Frank Klus - Azaleas Don't Bloom Here

“We’ve been married for almost twenty years. We met during our college days, at a seminar given by Professor Harold Zinney. You may have heard about him. He was Redd Piper’s best friend and confidant. He even helped write the Constitution for New America.”

Dennis made a face, and Eugene picked up on it. Wasn’t Dennis a populist ? The Lightning Squad was set up by populists. Still, there was that picture of Cummstaff on the wall. Wasn’t he the hero of the RAC? Of the American Party?

Eugene continued. “She just happened to be sitting next to me. I’d seen her in a class I took the previous year, but I was shy. I wanted to talk to her, but it just seemed I never got the chance. Well, anyway, I talked to her that night. We were both populists and fans of Harold Zinney. We talked all through the seminar. You should see her, Dennis and Teresa. She has the most beautiful eyes; light blue with just a touch of grey streaks near the pupils; almond-shaped. And that lovely smile of hers; it’s perfect. But what I noticed the most were her fingers. I know how weird that must sound, but they’re so sleek and tender; so kissable; so lovable. Anyway, we began dating, and we married a few years after we got out of college. We were both twenty-five and madly in love.”

Eugene smiled gently to himself, like he was reminiscing. Teresa looked mesmerized, but Dennis’s eyes were downcast. He tried to smile, but his jaw slackened and his lower lip sagged.

“She teaches high school at St. Paul’s in Carol Stream.”

“Do you have children, Gene?” Teresa asked.

“No. We don’t want children. I think part of the reason was that we want to have fun first before having a family, but part of it is we’re afraid of bringing a child into this world. It just doesn’t feel like we would be doing the right thing. I don’t know. Now, it seems that our marriage….” Eugene stopped himself. He didn’t want to say too much. He didn’t want to spoil the day with his friends. So he just smiled while Teresa went to the fridge to get a couple more beers. Teresa just drank bottled water, and Dennis stared into the distance.

“Now, tell me, Dennis. What did you mean, the other day, when you said you were looking out for me?”

“Well, remember that incident involving your father a few months back?”

“I’m not sure I do.”

“The Lightning Squad had set up roadblocks in Skokie, which they patrolled, and there was an argument involving the squad leader and your father and his passenger. It wasn’t the first run-in with the Lightning Squad, and they threatened to jail him. Your father told them he would sue. He spent the night in jail, and then was told to stay out of Skokie. I heard the story a few weeks ago and recognized this was your father. Genie, I feared that if the Lightning Squad found out your name was Sulke they’d punish you because of your father. If they caught you speeding in Squad territory, or out after curfew, they’d stop you, and that would be bad for you.

“I took advantage of the technology the Lightning Squad had, found out where you lived, and the kind of car you drive. I put a GPS transponder under your car. I knew the other night that you were running late in leaving work, and could be stopped by the Lightning Squad. So I intercepted you to give you an escort out of the city.”

Eugene looked a little nervous. “Dennis, why didn’t you just tell me you were helping me?”

Dennis looked sheepishly at his friend. “Well, Gene, maybe that’s what I should have done, but I thought your father or brother might spot me and start an argument. I just thought it easier this way. More fun too.” He began laughing, playfully pointing at his friend. “You should have seen the expression on your face when I pulled you over. Man, you looked like you’d shit.”

“Yeah, Denny, you’re probably right.”

They talked some more about their childhood years until the topic of Harold Zinney came up. “When I went to college at the University of Illinois, I found that Harold Zinney was chairman of the Political Science Department. I remembered that he was a close friend of Redd Piper and my father—at least when they were young. I just couldn’t pass up a chance to study under him. I visited him in his office so many times that we became friends. We still correspond. He turned me into a Populist, although I think I was one already at that point; but now I was sure of it. He taught me how to think. I know how strange that must sound. But he said that one must seek truth. No one, not populists, and certainly not the Corporatists, had truth on their side. Truth comes about through questioning and investigation. When it came to politics I was always investigating; always questioning.”

“So you and the professor have a pretty good relationship?”

“Oh, sure. I’ve done some work for him in terms of helping him organize his workload, and he helps me with writing up reports. I suppose I’ve asked him for help understanding a lot of the things going on in the country. He’s invited me over to his house on several occasions. He’s a terrific guy, Den.”

“Is he now?”

This unassuming question put Eugene on edge; it sounded accusatory. “You know, Dennis, I guess I just assumed you were a populist too, being in the Lightning Squad and all.”

“I’m not political. Not many of us are.”

“How did you get in with the Lightning Squad?”

“Well, a buddy of mine got a job with them, and then he got me in. That was a little over three years ago. Now I’m a squad leader.”

“What’s a squad leader?”

“It’s just the next to the lowest ranking. The lowest ranking is a pointman. A squad consists of two pointmen and the squad leader.

“The next highest ranking is Battalion Commander. This guy leads a group of twenty squads.

“Then comes the Lieutenant, who leads a brigade. This is all the battalions in a given territory, like the south side of Old Chicago.

“Above him is a Captain that heads a district. This is a group of brigades. He runs a given territory, like Old Chicago/Indiana District.

“Then the General runs a zone, consisting of a number of districts. My general is Bezz Holder. He runs the Great Lakes Zone.

“Finally, there is the Commandant, who runs the entire Squad.

“In addition, there is a hierarchy for the political and the judicial systems.”

“Gene’s not really interested in all that, honey,” Teresa said. “Dennis is expecting a new promotion soon.” She giggled as she spoke.

“I’m hoping to make brigade commander. With more pay, we can afford to move out to the burbs.”

“It’s our dream,” she said. “Honey, maybe you should start the grill now. I’m sure Gene’s getting hungry.”

“Oh, you’re right. I forgot about the time. You hungry, Genie?”

“Sure am!”

“Well, I hope so, my man, because I got three T-bones that are just waiting to be seared on the grill.”

Dennis and Eugene walked out to the backyard and Dennis fired up the grill while Teresa prepared the fixings. The men talked a little sports and tossed a football around before eating. After polishing off the steaks, Teresa sat down with her magazines, and Dennis and Eugene got into more serious talk.

“How’s your brother, Ray, doing?” Eugene asked. “I thought he’d be here.” Dennis’s brows furrowed, and his jaw tightened.

“That’s kind of a sore subject with Dennis,” Teresa said.

“I don’t see him much,” Dennis said—his voice slightly gruffer. “We kicked him out of the Squad for, let us say, unsavory behavior.”

“Wha… what did he do?”

“Killed a bunch of people,” Teresa said.

Eugene thought better of asking any more questions. There was a pause as the trio thought of a better subject to talk about. Finally, Dennis turned to Eugene. “Ever think about going to the new country, Gene?”