Wasteland

IX

Ray

Rosa sits on the edge of her bed; in between my legs as I pass the brush through her freshly cut hair. She's not as skinny as she was just weeks ago. She looks healthy, not as tired. But what it took for her to get here lurks in the back of my mind. Leanne.

"Max is a very nice boy." Rosa murmurs quietly.

"You tell me this every time I see you." I remind her with a sigh. "And you should call him Officer Riley. It's not polite to refer to him by his first name."

"He tells me to call him Max when he visits."

"Does he visit often?"

She nods. "He's teaching me how to read and write. He said I should show you." She nods over to the marble notebook on her bedside table. I pick it up and the first page is covered in illegible scrawl. But on the bottom, I see my name written neatly.

the cliff at midnight

I bite my lip to contain my smile.

"Since I'm learning, we're going to be able to write to each other once you get out." Rosa says excitedly.

The smile drops off my face. "Mom..."

"Will you braid my hair like yours?" She puts a hand to the fishtail laid across my shoulder.

I nod, replying softly, "Of course."

--

Max is waiting for me when I approach the Cliff at the exact time he told me. He's sitting on an old blanket with a white box at his feet.

He grins when he sees me. "Hey, you came."

I nod. "You really went all out."

"I tried," He shrugs and opens the box. "Do you like donuts?"

I sit down across from him. "I've never had one before."

Max feigns shock. "Well, because of that, I'll allow you to have my favorite one." He hands me a pastry the size of my hand with red liquid bursting from the edges. "It's jelly."

I nod, taking a bite. My stomach growls at memory of the bland soup I had for dinner. "It's really good." I murmur, taking another bite. Max grins proudly, grabbing one of the six for his own. We eat in silence until the box is empty, stealing shy glances every so often.

Max groans contently, lying back onto the blanket with his hands folded over his stomach. "This is the first night I've had off in a week."

"And you chose to spend it with me?"

He looks up at me, "I haven't seen you in a few days. I missed you." He reaches up to move a piece of my hair, his index finger running lightly down my cheek.

My heart flutters and I feel so stupid. But I like it. "You keep breaking rules, Officer Riley. It's not very professional of you."

Max rolls his eyes. "You're one to talk."

"I hear you've been teaching Rosa how to read and write."

"Yeah," He smiles. "I'm doing it during my meals. She's learning fast."

"Why are you doing this? Why are you using up your free time?"

Max groans again. "You ask a lot of questions, Ray."

I scowl. "I'm a curious person." I retort. "It's not like you even answer any of them."

He shrugs, shifting so that our legs are pressed against each other. "The less time I spend at the government building when I'm off duty, the better. I don't exactly like hanging out with my coworkers."

There's silence once again as we stare off the edge. "How long until your birthday?" Max asks quietly.

"Eighty-one days." I reply without hesitation, curling my fingers together.

"Listen, Ray...I'm going to—"

I reach over and put my fingers over his mouth. His lips purse slightly. "I don't want to talk about this, Max. Can we please just enjoy this?"

"Sorry," He whispers, sitting up again. I slide closer until my shoulders are completely wrapped under his arm and we're pressed together under the stars.

--

The following morning, I'm leaving the chapel when I'm stopped by someone calling my name. I turn around and I recognize Max's mother immediately as I tense up.

"Hello, Rayna." She greets me quietly. "Beautiful day, hm?"

"Yes it is." I hum quietly.

"I always look forward to Spring here in West. It's never too hot, but never too cold. Seemingly perfect." She smiles warmly. "My son has taken quite a liking to you."

All of the blood rushes straight to my cheeks. "Has he?"

"He's worked very hard to get to where he is now. It'd be such a shame if it were all thrown away due to poor decisions."

"What would you like me to do?" I ask.

"I'm not here to threaten you or even warn you for that matter, Rayna." She replies. "You could get in a lot of trouble too. I just ask that you be careful."

"I can assure you that whatever you are assuming is happening between me and your son is inaccurate. Max has done a lot for me and my mother and I have a lot of respect for him. That's all."

She smiles again. "I wasn't aware that you were on first-name terms with him." I let out a sigh at the realization of my mistake. "Lessons are beginning soon so I need to be on my way. I also wanted to congratulate you on your graduation. Your mothers must be so proud."

I nod. "Thank you."

"Enjoy the rest of your day Rayna." She says and turns the corner so that I'm alone.

When I arrive back home, the house is empty except for Mother Cathy, who is in the kitchen scrubbing the wood counters. She looks up when she hears me.

"Oh, good morning Rayna, your sisters just left for lessons. I need you to pick them up this afternoon please."

"Of course." I nod. "Do you need any help?"

"No, thank you my dear. Just doing some spring cleaning. There's a letter for you, I placed it on your bed."

My eyes widen. "A letter? From who?"

"There's a government seal on it. Perhaps it's regarding your mother or maybe..." She looks down, not wanting to finish her statement. But it's not like she has to.

I quickly thank her, bounding up the stairs. I've never gotten a letter before, from anyone. Maybe it was from Rosa. That would be a nice surprise, something to hold on to.

I rip the letter open and the first line sends my heart soaring.

R,

I am here. I am safe. I am in good care. Angela will help you.

Come as soon as possible. Be safe.

        -  L