"Kate, didn't you say your mom's dead?"
I don't stop staring at the woman, just in case she is about to disappear as soon as I look away.
"No," I reply to Anna's question. "I always assumed she was dead because she had been scheduled to be on an airplane coming back from a business trip when the blackout happened. I couldn't consider the possibility that she hadn't been in the air because I needed to focus on surviving, especially after my dad died of tuberculosis."
Neither of us say anything for a minute.
"Go." Anna breaks through the silence. "I'll cover for you with Henry and Abby."
Nodding gratefully, I slowly push my way through the crowd. She's tanner, thinner, older, but still very much the woman who raised me. When I finally get to her, I flake out and start examining the apples until her assistant notices me.
"These are the finest the orchards could produce!" he proclaims proudly. "I've never seen such bright red skin, have you?"
I admit that they look very delicious. At the sound of my voice, my mother glances up, and our eyes meet. In that instant, she knows.
"Katie?" she asks. Her assistant falls silent. "Baby girl, is that you?"
I nod, unable to speak. My mother walks around the stand and hugs me. We just hold each other tightly for a minute. I've mastered the art of holding in emotions, at least the painful ones-didn't even cry when Dad died-but returning to a luxurious lifestyle has softened my more than I'd thought. I feel a stray tear roll off my cheek onto my mom's shoulder. After a few minutes, she steps back and I wipe my face.
"Sweetie," she says, "how have you been? Are you selling something here today? Where have you been living?"
"I'm fine, Mom. Really."
There's a pause as I try to decide how to answer her other questions.
I say, "I'm actually not selling anything. Believe it or not, I've figured out how to use my skills as a musician to earn my keep."
"Really?" My mother's eyes widen. "How?"
"Well..."
There's no use beating around the bush, even though I feel uncomfortable being more successful than my mom, so I spit it out.
"I've been playing in General Monroe's mansion."
She blinks in surprise, not saying anything. After awkward seconds, she gulps and says, "Okay."
I take this as enough confirmation of recovery from shock to proceed.
"What about you, mom? How have things been for you?"
"Oh, fine," she replies in that mom voice. You know, where they imply that nothing matters but their kids. "I found an orchard owned by some people who were independent growers pre-blackout. Cameron here-" She gestures to her assistant, who waves. "-is their son. He's good looking, but twenty-four. Way too old for you!"
Cameron and I blush simultaneously, and I wonder what my mom would think about the way Anna and General Matheson tease me and Monroe. The thought sends chills down my spine.
"So," I say, changing the subject. "How long are you staying in town?"
My mom's face drops, as if she's forgotten that she won't be able to stay here forever.
"I-" she starts. "The-I mean, the thing is, we didn't think we could find a place in Phili to sleep, so our vendor's permit expires tonight. And-" her eyes begin to water. "-And who knows when we'll be able to get our hands on another?"
I understand where she's coming from. Philadelphia is nearly impossible to get into if you don't know someone, and my mom and Cameron had probably had to wait outside the city for days before they'd found a lucky opportunity. I had originally come in because I'd realized that militia members, who not only paid me but offered safety, were the best customers, and Monroe had learned about me through someone I'd played for.
"You know," I say, "I do know General Monroe. I might be able to pull a few strings."
...
One Year Ago
"You really have a gift, Katherine."
I thanked her and continued eating. That afternoon I had played for Mr. and Mrs. Kraylic, who were both high-ranking militia members posted in Chester, Pennsylvania. They were possibly the best audience I'd ever had, certainly nicer than most. I'd finally had the chance to show off the flute beat-boxing I'd been practicing, and they'd loved it.
"So, Katherine."
"Yes, Mr. Kraylic?"
"What would you say about staying until tomorrow night? We're having a little dinner party, and live music might just give it that extra bit of pizzazz."
"Wow," I replied. "That would be great. Thanks!"
"There's just one tiny detail."
I turned to Mrs. Kraylic with a raised eyebrow.
"What's the problem?"
"Nothing much," she said, tapping her fingers on the table. "We're having some friends over who are stopping here on their way back to Phili after some diplomatic journey to Atlanta."
"What's wrong with them?"
"Oh, nothing!" interjected Mr. Kraylic. "In fact, they could be very good for your wallet in the future if they like your playing."
I sighed. "Then what's the issue exactly?"
"They can be...rather intimidating. Well, one especially. But I assure you, General Monroe is a great person once you get to know him!"
...
Cameron stays behind to sell apples. My mother and I swap our job descriptions and various stories as we walk to the mansion. Mom, whose back has never been all that great, washes and sellsthe fruit. The orchard is owned by my mom's old college friend, who played tennis with her until my mom threw out her back and couldn't play any longer, and her husband. My mom had been in a nearby city when the blackout occurred, and she headed there when she realized that the power was never coming back.
"It's funny," she says, "but I kept wishing I could get back to you, and in the earlier months it never even occurred to me that you might be sick or starying; for those first few months, I wanted to apologize for missing your band concert!"
I crack up at that, but my laughter dies down as we near Monroe's estate. Taking a deep breath, I lead my mom inside the front entrance, procastinating the task at hand as much as possible.
"Hey, mom," I say as the guards at the gate give us strange looks. "Could you do me a favor?"
"What, sweetie?"
"Just let me do the talking. Please?"
She nods with slightly pursed lips. "Alright."
Faking confidence, I stride into the mansion, toward the hall I sneaked through earlier. I can't believe I'm actually doing this, but I knock on the door of Monroe's office. As the door handle turns, part of me is excited to see him again, though mostly I'm worried about the favor I'm going to ask of him.
"Kate?"
General Monroe's bright blue eyes widen in surprise.
"Hi, sir," I say, rocking awkwardly on my heels. "Are you busy?"
"Not at all," he replies amiably. "Why don't you come into my office? You and your friend..."
He says it like it's a question.
"Thatnks. Um, this is my mom, Melissa Jefferson."
"A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Jefferson." He sticks out a hand, and she shakes it. "My name is Sebastian Monroe."
"Oh. Hello."
Clearly, my mom didn't come here expecting to meet the general himself despite my claim of knowing him, but she recovers quickly and we all go into the office and sit down in various chairs.
"So, Kate," says Monroe once we're situated. "What did you want to ask me about?"
"Well," I answer, "I haven't seen my mom in a while-we actually were separated by the blackout-and we only found each other by coincedence today. She was selling apples, but her vendor's permit expires tonight, and-"
"And you were wondering if I could authorize an extension?" he guesses. I nod, and he says, "Of course. Really, Kate; you seemed so nervous coming in, but you asked for something so small!"
"I dunno," I shrug. "I just don't like intruding on people's hospitality."
"Is that why you didn't ask me if your mother could stay here?"
"Well..."
"She can. I'll have a cot brought to your room."
"That-that's great! Thank you!"
I almost jump up and hug him out of habit, then mentally slap myself for that. As my mom I get up toleave, the general stops us.
"Hold on, Kate," he says. "I forgot to mention that this is going to come at a price."
"Oh." That's disappointing. "How much?"
"Nothing you can't afford." He smiles playfully. "Just a kiss."
My mother's mouth drops open in shock and horror. I glare at the general, see that he's joking, and slap him on the arm. He starts laughing, and I'm not talking about just any laughter: I mean the teary-eyed, doubled-over type. It's contagious, and soon we're both cracking up, and my mom's looking at us like we're crazy.
"Well," he gasps when he regains his composure. "I just figured it was worth a try."
"Oh, shut up, Sebastian. Just shut up!"
"As you wish."
He winks, I snort, and all too soon I'm leading my mom back outsidee so she can explain our success in getting the permit renewed to Cameron. It's weird how disappointed I am to be leaving, even if only temporarily.
"Kate!" snaps my mom. I glance at her, surprised by the sudden anger in her tone.
"What? What's wrong?"
"I said your name three times, and you completely ignored me!"
"Oh," I frown. "Sorry. I didn't hear you."
She raises an eyebrow. "Are you feeling okay?"
"Yeah, actually. I feel great!"
My mom stops walking and turns to me with a sad smile.
"Mom? You okay?"
"I'll be fine," she says. "It's just...hard. Seeing you all grown up, even though you're still supposed to be my little girl."
I hug her, and say, "I'm still here for you, Mom...but if you don't mind my asking, where the heck did this burst of sentimentality even come from?"
Her eyes glaze over. "The way the general was looking at you...your father used to look at me that way."
"Really?"
I smile at the thought of him giving me that sort of gaze. Does he really feel that way about me?
"But, honey," adds my mom. "I'm not so sure...I mean, do you know exactly what you're getting yourself into? This man has killed people."
I sigh.
"Hasn't everybody?"
...
Melissa Jefferson leaves her daughter in charge of selling apples so she and Cameron can discuss details of how long they can stay and whatnot. But only out of earshot, so Kate won't hear.
"This is perfect!" beams Cameron. "We came here to map out Philadelphia, but you could do so much more now! In-depth maps of key points in the city, insider's knowledge about Monroe-"
"Cameron," interjects Melissa, "I'm only going to stay here for another day or two. How much more do you expect me to do?"
The boy shakes his head.
"Melissa," he sighs, "look at the bigger picture here. You're Kate's mom. How hard would it really be to make your stay here permanent?"
"But the rebels need me on base," she counters. "They never have enough medics even with me, and-"
"And you getting a straight shot at Monroe would help the cause more than any of that!"
"Cameron, what are you saying?"
"Listen, Melissa. I know you don't like the thought of killing anyone, but assassinating Monroe would save the thousands he might murder in the future."
"No, you don't understand-"
"What?" spits Cameron. "What could possibly be more important than this?"
"My daughter is in love with the general," Melissa explains. "I can't hurt her."
Sighing, Cameron puts a hand on her shoulder.
"Melissa," he says, "I know this is going to be hard, but we're talking about the greater good. Kate will get over it, and even if she doesn't, the love life of one little girl is not as important as the freedom of an entire nation.
"Listen. I'll smuggle you in a gun as soon as I can. Think carefullly on your decision, because if you don't use the gun to kill Monroe, you might as well just shoot yourself."
