Page 135 of Paradox
Tek:When?
Jintae:I can’t answer that right now.
Tek:Please, just tell me where you are. I’ll come and see you, and won’t tell Mom and Dad.
Jintae:I can’t.
Jintae:I don’t want to leave.
Tek:Are you still in the state?
Jintae:Yes.
Tek:Did you go back to college to stay with friends?
Jintae:No.
Tek:Jin, please.
Jintae:I’m not that far away. That’s all I’m gonna say.
Tek:Will I hear from you again.
Jintae:I guess. Maybe.
Tek:Please, Jin.
My heart jumps into my throat when I hear the shed’s rickety door slam shut.
Jintae:I love you, Tek.
Tek:I love you, too.
Jintae:I’ve gotta go.
Tek:Are you sure you’re safe?
Jintae:Yes. 100%. But my GPS is still turned off.
Tek:Please don’t go. Tell me what you’ve been getting up to.
Jintae:Maybe later. Bye.
Sitting back up, I put my phone on the arm of the sofa face down next to the empty plate. Once more, I take the book, and after a long, deep breath, I open it back up.
It really isn’t very good.
The writing isn’t bad, it’s more the entire premise. It’s pretentious when it doesn’t need to be.
It’s trying too hard.
Already expecting his return, I say, "Hey,” to Eden when he's back inside but don’t bother looking up. “Do you think you could bring the ladder inside for me?”
“What for?”
I turn the page. “I wanna clean the rafters.”
“Are you touched in the head?”
