Page 33 of Jeremy
“Doyou have a problem with it? We can find other jobs for you if this isn’t whatyou signed up for. Less dangerous, working with the vegetables, stuff likethat.”
Ilet out a loud laugh that I hope sounds more real to him than it does to me.“Fuck no. If I wanted to garden, I could do it at home. I like a littleexcitement. As long as you aren’t asking me to strap the stuff to my chest andwalk in somewhere, we’re good.”
Anthonylaughs and slaps the couch beside him. “No, we’re looking to better society,not take down the few earth warriors we have.”
“So,we’re all good then? Because I’ve got a woman coming over tonight and I’drather not smell like blood and dust.”
“We’regood. Go get laid. I’ll be in touch.”
It’sdark when I get back to my car, and I’m mentally worn out. Feeling the babykick through Melissa’s soft skin was only this morning, but it seems like daysago. God, I’ve never wanted a woman so badly in my life. And it doesn’t havemuch to do with her looks, which was the way I always judged before.
Melissais beautiful, but it’s not her night blue eyes or tiny curves I’m missing. It’sher. I want to talk to her, tell her all this shit. Which is ridiculous becauseshe’d run the other way so fast the shockwave would knock me over. I need tokeep my distance and only do what’s necessary for her and the baby’s wellbeing.
Andjudging by the car that’s been following me for the last five minutes, distancewon’t be a problem tonight. I can’t go home. I knew that apartment would comein handy.
Iswing through a drive through for takeout, then head to the apartment. I toldAnthony I had a woman coming, so as soon as I’m inside, I find a local escortservice. It’s easier than you’d think, even in smaller towns.
Thewoman shows up nearly an hour later, and when I let her in, I see the car thatfollowed me parked down the lot in front of the apartment complex’s swimmingpool. It’s probably one of the goons watching, but I’m careful not to lookdirectly at the car as I let the woman in.
Onceinside, she’s not at all disappointed to find out I just want some company toeat dinner with, and gladly obliges. A few hours later, when I walk her out thedoor, the car is still there.
Ignoringit, I shut the door and spend an hour watching television. When I look again,the car is gone. I hope that was enough to convince them that this is my home.Exhausted, I fall asleep on the couch, and spend a long night peppered bydreams of babies and bombs.
Ido my best over the next few weeks to keep my distance from Melissa unless it’sabout the baby. The only time I see her is to attend two more baby care classeswith her. They aren’t as emotional as the first. We learn methods to calm acrying baby, change a diaper, etc. It wasn’t too bad, except the one time Idropped the doll. The whole room froze, until Melissa burst out laughing.
Imay not see her in person much, but she’s on my mind, and in my damned dreamsall the time. It’s all I can do to keep myself distracted, although myundercover work at True Life has helped with that. I know I need to call theguys in soon before Anthony manages to find a seller with the C4 he’s stillhunting.
I’mjust getting ready to leave True Life when Kelly flags me down. “Jeremy, hey,do you have a minute? My kitchen window is stuck, and I really need to open it.I burnt a pan of noodles and the place is full of smoke. I know it’s not yourjob, but—”
“Sure,no problem.” I follow her back down the trail to the trailers. I’ve never beeninside any of them, and my anger flames up when I walk inside Kelly’s. She’stried her best to turn a crumbling mess with no electricity or hot water into ahome, but it’s pitiful. The only thing they do have is running water, thanks toa nearby well.
Theplace is full of acrid smoke, and I can barely see to get to the window inquestion. It takes me a few tries to get it unjammed, but I’m finallysuccessful.
“Thanks,”she says, shedding her coat. “I’ll never get used to cooking on a wood stove.It’s impossible to control the temperature.”
“You’rewelcome.” My eyes catch on a strange tattoo half hidden under the strap of hertank top. “Nice tat. Does it stand for something?”
Hereyebrows jump up. “No one’s told you yet? Once you become a full member of TrueLife, you have to get their brand. It’s a mix of the letters T and L, see?”
She’sso proud. If there’s one thing a person should never do, it’s disparagesomeone’s tattoos when they’re stuck with them for life. “Cool, so, everyonehas them?”
“Everyoneexcept the First Men, I think. And not always in the same spot.”
Shethanks me again for opening her window, and I head back to my car. I’m stillseething over the fact that they brand their followers when my phone rings withan unfamiliar number. There’s no mistaking Melissa’s friend Agnes’s voicethough.
“Jeremy?You there?”
“I’mhere.” I steer the car onto the highway toward home.
“Well,you should be here. Two days she’s been in the hospital and you can’t evencheck on her?”
Mystomach tightens. I’ve been staying at the apartment for a few days while I washelping at True Life. “What happened? Is she okay? Is the baby okay?” I fireoff the questions too fast for her to answer.
“That’smore like it. She’s okay now. They’ve just discharged her. The baby tried tocome early, but they managed to stop it. She’s on full bed rest though, and youknow she ain’t got no family or nothing. So you’d better man up or you’ll haveme to deal with.”
“Ididn’t know. I’m on my way home now. Whatever she needs.”
“Sheneeds someone to care about her, other than me.”
