Роберт Уилсон - Days Since... - Xavier - Day 853

“That supply change affected Sam and—”

“Sam’s a hothead and prolly had it comin’. I know I wasn’t there, but they got rules we gotta follow, ya know?”

“You’re right.” Xavier’s voice was fierce and quick. “You weren’t there. So you wouldn’t know. No matter what he did… them hitting him like that was stupid.”

“Calm yourself, boy,” Grant forced the words through clenched teeth. “Was he speakin’ against the S.A.?”

“I guess so.”

“They don’t tolerate that kind of stuff.”

“So you get beat?”

“Look!” Grant shot back. “They gonna open up a whole world of stuff to us. Make things easier for everyone. People just need to follow the rules, or they’ll mess the whole thing up.”

“What whole thing?”

“We haven’t been attacked for awhile now. That ain’t no coincidence. There’s a reason for that, and it’s Haverty—the Second Alliance. You ain’t dumb, so don’t start actin’ like it now.”

“We were doing just fine without them.”

“Tell that to Dale and my wife!” Grant shouted then lowered his voice. “I’m sure if they were still alive, they would’ve rather had that protection.”

“Yeah…” Xavier stood frozen in the hallway—his face lacking expression, his heart sinking. There had been too much loss over the years. He hadn’t meant anything. Only that he didn’t want Sam to be the next one. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re all worried about Sam, but what about the others, Xavier?” Grant paused, clearly hurting inside. He closed his eyes for a moment then started again, “I know seein’ Sam get hit like that up close had an effect on ya. I get that, but—“

“This whole thing sucks.”

“This whole thing’s our chance. Our chance that there won’t ever be another Lynn or another Dale.” Grant looked him straight in the eyes. “I get you bein’ nervous. The rules are tighter, that’s true, but I swear it’s gettin’ better.”

“So, what? We just wait? Accept all this?”

“Yep. We need to wait and see for now.”

I can’t do that. Not a chance. “Okay.”

“You ready for this?” Grant leaned toward him, nodding his head, almost mocking him. “Is this little therapy session over?” Grant turned abruptly from Xavier, starting toward Haverty’s office again.

“I’m sorry, but I have to know if you saw Sam when you were getting your stitches.”

“Boy, I don’t know.” Grant paused midstep and briefly closed his eyes, breathing deeply before continuing his words. “Come on, what’s gotten into you? I don’t wanna be in the business of askin’ questions around here…”

Xavier stared at him.

Grant took another deep breath. “He wasn’t there, no, but I’m sure he’s fine. They prolly put him somewhere else to rest, so people ain’t comin’ and goin’ all day.”

“Yeah, maybe.” Who’s side is he on? “It’s just that… this is weird. I agree they’re protecting us from others, but who’s watching out for us?” Xavier swallowed. “I mean, like, from them? They’re handling our supplies. They’re making the rules. Two meals? Every bit of our town’s hard work gathering, growing… whatever else we did.” Sam’s words clearly had an impact on Xavier’s thoughts. “We have no say now. It just doesn’t seem ri—”

“Stop!” Grant’s hand, shaped like a gun, shook in Xavier’s face. “Most everyone here’s happy to have them. They’re puttin’ their people in because they know what they’re doin’.”

Xavier wasn’t impressed.

“Okay?” Grant asked. “I’m serious. When we go in there you need to just stop, okay?”

Not going to happen. Xavier walked past Grant, purposely bumping into him. Grant turned, lunged at Xavier, and pinned him in place by the shoulder. He pulled hard to spin Xavier around, but it was resisted—shrugged off.

“Boy!” Grant scoffed.

A dull rumbling sound could be heard coming from down the hallway. A young girl pulling a wagon loaded down with books walked toward them. Grant straightened up, moving to the side, letting her pass. Xavier also gave her notice, backing up to the wall.

“Where you headin’, little lady?” Grant asked.

“I’m not a lady. I’m a girl,”

“Oh, I’m sorry. What’s the story with them books?” Grant chuckled.

Xavier rolled his eyes at Grant’s horrible attempt at a joke.

“I’m just doing what they say. Liberry to the gym. Nuthin’ more, nuthin’ less.”

“Well then, you have a wonderful day.” Grant waved her on.

They waited for her to move beyond their sight. The rolling of the wagon’s wheels gradually faded. Xavier and Grant looked at each other. Grant threw his hands up—defeated and unsatisfied—as Xavier began to walk off, but he couldn’t give up on him.

“You know…” Grant sighed. “Actually, you’re right. I can’t make you do anything you ain’t wanna do, but hear me out. You at least owe me that.”

Only because it’s you. Xavier stopped and turned toward Grant. “What?”

“This is our chance. If we play by the rules, we gotta shot.” Grant approached Xavier and rested his hand on his shoulder. Xavier backed away, and Grant’s arm dropped to his side. “I know this don’t feel right to you, but someday maybe things will be back to normal, or at least close to it. Trust me. I ain’t ever led you wrong.”

“It wouldn’t be like this if Dad was here.” Xavier’s eyes fell to the floor.

“That’s why you’re not seein’ straight, boy. This whole thing’s too personal for you. Things prolly would be different if he was here, but he’s not, and he didn’t leave another choice but to move on.”

Xavier looked up and scowled at Grant.

“I’m not sayin’ anything bad about your dad. I know things got worse when he left. Not a coincidence either. Your dad’s a good man.”

“I know, and when he returns, we’ll be back in charge.”

“Then let’s wait for him. For now, we’ll just act like everything’s good. I mean it.” Grant perched his hand on Xavier’s shoulder. “Hang in there. You know, if you don’t like what happened to Sam, then don’t become another Sam. We need to play it smarter.”

“I get what you’re saying, but this whole arrangement goes against everything my dad built. He wouldn’t have wanted this. They’re doing what they want, turning this place upside down.”

“Why you say that?”

“Look where we’re heading. Nothing’s sacred to them. Principal Ricard’s office was untouched like my dad wanted it until they came. Now Haverty took it over. What happened to not disrespecting the past? Doesn’t that matter anymore?”

“You’re right. On that one, you’re right. I just need— Let’s see where this takes us. You need to swear you ain’t gonna say nothin’ in there. Just hang back.”

“Alright,” Xavier nodded—his jaw bulging. I’ll play nice for now.

As Xavier and Grant sat inside the waiting room, they could see the changes. The diplomas and certificates, obtained through Principal Ricard’s years of public service, were now stripped from the walls. His family photographs disposed of—gone forever. The metal placard that read, Victor Ricard, no longer hung above his door. The memorial that Xavier’s dad preserved in his honor was destroyed.

“See what I mean?” Xavier whispered. “Everything’s gone. All of it.”

Grant turned his head, eyeing the assistant that sat just outside the door to the office. “I know. Just…”

“This isn’t right.” Xavier was careful to keep his voice low. “I still remember him getting sick. He was the first person I knew that caught it.”