United (The United Trilogy Book 1)

by Wheeler, Jaci

  I look at his letter which does appear to be a replica of mine.

  Please meet at the Office of Ministry headquarters in two days’ time. You will take the bullet train at eight in the morning. Please make sure you are punctual and have your belongings with you. Enclosed is a map to the train and headquarters.

  Seriously?! That’s it?! Geez. It doesn’t say who we are to ask for, or where to meet once we get to headquarters which I assume is massive. “Have your belongings with you.” Does this mean that in two days, I am leaving my home forever? I can tell Wes is going through this same thought process in his mind. To distract me from our thoughts I pick up the enclosed map. Every zone has a train station. Not very many people know where it is because it is only used for Ministry work and those professions that use it for transferring food and delivering supplies to the different zones. Only if there is an emergency can you get clearance from the Ministry to use the train. It is a magnetic bullet train that is very fast, efficient and works perfectly for our uses. We don’t believe in polluting the air more than we have to, so the fact that it’s run on magnetic fields saves us from having to breathe in the fumes that most trains use.

  Members of the community are all given bikes as soon as they are able to ride. Certain professions like emergency doctors, troopers, and ministry workers all have electric scooters that can get them around a little faster. When I was younger my father used to tell me grand stories of how Americans used to all have their very own car. Some even had several per household. I had a hard time trying to imagine this. Not only did they have cars operated by gas which released harmful fumes into the air, but they also had buses, which were just huge cars that carried many people at once. They had trains that were powered by fuel and others that were powered by coal. So many things that made the air filthy and all those people breathing it in everyday! And they wondered why everyone was getting sick all the time.

  After the rebellion was won, the founders' first act was to sell off large portions of land. After that they decided to sell all the remaining vehicles. It’s never been said just how much money was made from that transaction, but I know it must have been a huge amount! The money was then used to rebuild United America. Once everything was slowly coming together, they realized that in order to make our country self-sufficient we would have to find a way to transport food from zone to zone. For a while people just lived off of what their own zone could grow. But once the scientists and engineers were able to get the magnet bullet trains up and running we were able to expand the zones and the people were able to choose where they wanted to live. Schedules were made for food and supply deliveries and the more the population grew, the more we were able to do.

  I have only seen the train in pictures, but my mother has been on one several times. As a nurse for the dying, she is the one who takes care of them in their last months. When the time nears that the family is needed to say good-bye, there usually isn’t much time so she has accompanied a few family members on the train. As excited as I am that we are going to be able to go on the train, I’m also nervous that this might just be my last time home.

  I turn to Wes, who still hasn’t moved or said a word. “So are you excited about riding on the train?”

  This has been on his top five list his whole life, “Of course I am.” He said flatly. Apparently I wasn’t going to be getting much out of him today.

  “Well, I guess I should head back home and start my packing then.” He doesn’t even look at me, just nods. “It will all be OK, Wes. I’m going to be with you the whole time. You will have me. I will be your constant.”

  He closes his eyes and nods his head, whispering to himself quietly, “Yes, Roz will be my constant. I will be with Roz, just as always.”

  There I go, feeling sorry for myself, freaking out again while poor Wes is having his world ripped out from under him. Most people have that fear of something new, but also have an underlying excitement, a curious wonder of all the good things to come. Wes has never had that underlying excitement, only dread. His parents have slowly adapted and changed his schedule as much as he will allow to try and get him used to the fact that life changes. You just have to move with it. Wes is still working on the moving part…panic attack he has down cold, however! When we were little, there was a movie we watched once from long before our time called Annie. It was about a little orphan girl who was unusually optimistic. There was a song in that movie called “Tomorrow.” It became one of my favorite songs. I used to sing it to Wes every time it rained, which, where we live, happens a lot. When he would want to go outside to play or count rocks or whatever it was he had to do every day, and he couldn’t because it was raining, I would lay down next to him and sing that song. It always seemed to make him smile. It was a perfect reminder for him that even though it’s raining, the sun will still always come out.

  I decided to go ahead and take a chance with it now. I couldn’t leave him knowing he needed comfort, so I lay down next to him making sure we didn’t touch. So far, so good, and I take this as my cue and just start humming. Instantly I could feel him start to uncoil and his body slowly begin to relax. I quietly started to sing.

  “The sun'll come out tomorrow

  Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there'll be sun

  Just thinkin' about tomorrow

  Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow till' there's none.”

  I can feel him completely relaxed now. And I even hear him softly humming with me. I took this as encouragement to continue.

  “When I'm stuck with a day that's gray and lonely

  I just stick out my chin and grin and say oh”

  At this point Wes, with his eyes still closed and humming softly along with me gently lays his hand on mine. I don’t move, nor do I interlock our fingers. I just lay there allowing him to comfort me while I am comforting him and belt out the last few verses, earning a small chuckle from him like I always do.

  “The sun'll come out tomorrow

  so you got to hang on till' tomorrow, come what may!

  Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow

  You're only a day away.”

  I sit up and give his hand a pat. “I love you, Wesley. Everything will be fine.”

  I started walking out of his room and towards home as I hear, “Love you, Roz.”

  As always, a giant grin spreads across my face and I now know how I’m going to be able to get through this. I will be strong and do it for Wesley, I have to. Now that I have a plan, I think it is going to be much easier.

  When my mother came home from work I yelled for her to come to my room. Just watching her walk through my door sent a pang right to my heart. I’m sure going to miss seeing her every day.

  “Hi Love. What’s going on in here?” She looks around my usually spotless room that has everything I own scattered throughout the room.

  “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to pack. Usually when you get your assignment they provide you with your work outfits so packing isn’t a big deal, but I wasn’t provided with anything, so what exactly does a sixteen year old president wear?”

  “Hmmm.” My mother stood there pondering for a minute. “I’d say bring a little bit of everything, and then wear a dress. I’m pretty sure they should have some sort of seamstress there for you. “

  “Well that makes sense, thanks Mom! I don’t know what I’m going to do without you.” I said truthfully.

  “You will do amazing things, that’s what you will do. Your father and I are so proud of you, Sweetie.”

  I gave her a quick hug and then shooed her out so I could pack. I don’t have much. In fact, most people own very little. We don’t believe in excess. We are provided with everything we need, but only just the essentials. It helps to keep greed to a minimum because this way nobody ever wants for anything. It almost completely eliminates stealing or people being tempted to do so. There are bad people everywhere, who will do bad things no matter what, but the country as a whole is pretty peaceful.<
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  I decided to set out my yellow dress to wear to the ministry. It’s dressy, but not overly fancy. It also goes well with my skin tone and dark hair. Once I put what I was wearing aside, I packed my night gown, two pairs of pants and a few tops, along with three dresses and two skirts; I was ready to go.

  I decided to take a few treasures from home with me as well. I love to read and can call up any book or movie anytime I want on my universal tablet, so that is coming with me. I also grabbed my book of historical quotes that I put together with all of my dad’s quotes over the years and a pet rock that Wes made for me when we were five. I was sad because I wanted a pet, but it turned out I was allergic to pretty much anything with fur. I started crying when I realized that I wouldn’t be able to have a pet and once Wes got one, I couldn’t play at his house anymore. Jasper helped Wes glue on acorn eyes and leaf hair to this flat smooth rock that Wes found. He came over and gave it to me and said that now I had a pet. We named him Rocco. Wes also informed me that pets were completely impractical, and until a dog could help him with quadratic equations he was going to stay away from the pet variety.

  After getting all of my things packed and ready, we decided to spend some quality time at home as a family. All three of us cooked dinner together, and ate as we told some of our favorite memories. After dinner we met Wesley’s family down by the lake and just enjoyed spending time together, eating some amazing brownies that Susan made. She also brought a jar of chocolate milk for me.

  Lily and I were digging for clams while Wesley and my father were having some sort of philosophical debate. Susan was telling my mom how to make a certain dish and I was just appreciating this last night of normalcy.

  Jasper joined us and kneeled down to speak to Lily. “Hey Lily Bug, I think Mom saved an extra brownie for you. Why don’t you head back up to the blanket and have one.”

  The promise of chocolate was too much to pass by and she was off with a start. Jasper chuckled softly. “Oh, what am I going to do with that girl?”

  “Beats me, she sure is a little pistol.”

  “That she is.” He replied with a shake of his head. “With Wesley it was easy. He wanted nothing and nobody to make him happy. It was always him and his books and research and calculations. I was always worried about him as a child. Children need to play, explore, and have fun, discover the world.”

  “Wes did that, Jasper. He might not have played like most children do, but he did have fun and he explored, he discovered more of the world than any child ever could.”

  “You are so good for him, Rosaline. I don’t know what he would have done without you. Sarah, she was the serious one. She was very studious and shy. Wesley reminds me so much of her sometimes.” This is the first time I’ve ever really heard Jasper talk about Wes’s mom before. “Sarah could sit in silence for hours, perfectly comfortable, just looking at the stars. I would go out of my skin. I needed to be around people, doing something, burning off my energy.”

  I just looked at him with a soft smile and nodded, not sure where he was going with this, but fascinated with this serious side of Jasper.

  “Losing Sarah was one of the hardest things that I’ve ever been through, but if that wouldn’t have happened our families would never have been so connected. Without you in his life, I’m not sure what Wesley would do. So even though moving on, moving forward, was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, it also was the best. I know this time must be so scary for you, Roz. I honestly can’t imagine how you must be feeling at this huge bomb that was dropped on you, but sometimes the best things to happen to us are the hardest. You are going to do amazing things for so many people! Wesley has been so lucky to have you in his life. He may not be able to show it, but he loves you very much, you know.”

  I only nod because I have tears rolling down my face and my throat will betray me if I try to talk.

  “You have always looked out for each other. People used to joke that one day you two would marry, but I know that’s not your relationship at all. You guys are like twins, you are joined together and you’ve bonded with Wes in a way I always wish I could. You both are going into to this situation with a huge advantage that most people don’t have: each other. I’m so proud of you, kid.”

  With those parting words Jasper leaned over and softly kissed my forehead, then headed back up towards the group.

  I sat near the shore alone for a while, thinking over everything Jasper had said. He was right. There was nothing that Wes and I haven’t gotten through together. Maybe Blondie knew what she was doing all along. It was already done. I was chosen as President and tomorrow I was going to the Ministry headquarters to take on my new role. Like it or not, this was happening. I can either be freaked out or I can embrace it and get on with it. How many people can say that they are able to take their two best friends to work with them? Yes, I think this just might work! Rosaline Thatcher, it’s time to take on the world.

  Chapter Six

  Since we had to be at the train station at eight, of course that meant that Wesley was at my house at 6AM, already a ball full of energy. Just as I was about to tell him to take his idiosyncrasies and shove them, he pulls out a jar of chocolate milk and a fresh, warm blueberry muffin and places them in my hands with a cunning grin.

  “You are so lucky you didn’t come empty-handed this early. Wesley, I swear I was going to kick your butt out,” I say with a scowl.

  “Yes, but then if I leave, I would have to take the breakfast I so gallantly brought you back with me,” he says with that huge smile still plastered to his handsome face.

  “That is the only reason I am allowing it,” I mumble through a mouthful of muffin. Good heavens this is good enough to make the angels weep.

  “Good morning, Wes,” my chipper father calls to him.

  I’m surrounded by morning people.

  “Good morning Abner.”

  “What, no muffin for me?” he asks, affronted.

  “Actually, my parents told me to have you both go over for some once we leave, something about keeping the womens' mouths full so they don’t blubber or some such nonsense.” I about choked on my mouthful.

  “Wes, what did I tell you about repeating everything people say? I’m pretty sure your dad didn’t mean for that to be a part of the invitation.”

  “As funny and accurate it may have been,” my dad adds with a chuckle.

  “Yeah, he’s just lucky Mom wasn’t in the room.”

  “Who’s lucky I wasn’t in the room?” Mom asks as she enters the room.

  “Oh Wes,” I add thinking up something off the top of my head. “He was saying how much he would miss you and how pretty you are for a mom.”

  “Aw, Wesley, how sweet are you?” She runs up to him and hugs him tight while crying on his shoulder.

  Wes gives me the death glare as he awkwardly pats her back.

  “Come on dear, let the poor boy go. It’s time for them to get going and to say our goodbyes.”

  Wes heaves a sigh of relief as she lets him go and runs to me, pulling me into her embrace. Unlike Wes, I fully embrace her back and hug her so tight I’m worried she might break. “I love you so much, Mom.”

  “I love you too, sweetie, more than you know! We are so proud of you! I got you something; come sit with me for a moment.” She pulls me to the couch where she hands me a small jewelry box. I open the box and gasp. It is a beautiful gold necklace in the shape of some sort of animal, a green jewel where the eye would be.

  “It’s a cougar,” my mother says, as if reading my mind. “Cougars stand for strength and leadership. This way, anytime you start to feel overwhelmed, you can just look at this cougar and realize how strong you are and what a powerful leader you have become.”

  I couldn’t hold back the tears, now streaming down my face with intensity. “Thank you, Mom. I love it; it’s perfect!”

  We left our parents at home, trying to hold back the tears while we walked to the train station. My mother had given me detailed inst
ructions on how to get there and Wes had to take his half-way break, today more than ever. We found a fallen log and sat down, looking out at the trees and the beautiful landscape before us. I loved my home. It was green and lush and I felt safe. I sat there and wondered what it was going to be like living at the ministry.

  “So, you ready for this Roz?” Wes looks down at me expectantly.

  “Of course I am, off to a new adventure, Wesley!” I say with a smile. I’m pretty sure he can see right through me, but he humors me by standing up and grabbing his bag.

  “Well, I’d hate to keep you from your adventure, Miss Thatcher. Shall we?” I stand up, grab my bag, take a deep breath and we plunge ahead.

  We arrive at the train station. Wes and I stand outside just gawking for what must have been about ten minutes. Good thing he insists on always being 23 minutes early. The station was not made of glass and colorful window panes like most of the buildings are. No, this one is a huge brick building. We have seen pictures of brick buildings in our history books, but never up close. It is beautiful and once we walk in, the inside is just as pretty. The walls are painted a deep red, and there is gold writing above the check-in window that says Station 5. I wonder just how many stations there are.

  We look around for someone to check us in, but all I see is a clear glass window. Well, that’s odd. My mother told me that once we got to the brick building we would go inside and check in, but I don't see anyone. Then it hit me: at school every morning we check-in by our hand scans. I’ve never seen a clear window scanner, but this must be the same type of check-in.

  I place my hand on the window and instantly it goes from see-through glass to a glowing blue color. My picture pops up on the screen and an animated voice recites “Rosaline Thatcher, checked in at 7:45. Destination: Department of Ministry. Please place your bag in the slot below. Thank you have a nice trip.” Then the screen disappears just like that and before my hands let go of my bag’s handle, the floor seems to open up, sucks it in, and then closes with a thump. I drop my hand and turned to Wes. “Well it looks like they are expecting us; I am officially scanned in.” Dread pools in my stomach, there’s no turning back now.