Page 57 of Regressive

I take the unfamiliar road.

“Where are you going?” Rex asks.

“Silas is right, there will be consequences, but we’re not going to be the one to suffer it.”

“Shit,” Silas says from the back seat. “Imogene.”

I nod. “We’re going to make sure that she’s safe, even if that means letting her go.”

24

Levi

“Just remember,”I tell the class, “you are called to lead for a reason. You were born with the temperament to handle things the females in your life can’t.”

A hand raises in the back—Kenneth. Born and raised in Serendee. He’s on the fast track with Anex and that’s why he was invited to my class. I nod for him to ask his question.

He fidgets, shifting nervously in his seat. I raise an eyebrow and say, “This is a safe place to express yourself, Ken. Nothing said here, leaves here, right guys?”

The small group concurs, eager to help a fellow member.

He takes a breath. “What happens if your mate questions your authority. Calls you sexist or demeaning?”

“Ah,” I say, ignoring the pink ruddiness on his cheeks. “I get it. Describing your flaws to the group is hard. Not being in control of your household is humiliating, but that’s why we’re here. To learn from one another.” I sit on the stool in the font of the classroom. A method I learned from Anex about presenting myself as understanding and compassionate. “Taking care of you family isn’t sexist. It’s not demeaning. It’s empowering. The Way shows us that time and time again, we revert to these roles, when we embrace our masculinity—and our positions of authority, the women in our lives feel safer. More secure.” I grin. “More intimate and loving.”

There’s a chuckle at my insinuation. I mean, what do I know about love and mates? Yet Anex said The Way was calling me to teach this men’s group. At least now I can draw on my experiences with Imogene.

She’s not my mate and God knows if I love her—but there’s something intense transpiring between us—something I can’t describe, but I try to use that now to educate the men in the group.

“Part of my role in Serendee is to guide and implement Correction. Currently I have one female that I am guiding through this process.” I exhale. “It hasn’t been easy, but what I’ve come to learn is that I give her what she needs—and sometimes that pushes me to my limits.”

Like the night with the knife. We pushed that so far, the boundary line snapped.

“Is it uncomfortable sometimes? Yes. But no one said following this way of life, following The Way, would be a cakewalk. We are given these roles as a challenge to ourselves and to those we guide—in Corrections, in Bonding, in any part of our lives in Serendee.”

“She doesn’t hate you for it?” Jacob, another member asks.

“No,” I reply. “Actually, now she comes to me—willingly—we even discuss how far things should go.” I look at Kenneth. “Show your mate your control, don’t just tell her. Be there for her. Help her though her Lapses. Those actions are what define us.”

He nods, seeming a little more confident and I use that as the opportunity to wrap up the class.

“Make sure you complete the worksheets for our next meeting.” I slide off the stool. “I’ll see you all next week.”

I straighten up while the men file out of the room, handing me their guide books on the way out. The building grows quiet. It’s evening and I should be the only one left, but I hear movement in the hallway and look up. To my surprise Anex stands in the doorway.

“Good evening, Levi.”

“Oh.” I stop what I’m doing, resting the stack of books on top of the shelf, and bow, touching my forehead. “I didn’t know anyone else was here.”

“Just doing a little last-minute work,” he says, entering the room. “Whenever we’re in a building phase, I tend to have more to check of my list.”

“The childcare center?” I ask. “I saw the construction the other day. Looks like it’s coming along.”

“Nicely,” he agrees. “That’s actually what I came here to talk to you about.”

I frown. “The childcare center?”

“Well, not exactly,” he says, walking over to the stool. He eases up and nods to a chair in the front row. “Take a seat, Levi.”

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