Ever After . . .

Chapter 21

~Maxon~

It's been about two weeks since Nathan had announced his Selection. I had suggested it, and he picked it up right away. Alison was excited for it, and Ben could care less.

I had sent a letter to America asking her about the Northern Rebels. I knew they were the good ones, but since I chose Kriss instead of America I had lost touch with Georgia and August Illéa. I had gotten a few threats from them, but nothing to be too concerned about. They still attacked, but they were becoming less frequent. They were probably ready to give up. What scared me the most was that the Southern Rebels haven't attacked in so long. It had been since my Selection since they attacked. They were getting ready for something big.

A butler comes into the room. He bows, and begins speaking, "Sir, we have more letters ready, and here. Shall I put them with the others?"

"You may. Tell me, what provinces are they from?" I ask. I've been keeping track of what provinces the letters have been coming from. Just so I know how many more provinces we need to collect letters from.

"There are six provinces here. Bonita, Clermont, Hondurauga, Panama, Dominica, and Whites, sir."

"Thank you. When will the eastern coast province letters be arriving?"

"Their photos are being taken today, and they should be here by tomorrow."

"Thank you. You are dismissed."

The butler bows, and leaves the room. The door clicks quietly shut. I find the map I've been using to keep track, and mark the six provinces. That makes fifteen provinces. Carolina, Allens, Waverly, Hansport, and Labrador should be here tomorrow. Followed by the midwest provinces, the northern, and the smaller ones close to Angeles. Which means that all of the letters should be here by Friday, and we'll be able to announce the winners then.

Nathan comes into my office pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Nathan. Did you need something?" I ask him.

"You didn't tell me that the Selection would be this hard," he says slumping into the chair across from my desk.

"You haven't even started. Once you get all of the winners on Friday, you'll have to help customize each room to fit the winning girl."

"That's what Silvia was going over. She's been lecturing me on the basics of the Selection for the past hour."

"Hey. It'll all be worth it in the end. You'll find someone who's just right for you. Just don't be an idiot or a jerk during it, and you'll be fine."

"Why. Were you an idiot or a jerk during your Selection?"

"Both actually. I thought I made the right choice, that I was doing the right thing. It only made it worse. I was being a jerk to one of the final contestants, and now looking back on it I feel like such an idiot for treating her that way."

"Wow. Never thought I'd hear that come out of you."

"You'd be surprised of how many stories I could tell about my Selection. It was one of the best times of my life. You'll have that same experience. Or at least something similar to mine. If you do have an experience similar to mine just don't tell your grandfather."

"Why? Did you get into trouble?"

"I should've. He never found out, and still hasn't to this day. If he had found out what I got myself into, I wouldn't be sitting here today."

"Wow. Dad, you must've been quite the trouble maker." Nathan laughs a little.

I laugh a little too, and say, "You have no idea."

"So your advice, don't be a jerk, don't be an idiot, don't tell grandfather if it's something I could get in trouble for, and have a good time. Sounds simple enough."

"Don't worry. It sounds bad, but it's so much easier than it sounds. Just as soon as you find that right person for you."

"I feel so much better talking to you about this than mom. She was so on edge when I asked her about it."

"That's a kind of touchy subject with your mother. I spent most of my time in the Selection with another girl instead of with your mother. She's still jealous of that girl even though it has been seventeen years since your mother has won."

"Will that happen with me? Will my future wife become jealous because of another girl that almost won?"

"Hopefully not. This was just one occasion. She has no reason to be jealous of this other girl."

"Really?"

"Yes. Now it's about time for dinner. Go clean up and I'll see you then."

"Thank you for talking to me about this."

"No problem. Just don't mention anything about what I said about your mother or the girl to your mother. She will kill me if she found out I said those things."

"No problem. Words of this conversation will not leave my lips."

"Thank you. Now go. I'll see you at dinner."

He stands up and leaves my office. I stare at the pile of paperwork that still needs to be done. I push it aside, and focus on it one at a time. If only America was here. She's know what to do.

I've been trying to find a discrete way to eliminate the castes. I'm the only person who knows about. Well me, and my closest and trusted advisors. America might as well know too. After all it was her idea.

It's weird. America has been crossing my mind more and more lately. Maybe her daughter enter the Selection. Maybe she'll win for Carolina. If so I'll get to see America one final time. But I'm not going to be like my father who chose for me. I just have to let fate decide on if America's daughter will win Carolina.

There is such a difference between my father and I. My father would have never talked to me about the Selection. Maybe I'm taking a step in a better direction. One that leads me away from my abusive past, and into a better future for me, and my kids.