Becca raised her hand. Sammy poked her in the side. Hard. “Ouch,” Becca said, lowering her arm. Mr. Eggers hadn’t noticed anything. “What’s going on?” she whispered.
“What do you think?” Sammy whispered. “I fixed the permission slips. We’re going to do PO Ed.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I knew you’d spill the beans.”
“If Mom and Dad find out they’ll kill us.”
“I don’t care,” Sammy whispered vehemently. “All we hear about is how evil Peace Out is. I want to hear the other side of the argument. Isn’t that what Daddy is always saying? That we should hear both sides of every argument?”
“Sammy Bishop, quiet down,” Mr. Eggers said. “Our guest will be here any minute.”
Sammy slumped back into her chair.
Becca didn’t know what to do. If she told Mr. Eggers, Sammy would never forgive her. But they were going to get caught for sure. Christy would mention doing PO Ed with them to her mother. Her mother would tell their mother. It was all going to fall apart. Better to end it now, right?
A message appeared on the desk. A plea from Sammy. Becca sighed and wrote back.
Becca: We’re going to get caught.
Sammy: It’s worth it.
Becca: Are you sure?
Sammy: If you are worried about Christy, she knows. She won’t tell.
Their screens went dark. “Thank you to the Bishop twins for reminding me to trigger blackout,” Mr. Eggers said. “You will give our guest your undivided attention.” There was a knock on the classroom door. “And here she is.” He opened the door and a tall woman with curly black hair came in. “Class, this is Ms. Alfano,” he said. “Please welcome her.”
“Hello Ms. Alfano,” the class chorused.
“Hello,” she said. “My name is Angela Alfano and I am a Peace Out Educator. I go to schools all over Washington to teach sixth graders about Peace Out. Now it will probably be a very long time before Peace Out is an option for any of you, but I wanted to ask you all something. What do you know about Peace Out?”
Nobody raised their hands.
“Come on,” she said. “Do I have to call on somebody?”
Nobody raised their hands.
“Alright,” Ms. Alfano said, “How about you?” She pointed at Christy. “What do you know about Peace Out?”
“You kill people,” she said. “You bury them under trees and sell the corpse fruit.”
“Christy,” scolded Mr. Eggers.
“No, Mr. Eggers,” Ms. Alfano said. “Christy doesn’t use the same words we like to use, but she is right. Peace Out helps people end their lives. Not all Peace Out Centers are like Bellingham, but here we do bury those who wish under trees and we do sell the fruit. For those who have died, the trees serve as a way for them to give back to the living. Anyone else?”
Mike raised his hand. “My grandma Peaced Out,” he said.
“Why?” asked Ms. Alfano.
“She was really sick,” he said. “The doctors said they couldn’t fix her. So she Peaced Out.”
“Thank you for sharing that,” Ms. Alfano said. “Anyone else? Yes, what’s your name?”
“I’m Piper. I heard anyone on BL for more than five years has to Peace Out.”
Ms. Alfano’s smile stiffened. “That is completely false,” she said. “No one is ever forced to Peace Out, regardless of whether they are on Basic Living.”
“James told us he found a toe in a corpse peach,” Catelyn said, waving her hand in the air.
“Did not,” James said.
“Did too,” she shot back. “He told all of us that.”
“Children,” Mr. Eggers warned. They quieted down.
“Well,” Ms. Alfano said, “I see that I have a lot of misinformation to dispel.” She reached into her briefcase and took out a stack of pamphlets. “Take one and pass it back,” she said.
Sammy, Becca, and Christy sat together for lunch. The twins had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips, and grapes. Christy had a turkey avocado wrap, apple slices, and a chocolate chip cookie. After some dickering, half the cookie and two apple slices were exchanged for a bag of chips and five grapes.
“Hey Mounds,” Levi Mazzo called from a nearby table, “I think you’ve got Ms. Alfano beat!”
“Shut up, Levi,” Christy said. “I’m going to sue you.”
“Yeah right,” he said.
“I’ll get an affidavit.” Christy liked to throw around legal terms she overheard from her mom.
“What’s that?” asked Levi.
“Something that will end up on your Index,” she said. “Call me Mounds again, and I’ll file with the court.”
“Jeez,” Levi said, but he left them alone after that.
Christy hunched her shoulders and took a bite of her wrap. Sammy and Becca started eating too.
“I don’t see what’s so bad about Peace Out,” Sammy declared, crunching on a chip. “It makes sense.”
“They kill people,” Christy said.
“Only people who want to die. And you have to be old or almost dead anyway,” Sammy countered. “It’s not like I could walk in there and get Peaced Out.”
“Why is your mom letting you do PO Ed if she’s so against it?” Becca added.
“My mom always says know thine enemy,” Christy said. “That’s why I’m not turning you two in.”
“How are they enemies?” asked Sammy.
“Peace Out is suicide. It’s an offense against God.” Christy said. “Our bodies are temples.”
“What if that temple is old and crappy?”
“Sammy! Don’t talk about God like that.”
“My parents don’t believe in God.”
“He still exists.”
“Whatever,” Sammy said.
“I’m excited for the field trip.” Becca changed the subject before Christy could start preaching. Sometimes she felt like Christy was only their friend because she saw it as her duty to convert them. “I’ve never been to the Peace Out Center.”
“It’s beautiful,” Sammy said knowingly.
“We’ve heard,” Christy said, rolling her eyes.
The bus ride to the Peace Out Center was short. The children filed off and crowded around Ms. Alfano and Mr. Eggers.
“Welcome to Peace Out Bellingham,” Ms. Alfano said. “This mansion behind me is the very first Peace Out Center in the United States. When the Kellers first bought this property back in 2026, it included about five acres of uncleared land. Since then, Peace Out has purchased neighboring properties and prepared the land for the orchards you see today. They chose not to alter the original footprint of the mansion and instead expanded the facility underground. Of course, all of the rooms above ground are reserved for those who are observing our required waiting period.” Ms. Alfano led them around to the back of the mansion and followed a neatly maintained path through a flower garden. There was a gardener trimming the bushes and two elderly people playing chess at a wrought iron table. The children stared at them until Mr. Eggers gave them a stern look. Ms. Alfano stopped them at a gazebo. “Does anyone remember how long the waiting period is?”
Levi raised his hand. “Seven days,” he said.
“That’s right. Why do we have a waiting period? Sammy?”
“So you can make sure the person really wants to Peace Out.”
“That’s right,” Ms. Alfano said. “The person goes through Facilitation. Peace Out doctors independently confirm any terminal medical diagnosis. We also review their Index and see if an Enclave might be a better solution. Sometimes people lack information about their options and Peace Out wants to be sure they know what they are.”
“My mom says there are really long waiting lists at all the charitable Enclaves,” Christy said.
“That is true,” Ms. Alfano agreed. “But most people have enough to join a regular Enclave. Some of the less expensive ones are working farms and each member is given a job that helps them meet each ot
her’s needs.”
“My mom says those ones require a Peace Out Directive.”
“Actually, most Enclaves do,” Ms. Alfano said. “End of life care is very expensive.” Ms. Alfano paused. “Where was I? Oh yes, so the above ground rooms are for those in the waiting period. Who remembers the prerequisites for Peacing Out? Just shout them out.”
“Terminally ill,” called out Piper.
“Permanently unconscious,” said Becca.
“At least sixty-five years old,” said Levi.
“Those are all right,” Ms. Alfano said. “But our age requirement only applies if the applicant doesn’t fall into another category. There is still one more category. Anyone remember?”
The kids shuffled. No one answered.
“Come on,” Ms. Alfano encouraged. “Think hard.”
“Mental illness,” said Sammy.
“Not just any mental illness. What kind?”
“Permanent?”
“Close,” Ms. Alfano said. “Irreversible and incurable, and is or will be severe enough that the person can no longer take care of him or herself.” She paused to let it sink in. “Does everyone understand that? Yes? Great! So Peace Out Bellingham is also corporate headquarters for all of Peace Out. That means our executives work here. These are the people who make sure Peace Out everywhere is running the way it should. Remember, Peace Out is a non-profit. Does anyone remember what that means?”
“It means you can’t make any money,” Piper said.
“Kind of,” Ms. Alfano said. “Peace Out actually makes a lot of money. The Kellers left their fortune in a trust for Peace Out and our financial folk have turned that into a lot more money. But instead of distributing any extra money to shareholders, Peace Out puts it back into Peace Out. That is why we can offer our services for free for any who need them. It is how we have expanded from a single Center here in Bellingham, to sixty locations. We recruit and retain only the best of the best. Even our gardeners have advanced degrees. Right, Alex?”
“That’s right,” Alex said. “These gardens are more than just pretty plants or a source for food. They are an important part of my research. We are working on crop yield, developing new fruit varieties, and sometimes we genetically modify just for fun.” Alex walked over to a plant and picked a flower. “Smell this.” He passed it around.
“Chocolate!” Piper said. “It smells like chocolate.”
“Pretty cool, right?” Alex said. “You should take some time to explore the gardens. I’ve also got some roses with really crazy colors.”
“Thanks Alex,” Ms. Alfano said. She looked at her watch. “I’ll give you about twenty minutes to look around. But please don’t pick any more flowers.” Ms. Alfano pointed at a bunch of small bags on the gazebo bench. “These are for you,” she said. “You can each fill a bag with fruit to take home if you like.” The children chattered excitedly. Ms. Alfano raised her voice. “When you hear that bell ring,” she pointed at the brass bell hanging in the gazebo archway, “come on back. We have told our applicants that you will be here today, but please do not disturb them. Mr. Eggers said you were a trustworthy bunch, so I know I can trust you to behave.” The kids ran up to grab their bags then dispersed, leaving Mr. Eggers chatting with Ms. Alfano.
Becca and Sammy took the path to the orchard, holding their bags.
“I don’t think we should pick any fruit,” Becca said.
“How about just one each and we can eat them before we get home?”
“OK,” Becca said.
“I wouldn’t eat corpse fruit if you paid me,” Christy said. She hadn’t taken a bag.
“Come on,” Sammy said. “It is just fruit. It is really good too.”
“No way,” Christy said, but she followed them over to one of the trees. There were stepladders all around. Sammy ran to get one. She tossed two apples down to Becca.
“Are you sure, Christy?”
“Sure.”
“OK.” Sammy came back down the ladder and took an apple from Becca. Crunching down on it, she wiped the juice from her mouth with one hand. “Let’s go look at flowers then, OK?”
“Fine,” Christy said.
“This one is pretty,” Becca said, beckoning them over. The flower was the size of a dinner plate. The bright pink outer petals gradually faded to white at the center of the flower. “But it doesn’t smell like anything.”
OLIVIA AND JOE
With all our work toward extending the length of human life, what we have really failed at is improving the quality of such a life. People may live longer now, but they frankly don’t live much better. Ask any octogenarian how he or she is feeling and you’ll get a litany of ailments. If I invented a magic pill offering 65 guaranteed years of life with the body and mind of a twenty-year-old versus growing old until you die, I don’t think anyone would turn it down.
Dr. Anuj Kothanderanum, Medical Commentator, 60 Minutes, 6/18/2029.
“I’m really not feeling well,” Joe said. “You should go without me.”
“I don’t want to,” Olivia replied.
“I’m just going to see the doctor and refill my pain meds. You don’t need to be with me for that.”
“The whole point of this trip is for me to do things with you.”
Before Joe could respond, the phone rang. Olivia picked it up. “Hello?”
“Liv, it’s Sophie.”
“You don’t sound so good.”
“I’ve got an awful stomach bug. Hit me all of a sudden. Listen, are you guys going on the excursion today?”
“No. Joe isn’t feeling up to it so I’m going to stay with him.”
“Oh darn,” Sophie said. “I was hoping you guys would keep Ned company. I’m going to stay in bed all day, but I’m making him go. He has always wanted to do a real African safari and he isn’t going to miss it just because I can’t keep breakfast down.”
“I’m sorry,” Olivia said.
“Why aren’t you going? Is Joe making you stay?”
“No,” Olivia said, a little put out. “I want to stay.”
“Does he want you to go?”
“Well, he says I should, but...”
“What other chance are you going to have to see a pride of lions prowling the veldt? Or gazelles bounding across a grassy plain, a leopard hot on their tails? This is it, Olivia. You’re Peacing Out in a few months. Make the most of it!”
“For me, the most of it is spending time with my husband,” Olivia said.
“Well, I respect your dedication,” Sophie said. She gagged. “Sorry. I need to throw up now.”
Olivia put down the phone.
“Sophie?” Joe guessed.
“Yes, she caught a stomach bug. Wanted us to keep Ned company on the safari.”
“Why don’t you? There is really no reason for you to stay. We’ve already paid for the excursion. If you don’t go, we just wasted twice as much money.” Joe yawned. “Go. Have fun.”
“You really don’t mind?”
“If I wanted you to stay with me, I’d say so. Now go!”
“Olivia! I thought you weren’t coming!” Ned said, waving her over to him.
“I changed my mind,” she said. “Where’s the tour guide?”
“See that yellow umbrella making its way toward us?”
The tour guide was a pretty young woman with intricate braids. She spoke crisply accented English. “Welcome to Tanzania,” she said. “My name is Adisa Afram and I will be your guide today. Our drivers are Michael and Gabriel and they are waiting for us at the station. Dream Tours is happy you have chosen us for your safari experience.” She reached into her purse and took out a bag of earbuds. “If you will insert these, please, then you will be able to hear my narration as we walk and in the Jeeps. They are also trackers so if you get too far from the rest of us, I will be alerted.” Adisa gave the bag to Olivia, who took one and passed it to Ned.
She put the earbud in her ear and the woman’s voice boomed.
“Slow taps raise
the volume, fast taps turn it down.”
Olivia tapped five times in quick succession and the tour guide’s voice grew tolerable.
“Is everyone ready?” Adisa asked. “OK then, follow me. The port is a little crowded, so just keep an eye out for my umbrella.” She walked at a reasonable pace given the average age of her followers, umbrella held high. They had no trouble keeping up, despite the crowds around them.
“I don’t recognize anyone on the tour,” Olivia said.
“That couple over there embarked in South Africa. I’ve seen them on the Lido deck, but haven’t had a chance to make an introduction. Those ladies over there are high school friends from Texas. They are all widows. Their first week on board the one with the rhinestone coat asked Sophie if she could borrow me for a dance.”
“And what did Sophie say?”
“She was incredibly gracious and prepared ice packs while I proceeded to trample the poor woman.”
Olivia laughed. “I am amazed at how you manage to know everyone.”
“I’m the unofficial ombudsman of the Lady Luck,” he said. “I think I’ve been on board almost as long as the captain.”
“How is Sophie feeling?” she asked.
“Not great,” Ned said. “I think her latest treatment hit her a little harder than usual. She claims it was something she ate last night, but I had the same food and I feel fine. Who knows, maybe it will be my turn tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry,” Olivia said. “How is her cancer?”
“Unchanged,” Ned said. “The doctors advised us to leave the ship and go back to Sydney. That there may be some experimental trials they can try there.”
“When are you leaving?”
“We aren’t,” Ned said. “Sophie won’t go. She likes the Lady Luck. She likes being a world traveler. She says if it weren’t for me, she’d stop treatments altogether and just enjoy her remaining days roaming the earth.”
“I’m sorry,” Olivia repeated. “Do you think she will Peace Out?”
“Only under directive,” he said. “Sophie is too much of a fighter to go quietly into that good night.”
Peace Out (The Futures Trilogy Book 1) Page 7
