by Kevin Gordon
It had been several days since Iris told Brian of her pregnancy, and every day she seemed more and more excited and joyful. He hugged her as she left in the morning with her father, bound for a trip to Dr. Melon, to get certified as pregnant, so she could start her new life. Even Joe had begun to act differently, strangely optimistic and in good humor. Brian relaxed a little during breakfast, as it was filled with laughs and smiles, of Jess excitedly planning the future with Iris, and Joe feeling for the first time like a real father, with a prospering family.
That all changed when Brian got back home.
He knew it from the instant he strode through the door. It was quiet, filled with a profound silence that spoke of the death of hope. He found his mother and father sitting on the old, worn sofa, staring absently at a blank TV screen. He was loathe to break the silence, but needed to know what happened.
“Is dinner ready?” he asked tentatively, waiting for his father’s hand to strike out like a coiled cobra. But the instant his mother turned to look at him, he knew Iris was dead. Jess’ eyes were puffy and worn, and crumpled tissues littered the floor around them.
“What happened?!”
“She’s sterile,” spat Joe. “She can never have children, so they executed her so she wouldn’t drain the state’s resources.” He threw a piece of paper at Brian, which outlined it all. It also stated that Jacob and Mary would need to be brought in for thorough testing the next day, and if there were any abnormalities, they too would be euthanized.
“Apparently a lot of children are turning out like that,” said Jess wistfully. “I’ve heard—”
“It just don’t make no fuckin’ sense!” Joe pounded his fist on the sofa, as Jess cringed in fear. He let out a low moan, and slowly staggered onto his feet, lumbering around like a bear roused from hibernation. “Why’d that doc ask us for lottment? I thought the meds were supposed to be paid for by the Homestead?”
“What are you saying, dad?”
“I dunno, but it’s funny, that’s all. Your ma put out four kids, got another on the way, and her girl turns out to be broken? Smells funny to me.” He leaned against a wall, and picked up a half-filled bottle of bourbon. He took a long swig, downing half the contents in an instant. “Ah well. Things was goin’ too good after all.”
Chapter 12
