Reunion
Epilogue 1
Jessica's POV:
"Returning home was difficult for me, even though those I loved the most waited for me with open arms and eager faces. As I knelt down to hug my two little minions I felt again the satisfaction of a job well done. I had helped with saving fantasy and imagination for the world. My daughter would still be able to sit in the living room and have those childish conversations with her dolls – who knows, they could be conversations with her own elf. My son would still take his Legos™ and make a complex transformer from a few simple blocks – perhaps channeling the engineer from his own Cadar-type world. My creative side would still have a release from the harsh reality of this grey man's world. I smiled when I released them to go play and stood up to hug my mate.
I remember a lot from the weekend, but some of it I do wish I could just forget. I won't though. I need to remember. I can never share this with Talo… I mean, Leslie. For the sake of her sanity and the side of my soul that I will never know again, I won't say a word about it again. I was Rhiannon, but that side of me gave her life for a world that I believe we all need to survive.
After I tucked my children in bed that night, I stood out on my porch and stared at the stars. They were the same as always, but tonight they seemed to shine brighter to me.
Throughout all of this I realized that I do wear a lot of hats and that I never have been one to stay under one for long. I was a confused child, a restless high school student, a temporary college go-er, a follower, a leader, a decent soldier, a lover, a fan, and finally a mother. I find the last one the most challenging. Thankfully there's never a dull moment.
My mate came out to join me after an hour and we talked about the more pleasant aspects of my weekend. I do admit I didn't tell him everything, though I should have. Secrets can be very dangerous between couples. As we spoke, I realized that I miss what I did at the Institute. Well, honestly, I miss what we stood for. I miss the exhilaration, the adrenaline rush of fighting for a good cause, and I miss the variety of people. My mate does the same sort of thing, being Army.
Anyway, way off topic. Back to the institute and people in general. Now, I'm not a people person, but I am all for the Golden Rule. Cyclopes will have to wait for me to join them again though. What I do will never truly be understood by those around me, but I can smile and continue because I know I make a difference. My children may seem insignificant in the big picture, but ignorance breeds hate and I will not leave them to become what I fight against. They are beacons in my black world.
I smiled as a motorcyclist passed by and raised his hand in greeting or maybe it was farewell. Either way, there is still good and light in the world.
My name is Jessica Smith, but to a cause near and dear to my heart I become Renegade. And that will continue as long as I have a breath in me."
Author's Note: Mini monologue one done. Expect two in the next couple of days.