Time and Chance

  "Guess we don't have to worry about that stuff anymore," Grunge said. "Anybody know what time it is?"

  "Why, Grunge?" Roxy asked. "Got a hot date?"

  "As a matter of fact," Grunge said, a broad smile creeping across his face. "Michele's taking me to some off-off-Broadway play she wants to see. Supposed to be nudity in it, so I'm down."

  "Glad I asked," Roxy said. "What about you, Kat? Want to rent some chick flicks and polish off a gallon of Fudge Ripple with me?"

  "I've got somewhere to be, too," Caitlin said. "Now that Sam's turned in all his I.O. weaponry, he wants to get started working on a new software program he came up with. No military applications whatsoever, he says. I told him I'd give him a hand."

  "Sarah? Bobby?" Roxy asked.

  "Sure, Rox," Sarah said. "Give me an hour to go talk to the organizers of a rally next week, and I'm there. One carton, three spoons. I'm for it."

  "I've got to stop by the shelter for a shift, but I'll join you later, as long as the videos aren't too weepy," Bobby said. "It's embarrassing to cry in front of chicks."

  As Manhattan's lights blinked on and the nighttime city overruled the day, the five friends went their separate ways. And each of them, in his or her own way, was comforted by the knowledge that, no matter where the others were or what they were doing, they were a team.

  They were Gen13.

  There was no taking that away from them.

  Ever.