Page 27 of Jeremy
“Dead.Anthony told me you were dead. That you were whoring to survive and some guykilled you.”
God,she’s so thin. Was I really that skinny when I left? Existing on rice, beans,and a few homegrown vegetables really takes its toll. “It’s me, Kelly. I’mhere. I’m fine. He lied.”
Whenshe calms a bit, I look around us, suddenly aware she may not be alone. Shewipes her eyes and gathers the flyers. “There’s no one watching. They’re all atTrue Life welcoming two new members today. I doubt they’re looking for youanyway. Be kind of hard to drag you back since they told everyone you died.”
Ifeel sorry for whoever is joining now. “Kelly, please, come with me. I have ahouse and I’m working again. They weren’t able to take my money like they didthe others. You can live with me. Start over. Please.”
Herblue eyes glaze over and she takes a step back. I can see the walls fallinginto place around her as her whole demeanor changes. “There’s no life but TrueLife. No one leaves. You know that.”
Igrab her face in my hands. “I left. And you know others disappeared before me.They told us they were dead the same way they told you I was dead. It’sbullshit. You can have a better life. I swear. Kelly, you’re all I have left,my only family. I love you. Please, trust me. Come with me.”
“Youneed to go.” Her voice is monotone, mechanical.
“Theymurdered those people. You can’t want to be a part of that.”
“Theother leaders arranged that on their own. Anthony explained everything. Theyveered off the path. We don’t hurt people. We help the earth.”
Myshoulders slump. I don’t know what else I can say to convince her. “Kelly…” Myhand travels to my stomach, the slight bulge hidden beneath a flowing shirt. Iwant to tell her she’s going to be an aunt, but the words stick in my throat. Ican’t risk it. She’d know who the baby belongs to and though he’s dead, theother First Men aren’t, and she’s loyal to them, not me.
Myheart cracks in half as I nod. “Okay, please don’t tell them you saw me.”
Abitter laugh fills the air. “They’d cane me for lying. You’re dead, remember?”
Igive her stiff body one more hug. “Just remember I’m not. I’m really alive andwaiting for you.”
Herchest shakes as she restrains her sobs, and I manage to make it to my carbefore I let mine take control. I’m devastated, but I’m also so angry. At thecult, and myself for ever getting involved, but mostly at Kelly. I saw thetruth, why can’t she? I risked everything to leave, and she saw that it workedout for me. Why can’t she pull herself away from them?
Wewere stupid kids when we joined. With both our parents’ dead, we were alone.Kelly was twenty, but not very responsible, and she flitted from job to job andman to man. At eighteen, I had money and we had a good apartment, but we were bothbroken. Young, naïve, and on our own, without any kind of guidance. That waswhen True Life swept in and promised us a family. And we fell for it. It wasn’tuntil they wanted our financials that I hesitated.
Iwasn’t ready to give up True Life, but I had way too much money to hand it overto another’s control. They didn’t know who I was. I lied, and gave them the fewthousand they knew about in another account, then buried my ID and bank card,just in case. If it weren’t for meeting Dillon and falling in love with thepsycho, I probably wouldn’t have stayed.
Gettinga grip on myself, I wipe my eyes and fasten my seatbelt. A glance in my mirrorshows me Kelly is gone. There’s no point in looking back. All the should havesand regrets just pile up and there’s no way to clear them. All I can do is keepgoing. There’s another life depending on it.
Icrank up the music on the way home, and try to let it all go. Maybe I shouldstart planning the nursery. It’ll be a good distraction and keep me focused onthe positive.
It’sevening when I return, and a pile of roofing tiles lay beside my house, alongwith a few other tools. Jeremy is nowhere to be seen so I assume he’s done forthe day.
Ispend the evening making his chili, and crawl into bed early, hoping I won’tdream.
#
I’mawakened by hammering on the roof and shouting voices. Jeremy must haverecruited someone to help. Whoever it is better not fall off the damn roof.
Ithrow on some clothes and run a brush through my hair, throwing it up into amessy ponytail. Slipping into my shoes and coat, I venture out to see how it’sgoing.
Abox truck with Handler and Sons Roofing and Repairs sits in the driveway. Whatthe? He hired roofers? What’s he doing, then?
Thegrass crunches under my feet, as our first frost of the year starts to melt.I’m halfway around the house when I see him climbing down a ladder. Anotherolder man comes down right behind him.
“It’scold out here. You should go inside.” Is he kidding me right now?
“Youhired roofers? Why? I could have done that!”
Theolder man scoffs. “Apparently, he mixed up my company with a trade school.”
Jeremygives him a dirty look, but the man just laughs, grabs a bucket, and heads backup the ladder.
“I’mpaying them,” I insist.
