Dystopia Chapter 33: Fresh Gossip

“DAD!”

Without hesitation, she darted out the gate, hugged her dad, exclaiming, “Why did you not return?”

Watching, I wondered if my daughters would greet me in such a fashion? Would I be ‘dad’ or some no-name stranger who betrayed them, who gave up searching for them.

“I need to speak to Jesse now,” Luke stated, releasing Diana.

Hand on weapon, he walked toward me, clearly angry. He whispered in my ear, “If it were not for Diana’s presence, I would drop you here on this spot. She’s going with us now, so don’t create a scene.”

I replied, “She cannot go, so get off the property.”

“Dad, what is going on?” Diana asked.

Luke said, “Get your stuff!”

“What?” she replied.

Luke repeated, “I said, gather your stuff, we’re leaving!”

Diana replied, “I… can’t just walk away. I…”

“Jesse is a liar. Tell her how many times I came for her to take her home. How many times have you told me she was not ready? Just another week,” Luke added.

“He came before to take me home, and you said that you had not seen him in months,” Diana said.

The situation was getting tense. Everyone was in fight mode. Watchers backed away. Mr. Maddox was now arriving with reinforcements.

“Diana, we cannot let you leave,” I said.

“You’re kidnapping me?” Diana said.

Luke reached as if to drag Diana away; tensions peaked. Everyone was ready to snap when Addison stepped into the middle, pushing away Luke’s arm while warning everyone to take a beat. In the same motion, she put her arm around Diana, pulled her weapon and aimed it at me, insisting, “Back off.”

Everyone froze.

“Jesse was supposed to train her and bring her back, and…,” Luke said.

Addison, in that moment, spun, still holding Diana, and placed her weapon against Luke’s chest.

Addison said, “Again, back off, everyone. Jesse, I get it — you killed the doctor while sleeping with his wife and thought this was a way to replace him. That’s what they say, isn’t it? Luke, you shipped your daughter off to receive some training, and now you want to fetch her back.”

The afternoon heat cooked us, intensifying our anger. Waited. Wondered.

Addison, directing her attention to Mr. Maddox, said, “Clear the area; Diana and I have business to attend to.”

I wasn’t sure how long I sat, drooling, perched in the corner. Napping. Addison was spontaneously planning something, again stepping in. Unsolicited. I had not a clue. Luke and his crew waited outside the gate. I heard someone climbing the ladder to the roof and approaching. From outside, a voice announced, “Mr. Tucker, you are cordially invited to dinner, served in the medical tent, at dusk. Bring one guest, but do not bring a weapon; do not bring Frank.”

I walked toward the recently designated medical tent, without a weapon, thinking the worst — that this was a setup. My half-empty approach to life led the way, Brett, at my side. Approaching, I heard voices. Smell fresh bread. Stepping in, we observed we were the last to arrive. Around the table, on the far side, Luke and his guest, Addison at one end and Diana at the other.

“Take a seat,” Addison said.

I got the feeling this was not the time to speak, so we sat as ordered. Addison placed a pistol on the table in front of her and announced, “Today I am the only one allowed to shoot anybody, so if anyone has a weapon, declare it. We will begin with a specially prepared meal, thanks to Ms. Bishop, a beverage thanks to Mr. Maddox, to be followed by a one-sided conversation.”

It was a quiet meal. Tasty.

Upon completion, the table was cleared. Addison said, “Diana and I conferred this afternoon, and she decided she was unhappy with several individuals sitting at this table. Pay attention.”

As Luke spoke, Addison put her hand on her weapon. I cleared my throat. “Don’t do it,” I warned, “because she won’t hesitate to use her gun.”

Addison began, “Jesse, you lied and justified it in your mind, not your first nor likely last, as we all have. Luke, you used your daughter as a pawn, and where are the meds you promised? Why are you suddenly appearing at the med tent with your crew? Jesse, you really thought you could kidnap Diana?”

Thinking I would break the silence, I said, “Well, we really want, no need…”

“Shut up,” Addison said.

“I’m here to take…” Luke muttered.

“Shut up. You are all here to listen. More importantly, you will accept without question what she is about to say,” Addison said.

Diana began, “Dad, I will not be leaving, but you will have access to all medical resources available whenever for any member of the family. In addition, any medical supplies you garner are to be given to me.”

Take that, old man.

Diana continued, “Jesse, Scout Team 3 must treat me as a full member, and they must hear me when I speak. That means whatever plans are being considered, I will be front and center. You will not refuse access to the medical facility, which I will oversee.”

Diana added, “Finally, Frank, whatever he thinks is gonna happen, ain’t.”

“Pretty simple, right, guys?” Addison said.

I realized Luke felt hurt by his daughter’s rejection. I could relate. But what could I say? Diana was going to stay and fill an essential need for which I could take credit. And to be honest, it seemed like Addison was running the show.

In conclusion, Addison said, “Luke, you need to be gone in five minutes, and if you visit, enter at the main gate. Go now! Jesse, you need to give Frank the bad news, and tomorrow, transparency — you may leave — now.”

Transparency? What does she mean?

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