Remy
Nearly two days passed before I saw the Senator again.
“Hello, Ms. Haines,” he said as the kids filed out. “I hope you found your room welcoming.”
“Very much so,” I said, smiling up at him. “I can’t thank you enough.”
This seemed to please him and make him relax a fraction.
So, I asked, “I do have one request, though?”
His eyes narrowed. “What do you need?”
I looked down at my twined fingers, then back up at him with all the emotion I could muster in my eyes. “I can’t stop thinking of little Kelsey. I’m worried because I didn’t get to say good-bye. I think if I said good-bye, I could move on and know she’s okay, you know?” I tilted my head. “Do you think I’d be able to make a really quick visit?”
He set his jaw and glanced toward the windows for a long while before responding. “I don’t suppose it could hurt anything. But it must be brief.”
“Thank you!” I clasped my hands under my chin and watched him soften again.
“During lunch tomorrow, I’ll have two guards take you to Primo Town and escort you inside. You will have ten minutes.”
I couldn’t stop smiling.
The next morning, with a pounding pulse, I wrapped the power cord around the small radio and put it in the bottom of my teaching bag, then piled other things on top. It didn’t escape me how dangerous this was. If I was found smuggling a radio into Primo Town, I would be executed. Surely even the Senator would agree to that. A twinge of guilt soured my stomach at the thought of him feeling betrayed by me, but I shoved it away. Stupid, stupid feelings.
The time between breakfast and lunch break dragged on forever. When it was time, I clung to my bag and climbed into the back of the Jeep with the Nevada sun blazing down on me. I really missed my sunglasses.
At Primo Town, I was led to the dining hall and ushered in. I held back a smile at the sight of a frowning Linette surrounded by all of my girls and Ronaldo.
“Make it quick,” the female guard said, nudging me forward with the side of her rifle. “And no touching.”
Kelsey gasped and smiled big enough to break my heart when she saw me. She started to get up, but I motioned her to stay seated, and I squatted beside her. The other girls moved closer to hear.
“Hi, sweetie.”
“You’re back!”
“No,” I said gently. “I’m only visiting. I came to say good-bye, because they want me to live in a different place now.” She opened her mouth to object, and I rushed on. “Everyone here will take care of you and make sure you have everything you need.” I almost choked up when her eyes started to water, but I swallowed it down.
“What about our story?” Macy whispered. “You never finished.”
I looked into her sad eyes. “All you need to know is that the Earthlings win in the end.”
All of the girls smiled. I stood and looked at Linette, barely whispering. “I’m visiting the dorm.”
Her eyes narrowed, but she said nothing and made no move to acknowledge what I’d said. She was smart. She would find the radio wherever I ended up leaving it.
“Good-bye, girls.” I gave each of them one last smile before looking over to see Tater at the corner table, alone and lifeless. Everything inside of me turned over as I left the dining hall.
On our way to the gates, as we neared the women’s dormitory, I asked, “May I stop in the room and get my other dress?”
The guards exchanged a questioning look, and the female nodded. “Quickly.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I rushed into the room. I couldn’t close the door without raising suspicion, so it remained open several inches, but the moment I was out of their sight, I sprinted to Linette’s bed. My hands quaked as I dug out the radio, all the while staring at the door. I got it in my fingers and shoved it under Linette’s mattress. Oh, God. There was a small lump. I pushed it and crumpled her blanket a little to make it less noticeable. Then I rushed to the joint cabinet and stared in. My dress was gone.
The door flung open and I let out a yelp, holding my chest.
“Finished?” the female asked.
“I think my dress was recycled to another tenant, but that’s all right. I’ll clean this one each day.”
The guard gave me a disgusted once over and said, “Come on.”
I thought about the radio. It could be Primo Town’s sole means of information on what was happening outside of this town. But it was a death sentence to me and Linette, if caught. I prayed it would be useful, and that the risk was worth it.
That’s for you, Tater. I’m sorry it took so long.
