The Good Atheist Read Online Free PDF

I think I’m right,” I said.
    “You always think you’re right.”
    “Well, that explains why I’m so stubborn then, doesn’t it? Seriously, honey. I’m worried that you’re getting too reclusive. It’s time to step back out into the light of day. I know this has been hard. You lost a lot of friends. But they don’t matter – because they never were real friends. The friends that matter are still around. And they miss you.”
    She was quiet for a long time. Finally she said, “Yes, dear. You’re right.”
    I cocked an ear towards her. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
    “You heard me the first time.”
    “I know, but I wanted to hear it again and savor the moment.”
    Selene put the letter down and crossed the floor. I watched her as she walked slowly towards me. Her limp was improving. The doctors said that after a couple more reconstructive surgeries and a year of physio, she would be able to walk almost normally.
    She didn’t mind the slight limp. It was a miracle that she could walk at all. It was the scarring on her face that kept her behind closed doors. She reached me and I pulled her down into my lap, wrapping my arms around her.
    “Well, don’t get too used to it,” she said.
    We held each other for a few moments.
    “I’m not self-conscious about my appearance around you. You have a way of making me feel normal and attractive, and I can forget about how I really look. It’s only when I’m out in public I feel aware of my looks. People remind me of my appearance.”
    “When I met you, I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I still do and always will.”
    She shoved my shoulder playfully. “You think that now, but one of these days you’re going to get tired of looking at my scary face, find yourself some pretty young thing and dump me.” She kept her tone playful, but I knew it masked a real fear.
    “I think you overestimate my powers with the ladies,” I said.
    “A manly hunk like you won’t have any difficulty.”
    “It’s true. I won’t deny women find my masculine charms irresistible, but I only have eyes for you, baby,” I said. She smiled and I pulled her closer, kissing her on the neck. My lips moved up until I found hers, and I kissed her long and hard, the way a woman needs to be kissed, to remind her that she is beautiful and wanted and loved. All women should feel beautiful.
    We were interrupted by the noise of a throat clearing above us. “Ahem, excuse me.” It was Ellie, the house system. “I hate to break this tender moment up, but I think you’ve forgotten something.”
    “What?” I said, annoyed.
    “Well, for one, as your personal assistant, it behooves me to remind you of your deadline tomorrow, Selene. And since you’ve both agreed that you’re leaving for Vermont in the morning, that means tomorrow’s deadline is effectively tonight.”
    Selene untangled herself from me and sat bolt upright on the couch, slapping her forehead with the palm of her hand. “Oh, that’s right.” She jumped up. “I need to finish that code tonight if I’m going with you.” She went back to her work station. “Jack, I’m sorry. Just give me an hour to finish this up.”
    “Ellie, you really know how to spoil a guy’s fun,” I said.
    “Not at all, sir. Just following the rules of deductive reasoning Selene has programmed into my personality modules.”
    “Are you trying to be funny?”
    “Of course not, sir,” she snickered. “I’m not programmed to be.”
    “Selene, could you do something about Ellie? Fix her personality, or downgrade her or something.”
    “Hey, I heard that!” Ellie screeched.
    “I’m testing some new code on her,” Selene said. “What do you think?”
    I got up from the couch. My stomach growled, reminding me I was hungry. “I wish you’d stop using our house system as a guinea pig. I was just getting used to her old personality. What do you want for dinner? I’m starved,” I said.
    Selene shooed me away.