Keepsake

Chapter 21

Marcus Evers

As the week rolled by, my friends and I kept the secret of what we were going to do this Friday. We hung out in between classes as usual and blended in as much as the next person. To the average person, everything was ordinary. To us, details were being put together on our plan, and gaps were being closed on what it was exactly that we were looking for. At the back of our minds we knew that the plan was near to getting started.

When Friday came, we were all watching each other with the secret look and stare. Today was the day. We all did our class work and kept it simple. But when the final bell rang, we made our way out of the building. We moved like the crowd and no one noticed a thing about us. Occasionally, we would see one another and talk like usual. No one dared say the word cousin couple the whole time. Plenty of bodies going by and not one knew of our plan that would be taking place tonight.

Alysia had left classes earlier to get to the library ahead of all of us by catching a ride with Linda. She convinced her boss to let a few of us inside. How she managed it, I didn't know.

I make it to the library and find the doors to be locked. As I peer through them, Alysia walks up and opens it. She had her dark brown hair tied up and appeared to have been moving around a lot. Maybe it was the nerves.

"Come on in."

"Where is everyone else?" I ask.

"Some of them are already here. They're waiting for you at the computers."

I lower my voice. "Sarah?"

Alysia shook her head. "She's not coming."

It looked as though Sarah was counted out with certainty. She wasn't going to participate no matter what.

I take a walk and find everyone is here gathered together in a circle. Their eyes move across the small group and then to me. Smiles suddenly show.

I stand within the circle of friends and speak, "Welcome, everybody. Thank you all for doing this. You're all putting your own names and reputations at risk here so you can help us. Thank you for that. I'm sure that everyone has parents and relatives whom if they knew what we were doing, they'd be very upset and disappointed in us. I think that if we stay focused, think fast, and be patient with finding others out there, we'll get through it just fine.

"We've got four hours to do the best we can. There are cousin couples out there throughout the world. What we're looking for is some that are closer to home so that they can come here and meet with Alysia and I. Maybe we can connect with some and organize a meeting somewhere within range, whether it's tomorrow or in a week from today. Either way is fine.

"Be sure to use the term cousin couple and marriage while doing searches. Different search engines are a plus and go online with any social networks that you are a member of. Once we put the word out, it'll attract what we're looking for."

I look around at everyone's faces. "Is everybody ready?"

Each person confirms.

"Alright, lets do it," I give the command and everyone moves to a computer.

I sit at a computer, sign on to a search engine and start hitting in keys. My first target is open forums. Second is live chat rooms. I search for anything related to couples that struggle to gain approval from their families and what modern day culture declares to be taboo relationships.

The first hour passes and so far, I haven't been able to connect with anyone. I move my head around to warm up my neck and then take a needed walk. I go over to Linda and Joanne.