When Parker walked into the office, Jeremiah almost didn’t recognize him. The height he’d noticed the day before was more jarring up close. Parker was nearly as tall as he was now. He was dressed in torn jeans, a flannel shirt open over a light blue T-shirt and the ever-present earbuds around his neck. His reddish hair had grown shaggy, and Jeremiah noticed, maybe for the first time, that it was the exact same shade as Diana’s hair had been. To his dismay, there was the first hint of a mustache over Parker’s lip. He tried not to stare, but it wasn’t easy. Parker shrugged his shoulders and looked at Jeremiah with some agitation.

“What’s going on?” he asked sullenly. “I don’t have a doctor’s appointment today.”

“Yeah, it’s just your physical. They called right after you left. Must have been something Mom scheduled and didn’t tell me about.” Parker cast his eyes down slightly at the mention of his mother, and Jeremiah cringed. “She probably meant to tell me,” he said, his voice catching in his throat.

It had been so long since he’d spoken a single word to his son. He found it disgusting that the first thing he said to him was an outright lie.

“You know, Parker,” he said after a moment, “I know you miss your mother. I miss her, too. But I’m here for you. If you ever want to talk. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

“Whatever,” Parker said, and turned to leave. Jeremiah looked at the receptionist, who smiled and waved at him. It seemed she’d decided against pushing her secret button.

In the car, Parker slumped into the front seat, tossed his backpack into the back and grunted.

“You’re the one who needs the doctor’s appointment,” he said. “I didn’t cut off my own finger with a chain saw.” Jeremiah had wondered what story the clone would concoct. It sounded fishy and desperate to him. What would he possibly have needed a chain saw for first thing in the morning as he was leaving for work?

Halfway back to ViMed, Parker informed him this wasn’t the way to his doctor’s office.

“It’s a different doctor,” Jeremiah said. “A new guy.”

When they pulled into the complex, Parker was thoroughly confused.

“Isn’t this your office, Dad? What the hell?”

“Some new thing with the health insurance,” he told him. “Routine exams can be done right here at ViMed now for everyone in the family. It’s the best health care money can buy. A new perk—very high tech. Wait and see. It’s cool—like one of your video games.”

Parker shrugged. “Whatever,” he said. “How long is this going to take?”

“Not too long,” Jeremiah told him.

They walked through the front entrance, followed at a discreet distance by Scott and a lone security guard, and were met in the hallway by Dr. Pike.

“Good morning, Mr. Adams,” Pike said with a bit too much enthusiasm. “This must be Parker. Nice to meet you, young man. If you’ll both follow me.”