“It's a finance bracelet, Sir. It's linked to my reserves. After Kar's birthday, we can make a trip to the city and get her an account of her own.” Jason rehearsed this explanation. There was no hesitation in his voice or his usual light humor.
“You two are planning on going forward with this wedding plan of yours?” My father asked.
“Yes, Sir,” Jason replied.
“Of course, Daddy.” We answered in unison. I could tell Hess's negative attitude toward my wedding plans corrupted my father. He let out a gruff dismissive breath and turned the conversation to the vote.
The two sides were given their ten minutes to persuade the masses. The accused could provide a statement but forfeited his time. The accused's legal representative closed the arguments with a single phrase. “Leges humanae nascuntur, vivant, moriuntur.” The laws of man are born, live, and die.
“How about ad quod damnum? The punishment fits the crime.” Jason yelled at the viewer screen. My father nodded in agreement.
“It's more like, according to the harm done or inflicted. I'm voting for death. He killed his friend, and he admitted it, how much guiltier could he be? The proper punishment is death. That dumb ass lawyer can spout all the Latin he wants. It's murder.” My father growled while popping a handful of crunchy cheese puffs in his mouth.
“I agree with you, Sir. I will be voting the same way,” Jason stated firmly.
“The case facts show his friend was unable to afford an end of life ceremony and was in considerable pain. Says this fact was presented to the court but omitted from the final verdict.” My father scoffed and Jason looked surprised by the information.
The two took turns using their citizen cards to place their votes. The vote was only open to locals sixteen and over and carried twice the weight of a continental citizen vote. My mother slid her card through and pressed the not-guilty button with a wink. The process went quickly. The outcome was death as most expected. My father promptly paid the fee to view the execution live. He and Jason ran off to refresh their drinks and snacks before the show began.
Beryl arrived home from work and went straight to her room. She winked as she brushed by me, obviously trying to avoid our mother. The meeting with her benefactor must have gone well, and I couldn't wait for her to tell me all about Grandma's reclusive friend.
Hess accepted our fresh-water delivery and made his way to the basement to fill the well. Nina watched as he carried the heavy bottles through the house with peaked interest. You could see she found him attractive. I found the situation cringe worthy.
The sun was falling, and the temperature outside would drop soon. It was almost time to escape to the town square to see my friends and live free in the open air. I excused myself to change clothes and found my room cleaned, my bed made, and a big black box topped with a green velvet bow sitting next to my pillow.
There was a card, the note read. Something to help brighten your day, everything will return to normal, I promise, p.s. Beryl helped me pick these out.
I lifted the lid to find a caramel brown jacket and matching calf-high lace-up boots. Both smelled like chocolate and vanilla cream. I had the perfect pair of retro jeans and a white sleeveless top to complete the outfit. I quickly changed clothes, pulled my long hair up into a ponytail, and ran out to show Jason.
Hess was in the hallway when I opened my door. “Wow, that's quite some boy you have Kar. I knew Beryl helped him find something you wanted but is he trying to replace our parents now, buying your clothing.”
“He got me a jacket and boots. He's trying to cheer me up, not replace our parents.” Hess slowly grabbed my jacket arm and pulled the fabric to his nose.
“Chocolate and cream maybe some synth leather in there too. This isn't the knockoff brand they sell in the square Kar. I think this jacket and the boots are the original designer versions.”
“He has good taste, and he likes to buy me things. What is wrong with that?” I retorted.
“If you don't love this boy, you can't accept his gifts. You have to end this, Karine,” Hess demanded.
“You can't even try to be happy for me. Why do you want to crush every happy moment I have? You need to go back up the Tree Hess.” I could see that I hurt him, my brother looked stunned like I knocked the wind out of him. “I love Jason. Even if you can't accept it, I will marry him as soon as possible.”
“You can do anything Kar, why are you pushing so hard for this life,” Hess asked quietly in a blatant attempt to deescalate the argument.
“Don't use that quiet conflict crap with me. What you mean is I can do anything if you approve. I don't know what made you so intolerant, but I choose the Domestic path. I don't care what you want me to do. I don't much care what any of you want me to do with my life.” I walked past Hess. He grabbed my arm and spun me around in the hall, placing his back towards the kitchen.
“You are going to regret this choice for the rest of your life,” Hess scowled.
“No, I won't, but you will regret not being supportive. You can apologize by signing my family documents before you run back to the top of the Tree, so I don't have to file a petition to marry without consent. Glad to see you aren't falling down drunk again today.” I yanked my arm away from my brother, forced a smile on my face, and walked out to show Jason how great I look in his gifts.
The execution started with the view of the empty evaporator room. The murderer was
