Excerpt from “The Star in the Stone,” by Zohar A. Goodman


Awake and alert, Patricia lay comfortably in MERCY’s infirmary, her lifesigns on monitor.
Dr. Harzo didn’t like the setup. “Sir, I must protest this unwarranted procedure. Patricia is no barometer for gauging that…”
“Unwarranted? Was there or was there not a direct correlation between Patricia’s lifesigns and the readings/no-readings ratio from that…nothing-field?”
“So it seems, but to jeopardize her well-being by…”
“That’s why you’re here, Jason, to monitor and care for your patient. Do so.” Frank spoke into his communicator. “Monet – Henry – Stand by. Patricia,” he smiled gently, gazing into her bright-black pupils. “This is voluntary, you may refuse.”
She shook her head. “I don’t, I won’t, but sir, why didn’t you conk out? Or you, Doctor? Or Henry or Monet? Why just me?”
Doc Harzo tugged his chin skin thoughtfully. “Best guess? It’s a function of the intense grief and separation anxiety you suffered earlier in life, at the tragic loss of your family. The trauma ripped a fissure in your cognitive net – a chink in your ego armor, so to speak.”
“Oh, my broken heart again.” Patricia nodded knowingly. “Has something invaded the crack?”