Peace Out (The Futures Trilogy Book 1)

For my best friend and husband, Joel.

Thank you for letting me get lost in Peace Out.

Copyright © 2012 G.M. Whitley

All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction

and any resemblance between the characters and persons

living or dead is purely coincidental.

SAMMY AND BECCA

When the time comes, will you Peace Out?

Take control of your life. Take control of your death.

POP Billboard, Buy Size Unknown, 2037.

“Get down from there, Sammy!” From Becca
’s perspective, Sammy was two bare legs with scuffed tennis shoes balancing precariously on a tree limb.

In answer, the legs disappeared into the foliage.

“Sammy?” Becca screeched.

A face popped out of the leaves, twin to the one below. Brown hair. Brown eyes. A dusting of freckles across a snub nose. “What?” Sammy yelled.

“Get down! You’re going to fall.”

“I
’m going over the fence.”

“You
’re going to fall!”

“Then come over so you can catch me.” The face disappeared and the leaves rustled.

Becca stomped one foot and crossed her arms. She looked back toward the house and determined that by the time she got there, Sammy would be over the fence. Sighing, she planted herself under the branch. She held out her arms and watched her sister, older by two minutes, crawl across. “How do you think you’re going to get back over?” she shouted.

“The front door!” Sammy wriggled sideways and rested her belly on the branch, her legs dangling.

“You’re crazy. You’re going to be in so much trouble.”

Sammy swung down, whooping a little as she dropped with a thud on the other side of the fence. “Ouch.”

Becca peered through the slats. “Now what?”

“I
’m hungry. Would you care for an apple?”

“Corpse fruit!” Becca shrieked.

Sammy laughed.

“James ate a corpse peach once,” Becca said. “Instead of a pit inside, he found...”

“A toe,” Sammy finished. “I’ve heard the story too. Was it a whole toe all bloody or just the dry bone?”

“Gross!” Becca said. An apple flew over the fence and landed in the grass. A second one followed.

“Yum,” Sammy said through a mouthful of apple. “No toe in mine.”

Becca picked up one of the apples. It was pinkish red and mottled with yellow, heavy for its size. She sniffed at it and her stomach rumbled. She took a small bite and a little juice dripped down her chin.

Sammy screamed in terror and Becca dropped the apple.

“Sammy! Sammy!” She moved from slat to slat, trying to get a better look. “I
’m getting Mom!” She took off toward the house.

“No don
’t!” Sammy shouted. “I was just kidding! Come back!”

Becca stopped in her tracks and stomped back to the fence. “You are so mean,” she retorted. “I
’m getting Mom anyway.”

“I
’m sorry.” Sammy was contrite. “Please don’t get Mom.”

“Who are you talking to, young lady?” A man
’s voice joined the conversation.

Becca gasped.

“My sister,” Sammy said brazenly. “She was too scared to climb the tree.”

“You clearly weren
’t,” the man said.

“That
’s because I’m older.”

Becca couldn
’t let that one go. “Two minutes,” she said. “She is only older by two minutes.”

“Can you give me a boost back over, mister?” Sammy asked.

“That doesn’t seem so safe,” he said. “Why don’t you come with me and we can call your parents to come and get you.”

“Do you have to do that?” Sammy asked. “I saw some ladders over that way when I was up in the tree. I was planning to use one of those to get back.”

“I don’t think so,” he said. “You could still break your neck. That tree is enormous. How would that make me feel? You should just come with me.”

“Don
’t go Sammy!” Becca’s voice quavered. “What if he tries to Peace you Out?”

The man laughed. “They really should start PO Ed sooner,” he said ruefully. A card popped through a slat. Becca took it. The cardstock was heavy and the words were embossed. Owen Lansford, Facilitator. His phone number and email address were under his name. “There you go, young lady,” he said. “That should reassure you. I am just going to take your sister to the lobby. I will have someone wait with her until your parents come.”

“My parents don’t believe in Peacing Out,” Sammy said.

“They are entitled to that belief,” Owen said. “Sammy, shall we go?”

“Can you give me a tour?”

“Sammy!” Becca was aghast.

“Our Center is for those who have chosen to Peace Out. And their friends and family. Is that you?” Owen asked.

“No,” Sammy admitted.

“How old are you?”

“Ten.”

“So you’ll start fifth grade in just a few days?”

“Sixth. We skipped,” Sammy said.

“Well then, you should get a tour with PO Ed.”

“Mom and Dad won
’t let us,” Becca interjected. “They don’t want us brainwashed.”

The man sighed. “You should go get your mother, young lady. I am sure she will want to get Sammy as soon as possible.”

Becca squinted through a gap in the slats and watched them walk toward the pretty mansion with white columns and bricks. She sprinted up the lawn. The Bishop home sat on three acres. Becca was panting by the time she got to the house. She yanked open the screen door and headed for the kitchen, the door banging behind her. Mom was drizzling olive oil over a cookie sheet of vegetables. She turned to look at her daughter.

“What have I said about slamming the door?” she asked.

“Sorry, Mom,” Becca said automatically.

“Where
’s Sammy?”

Becca looked down. “She climbed the big cottonwood and went into the orchard.”

“She did what?” Her voice was sharp.

Becca winced. “I have his card.” She held it out like a shield.

“Whose card?” Mom whipped it out of Becca’s hand. She stared at it, then picked up the phone and dialed.

“Hello, Mr. Lansford? Yes, this is Sammy
’s mother.”

Becca was amazed at how easily her mother masked her anger.

“I’m so sorry that she has caused so much trouble. I will be there to pick her up shortly and you have my assurance that it won’t happen again.”

Her mother ended the call. She set a timer and slid the tray of vegetables into the oven. “Becca, I am not upset with you. I know that there was no way you could have stopped Sammy. Stay with Grandma while I get her.”

“Can I come with you?”

“No. One child at a Peace Out Center is enough for me. Besides,” she said wearily, “I
’m sure Sammy will fill you in on all the details after you have dinner. Sammy will be spending dinner in her room.”

“Where is Grandma?”

“She’s in the den,” Mom replied. “I think she is finally making progress on that afghan.” She grabbed her purse and tossed in her phone and keys. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

Becca watched her mother back out of the driveway and then went to the den. Grandma sat in a cushioned armchair, her crochet needle held loosely in one hand, a ball of yarn in the other. She stared out the window.

“Hi Grandma,” Becca said. There was no response. This was normal. Becca sat on the couch. “Sammy is in big trouble.”

No response.

“Mom is going to get her from the Peace Out Center.”

No response.

“I started reading the Chronicles of Narnia. Mom told me they were your favorite books when you were a little girl.”

Grandma
’s head moved slightly in Becca’s direction.

Becca smiled. “I
’m reading them in chronological order so I started with ‘The Magician’s Nephew.’ Can I read it out loud to you?”

Grandma gave a tiny nod. Becca ran upstairs to her room and grabbed the book. The bookmark was a rectangle of laminated dried flowers with a crocheted tassel. Grandma had made them for the twins for their fifth birthday. Grandpa had gotten them each a big anthology of children
’s literature. The girls read their books cover to cover, then traded. Sammy’s bookmark was currently in the first of The Great Brain books. She fancied herself a pretty great brain.

When Becca got back to the den, Grandma
’s eyes were closed. She read aloud anyway.

OLIVIA AND JOE

I saw her standing there

A flower in her hair

Our lives flashed ‘fore my eyes

I thought
“
Oh my oh my
”

I asked if she would dance

I had to take that chance.

And with her hand in mine

We were lost in time.

White dress, Black suit

Half dozen kids too

Together
‘til we’re grey

Then we Peace Out someday

I held her close to me

We swayed in harmony

We talked the whole night through

Sunrise from the barn roof

White dress, Black suit

Half dozen kids too

Together ‘til we’re grey

Then we Peace Out someday

Sheldon Young, Someday, Song of Year 2040, 74th Annual Country Music Awards

Olivia Goodman carried the cake into the dining room, bright blue candles numbered 6 and 8 almost flickering out as she went through the door. Her husband, Joe, was seated at the head of the table. The grandchildren were clustered near him, offering to blow out the candles. Bethany was taking pictures and the others were standing and singing.

“Happy Birthday to Grandpa! Happy Birthday to you!” they chorused as Olivia set down the cake.

“Make a wish! Make a wish!” chirped Olivia’s namesake. She was three and seated in Grandpa’s lap.

Joe closed his eyes, took a deep breath and blew. Olivia had made a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. It was his favorite. A chocolate cake was ready in the kitchen for the grandkids. And their oldest son, Jake.

“What did you wish?” asked little Dylan.

“You know he can
’t tell or it won’t come true,” scolded his big sister Harriet, with a knowing air.

“I wished for a new bicycle,” Dylan declared.

“It isn’t your birthday. You don’t get a wish.” Harriet retorted.

Dylan started to work his way up to a crying fit.

“Who wants chocolate cake?” Olivia asked brightly.

The kids cheered and ran into the kitchen. Dylan trailed, sniffling, and Olivia scooped him up. “I think you might get your wish, even though it isn
’t your birthday,” she whispered in his ear. He wrapped his arms around her neck and gave her a hug. She let him sit on the counter while she cut nine generous slices. She set the grandchildren up at the kitchen table, got out the milk and began pouring.

Jake poked his head in.

“Can I get a slice of that, Mom?” he asked.

“There is one waiting for you right over there.” Olivia nodded at the counter.

“Am I that predictable?”

“Since you were four.”

Jake picked up his plate and took a bite. “Mom, when are you going to let Celia have this recipe?”

“Sooner than you might think.”

Jake stopped eating. “This is where you are supposed to say, ‘How will I keep you coming home if I give away my recipes?’ What’s going on?”

She didn
’t answer. “Children, does everyone have milk and cake?” They nodded. “OK. I’ll leave the milk on the table. But only Harriet can pour it, understand?” They nodded. Olivia headed back into the dining room and Jake followed. She caught Joe’s eye.

Joe cleared his throat. The conversations around them died down. “Thank you all for coming to celebrate this birthday with me. It means so much to us to have you all with us right now.” He took a deep breath. “Your mother and I have an announcement to make,” he began. “I was having some abdominal pain about a month ago and I went to see Dr. Tully. I have pancreatic cancer. We have gone through all my options, but your mother and I have come to a decision. We are going to Peace Out.”

“Oh Dad.” Bethany’s eyes welled up. “Can’t they do surgery? Chemo?”

“All that would get me is a little more time. But not the kind of time I would want to have.”

“You have to try, Dad,” said Jake.

“No, I don
’t,” Joe said firmly. “I have had a wonderful life. I want it to end on my terms.”

“But why Mom too?” asked Mark. He was the youngest and closest to his mother. Bethany was daddy
’s girl. Jake was too much like Joe for their relationship to be close. Independent. Stubborn. Mark and Bethany called every week. Olivia called Jake every week. He answered about half the time. He rarely called back. “Mom, you don’t have to Peace Out,” Mark said. “You could live with us. Mason and Olivia would love to see Grandma every day.”

“You would be welcome at our house too,” Bethany added.

“Or you could stay here,” Jake said. “We are all close enough to visit regularly.”

“Children, stop,” Olivia said. “Your father and I have been together for forty two years. He is my partner in life and I will be his partner in Peacing Out.”

“What about us?” insisted Mark angrily. “What about the children? Don’t you want to see them grow up? Don’t you want to come to ballet recitals and cello performances? Who is going to tell them that you are choosing to Peace Out when you don’t need to? How is that going to make them feel? To know Grandma doesn’t love them enough to stay?”

Olivia started to cry.

“Leave Mom alone,” Jake ordered. “This is her choice too.”

“Grandma Maggie lived to be ninety,” Bethany said. “I have so many precious memories of her, Mom.”

“Do you remember when her bones were so fragile I broke her arm giving her a bath?” Olivia sobbed. “Do you remember the bed sores? When her mind was gone and she didn’t know any of us? Every day she was in pain. It broke my heart to see my mother waste away. I never want to be like that. I never want to put that kind of burden on you.”

“We love you, Mom. You would never be a burden on us no matter what,” Mark said.

“You have a Peace Out directive,” Jake said. “It would never come to that.”

“Stop this,” Joe said. “The decision is made. End of discussion. We signed up for one of those world cruises.” Joe took Olivia
’s hand. “The ship leaves from New York in three weeks. We’ll be gone six months. Afterward, we’ll spend time with each of you and then go to the Center in Chicago. We would like you all to be there when we Peace Out.”

“This isn
’t over, Dad,” Mark said, shoving his plate away.

“Yes, it is, son,” Joe said.

Olivia dried the last of her tears with a tissue. They sat in silence, only Joe eating cake. They could hear the muffled sounds of the talking and laughing children in the kitchen.

“Mom,” said Bethany suddenly. “You and Dad have lived so frugally all these years. I really want you to enjoy yourselves on this trip. Do all the extras. Don
’t skimp on anything.”

“That
’s what your father has been telling me,” Olivia said. “It just pains me to do it. I wanted to set something aside for the grandchildren.”

“That would be wonderful,” chimed in Celia. “Jake and I really aren
’t able to put enough in the children’s college funds as it is. Not with four of them!”

“Oh, I
’ve been meaning to tell you,” Bethany said sweetly, “I love that new handbag, Celia! Didn’t you and Jake get that in Italy? It was so nice of Mom and Dad to watch the kids for you.”

Celia
’s eyes hardened. “Oh yes.” She gave Bethany a sugary smile. “Our tenth wedding anniversary was so special! Jake doesn’t get to take too many vacations with his hours at work. His clients are so demanding.”

“Don
’t worry about any of us, Mom,” Jake said, resting a hand on Celia’s shoulder. “You and Dad should do what makes you happy.”

Jacob Junior burst through the kitchen door. “Harriet spilled milk everywhere!” he announced.

Olivia and Bethany rushed over. Dylan and little Olivia were spreading the milk around with both hands while Harriet yelled at them to stop. Karen and Mason were under the table with their mouths open, catching the milk dribbling through the table leaves. Emily and William were undisturbed and, having finished their own cake, were reaching across the table to eat cake off their cousins’ plates.

“It
’s a big mess, isn’t it Grandma?” Jacob Junior said, shaking his head in a perfect imitation of his father.

“A very big mess,” Olivia agreed.