Deconstructing Dylan (15 page)

I visited children ranging in age from four to fourteen. They all asked me the same question: “Do other people know about you?”

A full year after I first met Graham, the kid called me up one day when Robyn and I were studying and announced, “I'm going to tell everyone at school. I'm going to tell them I'm a clone.”

“You're only thirteen, kiddo. Give yourself some more time. It will be easier.”

“I'm thinking about the other kids.”

“I know,” I told him. “Me too. How about you let me dive into the deep end of the pool first and see what happens?”

“Are you sure you're ready?” he asked.

I was thinking about Robyn's question concerning fear. Which did I fear most, death or change? A hell of a lot of things had changed in my life and I was still kicking, wasn't I?

“I'm ready,” I said. “Just watch me.”