"It feels the same as 16." I spin my fork around in a circle with my free hand then look at Garth. "Did your mother happen to tell you when your birthday is?"
He takes a long drink of his lemonade. "Yeah."
"So, when is it?"
"Why do you want to know?" Garth asks with a playful gleam in his eye.
"I want to know if I'm older or younger than you."
"What will happen if I'm younger?"
"I—I don't know. Nothing I guess."
Garth smiles as he selects another roll. "Then you really don't need to know."
That little tease. I take my napkin off my lap, wad it into a ball and throw it at his face.
Garth lets go of my hand so he can catch the napkin. "Hey, now!"
"Tell me when your birthday is!"
Garth hands back my napkin. "Okay, okay. Only because today is YOUR birthday. My birthday is May 24th."
"Oh, good."
"What do you mean, ‘oh good'—you said it didn't matter."
"It doesn't."
"Here we are with some lovely blini and caviar."
"Thank you, Jeffrey," Garth says as he takes a little circle covered in orange goo balls off the tray and shoves it in his mouth. His teasing eyes never leave my face. Jeffrey leaves as quickly as he came. "Hmm. That orange goo is interesting. Try some." Garth takes a circle and puts it in my mouth.
My mouth twists around it. "It's not like anything I've ever tried before." I pick up another one and chew it slower this time. "What do you think the orange topping is?"
"I don't know. It's called caviar. It's probably a berry of some kind."
He picks up the last circle thing and takes a bite as Jeffrey returns with our entrees. My salmon looks and smells delicious. Our waiter asks, "Can I get you anything else?"
Garth swallows before asking, "My brain must be tired tonight, Jeffrey. I can't quite remember. Remind me what caviar is exactly."
"Fish eggs."
Garth's eyes bulge and he sets down the remaining half of the little circle he was about to eat. Jeffrey shuts the door and I burst out laughing. "So which do you dislike most, Garth? The fish or its eggs?"
•
After an eventful appetizer, our entrees are perfectly delicious. We talk very little because our mouths are too busy savoring each bite. "Elira, you have something on your chin, let me get it." Garth stands up so I stand up too. He leans in toward my chin and kisses me instead. Even my toenails feel the electricity between us. When we pull away I lay my head on his shoulder and smile when he wraps his arms around me.
"How do you like feeling normal, Garth?"
"Being with you is all the normal I need."
"Can you remember being separated by glass?"
He plays with my hair gently. "I could never do it again. Not now that I know what I'm missing. He guides my chin up with his finger to kiss me again. Knock, knock.
We startle away from each other. I find my voice somehow. "Come in." My smiling dad opens the door and enters with my equally smiley mother.
"I've already paid, so we can go if you two are ready."
I look at Garth who looks back at me like I'm the most beautiful person on earth before kissing my hand. My voice struggles to surface yet again. "We—we're ready. Thank you so much, Da—octor Hamble. It was a lovely date and birthday."
Jeffrey is waiting behind my parents and hears what I say. "Is it your birthday? I should have brought you a crème brulee on the house."
"Oh, no. I couldn't eat another bite. Thank you anyway."
Jeffrey looks at me like I'm crazy. "Not many people turn that down. Have a happy birthday anyway, Miss."
"Thank you." I should have kept my mouth shut. It's probably public record that Elira Hamble's birthday is June 19th.
My father claps Jeffrey on the shoulder as we leave. "Jeffrey, next time you're on our side of town, remember to pick up that back brace I was telling you about."
"You are too kind, Doctor Hamble. Thank you."
We follow my parents as they lead the way to the front door.
"Does Jeffrey know where we live?"
My father doesn't bat an eye. "Yes. His mother had me fit him for a back brace when he started this job 10 years ago. He says his old one is wearing out. I offered to give him a new one."
"Oh." I don't tell my father that I don't feel comfortable having him at the house, especially since Garth almost said my name and he knows today is my birthday.
Mother squeezes my arm as our car is brought back to us. "We have one stop we need to make before we head home. I hope you don't mind. Greggory needs some money to pay his rent. We're going to drop off a check to him at his work."
"Is it an hour away?"
"No, but it is a half hour away. Is that okay?"
I look into Garth's gorgeous eyes and squeeze his hand. "Sure. We're in no hurry."
I snuggle into the back seat with Garth and enjoy the sensation of his hand intertwined with mine. I'm perfectly happy in the comfortable silence of the ride until I see a gigantic building looming ahead. I sit up taller as I feel the breath leave my body and my pulse start to race. "Mother, is that—is that the complex?"
Mother turns around and reaches for my hand. "No, not quite yet. I'm sorry, I should have warned you. That first one is the Complex for the Elderly." I see a giant concrete sign that confirms my mother's story. Immediately next to the building is a large hill. I don't have to ask anything more about that hill. I don't want to imagine how many of my friends are buried in it. Mother's eyes fill with concern as she points her head out the window and says, "Elira, that mammoth monolith up there is your complex."
I watch the building get bigger as we get closer. I can't believe how little of it I must have occupied. It is bigger than my parents' whole neighborhood. There is one light on each of the many sides of the building. My bedroom window was near one of those lights. I can even see guards dressed in white suits pacing in front of those lights. I let go of Garth's hand and start scratching my arms. Yuck. It disgusts me from the very center of my being. I feel like the aura of the complex is pulling on my soul, beckoning me to go back to where I belong. "It's not my complex," I say through gritted teeth. The matching concrete sign mocks me as we drive past; my lips barely part as I read aloud, "The Complex of Undesirables."
Garth turns my face away from my former prison. "Elira, don't dwell on it. We're out. Don't let it ruin your birthday." My body stays tense until I can't see the giant concrete work house anymore.
I let out a long breath. "Okay, I won't." Mother lets go of my hand and turns around. I take Garth's hand in mine again. "Dad, can we take a different road on the way back?"
My father's voice is accommodating and apologetic. "Yes, darling. Absolutely."
We arrive at the National News Station five minutes later. The tension has left my body and I'm ready for the distraction my brother will bring. Greggory must have been watching for us because he runs out the door to meet us. Mother rolls the window down and hands Greggory a check.
Greggory gapes at us through the open window. "Well, well, well. Aren't we looking fancy tonight? Is this a new car?"
Father shrugs. "It's Elira's birthday, and she wanted to go on her first date."
Greggory leans in to see me better. "Very nice. Where did you go?"
My mother shows Greggory the program from the opera. "We took them to the opera and to The Ritz for dinner."
Greggory bursts out laughing. He doubles over, unable to contain himself. I don't know what's so funny but he can't get a grip on himself. He moves his hands from his knees to the roof of the car to brace himself. He finally finds words. "You took—two teenagers to the opera and The Ritz for their first date?"
Moth
er looks confused. "Yes..."
"You two are so—I'm not going to say it. Next time, instead of taking them to your favorite places, take them bowling or miniature golfing with pizza afterward."
I don't know what he is talking about, but it sounds fun. I think my dad is mad or embarrassed because he starts rolling up the window. "Have a good night, Greggory." Greggory is still laughing as he waves and walks back to the news building.
My parents are quiet for a few minutes as we get back on the road. My mom eventually clears her throat. "I'm sorry if the opera was boring for you. I was hopeful that you would like it."
I reach over the seat and squeeze her shoulder. "I did! Thank you, Mom. This has been the best birthday ever."
She looks down and fumbles with her purse. "Well, it's the only birthday that you can remember celebrating, so that isn't saying much."
I can't let her feel bad about the date. "I liked getting dressed up and seeing all the people and performers tonight. Don't be sad."
Mother turns around to look at me. "You are the most easygoing daughter a mother could have. I think Greggory has a point though. The next date you have will be more age appropriate. I forget how fun it is to be young and—wild."
Dad takes Mom's hand. "They are still wanted people, honey. I think we did the best we could tonight to give them a new experience without too much risk." Mother squeezes Dad's hand appreciatively.
We pull into the garage and Dad shuts off the car. We sit in silence for a moment. "What do you think of this car, Elira?"
I look around the inside of the car. "I think it's nice."
Dad takes the key out of the ignition and hands it to me. "It's yours. Happy Birthday."
I am in complete and utter shock. I just sit there with my mouth gaping open looking at the key in my hand. Garth nudges me. "Say something."
"Thank you! I can't believe you just gave me a car. I don't even know how to drive!"
Father smiles at me. "We gave your brothers their first cars when they were 17. I'll teach you how to drive. I have a friend who owns 100 acres of land on the desert south of here. I can take you there to practice on private land. It's the best I can do."
"Thank you!" I jump out of the car and open my dad's door to give him a hug. I give Mom a hug right after that. They seem just as happy as I feel. I will never forget this night.
Garth smiles at me and looks at my key. "Will you let me drive it someday?"
"Yes!"
Garth fingers the little key with his big hand. "You need a keychain like Ernestine's so you don't lose this. I'll make you one."
"Thank you, Garth."
Everyone else is in bed when we walk in. Mom and Dad give me one last hug and whisper, "Happy Birthday," as they walk up the stairs.
Garth walks me to my bedroom door. "Can I give you a goodnight kiss?"
"Yes." The word is barely through my lips when his lips find mine.
Our foreheads stay touching for just a moment after we pull away. "Thank you for going on a date with me, Elira. Sorry if my breath is a little fishy."
We both crack up. I cover my mouth so I don't wake anyone up. "Good night, Garth."
"Good night, Elira."
I slip into my room and close the door. Avra is sound asleep but she left the lamp on the bedside table on for me. I see a folded-up piece of paper on the ground. I pick it up and unfold it. It's a letter.
Elira,
I'm sorry I didn't know it was your birthday until later. I hope it was all you wanted. I hope you're happy with him. Happy Birthday.
Don't forget me,
Jefrey
Chapter 19
The soapy suds in the sink feel rejuvenating as I wash the lunch dishes by hand. The dishwasher upstairs is broken, so I want to wash all the household dishes by hand, even Cook Freda's. She dirtied a lot of dishes on my behalf yesterday and I want to pay her back. Mother insists that if I'm going to wash that many dishes, then she's going to dry them. Freda is helping Avra make cookies to take to her parents' house tonight as we speak.
"I haven't dried dishes for years. It's kind of fun when you have a daughter to do it with." Mom smiles and bumps me with her hip. "How did you like your birthday and your date?"
I hope my face shows the happiness I felt the whole day yesterday. "I loved it, Mom. Thank you. I can't believe you gave me that beautiful car. I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd own a car. You are such a wonderful person and I'm proud that you're my mom."
Mom blushes at the praise. "You deserve the world, darling."
I carefully wash a sharp knife with a soapy dish rag. "Mom, I feel—anxious today. I'm not sure why. It might be because so much of our revolutionary plan hinges on my brothers following through. I'm not so sure they will."
"I think they will. Greggory has been inspired by you, Elira. He wants to make a difference in the world. He told me himself before he left the other day."
"I have seen a huge change in him. I'm less worried about him than Brock."
"Dad was there when Chantilly had her ultrasound. He saw something that makes him believe Brock will be anti-complex soon."
I hand the knife carefully to my mom. "Oh no. That is terrible news."
"It's sad that there is a defect, but defects can help build character, don't you think?"
I think about that for a second. "Well, mine have. I guess you're right."
"Sometimes I wonder if Chantilly or Brock had a physical flaw, if they would be more—Anyway?"
"Mom, there's another thing on my mind. Are you nervous about Avra visiting her parents tonight?"
"Yes, I am."
I wipe my hands on a dishtowel. "Do you think a parent would sell their child for $100,000?"
"I wouldn't, but I've never tasted poverty, so I don't know how tempted they will be."
"I feel terrible because I told Avra that the rest of us can't go; it's too risky. She was a little bit disappointed, but I think she understands."
"Ernestine will drop her off at six. I just hope she's there when Ernestine comes back to pick her up at nine."
I throw a wet dish rag into the sink in exasperation. "I can't believe we're questioning her parents' love. This is crazy. I'm sure she'll be fine—Right?"
"I—I'm glad you believe in them."
"I'm just trying to be optimistic."
•
I plop down on the bed next to Avra. "Are you ready for tonight?"
She shrugs. "My cookies turned out nice. Will you braid my hair?"
"Sure." I walk over to her side of the bed and start picking through her hair. "You'll be outside at 9:00 tonight to be picked up, right? Oh, and don't let Ernestine drive home immediately if you think you're being followed. Try to lose them."
"Yes, I know. We've been over this a million times."
I feel bad that I've been hounding her so much. I just can't shake this terrible feeling. "I bet your sister, Roselle, will love you like she's never loved anyone before."
"I hope so," Avra says quietly.
"You don't seem excited."
Avra squeezes a pillow to her chest. "I am. I'm just nervous."
You and me both, my friend.
I finish her hair, then leave her to nap before the party with her parents. As I exit our room, I see Jefrey walking out the door by himself with some dollar bills in his hand.
I approach Ernestine. "Why is Jefrey leaving the house by himself?"
"He wanted to go buy a bag of potato chips at the convenience store. He said he wanted the chance to get it right."
I smack my forehead with my palm. "Since when do we allow people to leave the house alone for frivolous reasons?"
"We've been letting Scott visi
t his parents alone the last week, and the convenience store is closer than that. I don't see what the big deal is."
"Is Scott at his parents' house right now?"
"Yes..."
"Did Jefrey bring up Scott when he asked permission to go?"
"Yes—Why?"
Knock, knock. I rush to the hidden door behind the bookshelf. Rocky, Garth, and Avra are right behind me. We click the door into place and press our ears to it. Garth smiles at me and puts his arm around me. "You seem tense."
"Yeah. I am." The voice we hear belongs to Rocky's dad, Frank. False alarm, I guess. Ernestine lets us out.
Frank smiles at us and admires the handiwork of the hidden door. I cringe inside. We don't know him well enough to show him our ultimate hiding place. Ernestine, what are you thinking?
Frank puts one hand on Rocky's shoulder, and the other hand on Garth's shoulder. "I need to borrow some muscle today. Are you two men up for hauling some plywood for me?"
Rocky and Garth look at each other then turn to Ernestine. She sees the pleading in Rocky's eyes and nods. Garth says, "Yeah, sure. We can do that." I let out a huff of breath. Garth looks at me curiously.
Frank nods. "Do you have time now? When we get it all done, I'll order pizza. How does that sound?" I huff again. Frank turns to me. "Do you want to come, young lady? Your girlfriend can come too."
Avra shakes her head instantly. "No, I am meeting my family on Roller Street today."
I mentally slap myself on the forehead. I don't want to go either. I just think we're getting a little bit too casual around here. "Frank—is it okay if I call you that?" He nods at me. "We have a bounty on our heads; we have to be careful."
He smiles at me. "I know, I know all about the bounty. I'll take good care of these guys. Are you going to come?"
I shake my head. "No, some other time. Thank you."
"All right, time's a wastin'. Let's go, boys."
I hug Garth a little bit longer than usual before he leaves. He still seems puzzled by my nervous reaction. I don't have time to explain. Garth signs to me as he leaves. Don't worry about us. I love you.
I freeze to my spot as those three little words change my whole being. Mother closes the door and looks at me curiously. "Was that sign language? What did he say?"
The Complex Law: Young Adult Dystopian Page-Turner (The Complex Trilogy Book 2) Page 15
