Aligned

by Jaci Wheeler

  “She does?” he asks, looking genuinely surprised.

  “Of course she does! How can you not know this?”

  “Who understands women? Certainly not me!” Dex throws his hands in the air.

  Well, he’s got me there. I for one sure don’t.

  “If you don’t think she cares for you, replace Karl with a beautiful woman for a week. Roz will breathe fire.” I see an evil glint in his eye and decide now would be a good time to shut my mouth. Dex must have read my mind or decided it was time to start plotting because he stands up.

  “Look at us sitting around talking about our feelings like a couple of girls. I need to go lift weights or something to get my manhood back.” He grins and walks out of my room.

  “Hey, Dex?” I call after him.

  “Yeah?”

  “Thanks.”

  “Any time, Wes. And for what it’s worth I think you found a keeper. Now it’s time for me to find a hot assistant.”

  Roz is going to kill me, but I think I made my first friend without her help, so I’m feeling pretty good.

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-ONE

  The next morning I walk with my roommates as usual to the Ministry. Out of habit I head up to the Career Department and run into Natasha.

  “Good morning, Wesley! I didn’t think we would be blessed with your presence again so soon since you already launched.”

  “I came up here out of habit, but there really isn’t a need for me is there?”

  “We can always use someone with your talents, Wes. Now that you’re done with the launch what are your plans? Have you given any more thought to your career choice?”

  Good question. I’m pretty sure besides Roz, Natasha is the only one of our friends who knows the Council wants me. Part of me feels maybe I should join them. It would be a few years of training to start with anyway, but a huge part of me is holding back. One of my biggest fears is of being inactive and not able to use my mind. I understand being on the Council is a huge honor and an important job, though at the same time I think it would bore me.

  “Earth to Wes? Are you there?”

  “Oh, sorry, what?”

  “I asked you if you were coming back with me.”

  “Oh right. Um, no you go on back, Natasha. I’m going to see Dex.”

  I head to Dexter’s office and am shown right in to see him.

  “Wes, to what do I owe this pleasure?” Dex asks with a knowing smile.

  “As I’m sure you know, the Career Department launched my program, so it looks as though I am officially done there. With Roz gone, she won’t be giving me any jobs to research for her, so I thought I’d come to you and see if there was a place that needs my expertise.”

  Dex sighs and rubs his forehead. All traces of our joking from last night are gone. I have learned this is a sign whatever comes next I’m not going to like.

  “Listen, Wes, while I understand why you are leery about joining the Council, you really would make a superb addition. Have you given any more thought to it?”

  It’s my turn to sigh now. “This is me we are talking about, Dex. Of course I’ve thought about it. Thought, agonized, charted, pro/con listed. I keep coming back to the fact that I thrive on discovery, research, developing, and creating. It doesn’t just make me happy, it’s like my air. The idea of sitting in a room all day every day passing laws or whatever it is you guys do makes my throat close and I break out in a rash just thinking about it.”

  “I get it, Wes, I really do. Some of the other members might not but if anyone understands I do. You’d be surprised how much Leon has filled them in about you and we all still believe that you would best serve on the Council.”

  I am about a second from banging my head on the desk. “And if I turn it down? Where will they place me?”

  “Wesley, that’s never happened before. There is absolutely no precedent because nobody has ever turned it down. Being chosen for Council is the highest honor you can get. We don’t want you to feel trapped and we understand your feelings on the matter, but the Council hasn’t changed and you can’t float around forever. Now that Roz is gone you literally no longer have a job position.”

  My throat feels like it’s going to close. He’s right. Without Roz here I technically don’t have anything to do. I can’t go from department to department begging for projects. Can I really give up everything I love, everything I am? I don’t realize until Dex comes up beside me and tells me to put my head between my legs that I am hyperventilating. I’m no stranger to panic attacks. Anytime my world seems out of my control I instantly spiral downwards. I look down at my fingers tapping out a rhythm on my leg, and noticed I am counting out loud. Once my breathing evens out I jump up and begin to pace, counting my steps as I go.

  “Wesley, calm down. We will figure this out, okay? I’m not going to let anything bad happen to you. Your biggest fear is that you will no longer be productive right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, let me think about this for a second. So you don’t need to work for a specific department or with other people right? You only want to continue to develop formulas, and do research, continue on with projects, but you can do this on your own?”

  I’m not following where he is going at all.

  “If you mean do I need help, the answer is no. I’ve always been an independent worker.”

  A wide grin breaks out on Dex’s otherwise serious face.

  “Okay then, this could be good. So it’s not a department placement you want then, it’s just to stay productive?”

  “Yes, we’ve established this, Dexter. Move on.”

  “Right, right…I’ll be back in five minutes, all right? Please don’t go anywhere.”

  Before I can even answer him Dex is out of his office. And people say I don’t have any social skills, ha!

  I count the floor tiles three times and am about ready to leave when Dex walks back in.

  “Wesley, my man, I have your problems all figured out.”

  “Enlighten me,” I say skeptically.

  “I talked to the Council and they agree as long as you keep your position a secret, with Roz being the only exception, you can have a dual role as Council member and consultant. Since you are so diverse in what you know and can do you, can basically be an asset to any department. Anytime there is a case in which your expertise can be used they will call you in as an outside consultant. To the rest of the public that’s what your job title will be.

  “Your first duty will be to the Council, of course. But the duties won’t be so hard that you won’t be able to continue your projects. You can fit them in on your downtime, or if there is nothing pressing with the Council even during business hours. What do you say?”

  I am rolling the idea around in my mind and it does have merit. I am not one to jump into anything lightly or without a great deal of thought and planning first, though. This is where Roz and I hugely differ. Roz always goes by her gut, she goes on impulse; I don’t have an impulsive bone in my body.

  “It could work. Let me think about it and work out the details and I will let you know. I don’t want to agree to anything permanently until I do a trial run, is that fair?”

  Dex doesn’t appear happy with my response, but he nods.

  “Very well, take some time to think, only not too much please. We will go ahead and start your training. We will fast track your training most likely from two years to one, possibly even sooner if we need to fill a position. As for now you are a Ministry consultant. Let me know when you have come to your decision.”

  “Thank you, Dex, I will. And thank you for trying to make everything work. I will see you tonight.” With that I walk out and go home early so I can think.

  I spend the rest of the day doing nothing but thinking about what I should do. I make my lists, weigh the pros and cons, measure in every variable I can contemplate, and yet I still don’t have peace one way or the other. I can’t figure out why until I decided to e-mail Roz. I rarel
y ask Roz for her advice, especially pertaining to work, but that’s when it hit me. I’m having such a hard time making a decision because I don’t know all the variables. The only Council member I know is Dex, and he is the only one I will know until I agree to take the position. Yet, there’s no way I can take a position with people I know nothing about. It goes against everything ingrained in me.

  I open up my message box and see that I already have one from Roz.

  Wesley,

  You are lucky I love you. I promised I’d write you every day so I am. Every single muscle on my body hurts…even my fingers so you better appreciate this! ;) I can’t remember a time I’ve ever worked so hard in my life. My body physically aches and the labor we’ve done here is so much more intense than I ever dreamed. But that’s not all. Emotions have been running high as well. People are scared of the unknown, they all want to do things their own way without listening to others. It’s a good thing I came. I have no clue how the original compound was able to settle and set up as peacefully as they did. I’ve had to pull rank several times and it’s apparent I’m going to have to appoint a leader, at least until this process is done.

  I miss everyone so much my heart aches along with my body, and it hasn’t even been long. Not a day goes by where I don’t think about you and Molly, how Grace is doing, and yes, even Dexter. (Don’t you dare tell him!) As hard as these last few days have been for me they have done a lot of good as well. I’ve been able to see people in their lows; I’ve been able to really see what it feels like to trust people with everything you have, to work together for the same purpose. I’ve never felt more proud to represent this dear country than I do at this moment.:-)

  So enough about me, how is everything going there? How did things with Andi turn out? Have you talked yet? Have you decided if it’s something you want to pursue? Has Masters killed you yet for liking his niece? Give everyone my love, it’s time for me to pass out and hope the pain fades by the time I wake up. I love you to the moon and back!

  Roz

  I miss my best friend. We couldn’t be any more different if we tried, but we have embraced our differences and it really makes us appreciate each other even more for them. I would never in a million years choose to leave the Ministry to go do menial physical labor, but Roz sees it as a labor of love. One of my biggest fears when we found out she was going to be president was that she would outgrow me, that she would become too important to need her silly childhood best friend. I’ve never been happier to be proven wrong. Then again, I can’t think of another time when I have been proven wrong.

  Roz,

  I’ve missed you too. The Ministry is very different without you here. It feels wrong, and weird, and really you should just come back. I’m sorry to hear you are in pain; this is why physical labor has never held any appeal whatsoever to me. I’m hoping you hurry it up already so you can come home…oh and so those people have a home and all that.

  Moving on, everyone here is fine, nothing of consequence happened between Andi and me, (except she punched a guy and told him and his friends off for messing with me).

  I’m more worried about my career than my personal life. I had a discussion with Dexter today and the Council still wants me. I hate being in limbo and not having a job. Without you here I have nothing to do. However, I don’t think that’s a good enough reason to join the Council. Dex figured out a way for me to be on the Council and still be a freelance consultant so I can work and use my mind. You would think the best of both worlds would make me happy, yet I’m not. The idea of being in a social situation day in and out gives me hives. I prefer to work independently, and now they want me to work with nine other people consistently. I hate people! Not only that but I don’t even know these people or anything about them. What if I don’t like them? What if we don’t get along? What if they are mean and think I’m weird like everyone else? I guess what I really need to know is who they are. I know you can’t tell me, but can you tell me if you think I could work with them? About their personalities? That kind of thing. You know me, I can’t be expected to make a critical decision of this caliber without all of the data. Looking forward to hearing what you think.

  Wes

  P.S. I read that if you can find some Epsom salt and a way to take a soak in a hot bath with the salt, it will help relax your muscles.

  It is now almost time for dinner. I go wash my hands and ready myself for dinner. I desperately hope Roz checks her email and writes me back before work tomorrow. I have a hard time letting things go. Well, let’s be honest, I have no clue how to let things go, nor do I have the desire to do so. I will be a complete mess until I come to a final conclusion on the matter. After dinner I think I will go pay Masters a visit. It’s a good time to do my workout and maybe it will help distract me if nothing else.

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-TWO

  After I read Grace a story I slip out of the house and go over to Masters’ place. I knock on the door and am completely taken back when Andi answers the door.

  “What are you doing here?” I blurt out.

  She smirks. “Well, when I’m not working I live here. What are you doing here?”

  I never thought about where Andi lives when she isn’t working. I guess I assumed she always stays in the guest quarters. Why would she live with Masters though? That seems rather odd. “I’m here to see Masters.”

  “Is he expecting you?”

  She sure is being cheeky tonight.

  “Obviously not or else he would have come to the door and spared me this little interrogation.”

  She smiles widely. “I highly doubt that. Well, come on in, Masters and Natasha are finishing the dishes.”

  The idea of Masters doing dishes somehow seems absolutely absurd to me. Then again it’s hard to picture him doing anything that doesn’t involve intimidation. I follow Andi into the kitchen where Masters is indeed doing dishes next to Natasha, who is drying them and putting them away. I must be standing there with my mouth hanging open because Andi laughs and Master shoots me a dirty look.

  “Did you come here for a reason, Wesley, or to stand there gaping?” Masters asks.

  “Oh…yes. I came over to see if you felt like, you know…um…if you wanted to…”

  “Are you asking me on a date or do you want to work out?”

  “The second one.”

  Masters looks over at Natasha, who smiles.

  “All right, let me finish up here and then we’ll go down to the basement. You can have a seat in the living room; I shouldn’t be long.”

  I go back to the living room and sit on the couch. Andi comes in shortly, handing me a glass of water.

  “Thank you,” I say, accepting the glass and taking a drink.

  “Do you and Masters work out a lot? You haven’t said anything.”

  “Yes, he’s been helping me for the last few months; it’s no big deal.”

  “Masters had me work out with him every day since I was five until I turned sixteen. It’s a good skill to have.”

  “It is a necessity. You ready to go?” Masters asks, startling us. I jump up and follow him down to the basement.

  We start on the usual sets of sit-ups, pushups, and chin-ups. I’ve gotten much better than when I first started. It took me weeks to be able to do one chin-up by myself. Now I can do a set without even really breaking a sweat.

  “You look like you have a lot on your mind,” Masters comments.

  “I do.”

  “All right, the bag it is, come on over this way.” Masters hands me a pair of boxing gloves, brings out a punching bag, and sets it up in front of me.

  “You need to pay attention to what you are doing because if you don’t, that bag will swing around and knock you out. Step into each punch and put your whole body behind every punch, not just your arm. You don’t want to hurt yourself by hitting wrong. Watch me a few times first all right?”

  He takes several swings at the bag. He makes it look effortless, and I am certain I w
on’t be able to do what he makes look like such a simple task. When he has finished he motions to me. I mimic his stance and toss out a right punch.

  The bag doesn’t even move.

  “Come on, you can do better than that. You need to put your body into it. Step with your right foot and swing hard.”

  I do as he says and hit with all my might. The bag moves and I am so excited that I look at Masters to see if he saw it. The next thing I know it feels like I’m being tackled and I look up from the floor at a frowning Masters.

  “What did I tell you? Never take your eyes off the bag or your opponent.”

  “Geez, you didn’t say it would attack me,” I say, trying to sit up.

  “One more time, let’s go.”

  I spend the next thirty minutes punching the bag, and Masters shows me different punches and ways to stand. Once I am utterly exhausted and thoroughly disgusting, he brings me a towel and a glass of water.

  “Drink this and have a seat.”

  After I drain my whole glass and we’re sitting in silence, Masters asks me, “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “I don’t talk things over. I contemplate.”

  “And how is that working out for you?”

  “Not as well as I would like.”

  “Girl problems?”

  “Oddly enough for me, yes. But that isn’t the issue that has me perplexed at the moment, although it is highly uncomfortable to have girl problems.”

  Master laughs and hits me on the back, causing me to bite my tongue. I scowl at him but he doesn’t even notice.

  “Get used to it, kid. Girl problems only get worse the older and deeper you get into it.”

  I allow myself to be distracted by this subject for a moment so I don’t have to open up about what is really on my mind.

  “What I find perfectly perplexing as well as vexing is how men always say how problematic women are, how they are nothing but trouble and so on. So why even bother getting invested in the first place if they are so much trouble?”