BLAINE AND BETH ON A PAGE
Those sessions were exhausting. Not physically, but mentally. In may ways worse than reeducation in Gilead. At least in reeducation, they beat you. Here they ask if you need a break. Tell me again why I did this?
Do you need some water? Stop asking me that!
On return to what I was now calling 'my suite', I noted that the coffee basket had been refilled, this time with no decaf. My bed was made, and the whole place had that soft hint of a pine-scent smell to it. It was driving me crazy.
There was what looked to be a diplomatic pouch on the table. Getting closer, I saw that it had been opened, but on the outside was the Seal of Gilead. I looked in, there was a piece of paper, as well as a brown manila envelope, also opened.
What I had in front of me, already read by Canadian authorities, was something to set my future. Here in Canada.
The manila envelope, you already know what it was. If you cannot guess, I cannot help you.
I pulled out the single page letter. I'll be, it was from High Commander Blaine, with Beth's signature - her signature! - accompanying his at the bottom. Right to the end, Blaine was countenancing sedition, right there in the First House of the District.
Dear Jeff. I am told you are Jeff Červeňák now. (Ed. note: I filled in the little marks above the 'C', the 'n' and the 'a' myself.) Good stuff. I miss you. The security detail is not the same. You and I got on so well, and it was so much fun leading you astray. Made the stifling responsibilities of being a Commander somewhat bearable. You have no idea. When the time's right, there are some people in Canada I want you to track down. Not for Gilead, but for me. Don't worry, doesn't have to be right away. I'm sure the Canadians won't be handing you a free pass any time soon. Hey, good luck in your search. You're the king of second chances - what spoiled you towards Gilead is that you could never accept the answers provided here. Good on you. Like I said, good luck searching. The stuff in the envelope will be a good start. Godspeed.
Nick and Beth (each, in their own handwriting, just to annoy me).
Speaking of being annoyed. At that there was a knock on my door, and a guard (bellhop?) poked his head in. "Say Červeňák, there's a woman named Rebecca, says you know her. She wants to speak with you. We can make an hour in the visitor's centre if you come now."
I think this is why I did this. I wish it had been one of the guys who'd been trafficked, not Rebecca/Kiki. She was such a prick, did not know her place, no not at all. Sort of like Beth. So I said, "Sure, I'll come. Where can I put this where it'll be secure?" He laughed a single chuckle. "Um, sir, this room will be locked when you're gone." It occurred to me that Canadians probably didn't lock the door when I was here, just when I was gone. What a goofy race of people.
Then again, this was eerie. Last night I'd had my first nightmare in a long while. It was about Kiki's father. The Commander back in Gilead. Getting out of that place does not save you from that.
Sitting down at the table, there she was. Rebecca, aka. Kiki. As I sat, all she'd said was, "I knew you'd be back."
Bitch.
