by Alan D Jones
Chapter 25 - A Kind of Peace
Late July, 1981 - Salvador, Brazil
"I have my doubts if my existence is conducive to life. The rain, the clouds and the emptiness beyond, all testify against me." said Sarah Johnson in a rare moment of uncertainty.
Cil, Deborah, Ruth, and Sarah sat side by side on an isolated beach just outside of Salvador in northern Brazil. As young women, they spent time in the Brazilian state of Bahia where Salvador was located. They returned whenever they could. Life was beautifully simple there and they loved it. The four women braided one another’s hair and discussed recent events and what their next steps should be.
Ruth asked, “So, we’re giving the Destry a couple of days to build up their defenses before we attack?”
Cil responded, “Yes, we want all of their assets in play so that we can destroy them all while we’re there. Because they know we’re coming, I’m willing to bet that any Destry from off world is scurrying back to be a part of this battle. Their complex is located underground in an isolated part of the rainforest. So, we don’t have to hold back much once we get inside.”
The sisters all nodded in recognition that working without constraint would be to their advantage.
“And, what about the space gods?” my mother asked.
Cil looked out across the water for a moment and then replied, “They know what happened to Poseidon. They should know by now what happened to Isadora’s world and her elders. So, they should understand the price of crossing us. Yet, they will come after us. When they do, we will have to pay their star systems a visit and demonstrate to them, planet by planet, why they should leave our planet alone.”
This thought weighed heavy on the sisters as they listened to the tide wash across the sand. They each tried to process what their big sister was saying. The words were particularly hard for Sarah to hear, but as usual she hid her true feelings for the sake of the cause. The sisters leaned in to share a collective hug and each one reached out to touch Deborah’s growing belly which pocked out prominently in her bathing suit.
Cil looked lovingly at her sisters and proclaimed, “It’s time to eat.”
The four rose and dusted the sand from their bottoms and legs. During this process, Deborah acknowledged the fresh tattoo Ruth was sporting.
“Nice tattoo,” she said.
The tattoo spelled out “Gabby.”
“Yeah? And, what you got to say about it?” Ruth asked. She was expecting criticism from Deborah.
“Oh, no, I think it’s very nice and well done. I just question the placement. I mean what if you want to wear something low cut? People are going to see that. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Deborah,” Sarah said in an exasperated tone.
Deborah replied, “What? Y’all know I been wanting to ask her about that tattoo all day, ever since we hit the beach. Y’all know me and my condition. And, for me to hold my tongue this long is something.”
Deborah’s sisters, including Ruth Ann, acknowledged her point and nodded in agreement.
While folding their blankets Ruth asked, “What about Willy?” The sisters had thrown a bag over Willy’s head and tossed him through the portal to Elisa’s paradise.
“What about him?” Deborah asked.
“Are we just gonna leave him there?” Ruth followed.
Deborah, replied as Cil and Sarah looked off, “He’s in paradise, what else do we need to do for him? I’m carrying his children. That’s more than enough.”
Sarah wrapped her arm around Ruth’s shoulder, “We’ll get him, but he needs to stew for a little while and reflect on a couple of things.” When they did retrieve Willy, they allowed him to believe that he’s been abducted by aliens. It was a light sentence for his crimes, they all agreed
As they walked back towards the road carrying their blankets, Ruth Ann asked Sarah, “So, were you sick again this morning?”
To which Sarah replied, “Yes, I was, just a little bit.”
Overhearing this Deborah stopped in her tracks and said loudly, “What?”
