Page 29 of Broken Dream

“Pigs aren’t human beings,” I say. “Plus, I love bacon as much as the next person.”

“These human beings are dead.” From Tabitha.

“Yeah, but they’re—they were—people.” I sigh. “I don’t expect you to understand. I grew up on a beef ranch. My family raises cattle, and I know they go to the slaughterhouse. But it’s all done humanely.”

“These people died humanely,” Eli says. “I doubt any of them were murdered. If they were, they wouldn’t be good cadaver material.”

“Eli…” Tabitha warns, but I shake my head.

“No, it’s fine.” I stand from the couch and head toward the kitchen, my appetite completely vanished. “I just think we should show some respect. These were people who had lives, loves, dreams. You make your jokes, but remember that someday it’ll be us on those tables.”

I’m echoing exactly what Jason said in class today.

I don’t feel any better about the whole thing, though.

I leave them in the living room. Too much has happened tonight, and all I want is to be alone. With a sigh, I wash my hands and pour another glass of wine.

The sound of footsteps makes me turn. Tabitha is in the kitchen, leaning against the island.

“You okay?” she asks softly.

I shrug. “Just a lot to take in.”

She walks over to me. “You don’t have to tell me anything, Angie, but something happened between you and Ralph in here. I’m not sure what, but it’s got you on edge.”

She’s not wrong.

And Jason made all the points today in lab about the bodies being a gift. That we should be respectful. I don’t know why I’m repeating them tonight.

I knew when I entered med school that I’d be dissecting human bodies. And I knew it would be difficult for me, but I chose this path anyway.

I force another smile. “I’m good. But I think I’m ready to call it a night if you guys don’t mind.”

Tabitha nods. “I totally get it. I can drive Eli home.”

“Then why’d you tell him to get an Uber?”

She shrugs. “Because I was hoping you and I could talk privately, but I see you’re not up for that.” She gives me a quick hug. “I’ll see you tomorrow in lab.”

She and Eli grab their coats and leave without any more than a goodbye.

I put the leftover pizza in the refrigerator and let Tillie in. She runs inside, sniffing the spots on the couch where Eli and Tabitha were sitting.

She knows someone new was here.

Just like Tabitha knows something. Or at least has an inkling that something is going on with me.

I like Tabitha, but I hardly know her.

Why did she want to talk to me in private?

If she also witnessed my kiss with Jason, he and I are both in big trouble.

Chapter Ten

Jason

Three years earlier…