It wasn't long before the power reserves in my suit reached useful levels. I pulled myself back inside and took a seat next to my classmates. The display panel on my arm showed seven missed messages, and three were from my mother.
This life celebration has her in rare form. My mother is usually a calm and even-tempered, scientifically minded woman. Still, recently she's been prone to bouts of crying and screaming. My father claims it will pass, and my older sister agrees with him. I think Beryl is taking the entire life celebration a little too well.
Our older brother Hess is due to arrive late this evening. He's traveling from the west elevator launch pad in old San Francisco. Traffic in the old town section is always awful, no telling what time he will arrive. Hess always had a way of calming our mother down. After his long trip down from the top of the space dock, I hope he is in good enough spirits to work his magic again.
Tonight's video test assignment is to prepare a typical family meal and provide a report of the nutritional statistics and my portion choices for each diner. This test is one of many video tests I need to complete before formally declaring my chosen path. I requested an extension due to my family's life ceremony, but since the test and the ceremony are not on the same calendar day, my request was denied.
Beryl offered to help me cook, so I guess the situation isn't entirely tragic. I planned to make bio-similar beef roast and white potatoes with onions and light brown gravy plus yogurt with freeze-dried fruit topping for dessert. I read a portion of the chapter that stated, 'a good domestic manager is always flexible with the obligations that cannot be avoided.' I assume this is why my request to postpone the test was denied.
My father was waiting in the parking lot when the trolley arrived. He stood by his unsightly green utility truck talking to a tall boy in a shiny new day suit. I only recognized the boy was Jason by his slouched posture and the broad arm movements he makes when he speaks. I've wanted to see if tying his arms to his sides renders him mute, but I haven't found the opportunity yet.
Jason is the grandson of one of my father's oldest colleagues and frequently spends his evenings with us while his grandfather works late at the lab.
“Hey, there, Doodle, how was your day.” My father yelled out enthusiastically.
“Oh no, please, not Doodle. How bad is she today?” I asked, scanning my father's face for some shred of hope for a peaceful evening.
“Your Mother stayed home from work again. She plans to help your grandmother with some last-minute ceremony details. From my perspective, she's in a level six, maybe level seven bad mood.” My father's tone held an underlying apology. I dropped my head back and stared up at the bright sky.
I looked at Jason and shook my head, “Sorry, the house might not be tranquil tonight.” Jason patted me on the metal shoulder panel of my suit and mouthed the words, no problem.
His new day suit was matte black on slick slate gray and looked considerably more modern than mine. It was slimmer cut and seemed to move freely.
“That's a nice suit, Ja,” I commented, noticing how antiquated my suit appeared next to his.
“Thanks, needed a new one. I got an inch taller and the old one was making me slouch. The housekeeper claimed I was starting to walk creepy.” Jason put his arms over his head and staggered around in his best attempt to mimic a movie mummy. I couldn't help but laugh. He looked ridiculous.
“Come on, guys.” My father shuffled us both into the vehicle and started driving home.
“I'm sorry for your impending loss. I imagine your family is having a hard time dealing with the ceremony. I'll make myself useful. You have your final culinary test tonight, right?”
“Yeah, they wouldn't postpone it for me,” I whined.
“Don't worry. I did the same test last year. I'll help out. Since we are in the same major path, I think the testing rules allow me to assist in a minor capacity while you're being evaluated.”
“It would be so great if you can help. I have no idea what they are even looking for.” I admitted. Jason is a year ahead of me, a sixth year, he always looks out for me.
Jason is an Only, and the grandchild of a posthumous double pairing of original families. This unique situation makes him something of original family royalty for our little township. His grandfather was allowed to postpone his life ceremony due to the obligation of raising him alone. All that genetic theater also makes him way too smart for his own good, in my opinion.
“Yep, here it is right on their website rulings. 'A participant must be of the same major path and agree to serve in a minor capacity to be present during video testing appointments,' gotta love the server highway.” Jason sounded pleased, and I felt less hopeless, knowing he would help me.
The evening went about as horribly as I'd expected. The dinner prep was fine, but I forgot to include the nutritional facts for the butter and salt my family would add to their potatoes.
Jason, always a people pleaser, provided an excellent buffer between my mother's mania and my sister's indifference over tomorrow night's life ceremony. We discussed everything, but the topic of my grandparents impending death.
The current vote took up all our conversations. This week's issue, like every other week, was all about the Reds.
As I understand it, the Reds choose to live outside the confines of prevailing laws, and nobody likes them because of it. My mother believes the Reds have the right to live as they please.
