Hiding The Truth

Summoned

Lydia had been summoned to the Administrator's office. Normally she got her assignments from Doug and gave her post-mission reports directly to him, but occasionally she worked with other trainers or senior Agents. She had never had an audience with any ranking leader before. She stepped into the supply closet in her office, swapped her cardigan for a blazer and her flats for heels. She refreshed her rouge and lipstick with a compact mirror and arranged her hair into a flawless French twist. "You only get one chance to make a first impression," she told herself, "so it better be a damned good one."

Another Agent appeared at the door just as she was zipping her clutch purse closed.

"Are you ready to go? I'll be escorting you to the Executive Suites." It was Andra Wellington, one of her favorite classmates from her recruitment cycle. Andra was kind, compassionate, open hearted, and just plain fun to be around. She was also a great doubles partner on the tennis court. Her friendship softened Lydia's severity and on a few rare, sparkling occasions even reminded her not to take everything so seriously.

"As always!" She responded, turning smartly on her heel to lock the door on her way out.

"Are you nervous?" Andra asked.

"Well, I wasn't until you said something," Lydia chuckled. "Am I being called on the carpet for some reason?"

Andra laughed. "You're probably being presented another award for some new feat of excellence, knowing you. How does it feel to be the best at everything?"

"Every Agent is important. Every mission matters. Your work with the Education Department is vital to the Organization's goals. Just think how many Columbian children are learning quality values and reaching their highest potential because of you!"

"White children, you mean." Andra scoffed. "Mark my words, within five years I'll have the Integration Initiatives pushed through and Black and Red children in the White schools."

"Is that really necessary? I don't understand why the Separate But Equal ruling isn't sufficient." Lydia wondered.

"It is necessary. The Black and Red schools are so poorly funded they're still using slates and chalk at their desks and learning from the outdated textbooks the White schools are replacing. They can't afford paper, pencils, or decent libraries, and the Black teachers are still taking in washing to supplement their incomes. They have minimal music programs, no art programs to speak of, and only a handful of the students go on to a Black college or even trade program. And the Red schools are not much better, and in some places worse." Andra explained.

Lydia shook her head. She didn't have anything against Black or Red people particularly. It was just that everyone had a place in society and it only made sense for them to stay in their place. Which was as washerwomen, maidservants, ditch diggers, and service station attendants. Andra was passionate about equality, but the fact was, people simply weren't all equal. It wasn't anyone's fault Blacks and Reds were beneath White society. It was just the way things were. Andra would probably never agree though, and Lydia did not want to fight with her best friend. Andra was the only person she didn't feel judged, measured, and graded by, and Lydia was unwilling, maybe even unable, to live without the sense of peace and acceptance Andra brought to the friendship.

Luckily, the two women arrived at the Executive Suites just then, cutting the conversation short.