The Color of Knowledge

Chapter Five

       

"Here, just put on a little makeup, Ivy. You could at least try to look decent for the boy."

"Mom! Stop already. I'm not trying to impress him."

"He could be the one. The least you could do is put forth some type of effort. It wouldn't hurt."

"Mom, please stop." Ivy moved to get around her mother who stood in the doorway of the bathroom. She was going to visit Alex, and Mrs. Stone insisted she look her best. However, the only thing Ivy was concerned about was figuring out why Alex wanted to speak with her in the first place.

Failing to get around her mother, she tried a different approach. "Fine." She gave her best impression of someone giving up. "I'll wear some, but not that color."

Mrs. Stone's shoulders rose in approval. "That's no problem at all, I have tons. Almost each of every color allowed."

Ivy watched as her mother withdrew to her bedroom to get more options for makeup, which allowed her to escape from the bathroom. She hurried down the stairs to the first floor. Makeup was something she hated. It was something that was more up Spencer's alley.

"What do you want for breakfast?" Mr. Stone asked as Ivy strolled into the kitchen. 

"I'm not really hungry." She did not sit down.

Mr. Stone looked up from his bowl of cereal. "No? Well I guess we should get going then."

They were almost out the door when Mrs. Stone called behind them. "Ivy! You forgot to put on your makeup. Which color?"

"Oh, I changed my mind," said Ivy, retreating further from the house.

Mrs. Stone looked dejected as she watched her daughter leave. Her shoulders slumped and the corners of her mouth turned down.

"Love you, Mom! See you later."

"She doesn't mean to be like that, Scarlett," Mr. Stone whispered to his wife before kissing her goodbye.

"I know," she sighed back.

Mr. Stone turned to catch up with Ivy who was waiting for him in the pathway in front of the house.

"You shouldn't treat your mother like that."

"I don't mean to. You know our relationship has never really been that strong. Plus, she knows I don't wear that kind of stuff. She shouldn't try to shove it down my throat."

"We won't be here forever, Ivy. Time flies, and I suggest you make an effort to strengthen your relationship with her before it's too late. You'll regret it if you don't. Trust me. You never know when it's the last time you're going to see someone." Mr. Stone looked to his daughter with a grave expression.

"Is everything alright?"

He looked to the ground and shook his head. "I don't know. The numbers of deaths among the old have been increasing lately. It's probably nothing to worry about."

Not wanting to upset her father, Ivy pushed the thought to the back of her mind. They had reached The Square and were headed to the Healthcare Unit, which ran parallel to the government sector of The Society.

The hospital was the only building outside of the government sector that looked like a government structure. It was tall and wide, with a weird geometric shape. Shiny, black glass made up the exterior, which reflected light. Patients were able to look out without citizens being able to look in. The inside of the hospital was decorated all white with black accents. The father-daughter pair rounded a corner on the first floor and made their way up to a small desk.