A Goode Life

Chapter 5

The colors of the wind were orange, red, and brown. That's what flew in the faces of everyone walking down the streets of Montreal. The wind made it chilly. CNS did not have full access here. It worked like a no man's land in a grid war between IDs. This non-aggressive way of dealing with each other did not mean there was no tension. Each ID had its sphere of influence in this city. It was unclear why they chose Montreal, but practically all IDs had stakes here.

"Good morning, lover," Lucy called out in the apartment.

"Morning Luce," Brad said casually. This did not make her happy. Brad smiled sheepishly. It was their first month in Montreal. It was odd hearing that word lover, given that they haven't done anything sexual with each other. He thought he had barely done anything to be called that. However, it did give him something to have pride about. 'I'm Lucy's boyfriend. Lucy's lover,' he thought with confidence.

Brad wondered what her mom must have thought of them. Probably only good things, given her nonchalant nature. She focused on her career first and foremost, everything else was secondary. That was the theme of the two's relationship. That must have been why Lucy had buried herself in her work too. So that her Mother would have no choice but to look at her when it was her time to shine. That's how Brad saw their Mother-daughter relationship.

Taking him to the couch, feeling frisky, Lucy took off her jumper revealing her delicate frame. She looked at Brad as if she knew his feelings. He took her into his arms and pulled her in for a deep kiss. He was careful not to be forceful being the man in the relationship. He wanted her to feel safe in his arms, he wanted to be a responsive, sensitive lover. They took their session to bed. He was not the pushy type; he knew not to knock on that door. They both had strong religious morals and did not want to sin. They made out for the half-hour before they had to go to class. He was becoming less and less satisfied with their acts, however.

Class soon started; it was a politics class. There were no unknowns there. Intellectually, this was his safe space. Each class passed by as if it was a relaxation period as if he were sitting down to watch TV. He had no reservations; he asked every question that came to his mind. His professor seemed to like it. He would go on and on over the points that came up in response to Brad's questions. Brad knew he was right in going to Montreal for school. It was a blessing being in a place like this, aware of its reputation as a hub for innovation yet unaware of the societal context.

The apartment was outside CNS' wall making it outside of CNS jurisdiction, Brad hadn't signed anything with other IDs making him feel a little unsafe in this area. But Lucy apparently had and said they were both cleared to stay there.

"Don't worry Brad, my home is your home," she said.

He wasn't completely satisfied with the answer, he would have liked to sign something himself so that he would be sure of whose jurisdiction he was under. But if Lucy says it's safe, then it must be.

"My family lived in this apartment before we came to the city," Lucy says. "I love Montreal almost as much as I love our city."

"It's because there's unity, right? CNS' wall encompasses the whole city unlike here in Montreal." Brad said.

"It's simpler than that. It's where I met you," she said as she pecked his cheek. Which then turned into a lover's embrace. They couldn't stop themselves. Their hormones were in full control of their bodies.

***

Lucy went out for a walk. As an art student, she was tasked to take in everything around her as a source of inspiration. Starting off with the standard clichés; trees, the sky, the sun, and then moving on to the less obvious ones; like houses and strangers.