even talk to me," grinning. She made plans for David to have social therapy and community time added to his schedule on a trial basis.

And then, she pushed for a reaction. "I spoke with your professor, Dr. Johnson -- he's your advisor, right?"

David looked surprised, but then shook his head, smiling and suppressing a giggle.

"What was that for?" she asked.

"Oh, nothing. I just remembered how Vanessa would call him 'Little Johnson.' So what did you talk about, Dr. Angel?"

"Well, it turns out Detective Fordham gave him the thumb drive of your project they found in your apartment. It turns out Little Johnson," she smiled, "thought you did a good job."

"He what?" David appeared astonished.

She looked down at her notes, reading, "He said, 'the code is crap, but the literature review is outstanding.' He wants to talk to you when you are up to it," she paused, observing his reaction. "He thinks with a few edits, he can approve your degree."

David eyes took a winding journey from confusion to disbelief, doubled back, and then headed right by open shock and realization, coasting to a slow roll at the intersection of suspicion and doubt. "You are just messing with me to see how I react, it's a reality check -- right?"

"No, David, this is serious. You thought you failed, but Dr. Johnson was actually impressed with your literature review. You were too hard on yourself."

His eyes retraced their previous journey, and settled on optimistic disbelief. "He liked the literature review?"

"Absolutely. He explained to me that a well done literature review is enough for a masters degree. And yours, with a few changes, is excellent. Congratulations, David." A huge smile appeared on David's face.

"That's fantastic! You know what this means, Dr. Angel?" He was very excited.

"It means you are going to graduate, David. You ready to do the work?"

"Yes ma'am. Yes, I am." He was animated, but in control, she noted. He's taking this well.

David knew exactly what this meant. He had never written a literature review in his life. He hated them. That had been Ainsley, all her. David smiled, keeping himself steady even though everything was screaming inside: Ainsley was real, and that made everything real. And if she was alive, she had a plan. He had no idea what had happened, but he knew Ainsley. He would do what he needed to do, and she would find him. She would come.