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us to bring it up in the morning, but Joshua and I decided it need to be dealt with at that moment. We drove to Carl's place, Joshua riding with Miranda to keep us from killing each other.
By the end of the recount, the coffee was ready. Carl got down three cups, poured and gave me and Miranda both a cup. After a moment's reflection, he pulled down a bowl, filled it with coffee, and set it down in front of Joshua.
"This is an interesting philosophical debate," Carl said. "But I'm still not sure what you want out of me."
"Easy," Joshua said. "We want you to pick a side. I'd prefer you pick mine."
"Joshua, this isn't a bar bet," Carl said, irritably. "It's not a matter of choosing sides. And if I sided with Tom, I doubt you'd do what he's asking of you, anyway."
"You're right," Joshua said. "I guess we woke you up for nothing. We should be leaving. Thanks for the coffee."
"Sit, Joshua," Carl said.
"Hey," Joshua said. "That's not funny."
"Tom," he said, turning to me. "You realize if Joshua is right about how Michelle died, he's also right in his position of not bringing her back."
"Why?" I said. "Carl, Michelle is gone. She doesn't need the body any more. And we can use it. You know this makes sense."
Beside me, Miranda gave a shudder and set her coffee down on the countertop.
"Something wrong?" Carl said.
"I'm sorry," Miranda said. "I understand where Tom's coming from, but the thought of having Joshua inside Michelle's body gives me the creeps. All I can see in my head is Michelle as a zombie. It just feels wrong in my gut." She glanced at me, then glanced away. "I'm sorry, Tom. But that's the way I feel."
"Go with that feeling," Joshua said.
"Oh, shut up," I said, to Joshua.
"Christ," Carl said. "You two are worse than kids in a back seat. Tom, if Michelle wanted to die, then let her die. All of her. Michelle's body is Michelle. Unlike Joshua's people, our souls, if we have them, appear permanently attached t
