Dwindle: Populations Crumble: Book 1

by K. A. Gandy

  “Yessss!” Beth-Ann practically shouts, and we all start opening drawers until we find the silverware. Once we’ve all got a slice slathered with butter, she asks, “You weren’t planning to deliver this to one of your man-friends, were you?”

  I snort, “Nope, not really. Just needed to get my mind off things for a while. I guess I could take them each a piece. I’m meeting three of them for dinner in a few minutes.”

  Beth-Ann takes a bite and groans loudly, “This is the best thing I’ve eaten in a week. Maybe longer. Think Phil would mind if I married you instead?”

  Nell ignores Beth-Ann and her food love affair, “I’m not sure if I’m jealous that you have so many choices, or feel sorry for you having to deal with it all. Atlas is kind of scary, but at least there aren’t six more of him to contend with.”

  “Atlas, huh? Do you like him? Jo seemed to be a pretty big fan this morning.” I say, remembering her look of terror when they were first introduced. I am getting the feeling Nell has had a hard life so far, but I don’t want to pry if she isn’t ready to share.

  She looks hesitant, and takes another bite of her cornbread before answering, “I mean, he’s been perfectly civil so far. No red flags or anything.”

  It’s Beth-Ann’s turn to snort, “No red flags? What are you expecting, him to come right out and say he sucks as a human?”

  Nell looks indignant, “No, of course not! But I trust my gut. And if my gut says I can’t trust a man, I stay as far away from him as possible. So far, he seems okay.”

  “I know what you mean—one of my matches keeps looking at me like a piece of meat. Honestly I’m not sure why—or what to do with James,” I admit. “My first instinct was to release him immediately, but I thought it would be rude to not have a single conversation with him first. First impressions can be misleading, right?”

  She looks concerned, “Is he one of the ones coming to the dinner tonight?”

  I nod, “Honestly at this point I’m glad it’s not a one-on-one with him. Speaking of, I should probably head over there.” I look at the cornbread, and decide to take it. Can’t hurt, right? If a man doesn’t like my cornbread I don’t think we’re destined to be soul mates.

  Beth-Ann grabs my arm, “Wait, I need another piece before you take that.” She hastily scoops it out, looking triumphant. I just chuckle and make my way to the dining room. The entryway to the main hall is quiet and empty, save one guard who doesn’t even look at me as I enter.

  The host greets me in a sedate tone, “Good evening, ma’am. Right this way. I believe one of your suitors is already here. What is that you have there?”

  I follow him towards the table, “Oh, just some cornbread. I had some free time this afternoon and felt like baking.”

  “Well, it smells delicious. Could I take that to the kitchen and allow them to plate it for you?”

  “Sure, I guess that would be good.” I hand over the pan.

  We arrive at a table for four and find Matthew already seated. “Here you are, and I hope you enjoy your evening.” He walks towards the kitchen with a flourish.

  Matthew stands and pulls out a chair for me, “Good evening Sadie, thank you for accepting my dinner invitation.”

  “Of course. I’m looking forward to an opportunity to get to know you better,” I say as I sit.

  “The feeling is mutual, especially after we got interrupted at our very first meeting,” he states.

  Well, he doesn’t beat around the bush. That’s okay in my book, “Yes, that was quite a night.” I decide to take charge for once, unlike my first dates. “So, I’d love to know some of what your expectations are in a wife. Are you looking for someone to move to York? Someone who wants a career or who wants to stay home? Anything I should know about you and your needs?”

  He leans back and rubs his jaw lightly. “Excellent questions. I would love someone who was willing to live in York, at least part time. I understand your family is here, and your family business. I’d be willing to work something out where you spend part of the year here, and part of the year in York. I wouldn’t expect you to cut ties with your family and never see them again if that’s what you’re worried about. As far as a career, I’m open to whatever, once the kids are older. There are excellent schools and several industries in York that a woman might find appealing, but if you’d prefer to raise kids and enjoy the finer things in life, I’ll make it my mission to provide them for you. As far as my needs, well, everything is negotiable except a commitment. If you’re with me, I won’t accept anything less than one hundred percent.”

  Wow, he’s really thought about how this could work. I can appreciate that.

  He leans forward intently, “What about you, what are your expectations in a husband? Are you expecting someone to move here to Georada and become a cowboy?”

  I roll my eyes at his exaggeration, “No, I don’t expect anyone to give up his career to become a cowboy. Being close to my family is a high priority, for sure. I hope to find a true partnership, like my parents have. I want to be treated and seen as an equal in the relationship. As far as the finer things in life, I don’t need all of that. As long as we are safe and taken care of, the rest is just details.”

  Matthew looks thoughtful, but before he can say anything else a host brings Antonio and James to the table. James settles himself in the chair next to me while Antonio stops to give me a brief hug. His long brown hair falls forward and he sweeps it back with his hand as he takes the seat across from me.

  “How are you, Sadie dahlin’?” Antonio asks, and I am instantly enamored with his Northeastern accent.

  “I’m good. How are you, Antonio?”

  “Better now that I’m here,” he says with a playful grin.

  James cuts him a derisive look, “I think we’re all happy to be here.”

  “Down, boy. It’s not a contest,” Matthew says drily.

  James leans forward, crowding into my space, “Really? You don’t think this is a contest? What would you call it, then?”

  Matthew glances at me and sees me leaning back to try to keep from coming into contact with James’s elbow. “I’d call it the beginnings of a relationship, and I think you’d do well to remember that. But, if you can’t, more’s the better for the rest of us.”

  I stay silent, not wanting to weigh in on this exchange. I can see more of their personalities coming out now that they’re interacting with each other, as opposed to the smooth façade they save for me.

  Antonio clears his throat, “So, Sadie, Matthew, what were you discussing before we interrupted?”

  Matthew changes gears smoothly, “We were discussing our needs in a spouse. Sadie laid out some really important information. She doesn’t expect us to become cowboys, but she’d like to stay close to her family.” He gives me a wink.

  I can’t help but smile back at his charm.

  “Sounds about right,” I agree, “But also it’s extremely important to me to be treated as a partner, and an equal in whatever relationship I choose.”

  Antonio is intent on my answer, “Those are important things to find in a life mate. How’d you get to be so wise for such a young thing?” he teases.

  “Uh, just watching my parents I suppose. They were high school sweethearts, and I’ve always admired their relationship.” I’m not so good at flirting, so they’ll just have to accept honesty. I guess it’s for the best they know that up front.

  “So, what, you’ve got some romantic fantasy you’re clinging to? You do realize that reality is different now than it was then, right?” James says with annoyance.

  I look down at my lap, trying to rein in my anger before answering. He must take it as me feeling chastised because he rushes on before I can answer.

  “There’s more to choosing a spouse than childish whims. A person’s career, power, and where they can take you in life are much more significant.”

  Childish, really? I think angrily, “If you find me so childish, I guess you’ll be happy for me to release
you back into the eligibility pool. I wouldn’t want you to get stuck with me if that’s how you feel.” I bite out, trying to keep an even tone.

  He looks shocked, “Are you serious? Do you have any clue who I am, little girl?” He gets louder, half rising from his seat. “I am the youngest assistant justice in the tri-state, and I’m on track to be the justice before I’m forty! I just need one of you idiots to be my incubator, so I can show voters that I’m a family man!” he seethes.

  Antonio and Matthew both stand, and James surges to his feet. I feel frozen, unsure of what to do with him blowing up like this. I briefly consider running to the other side of the table just to have some distance.

  “I think you need a little cooling off time, James,” Antonio says, hands raised in a reassuring gesture.

  “Yes, let’s take a little walk.” Matthew is less friendly.

  “Neither of you have any say in this! I have just as much right to be here with her as either of you!” James’s voice is an angry growl.

  Seemingly out of nowhere, Patrick appears. “What’s with all the commotion, James? You can either calm down or we can take this elsewhere.” His arms are crossed menacingly across his chest, showing off the well-defined muscles in his chest.

  “I am perfectly calm. I was just explaining to Sadie here,” he gestures to where I’m still seated, “that she shouldn’t be so hasty to release someone without understanding his background and what kind of life he can provide for her. The seven of us have wildly different means.” He looks down his nose at Patrick.

  Patrick ignores the obvious jab at him as the only working-class man I’m matched with, “Six of us, you mean. Asher’s already headed back to Saskerta Territories.”

  James whips his head around to me, clearly shocked I had the guts to dismiss someone already. He points a finger at my face, “You listen here, girlie, you might think you’re special, because you have so many matches, but you are just another woman. There are nine more of you in this program this week alone. You might get away with sending some back-country vet back to the middle of nowhere-ville, but I am not going to put up with that!”

  I have leaned back as far as I can in my chair—bumping into Matthew’s leg behind me—to keep James’s finger from actually jabbing me, when in the next instant—it’s just gone. I snap my head up and see that Patrick has grabbed him by the collar of his suit, and snatched him away from me in one fluid movement. He pulls him up, nose to nose, “I think what you need is a lesson on how to talk to ladies with civility and respect.” His voice is eerily calm.

  I finally feel my joints unfreeze and jump to my feet, “Patrick, don’t do anything to get yourself in trouble! He’s not worth it!”

  Patrick doesn’t loosen his grip, but turns to give me a reassuring look, “Don’t worry about me, Sadie. I’m just going to take James here to the captain’s office so he can be reminded of the conduct agreement he signed when he applied for this program. Assuming you don’t want to spend any more time with him?”

  “Definitely not.” I say with a shake of my head.

  “I’ll give you a hand,” Matthew says icily.

  Patrick and Matthew haul James out by his collar, over his loud protests, “This is ridiculous! I paid good money to be here, and get matched with that spoiled cow!” The door closes behind them, but he can still be heard even from the hallway, “You have no right to put your hands on me, you are nobody, and I will squash you like a bug!” There is a dull sound, and then a loud thump as if someone’s fallen to the floor.

  I look over with concern at Antonio, and he comes around and clasps my hand between his. “Hey, it’s okay dahlin’, he’s in over his head with those two. Why don’t you sit down for a second, and I’ll get you some water.”

  I realize I’m shaking lightly with the feeling of adrenaline pulsing through me, so I take his suggestion and sit back down. He pours a glass of water and presses it into my shaking hands, so I take a small sip. “Incubator? Cow? Dumb child? Is that what you all think of us?” My eyes are beginning to water.

  He rushes to disagree, “No! Sadie, that guy is a pompous jerk who thinks way too highly of himself. You are none of those things. You hear me? Not one.”

  I set my glass of water down carefully, but my heart isn’t in this date anymore. Our waiter arrives with a tray containing four elegant plates with slices of my cornbread. He looks pointedly at the vacated seats before setting a piece in front of Antonio and me.

  “What’s this?” Antonio asks, noting the deviation from the usual bread basket.

  The waiter sniffs, “The lady made it for you this evening, I’m sure she’d be delighted to tell you all about it.” He turns sharply and leaves us as abruptly as he arrived.

  “You made this?” Antonio asks, “What kind of bread is it?”

  “You’ve never had cornbread before, really?” I can’t help but chuckle, grateful for the distraction of his confused reaction giving me something else to focus on. These northerners—what do they even know about good food?

  “No, never. It smells good, though. Is it a fork situation or a “pick it up” situation?” he asks with a hint of excitement.

  “However you’d like, but I recommend a hearty slather of butter.” I push the butter dish towards him, and he loads it up before taking a big bite off his fork.

  He chews contemplatively for a moment, “This is pretty good! It’s different, but not bad.”

  I clasp my hands to my heart, “Not bad? Oh my word. It’s my special recipe cornbread and all you can say is ‘not bad?’”

  He laughs at my dramatics and I give him a warm smile in return.

  The rest of our meal passes uneventfully, but Matthew, Patrick, and James never return. When we’re finished, Antonio offers to walk me back to the dormitory, which I accept. He places his hand on the small of my back as we walk along the short path in the fading twilight.

  “I’ll give them one thing, it’s beautiful here.” I gesture to the scenery.

  “It’s gorgeous here,” he agrees. I turn and see he’s looking at me, not the grounds. Blushing, I look down and away.

  “Ah, don’t get shy on me dahlin’. It’s the truth! Will you sit on the porch with me for a while? There’s something important I’d like to discuss with you,” he says as we ascend the steps to my temporary home.

  “Sure, of course. What would you like to talk about?”

  He leads me to the swing mounted at the end of the porch, facing more of the verdant rolling hills. “Well, it’s something about my past that I think you need to know to make your decision.” He pauses, “I’m a father. I have a daughter; she’s eleven years old.”

  “Oh, wow. What’s her name?” I’m not sure what else to ask.

  “Gianna. She’s the light of my life, and everything I do is for her.” He smiles in adoration, and I believe him. He holds up a phone and shows me a picture of a beautiful young girl, with rich brown hair and eyes. She’s smiling and holding a soccer ball.

  “Oh, she’s gorgeous!” I exclaim. Then a thought hits me, “If you don’t mind my asking, where is her mom?”

  His face falls slightly, “Her mother and I were set up by our parents through a matchmaking service, and she died in childbirth from complications. Gianna never got to meet her, but I do my best to keep her memory alive.”

  I put my hand on his arm to comfort him, “I’m so sorry. That must have been really awful for both of you.” I can’t imagine growing up without one of my parents, the poor girl.

  “It was hard, and I’ve done my best to give my girl the world. But, you see, she’s growing up. Her life is going to go through so many changes in the next few years, and I feel like there are some things that she needs a mother for, you know?”

  I nod, “Being a teenager is hard on a girl.”

  “I’m sure you know that better than I do. I know it’s a lot to ask, you being so young and all. But my girl needs someone to be there for her, tell her how to become a good woman. Someone
who can answer her questions. Is that something you’d consider?”

  He’s really putting it on the line for me, and I respect that. But, am I ready to be a mother to an eleven-year-old girl? I don’t know the first thing about mothering yet; I always assumed I’d get the benefit of starting with a baby and working my way up. “Thank you for being honest with me,” I start, “I don’t really know anything about being a mom to an eleven-year-old, which I’m sure isn’t a surprise to you.”

  He’s quick to answer, “Of course, you’re still young yourself. I just need to know if you’re willing to consider it. Give me a shot, give us a shot. Family is the most important thing to me, Sadie. My girl, I’d pull the moon down and hand it to her if she asked. But all she wants is a mother, so I have to try to find her one. I can tell that you’re kind, and smart. I’m just asking you to consider this.”

  In the moment, I’m unsure but I can’t kill his hopes. “Okay, I’ll consider it. I’m not making any promises, and I’m sure we’ll have a lot to discuss. But, we’ll keep getting to know each other; give it some time to see if we might be a good fit.”

  Relief floods his face, “Thank you, Sadie. I won’t keep you out here all night.” He leans forward and presses a kiss to my forehead before making his way back to the stairs, and disappearing into the night. I sit for a long while, just thinking and staring off into the distance. When it’s fully dark, I make my way upstairs and find my tablet. Kicking off my shoes, I drop onto the bench at the end of my bed, and pull up the Bachelor Book app. Six men pop up, all staring into my soul from the screen. I click on Pierce, and invite him to breakfast with me tomorrow morning. Then I select James, and release him back into the pool. Goodbye, and good riddance. Some other unfortunate woman can be your incubator.

  Rendezvous

  I take a glorious shower, then slip into my comfiest PJ set. My mom bought it for me for Christmas last year and it has pink bows all over it. I quickly brush my hair, and pull it into a loose braid. Settling down onto the bed, I roll over to check my mini-tablet to see what’s scheduled for tomorrow and see a notification alert. I bet it’s Pierce, accepting my breakfast invite.