Page 3 of Red King
“All the best with Reese. I hope it works out.”
“Oh, it will. Reese is amazing.” I fake swoon, and Lexi laughs. I note that she is stepping toward the check-out counter.
“Bye.” She waves.
“Bye,” I say back as she turns away completely.
I race back into the aisle I just left and take a bag of Reese’s Cups off the shelf. “Come to Mama,” I whisper. “I know you’ll never let me down.” I kiss the packet before dropping it into my trolley and then grab a second packet for good measure before racing to the wine aisle. I select a chardonnay, not being too picky about it.
So far, I’ve been quite lucky. Despite living in the same town, I’ve only bumped into Jim and Lexi a couple of times.
But it looks like the time has come to leave this town. It’s time for a change. I can’t run into them after the baby comes. I just can’t. It would kill me. That broken pieces inside of me would shatter and then splinter. That still-open wound would start to bleed again. I might never recover.
I have a ton of experience as an ER nurse. I know I could get a job at just about any hospital in the country, but the thought leaves me cold. I want to do something crazy. Something wild.
I want to pack my bags and tour Europe or something. I read “Eat, Pray, Love.” I can do it. Just for a year…two at the most. Then, I’ll be ready to get back to real life. Who knows, maybe I’ll meet someone new. Maybe… No, that’s crazy talk.
I don’t want to meet someone new. I don’t want to give myself for better or worse, only to be tossed out like garbage all over again. I don’t ever want to hear those words. Defective. Broken. I’m sorry, but… I love you, but… I wish we could stay together, but…
But.
But.
But.
There shouldn’t be a “but” when it comes to love. Not the real kind.
I don’t want to see pity in the eyes of the man I love – or thought I loved. I couldn’t bear it.
I grab the rest of the items on my list, still stuck in my own mind. Then I head for the check-out counter. I’m thrilled to see that Lexi is gone, but I grumble under my breath at the queue of people waiting in line.
I do what anyone would and pick up a newspaper. I’ll read the headlines and one or two articles to pass the time. The headline on the front page is in bold type:MAJOR OUTCRY OVER TRIBUTES.
“That whole Tribute business is just terrible,” the older man behind me says as he looks at the front page from over my shoulder. With almost completely gray hair and serious wrinkles around his eyes, he must be closing in on sixty. “They should be ashamed,” he mutters. “It’s bad enough that we’ve had to send thirty youngsters to that island year after year. Now they want sixty.” He sighs, shaking his head.
“It’s an abomination, is what it is,” the woman in front of me complains. “Not all of them return, do they?” It’s not really a question, and she doesn’t wait for an answer. “My cousin’s daughter was selected a few years ago, and we’ve never seen her since.” She snorts in disgust. “They get eaten by those beasts.”
“Same thing happened to my neighbor’s son when I still lived in Sacramento.” The guy waves his hand. “He came back alright but refused to speak of his time on the island. He looked afraid for his life. He never was the same again.” He shakes his head. “I don’t believe all that dragon cock and bull. It’s nonsense.”
“Something bad is happening on that island; I just know it. They—” the woman starts to say but I don’t continue to follow their conversation.
They continue to talk over me while I browse the paper, being careful not to damage the pages, since I’m going to put it back on the shelf soon.
The whole Tribute thing is terrible. Especially since no one really understands any of it. Apparently, the medical examinations for potential candidates were hectic this year. It wasn’t simply a blood draw and a general checkup. It was a thorough exam, including a gynecological consult for the women.
All I can say is that I’m glad I’m well over twenty-five and can’t be selected anymore. I narrow my eyes as an advertisement catches my eye.
Are you a qualified nurse with at least five years of experience?
Um…yes!
Are you looking for a change? Would you be willing to work abroad?
Absolutely!
Do you have a strong sense of duty?
That would be a resounding yes.
