No Such Thing as Evil

Chapter 5

She made sure she had everything ready for the walk after getting Chris strapped into the stroller and then took a moment to look at him. He was certainly a handsome young man, with bright blue eyes and wisps of dark hair. One arm bounced off his round belly with what might be excitement in anticipation of the walk.

Things were starting to fall into a rhythm. In all the material Laura had studied about childcare, the consistent theme was to develop a regular schedule. At first, she was concerned about so much to keep track of, but once Chris came home with them, everything seemed manageable. She'd taken time off initially. Then after some discussion with Ben, she'd decided to leave her job permanently. It wasn't an easy decision. She'd always viewed herself as a career woman, but she had to admit her maternal instincts had kicked in. Raising Chris was something she wanted to do.

Laura pushed the stroller down the alley. At the corner, the neighbor woman she'd seen having a confrontation with her husband was sweeping the back sidewalk leading to their house. When she switched her grip on the broom, she had to maneuver it around her belly. She flinched when she heard Laura passing.

"Good morning!" Laura called, waving. The woman smiled and nodded but didn't slow her sweeping. I guess now's not a good time.

At the park, Laura found an open bench. She lifted Chris up, supporting his head and holding him against her chest. It was a beautiful day. The sun was still low in the sky, but it was already warming the air. A dozen kids were running, jumping, laughing, and playing. What will Chris be like at that age? The song of the cicadas was starting. Wave after wave of their clicking sounds carried across the park. She placed a cloth on her shoulder, lifted Chris a little higher, and patted his back gently, hoping for a reasonable burp after the morning feeding.

Laura had been stashing away little memories of special times with Chris, like this one. Now she realized why—to share with Marian the next time they were together. She had to accept reality. She's gone.

Marian was so stressed at the end. Is the woman on the corner stressed too? Is that why she's so reserved? I did everything I could for Marian. She needed me, and I was there for her. Laura looked to the sky. Marian, now it's my turn. I need you.

Holding Chris close to her, Laura cried—a healing, releasing cry, the kind ending with a shudder and a deep breath. I'm your mom now, Chris.

On the way home, Laura looked for the neighbor woman, but she wasn't outside. She pushed the stroller to the back of the woman's house and waited at the back door. She could barely hear the repeating seccomm voice announcement coming from inside the house. "Visitor arriving. Quantity one."

Leaning over the stroller, Laura brushed the strands of Chris's hair to the side. "That's OK, buddy. You certainly count in my eyes." Still, no one came to the door. Maybe she left? No, the seccomm wouldn't announce if nobody were home to hear it. In a window, Laura glimpsed the drape fall back into place.

Well, maybe just the attempt to get formally introduced is good enough for now. Laura took Chris back home. There'll be other opportunities.

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The people in the waiting room at the community clinic reminded Chelsea of cattle heading for slaughter. A mother tried to corral her snotty-nosed kid. One man held a surgical mask over his nose and mouth. The queue was long today, at least sixty people. Chelsea touched the scab on her lip. It was still tender.

Soon, I won't have to deal with this ever again. I'll go to an actual doctor. Maybe two.

When she reached the head of the queue, the scanning chamber door opened with a swish. She stepped into the circular booth, and the door closed behind her. There was no perceptible change—no sound, no light flickering, no puff of air, nothing. After a second, the exit door opened.