The Separation

by Thomas Duffy

  “Why?”

  “His father, AKA you, was trouble. Troublemakers seems to pass their genes on to their children who also become troublemakers. It's an unfortunate fact of life, Finn.”

  “This is an unfortunate fact of life. That you could deny two people who love each other so completely to be stripped away from one another.”

  “Angela? Are you taking about Angela? The woman you divorced. Stop your shit, Finn. Geoffrey are we ready to hang this son of a bitch?”

  “Yes, Joe. It's almost ready. Prepare the last supper.”

  “I know the last supper and the crucifixion were two completely separate things and I never studied religion,” Finn said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You people aren't my disciples. You're my detractors.”

  “We could have invited your disciples. Your ex-wife may be your only true disciple, unfortunately. We're your family now. We're the ones who took you in when you intruded on our territory.”

  “I want to see Moses before I die.”

  “Who is Moses? A friend of yours I presume?”

  “A true mentor.”

  “Mentors have no right being here,” Joe said.

  “Why not?”

  “Mentors are enablers. Mentors enable their students to believe they have a future when indeed almost 90 percent of the population is dying from the day they were born and have no future. These people are just killing time waiting to die doing the mundane. Jobs are what we created to take people's minds off the fact that they're, quite literally, the soon-to-be dead.”

  “Fuck off, Joe.”

  “Finn, I'm going to start the process of whipping the living shit out of you soon. What do you want for dinner?”

  “Steak and potatoes. Carrots too.”

  “We can arrange that Finn,” Geoffrey said.

  “You didn't answer my question. Can you find Moses for me?”

  “Absolutely not. He probably knows too much already. Your friends and neighbors will know you are gone but I'll be damned if any of them will come close to discovering what we've let you in on about life and especially about the separation laws and the reason they exist.”

  “Joe. You're putting holes in all my dreams. Put a bullet in my head after the last supper. Don't crucify me. Let me die with dignity.”

  “A crucifixion like the so-called Jesus had may be the most dignified way to die.”

  “You're not like them, Joe! You're smart, you can be anything you want to be. Don't choose to be a spoiled brat. You have so much potential. Live up to it!”

  “I live up to the fact that I never have to work a real job with strangers. I never have to kiss a boss's ass to make a living. I can stay alive no matter what I do because I was lucky enough to be born into the wealthiest sector of society. The most established sector in our society. The cream of the crop. The people who can get away with crucifying a man. I like that.”

  “Joe. I feel sorry for you.”

  “Not as sorry as I feel for you, Finn. Geoffrey, take the girls and go get the man a steak and some vegetables.”

  “The girls already ordered the food from the supermarket. They're delivering it in the next twenty minutes,” Geoffrey said.

  “I miss Angela. I love that woman so much. A feeling I didn't know existed as a child has taken over my life. I knew about respect. Love was touched upon in our classes but the love for someone of the opposite sex. There is no greater reward for the hard work we do in this life we live. I want Angela to know what's going on. I want her there for my death.”

  “That's simply impossible, Finn.”

  “Why is it impossible, Joe?”

  “Well it just is. To have her physically by your side just isn't a possibility. Maybe we could let her watch the show with the other viewers.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “This event will be shown to the cream of society's crop. Maybe we could let Angela see you die on virtual select television.”

  “On second thought, I don't want Angela seeing me die. That would be too hard for her to endure. I know it. I love her too much to let her watch something so brutal.”

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Angela was home crying about the situation she discovered herself in. She felt misery. She loved her husband and was only aware of how he broke the law regarding keeping silent about the separation laws. The phone rang. She picked it up and on the other end was Joe.

  “Angela? You don't know me. Your husband gave me your number. Who I am is not important. I am simply the guy who will be here at your ex-husband's end. Do you love your husband?”

  “More than anything else in this life.”

  “He loved you. He still loves you. He is going to die soon. I wanted to let him know I told you how much he loved you. I didn't want him dying until I let you know how much he feels that you were his reason for living.”

  “What you're doing to him is inhumane.”

  “It's for the good of society. It's for the interest and protection of our way of life. Don't you think that's a cause noble enough to sacrifice one man?”

  “One man is too many to have to die to keep a society intact. A society whose laws are simply...well let me just shut up. I can't do this anymore. I won't do this anymore. I am letting Finn go. My heart will never forget him but my mind must. I can't function if I can't work and I can't work if I think constantly about my ex-husband. Please don't call me again.”

  Angela hung up the phone. Finn had been listening to the conversation the whole time. He started to feel as horrible as he possibly could as his heart seemed to sink so very low. He knew the woman he once called his wife would not be at his side as his life came to an end.

  All the teenagers were in the kitchen cooking dinner for Finn's last supper. As Finn thought about leaving and running away, he realized he was totally hopeless for the first time in his life. Nothing could save him. There was no more faith left within him that he would live any longer than but a few mere hours. Finn felt all the despair he could possibly endure until it was revealed that he was to take a seat in the dining room with the teenagers for his least meal.

  When Finn came in to the dining room, he saw a wonderful table full of bread, soda, water and steak for each of the people present in the home. Finn noticed one extra seat, though. He wondered to himself who it was for.

  “I count an extra chair, Joe. Why is there an extra chair?”

  “My father is coming. The richest man this country has ever known is going to come to break bread with you. He says you're the most interesting man he had ever heard about in his lifetime.”

  “What's his name?”

  “Joseph, Sr.”

  “Oh. I see. When will he arrive?”

  “He's outside. His limousine just pulled up in front of the house.”

  Finn could glimpse an older man getting out of the limo through the window in the dining room. Joe, Jr. went out to greet his father and take him inside the house to meet Finn. When Joe, Sr. made his way into the house, a proper introduction to Finn ensued.

  “Hello, Finn. I am Joe, Sr. You have gotten to know my son or so I've been told. What do you think of my boy?”

  “Total fucking prick.”

  “Excuse me.”

  “Just kidding. I love him like a brother.”

  They all started laughing. While the teenagers, Joe, Sr. and Finn chuckled, they also smelled the aroma of the delicious meal that was prepared. Each of them took their respective seats at the table where Finn's last supper was to occur.

  “So, this question is for your dad, Joe. Why do you think I'm so interesting?”

  “I believe my son has told you how we feel about you and why. I've seen the videos. Why don't we just eat?”

  “It's my last supper. I want to talk.”

  “Talking is not proper during a meal of this caliber,” Joe, Jr. said.

  “I'm excited to be in your presence, Finn,” Joe, Sr. stated.

  “Thank you. I am i
ntrigued to be in the presence of people who have no idea what the true reality is for the everyday citizen.”

  “Trying to argue with our decisions is, at this point, not advisable. Let's just accept the hand we've dealt you or, better yet, the hand you have dealt yourself, sir,” said Joe, Sr.

  “With all due respect, honorable sir, I've been more than patient with the games that you've made me play. I feel almost as if I was a rat in a maze who is just learning that fate is going to take me from this world I find myself living in, in a quite sneakily fashion.”

  “Finn, if you don't want to enjoy your last supper, we can start the procedure now,” Joe, Jr. said.

  “The most ridiculous procedure is what I'd call your plan.”

  “Finn, let's say a blessing. It's time to eat,” Joe, Sr. stated.

  “I want to lead the blessing. Do I have your permission to bless this meal?”

  “But, of course, Finn. By all means,” Joe, Jr. said.

  “No. That's not how it works. I will say the blessing,” said Joe, Sr.

  “Sorry, Dad.”

  “It's OK son. Finn, listen as I speak.”

  “Of course, sir.”

  “We are gathered here today to pay respect to a life. A life that was an honorable one. A life that could not be preserved, unfortunately. Finn, the common man who sits among us, has committed unspeakable acts against our society and, for that, I, as well as my colleagues, hereby condemn him to the fate of crucifixion. However, that does not mean his life was invaluable. On the contrary. He led many students to great careers. As a young man, he was first-rate. He continued to share his gift through education after learning of our separation laws which he respected at first. He couldn't hold on to the ideals and values of the society that was presented before him. But, we are honoring him with this last supper. A meal prepared on his behalf. A meal which we will all share tonight in Finn's honor. Finn, do you have anything you'd like to say that doesn't relate to stating your supposed innocence?”

  “Yes, sir. I'd like to say a few words. I'd like to stand if you don't mind.”

  “Please do stand, sir.”

  “Thank you, Joe, Sr.”

  “I am now standing before a group of young people and a senior citizen. These are the people who will lead me to death. A death which I take full responsibility for causing. I won't stand here tonight to try to express my utter disappointment but, rather, I will state my respect for the people present here tonight. I want this meal to be enjoyed in silence amongst us. Feel free to pass the foods among us and know we are connected through the gift of life, if through nothing else. Life is a precious gift. I don't have to express my gratitude for the life I was given here right now but I feel like I want to express my appreciation for my life to my parents. I'd like to propose a toast to parents right now.”

  “Good idea, Finn. To parents,” Joe, Jr. said as he got up and raised his glass.

  Everyone else at the table stood up as well and raised their glasses and said, “To parents.” Then, they sipped the drinks that were in their glasses before sitting back down. They passed the food around the table and Finn helped himself to some steak and vegetables. He poured himself a glass of wine after finishing the soda that was in the first glass he had drank. Everybody present was either cutting meat or actually eating vegetables. Finn looked down at the table and over to the shiny steak knife that Joe, Jr., who was seated right next to him, was using. Right then, he devised a plan. A plan that would possibly help him.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  When the main course was complete, it was said that dessert would soon be made available. Geoffrey had gone with one of the girls to the kitchen to get some dessert for the table. When nobody seemed to be looking directly at him, Finn took his steak knife and lowered it down under the table. He then slid the knife under his backside. He put it there for the time being as Jenny returned with a key lime pie and a strawberry shortcake which were brought out alongside a chocolate mousse cake that Geoffrey had in his hands.

  Finn started eating a slice of the key lime pie when he looked at Joe, Jr, who was chewing a piece of the strawberry shortcake. Finn glimpsed him out of the corner of his eye focusing on the mouth area of Joe, Jr. who seemed to be happily chewing his cake. Finn saw him devouring the cake as a representation of the privilege that Joe, Jr. had found himself accustomed to. In that moment, Finn knew he had to fight one last battle for his life. He wanted to survive for some reason. He wasn't ready to let go of life just yet. Finn reached for the steak knife he had put under his backside. He then pulled his hand back up. He wasn't quite sure if he wanted to go this route. After another thirty seconds, he was absolutely positive that he did want to do what he was going to do.

  Joe, Jr. got up and walked over to the cross which was in the living room. He was figuring out a way to stand it up in the room in such a way that Finn could be hung from it in an aesthetically pleasing way. He called out for Geoffrey's help. He told Geoffrey to hold the cross up straight while he went to get Finn. Geoffrey told Joe, Jr. that he had placed the nails on the coffee table. Joe, Jr. then went to get Finn from the dining room table.

  “Come on, buddy. It's time to hang. Let's get this done. Maybe I'll shoot you dead so you don't have to hang up too long,” Joe, Jr. said.

  Finn swiftly took the knife from under him, and brought himself behind Joe, Jr. placing the steak knife by Joe, Jr.'s throat. Geoffrey ran over to them. Finn started to slightly cut into the skin of the neck of the young man he was standing in back of until Finn told Geoffrey to back up.

  “Stop your shit, Finn. Please, let me go!” Joe Jr. screamed.

  “I'll cut this fucker like a slice of bread. Back up all of you. Or so help me, God, I'll slice him deep. I'll kill this piece of shit.”

  “What do you want, Finn?”

  “Geoffrey, you know what I want.”

  “I really don't.”

  “I don't want to die.”

  “Let him go and we won't kill you. That's my son,” Joe, Sr. stated.

  “That's exactly it. You see, I want to see my son. It's the only thing that will stop me from killing him dead.”

  “But, how? If we told him about the separation laws, we'd have to kill Leonardo too,” Joe, Sr. said.

  “I want the women out of here. Get out! I want Geoffrey to take them and leave. This is between fathers and sons tonight. I want to see my son!”

  After he said that, Finn lowered himself down to the floor pushing Joe, Jr. down with him. They were seated on the floor one behind the other. Joe, Sr. was shocked at what he was witnessing. He instructed Geoffrey to go take the women out of the house and seek help.

  “No, Geoffrey. No help. If you bring anyone back here, I'll kill Joe, Jr. It will be his end. I guarantee you that.”

  “If you do that, Finn, you'll have no collateral and you'll die anyway.”

  “That may be true, Geoffrey, but what other options does an average guy like me really have in the world we live in?”

  “Finn, let him go now! You have no idea what you're involved in,” Geoffrey responded.

  “I have every idea of what I'm involved in. That's my problem. That's why I refuse to let you sick sons of bitches hang me. Leave now Geoffrey. Take the young ladies with you.”

  “Do what he says. Just do it. I want to see where he's going with this,” Joe, Sr. said.

  As Geoffrey took the young ladies out of the house, he closed the door behind him. When they got out of the house, Geoffrey looked at Jenny.

  “I knew this was a bad idea,” Geoffrey said.

  “What do we do now?”

  “Jenny, that's not for us to decide. It's up to them.

  Back in the house, Joe, Jr. was feeling the uncomfortable feeling of the knife pressed against his neck. He didn't want to say anything to Finn who had his own head against the wall.

  “They'll send snipers who will take you out in a minute, Finn,” Joe, Sr. said.

  “If they do that, and I feel any
thing happen to me, I'm taking your son with me. There's no other option now. Unless you let me see my son. I want to see Leonardo.”

  “You know that can't happen.”

  “Oh but it can, old man. Or else you'll know what it's like to have no son.”

  “This is bigger than my son. They'll take you both out. What will the purpose be of that? You'll both be dead.”

  “Who do you have to call to get Leonardo here? I know once I let your son go, there's no fighting chance for me to survive. I want to see Leonardo. Any way you can, please, make it happen. Make it happen, now. Make it happen, fast.”

  “I don't know who to call.”

  “Call someone or your son gets it.”

  Joe, Jr. asked a question: “Please can I speak?”

  “No!”

  “Listen to Finn, son. Just be quiet. I will get you out of this. I promise.”

  “Call my son's caregivers and tell them what you have to tell them. How far away is he from here?”

  “About two hours, Finn.”

  “Two hours. Not too bad. We can sit here for two hours.”

  “Like I said, if Geoffrey tells someone, they'll send snipers who will take you out, Finn. They will arrive quickly.”

  “And if I feel anything as much as a pinch, I'll slice, Joe, Jr. deep and take him with me to hell.”

  “There is no hell. Mark my words. This is all there is.”

  “Believe what you want, old man. When you get to be in my position, there's gotta be something to believe in. I have to hold on to something.”

  “You're a dead man. People, before they die, tend to think crazy thoughts but, like my son said, your thoughts have been consistently insane. It's unusual this mental illness wasn't caught sooner. Had you not been so damn intelligent, someone would have caught it and treated you.”

  “How do you treat the human condition?”

  “Very delicately. I'm going to call someone. Someone who is as powerful as me. He's the only one who can possibly see about getting your son here and decide what he would do with your son to keep him unaware of the separation laws. Because if he knows, he wouldn't be able to live either. Why would you do that to your son?”