Page 126 of Cuts like a Knife
“I have a subscription to Sentinel. I can read it right now,” Diana says. She’s pulled out her own phone and is tapping away. “Neither of you have a subscription?” She looks up at Claire and I, her expression slightly puzzled.
“Too expensive,” says Claire.
“But … where do you get your news?”
“I dunno. I just … absorb it. I read the headlines. That’s usually enough.” Claire sounds just a little bit sheepish.
“But you. You must have a subscription. You’re a serious person. You read.” Diana is looking at me now.
“I don’t think subscriptions are really a thing anymore,” I say, finally. “I’m surprised you have one. It’s more an older person thing,” I explain.
“You’re a journalist. You don’t have a subscription to one of the best newspapers in the world? I don’t understand.”
“I’m not that kind of journalist. I’m not a real journalist at all. Anyway, news should be free,” I finally say.
“But … you are interested in labour activism, correct? Journalists are producing labour. You don’t want them to be paid?356”
“I don’t — look, that’s not important right now. Just read the article. I want to hear what it says.”
Di shrugs and looks back at her phone, then begins to read aloud.
“American-born Greek Millennial, Chad Bock, alias Petar Timber, was inspired by the myth of the phoenix…”
~
Di reads the whole article aloud.
Sentinel has published both my photos with the piece — side by side. They’re credited to me and everything. The caption reads:
Despite multiple plastic surgeries, Timber was confirmed as Bock in a variety of different ways, one being his distinctive phoenix tattoo, designed to incorporate his lower-torso body hair. The tattoo can be seen here, as the clearly-inebriated Bock frolics at the Solis Emerald Queen, Great Exuma, Bahamas, during the filming of reality show, Hot Slice. Click to compare to images of the tattoo provided by the original artist.
/Photos by Alexis Madison
“I cannot believe you, Lex. You secretive b—,” Claire exclaims. Those are the photos you sent me on Sunday!”
“I didn’t even know, I swear,” I say. “I took those random snapshots and didn’t think anything of them. Then Atlas cornered me and asked for them. I didn’t know why.”
“He paid you, presumably?” Di asks.
“No, but he will. I’m supposed to invoice their photo desk. For a thousand bucks.”
“Good. You should do that immediately. Now, we have to go. Visiting hours are ending. And where is your husband?He’s been gone far too long.”
Claire looks at her phone. “He’ll be back. He’s just getting me a snack.”
“I’ll be back to see you in a couple of days. Please text me if you have the baby.”
Claire laughs, catching my eye and making an exasperated face. “Don’t worry, I will. No family dinner this week, by the way,” she adds as we shuffle toward the door. “I asked mom and dad to cancel.”
“Okay. My phone’s bricked, but you can email me if you need to,” I say.
“Thanks for coming, Lex. That was cool of you. This is the most interesting day I’ve had in a month. Tell me what happens at work. And with Drew.”
“Um, sure. I’ll come back again.”
Diana and I leave the room and head down the hall. The nurses smile at us as we pass.
“Just buy a new phone,” Di says when we reach the elevators.
