Cell
A Novel
Chapter One
Clay's attention was attracted by the tinkle of an ice cream truck. It was
parked across from the Four Seasons Hotel (which was even grander than the
Copley Square) and next to the Boston Common, which ran along Boylston for
two or three blocks on this side of the street. The words mister softee
were printed in rainbow colors over a pair of dancing ice cream cones.
Three kids were clustered around the window, bookbags at their feet,
waiting to receive goodies. Behind them stood a woman in a pants suit with
a poodle on a leash and a couple of teenage girls in lowrider jeans with
iPods and earphones that were currently slung around their necks so they
could murmur together - earnestly, no giggles.
Clay stood behind them, turning what had been a little group into a short
line. He had bought his estranged wife a present; he would stop at Comix
Supreme on the way home and buy his son the new issue of Spider-Man; he
might as well treat himself, as well. He was bursting to tell Sharon his
news, but she'd be out of reach until she got home, three forty-five or
so. He thought he would han ... read full excerpt from: Cell: A Novel ebook
