Marigold

by Heather Mitchell Manheim

  At one point, Davis felt foolish for another reason. She could not believe she had not thought it before, but how did she know she could trust Ringo, Namaguchi, et al.? What proof did she have that they were honest? How did Davis know they were not just in a power grab for themselves? Even if they were honorable, they never disclosed to her what the plan was for after Everett fell. Did they even have a plan? Were their motives any better than Brookshire’s? She thought with shock. Even if they had a great idea, Brookshire, the turncoat, was still well, good, and off scot-free, as far as Davis knew.

  After four pebbles, she stopped eating the one nutrition biscuit she was being given. She felt dirty and disgusting; her hair was oily and in mattes. She had not been allowed to shower and was even still in her wedding dress. Davis always felt cold and dirty; her hurt toe had not been tended to. She had torn off a few layers of the skirt and used the crinoline to make a bed and pillow of some sort, as the cell was without one.

  There was a tear in her dress sleeve. Davis hadn’t realized it at the time, but Everett must have pulled at the lace overlay as he went over, ripping the fabric. It bothered her emotionally, this reminder of her sin, of her ferocious attack. A jagged chasm between cloth and skin; she looked at it daily, and it settled into her soul. She had been able to clean her hands, arms, and face a little bit; her cell had a small bubbling fountain, intended to be both her shower and her drinking water. It tasted vile, though, and she only used it to drink when she felt parched and to clean what she could on her face and body.

  When the fifth pebble got moved to the pile, Davis started to think of how she could kill herself. She could simply stop eating or drinking water. But she didn’t know if she had the strength to do that. As thirst and hunger plagued her, she greedily ate without thought when her one meal a day arrived. The “bathroom” they provided her was simply a deep hole in the ground. It looked endless; Davis dropped a pebble to see if she could hear it fall, and she could not. Although it would be unpleasant to plunge herself down it, she imagined it would be quick; as soon as she hit bottom, that should be it. She felt like the opening was on the narrow side, though, and while the corset and bodice still pinched her waist, she didn’t want to get stuck in the hole halfway down.

  The cell didn’t even have the benefit of blue light. It was dark and dimly lit with a few old broken crane candlesticks and electric candles, some no longer emitting light. Davis thought at one time those candleholders were so beautiful; now they just looked like the twisted, broken mess that she felt like her life had become.

  Davis was just about to put the sixth pebble in the pile when she was startled by the door opening suddenly. In walked her mom, Ruby.

  ~

  “Oh, my dear…what did you do? What did you do?” Her mom rushed toward her. Thankfully, her mom had brought a bucket with water and a cloth. Ruby started cleaning Davis’s face and hands, dunking the fabric until both the water and cloth were filthy, and there was no more progress to be accomplished. It hadn’t made much of a difference, but her mom helped her, which made her feel better. Her mom brought a pair of jodhpurs and a tunic she could change into, and after Ruby loosened the back of the dress and the corset, that was what Davis did. She noticed they were not the fancy jodhpurs and tunic the presidential wives wore and that Ruby herself was now wearing. But they were clean, and she was grateful. And so far, she didn’t have a stunning record of being Everett’s wife, so it made sense. Her mom had also brought her socks for her feet.

  “I don’t know, mom. I’m sorry. I never meant to do something so drastic or put you in this position. I don’t want you to be implicated in this crime because you came to see me. Why did they allow you to see me?”

  “I’m friendly with the jailer. He doesn’t usually have anybody around, so he comes around and talks to all the ladies, but Amelia—” This startled Davis that this was the name her mom used, and she interrupted.

  “Is he dead?”

  Ruby paused, and a look of sadness washed over her face. “Yes, he died from his injuries,” her mother said morosely. “Amelia, there is talk. Duffy and Namaguchi came in and said that President Everett was brainwashing us. With the Marigold Injection! I just don’t know; it seems so absurd. They… Is it even possible? I don’t think so. I’ve felt pretty ill for a few days; they’re not giving the Marigold Injection anymore. And I was due the day after the wedding.”

  “Do you feel better now?”

  “A little, but not much. It’s not just me, though. Many people are sick.”

  “Has anyone died?”

  “No, nobody besides President Everett.”

  “So, mom, I think it’s true what Namaguchi and Duffy are saying. I don’t have all the answers, but the government told me you died as I was growing up. And, you were told I died. I don’t think Everett has been truthful.” Davis then relayed all the information she had learned at the bunker. When she finished, she asked Ruby if she knew if she would be leaving jail or if she would be executed.

  “Namaguchi is working on it. It seems as if he’ll become the president. But you did assassinate the last president. It might be tricky.”

  “Can you send Namaguchi to see me? Please, I need to tell him something important.”

  “I’ll try, but nobody is supposed to see you right now. The jailer will be kinder to you now, though, as he knows who you are. Can you tell me, in case I can’t get Namaguchi down here?”

  “Just tell him Brookshire was the one who destroyed our first plan, that any trust in him is misplaced.”

  “Oh dear…if what you say is true, we might have trouble. Namaguchi is proposing that Brookshire should be his second-in-command.”

  “Tell him, mom, please…tell him.”

  Before Ruby walked out, she hugged Amelia and left with the promise she would speak to Namaguchi.

  The jailer came in soon after with an additional biscuit, clean glasses and a pitcher of drinking water, and a clean wash bucket and cloth.

  ~

  Amelia did not have to wait much longer. She only moved three more pebbles into the pile when Namaguchi came to see her. He spoke first, “Davis, I’m sorry you were kept here, like this. I was trying my best to get you out. But, many of the officials were fighting for your execution. Now that everybody is pretty much off the brain control drug, and Ringo and his family, as well as everybody in the bunkers, have come out and started telling their stories, people are starting to see the truth.”

  “Did Ruby and Duffy tell you about Brookshire?” Amelia asked nervously.

  “Yes, they did, I never imagined…” Namaguchi was nervous and sad. “I would have never put you in the position if I thought, for a minute, he was capable of what he did.” Davis noticed a glistening in Namaguchi’s eyes, and while she was too tired to appreciate it fully, she felt a stirring in her heart. “By the way, the reason I didn’t come to see you earlier was that I was negotiating your release. It was part of the terms I couldn’t see you until everything became finalized.”

  “It’s okay, I understand.”

  “Everybody had to be off the brain control drug, too.”

  “Of course, I can sympathize with the detox; it doesn’t put you in any position to make decisions.”

  “Look, also as part of the negotiation, we didn’t have any proof of what Brookshire did. And he still has some supporters on the newly formed board. And while I didn’t want him to be vice president, some of the new officials pushed it. And, well, I was trying to negotiate to get you out. So, I supported that position in the end.”

  “So, will he be…?”

  “Yes, I had to give in to get you out. But we have an eye on him now, we know him, and I’ll only have a short interim trial presidency and vice presidency. After a few months, when things are more sorted, we’ll have a real election. If I run, he most certainly will not be my vice president selection. If I don’t run, because
I’m not sure at my age if I want this responsibility, I will not endorse him.”

  “What about everybody else?”

  “It’s tricky. We have to regain the trust of everyone. Being off the brain control will help, but it will take time and patience. We’re trying to make the transition as easy as possible. Pods will remain open for a while until people decide where they want to live, what career they may want—time to reunite with family and friends. Also, private housing needs to have services restored so people can start moving back into their previous homes if they want. All the staff and wives in the Palace will be living here until we get the specifics worked out. Everett had many, many children too; some are adults now, and it needs to get sorted out. Nobody will be punished for the crimes of their father. Especially given the control he had.”

  “Ok. And not to be selfish, but what will happen to me?”

  “That’s the best part, Davis. After what you and Ruby went through, you’ll be special advisors on a new board that we’re setting up. You are welcome to stay at the Palace, too. And full transparency, it doesn’t escape us that it is good publicity to have your mom and yourself on the board. But, because of what happened to you two, we’re genuinely interested in your story and ideas, too, Davis.”

  “Thank you, Namaguchi, thank you! I don’t even really know how to express my gratitude. Can we get out of here now, though?”

  “Yes, Davis. With pleasure, and I’ll escort you to the shower. You can clean up, and then, well, you’re free.”

  “Just one more thing, Namaguchi.”

  “Yes?”

  “My name is Amelia,” she said with a smile and a glint in her eye.

  October 22, 2056 – Brookshire

  Brookshire sat at his security desk, straightening up and packing a small box of his items. There was not much but a few things. The picture of President Everett and himself he’d toss out, no reason to keep that, he thought. He opened the box that came back with him from quarantine; on top was a picture of stick figures dancing. He crumbled it up and threw it in the trash bin. There was no reason to keep that; there was no time to be sentimental even if he wanted to be; the vice president’s office was waiting for him.

  As he packed, he kept an eye on a closed-circuit security television where he watched Davis and Namaguchi in the prison cell. She played right into my hands! he thought. True, he hadn’t been sure she’d have enough grit to murder Everett, but when he convinced Ruby to give her the knife, he thought he’d made it simple enough. It surprised him a little that it didn’t play out as he had imagined, but it didn’t matter to him; Everett was dead, and his hands were clean. That was the goal. He smiled to himself at how easy it had been to convince Davis he was interested in having a relationship with her. He would have; maybe that’s why the part was so easy to play. But that’s not what the ultimate goal was. He hadn’t disclosed that he wanted to be president in the gymnasium because it wouldn’t have served him. But, of course, he wanted to be president, and now the pathway was clear. Just to kill that old goat, Namaguchi, now, Brookshire thought, feeling very proud of how his plan came together. It all came together beautifully!

  He turned off the security screen and turned toward his computer. Taking one last look at his email, he noticed the screen glitched a little bit. He slapped the side of it and decided he didn’t care if it broke or not; it wasn’t his problem anymore. Brookshire resolved he would have someone come and get his property box tomorrow for him. I needn’t carry boxes anymore, he thought.

  As Brookshire walked outside, he took a moment before departing to stretch his back and congratulate himself one more time. He looked up at the full moon, pale behind gauzy clouds and hanging large and heavy in the sky. He thought it looked like a big white plum, ripe for his picking.

  The gears turned slowly in Brookshire’s head as if they were rusty and covered in a thick sludge. Finally, he realized, Ringo! The computer glitch! He’s hacking into my computer! Brookshire rushed back into his office and sat at his desk. He checked over his emails and saw in the sent files emails delivered to all the newly formed senate and congress members and the newspaper created to inform the public. The email was seemingly from him. Opening the email on top, he saw it was a confession—his confession—to organizing President Everett’s assassination and plans to assassinate Namaguchi and Davis next. His confession cited his immense guilt and refusal of the vice presidency. The letter was on Brookshire’s letterhead and had his signature at the bottom. He was not sure how Ringo had created the forgery, but it looked perfect. While it might not be enough to put him in prison, it would be enough to ruin his immediate political aspirations and soil his name.

  As the Security Patrols came in to arrest Brookshire, he realized sitting at the computer was the last thing he’d want to get caught doing right now. If he wanted to deny he sent the emails, sitting there would not assist his plea of innocence. But it was too late; he realized that. Then his face went as pale as the gauzy moonlight.

  October 22, 2056 – Amelia

  After her shower, Amelia put on clean clothing. It was still the jodhpurs and tunic, but she was okay with that. Mostly because afterward, she walked out of the Palace and felt the sun warm her face. Her mom was there, waiting to take her in a tight, long embrace. To her, the hug felt warmer than the sun that had just comforted her. Smiling, Amelia knew she now had time to get to know Ruby. Who knew what the future would bring? But the important thing was she would get to know her mother. She ached with a deep longing to love and protect her mom but also just to be Ruby’s daughter. Loved. Looked after. Adored. Mothered.

  Epilogue

  “What about you, Quinn?” asked Ana as they were cleaning out the bunker and getting ready to move back into the row of suburban houses that had already been cleaned and had power and water supplied. “You never really got a chance to meet anyone; Namaguchi took you when you were just fifteen. Have you ever thought of getting married and having children?”

  Quinn reflected and paused a few moments before answering. She realized it was the first time anyone had ever asked her what she felt about that. “I don’t know if I want children, honestly.” Quinn paused a moment to catch Ana’s reaction to this. She noticed Ana silently rub her stomach, which was just starting to swell with her third child. “I mean, I like children, and I know it would be good to repopulate the world with honest and good people. But I just don’t know if I would make a good mother.”

  Ana reached over and put her hand on top of Quinn’s. Quinn couldn’t help but feel the warmth that instantly comforted her and put butterflies in her stomach. Ana spoke slowly and with a determined look on her face. “You,” she said very sincerely, “would be a great mother. I can’t believe how different my life would be if you had not been here with me. You help me with my kids, plus your friendship is invaluable to me.” Ana stopped talking and looked down and over at their hands. There was an uncomfortable pause, and Quinn started to fidget. As she did, she pulled her hand away.

  All Quinn managed to say was “Well…” before her mind ran out of things to say. Ana replaced her hand over Quinn’s more firmly so she couldn’t pull it away. Very quietly, almost in a whisper, Ana said, “Your love too. That has been more than invaluable to me.” Quinn felt her cheeks get red.

  “I want you to know,” said Ana, “that I talked to Namaguchi. Between Ringo and his research, they found your family. The government relocated them to the east coast after Namaguchi took you.”

  Ana paused for Quinn to process the information. “They’re on cross-country transport to come here, and they will be here in a few days. They have detoxed and know what happened to you and why. Your sister is married, and you have a nephew.” Ana paused again, not entirely sure how to proceed, but it was clear she was happy for Quinn. “I know this is a lot to process, but I am here for you, and I will be with you when they get here if you want.”

>   “I would like that,” Quinn barely mumbled out. She put her head down in the hopes that Ana couldn’t see she was blushing deeply. “I only know one other thing I want, but I don’t think I can have it,” Quinn said, thinking her heart was about to jump out of her chest as the pounding reached her ears.

  Ana interjected, feeling protective of her dear Quinn. “That’s the other thing I wanted to talk to you about, something I also discussed with Namaguchi,” Ana said delicately. “He knows how close we are, and he also knows times are changing. Multiple wives may not be allowed anymore, and even if they keep it in place, he has other wives that he is fond of and loves. He did say I was his favorite, but because of that, he only wishes me—us—to be happy. He’ll, of course, always be a friend and part of our children’s lives, but he knows I don’t love him as I should. I’m fond of him; he’s been good to me, but it’s not right. I’m so much younger than him too. And I don’t know how else to tell you this, but I love you. I have loved you since I first met you. I think I know you love Cricket, but—”

  “NO! I do not love Cricket. I mean, she’s nice, a friend and pretty, but you, well, you’re YOU. You’re beautiful and amazing, and…”—very softly, almost inaudibly—“I love you too.” Quinn then did the only thing she could think of, which was to pull Ana into an embrace and kiss her with warm love and tenderness. After the kiss, Quinn rested her head down on Ana’s shoulder and nuzzled into her soft hair. She inhaled the scent and let it out with a deep sigh. It could be magic or destiny, Quinn wasn’t sure why sometimes two people just click, but Ana and herself, she knew it was pure kismet.