Page 67 of The Explorer
“Yes.”
She wrinkled her forehead. “That sounds both irresponsible and dangerous. Here in Europe, people who want to be a caregiver or teacher for children have to study and pass rigorous tests.”
“You might have a point.” I shrugged. “Any other questions?”
“Is everyone as tall as you two?” a boy asked before hiding his face in shyness.
Aubri grinned and winked. “No. Nor are there many who are as good-looking as us.”
“If you lived here would you be a P or A?”
Aubri let me answer. “That’s a good question. In the Northlands we don’t put people in boxes like that. Academics aren’t better than practical people or vice versa. Old Europe is a small country with limited outdoor space while the Northlands is massive in comparison. We live in a place with huge woods and if you don’t like people you can choose to live hours away from your closest neighbor.”
That last comment made them talk among each other.
“I have a question,” a boy with large front teeth said.
“Go ahead.”
“What do you think is the strangest thing about our culture?
Aubri and I exchanged a look and I gestured for her to answer this time.
“Besides the fact that so many of you live underground like moles, I would say that the strangest thing for us is that you don’t have romantic relationships.”
“Okay but what’s your favorite thing about our culture?” a boy shouted out loud.
Aubri smiled. “Well, for the most part you have good food, and for me, I would say that I’m allowed opportunities here that I wouldn’t necessarily have at home. I love my freedom to explore.”
Aubri picked a girl to ask the next question. She sat a little straighter and said, “Why are women so suppressed in the Northlands?”
Just as in the repair shop when Helmes had claimed the same thing, Aubri took offense. “We’re not!”
“But you just said that women aren’t allowed the same opportunities as men.”
“Yes, but it’s not like we’re treated badly or kept in cages.”
“Then why did you say that your favorite thing about living here is the freedom to explore?”
“I was talking about my work as an Explorer. As Indiana just explained, we used to have so few women that there’s no tradition for women working. We have to push our way into jobs that we find interesting.”
“Okay, but won’t it bother you to go home and not have the same freedom?”
After another hour of questions asked and answered, we left the school. Aubri was quiet and withdrawn.
“How about we take a late lunch break at home before we head back to work?” I asked.
We changed direction, but no matter how many questions I asked, she gave me short, non-engaging answers.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
Once we were in the apartment, I kissed her and tried to move her to the bedroom, but Aubri seemed distracted and not in the mood.
“You have that implant now. We could go all the way,” I reminded her and licked her earlobe, but her usual playful energy was gone. With a sigh, I gave up and went to sit on the couch. “Okay, grasshopper, talk to me. What’s eating at you?”
Aubri took a chair and turned it around so she sat reversed. With her arms on the backrest, she said, “I can’t stop thinking about that question. The one about us women being suppressed in the Northlands.”
