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sink. “It washes off, but you’ll have to use the industrial soap.”
    As I scrub in the sink, Gus rolls out a tall tool chest, double-checks the contents of the drawers, then turns to me. “When you’re done, grab those lunch sacks. And bring an extra sweater. The refrigerated car’s even chillier than this room.”
    The back door of Mortuary Sciences leads to an underground loading dock just big enough for the transport truck to pick up the bodies. We step into the dimly-lit area. Two Handlers wait on either side of the truck. We climb onto the back, and the door locks shut as we take our seats. Gus flips on the travel lights. Now it’s us and the bagged bodies. Everyone who died in the last month in the Northwest District rests on the rolling double stretchers before us, awaiting their group cremation. Each black bag is strapped down to a silver bed, one above and one below, like bunk beds for the dead.
    Gus hands me a sandwich. “The scenery isn’t great, but I guarantee the eats are good. Made them myself.”
    The metal floor shakes beneath our feet as the truck roars to life.
    “How long does it take to get there?” I ask before taking my first bite.
    “Oh, about an hour. Not bad. But I’m afraid you won’t get to see much of your Plant Production facilities riding in back with me where there are no windows. You might get a glimpse of it once we get there. It will be dark out, of course, but it’s pretty lit up even at night.”
    “That’s all right. I’m actually more interested in what’s
inside
the Plant Production buildings, although I suppose I’ll never get to see that.”
    Gus gives me a sympathetic smile. “Your mom’s okay with me keeping you out so late?”
    I laugh. “As long as I don’t talk to her about working Human Disposal, especially while she’s trying to eat, she’s okay with it. She doesn’t find it a very appetizing topic of dinner conversation.”
    Gus chuckles. “I bet.”
    “I feel bad she’s eating alone tonight.”
    “Doesn’t she have anyone else?” His question hangs in the air.
    I pause before answering. “No. Just me. People try to set her up all the time, but she refuses.”
    “Yeah, I can understand that. Sometimes, trying to find someone new is ten times more lonely than accepting the fact that it’s over, and you’re on your own now.”
    “So, there’s been no one since Ben?” I ask, hoping I’m not getting too personal.
    He clears his throat. “Of course not.”
    “Then I have an idea. Why don’t you come over to our place for dinner sometime?” I would love this. Mom could get to know Gus better, and maybe, if he impressed her, she’d stop bugging me about my job. Plus, I’d like to give Mom something to do. She never invites anyone over anymore, and this might liven things up.
    He raises his eyebrows. “Are you sure your mother would approve? We might talk shop.”
    I laugh. “Yes, I think so. I’ll ask her first, of course. You’ve never seen our apartment, you know.”
    “Too bad I can’t see your old place. The way you describe it, it sounds heavenly, almost like an indoor arboretum with all those plants in there. No wonder you wanted to go into Botany Sciences.”
    “Yeah.” I pick at my sandwich, not because it isn’t good but because he’s hit on a touchy subject. “Our last place got way more sunlight. Once we moved, the plants started dying, one by one.”
    Gus nods. “I know it’s standard policy, but, sometimes, it seems like pouring salt into a wound to make a family move after their loved one dies.”
    “Did you have to move, too, when Ben died?”
    “Of course. Everyone does. I guess it makes sense, conserving resources and all. And, in fact, it might have been for the best. Ben died at home, and I cared for him at the end, so staying there might have been too hard.”
    “What about your things? Did you get to take all of it when you moved?”
    “Yes, of course.” He cocks his head to the side, watching me.