I DO NOT OWN THE HANDMAID'S TALE

After the meeting with Professor Emily Gilmore, Jesse Kosinski was filled with a new sense of hope. At the same time though, Agnes Mackenzie had all but taken over. She was submissive as a good Gileadian daughter should be. Mrs. Mackenzie tried to be a better mother than she had been. She taught Agnes how to sew. The poor girl wasn't very good at it, but Mrs. Mackenzie praised her efforts nonetheless. Thankfully, young Agnes was a better cook than a seamstress. Back when she had been Hannah, June had let her help in the kitchen. Agnes did not remember helping June in the kitchen, truth be told, she was starting to forget a lot of things that happened before. Her memories of aunt Moira were gone, her memories of her father, Luke, were gone, and her memories of her mother were fading fast. What few memories she did have had been corrupted by Mrs. Mackenzie's indoctrination. Agnes was growing stronger and stronger while Hannah was growing weaker and weaker. Jesse and Jeffrey were witnesses to this spiritual death in the making and one day, the younger Kosinski brother decided to put a stop to it. On this particular day, Agnes was tending to the garden while Jesse was keeping watch.

"How are those lilacs coming?" He inquired.

"Good, they'll be so pretty when they bloom." She replied.

"Your mom would be really proud if she could see how well you're doing."

"She will, she's just in the house."

"I meant your real mom." Jesse clarified. He only discussed Hannah's mother when they were alone.

"My real mom is inside." Agnes insisted. Jesse groaned as he noticed how much the brainwashing had actually taken hold.

"You know what I mean." He replied.

"No I don't." She shot back. "If you are talking about that horrible sinful whore that brought me into the world, I must ask that you..." Jesse could hear no more. He grabbed Agnes and began shaking her angrily.

"Stop it!" He shouted. "Stop believing what these lunatics tell you! If you cI time to swim in lies, you will drown in them."

"What about you?" She argued. "I don't see you telling mother and father where to get off. You bask in their favor!"

"I survive!" Jesse clarified. "I will not fall into despair! I will offer up my talents to Commander Mackenzie and I will keep myself hardy until freedom is opportune!" Agnes threw a clump of dirt at the guardian as he pushed her down.

"My behind is thick with scars for saying that my mother loved me...do not accuse me of..."

"I accuse you of nothing, I cannot accuse...I have done many horrible things to survive and for all of them I have wound up here. No better than if I had refused to swear loyalty to Gilead."

"Jesse..." Agnes started to say before Jesse pulled her up.

"What did June's hugs feel like?" He asked.

"What?" Agnes asked.

"What did your mommy's hugs feel like, come on."

"I...I don't remember."

"Yes you do Hannah, think!" Jesse commanded. Agnes racked her brain and finally Hannah broke out.

"Cookies...warm fresh baked cookies." Hannah replied.

"Yes." Jesse agreed. "Your mommy's name is June. She loves you more than anything in the world. She is coming for you, I swear; but you need to keep your shit together. Grow a set of ovaries. Commander and Mrs. Mackenzie will do anything they can to break you. On the outside, you have to submit; but on the inside, you stay strong. You remember your mom and when the time is right...you make your move. Do you understand me?"

"Yes Jesse." Hannah replied as Jesse went to find his brother. He knew that Hannah was still weak. He and Jeffrey needed to figure out a plan and soon.

NEXT TIME, JESSE GETS IN CONTACT WITH A REBELLIOUS HANDMAID. REVIEWS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED.