This story is dedicated to the people on Crystal's chat (you know who you are), who had supported me through the bad time by making me laugh.
By Kelly Davidson
Edited by Geoff
Copyright 2002
Fade in...
Mike Stoner sat and watched as his boss read the report. Dennis Butz scanned through each page carefully, taking extra time to check out the psychological profile Mike had prepared. Satisfied with what he saw, Dennis placed the report down next to him.
"Very thorough," he stated.
"Thank you," Mike smiled. Dennis Butz was a good man to work for. "I think she is a very good choice for who you have in mind."
Dennis nodded. "When can you move her?"
"Tomorrow morning. I already have most of the paperwork done."
Dennis thought about it some more. They were rushing things a bit, but than this was no ordinal case to him. He had been very careful in selecting the right person for this transformation.
"Dennis, the conditions are very bad where she's at," Mike added. "I really don't want to see her stay there another day."
"Agree. I'll inform Judge Herns that she'll be arriving tomorrow morning, and that you'll be staying for her transformation. I owe you that, Mike. Thanks for all your hard work on this case."
"Thank you for the chance, Dennis," the recruiter replied.
***
I drove to one of the many apartment buildings located in Andersonville, and made my way inside. Pulling down my skirt so it wasn't so high, I knocked on the door. Moments later Jeff Summers answered.
"Hi Linda," Jeff smiled somewhat shyly. "You look nice. Come in." He made a motion with his hand as he held the door open.
"Hi Jeff," I replied and walking pass him. As usual, his apartment was spotless. "Thanks, it's a new outfit. Of course, I'm sure you saw me buying it." He blushed slightly, but didn't comment.
"Dinner will be ready soon," he said going into the kitchen. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"A Diet Pepsi," I replied. I heard the refrigerator door open and close, and he returned carrying a can of pop. We both took a seat on the couch.
"So Jeff, how are things underground?" I asked, not really expecting an honest answer.
"The usual," he stated a little impatiently, as if there were something important on his mind. "Linda, the reason why I asked you to have dinner with me tonight is because I need to ask you something - about Peace River. Do you mind?"
I took a sip of my pop and eyed him carefully. "I guess not. What would you like to know?"
"For starters, how's Lori Dillion doing?"
"From what I saw, she's unhappy. Judge Jasper turned her into a little girl and..." Suddenly it became very clear why he was asking me this question. "My gosh, you're one of the three that got away that night, aren't you, Jeff?" He nodded his head slowly.
"Do you know about Judy Hartford?" I asked. (read AV 19)
"I heard," he whispered sadly. "Judy...she wasn't a good friend of mine, but it hurts just the same. To be honest, I'm not surprised she killed herself that way. She was very strong-willed."
"What happened? How did you end up here?" I wanted to know.
Jeff sighed. "It's a long story, Linda. Unlike some of the others that night, I was lucky. None of those mermaid or merman creatures bothered me when I crossed. After I got away, I went to the FBI agency in Chicago to tell them about Peace River. The next thing I knew, I was being rushed out of there and flown to a meeting with Dennis Butz. He took care of me, and hid me from Jupiter and his clan. A few days later I was reunited with Jimmy, who had also escaped unharmed."
"You know about the Olympians then!" I stated.
He nodded. "Dennis has been up front with me since the beginning - at least with some things. No one else working in the bunker knows about Peace River, not even Colonel Myers. He suspects Judge Herns is some alien from outer space. It's strange, but that's what I thought Judge Jasper and his people were too when I lived in Peace River - aliens. Roman Gods, who would've guessed?"
"What about Judy?" I asked. "Why didn't Dennis protect her?"
"He tried," Jeff explained. "Unfortunately, Dennis couldn't put out a full-scale alert without tipping off the Olympians. He knew if they found out he had, they would come looking for Jimmy and me through him. We had Judy once, but she managed to get away from the cop holding her, the bumbling fool. We missed her by 10 lousy minutes. After that we never heard from her again. I guess Judy was better at going underground than we were. Anyway, Dennis offered us a job working for him, and promised to have us transformed into new people with the help of Dr. Jensen."
"Who's the other person, Jeff?"
"You haven't met him, Linda. Maybe one day you will, but I think it's better that I let him decide when the time is right. We talk now and then. He lives outside of Andersonville, the crazy fool."
"Wait, you said 'him'," I pointed out. "Besides Judy, there was a male and another female that escape from Peace River that night. If I'm not mistaken, their names were Candy Lane and Brian something. If you're both males now, that means one of you is..."
"Not what we used to be, originally," Jeff finished. "In Peace River I was known as Brian Hennington, but before that I was Tiffany Larson."
"A girl," I said. Of course, it all made sense now. The way Jeff approached relationships with other women according to Colonel Myers, not to mention his dream of owning a house with a white, picket fence and having a few kids with someone one day. Okay, guys dreamed about that too, to some extent, but they never talk about it. Sudden I could see all the signs that I had missed before.
"I was a young woman, yes," he said, somewhat annoyed by the 'girl' comment.
"Sorry Jeff," I apologized. "I didn't mean that the way it sounded. What I don't understand is why Dr. Jensen didn't change you back into a woman? She could have."
"That was my choice," said Jeff. "Let's just say I felt I would be more useful as a man. I'm not unhappy about it if that's what you're worried about."
"What about Jupiter," I asked. "Does he know that you're here?"
Jeff laughed loudly. "Oh yes, and he's very pissed about it too. Dennis tricked him good. Jupiter found out about me shortly after signing an agreement stating that he wouldn't try removing anyone from Andersonville. As long as I stay inside the town or surrounding area, he can't touch me. Of course he has no idea who I am now, so I do go out into the real world now and then."
I laughed too...knowing it was a simple and yet satisfying victory over old Jupiter. We talked late into the evening, about our time in Peace River and our impressions of the town. About midnight I dragged myself home and was surprised to find my mother up.
"Hi mom," I said with some concern. "Did you have another one of those dreams again?" Lately she had been remembered more about her past life while she slept.
My mother looked at me with sad eyes. "Something like that. Did you have fun tonight?"
"Yeah mom, it...it was interesting. Do you want to talk?"
"No, maybe later," she shook her head.
"Okay mom...if you're sure. Goodnight then."
"Goodnight Tom," she mentioned without much thought.
I headed upstairs for bed, and was halfway there when I suddenly realized she had called me "Tom", not Linda.
"Oh shit!" I said out-loud.
***
Voice of Judge Jasper: We are the Roman gods, who fell to the world long ago when your people were still learning how to crawl. We have guided you through the years, rewarded you for good deeds, and punished you when needed. With our leadership, we helped you defeat the Titans in a terrible but glorious war. Once your path was set, we went to sleep, waiting for the day you would reach for the stars and take us home. But the Titans interfered, and turned you away from your destiny. When we awoke, we found much work to do; so we established a base and called it Peace River.
The Titans, with our help, established their own base later on. It's a town where we can work together, a last ditch effort to avoid another war that may destroy the human race forever. Some would like to see the town and your people destroyed, others would like to see it work - to have peace at last. There is much hatred between our people, and the road ahead won't be easy but the rewards if we do are great. The name of this last chance for peace is Andersonville.
***
Fade in...
"Mom?" I asked quietly. She was sitting on the couch looking depressed. "Mom...are you okay?"
"I'm...I'm not sure, Tom. It is Tom, isn't it?"
"Yes," I told her. "At least I was before they changed me into your daughter."
"How horrible," she stated coldly.
"It's...its not so bad," I told her. "How did you know it was me?"
She actually smiled slightly at the question. "You may look like my Linda, but you still act like Tom."
"Mom..." I sat down and put my hands on hers. "Mom, I'm sorry."
She turned and blinked her eyes at me. "Sorry for what Tom...or do you prefer, Linda?"
"Either is fine, at least while we're alone. If there are others around I would prefer you call me, Linda."
"Okay," she said softly. "Now, why are you sorry?"
"Because you're upset about being here - and I'm the reason why." I went on to explain my meeting with Dennis Butz at Area 51, and how I decided for everyone what our future would be. Afterwards I felt slightly guilty, realizing my actions had been no better than when Dennis had decided I would become Linda. Damn it, we were a lot a like in too many ways.
"Tom, it's okay." She put her hand to my cheek and gently pushed my hair aside. "I don't want to embarrass you Tom, but you look so beautiful. You're just as I remember my daughter before she was...was murdered. It would be very easy for me to continue believing you're her."
"I don't mind if you do," I replied. "If it makes you happy."
She shook her head. "Not if you're unhappy I won't. I remember how Al felt trapped in Jennifer's body - I don't want that happening to you even if I do benefit from it. Giving up your life so Al could be a man again, that was very noble thing you did, Tom. But you can't be the one who keeps sacrificing yourself to make others happy. I can't let you do that for me. You have your own life to live, and that life is not being my daughter!"
"Mom...it's not like that. Yes, I have my bad days, but being your daughter is better than not having you in my life at all. I was given that choice, and I don't regret becoming your daughter - well, except for my monthly periods and the dresses you keep pushing me to wear so I'll catch the attention of some guy."
We both laughed, then she grew serious again. "I'm sorry Tom, but this is all new to me. I can't believe you could give up your life to live as someone else and be happy about it."
"It's not like that at all, mom," I tried to explain. "I'm still me inside. It's my likes, my dislikes - my personality. On the outside I may look like Linda, but on the inside I'm still Tom."
"And all 'man'," she added.
"Yes, a little," I agreed.
"Does Sox know?" my mother wanted to know.
"No, and I'm not sure why you know," I replied. "From what I was told, you weren't supposed to remember your past. What's it like now, knowing?"
"It's like...like awakening from a bad dream and finding out it wasn't a dream at all." She smiled and ran her fingers through my shoulder-length hair. "I love you, Tom. I mean that. I loved you as a son - and I'll love you as a daughter if you want me too. It's just that...well, this is going to take some time to accept. I'm sure there are things I can and can't do here."
"A few, the most important being that you can't leave Andersonville unless they allow it. I don't know if that will apply to you, but it does to me."
"Why?" she asked. I felt ashamed about telling her, but she had to know.
"Mom, in order to free Al and Keith Bennett, I had to...to...a couple people died as a result of my actions."
"On purpose?" she asked.
"Yes, on purpose," I replied. "I'm a...a murderer, mom. I'm sorry I didn't tell you that before. For some reason, I didn't consider myself one until recently - when a judge strongly pointed it out to me. I'm a...a criminal. I'm sorry to hurt you this way." I looked down at the floor, ashamed to face her.
"Tom," she said pulling up my chin. "I don't condone whatever you did, but knowing you, I believe you thought you had no choice. I still care about you, son. I still love you very much."
It felt like a great weight had been removed off my shoulders. I leaned forward to hug her, and started crying. She held me tightly, running her fingers through my hair and rocking me slowly to comfort me.
"It's okay, Tom," she spoke, as I bawled my eyes out. "I love you...son. I'll always love you."
After my cry, we talked about Andersonville, and the family she now had. My mom remembered there seemed to be something different about Jennifer's eyes, but didn't know what that was. I explained to her about the twinkling effect, so she wouldn't be scared by it. Sometime early in the morning I finally got to bed. It seemed like I had just lay down when the alarm clock started ringing. I thought about calling in sick, but remembered Judge Herns had told me she had a surprised for me this morning. Somehow I knew I didn't want to miss whatever she had planned. Reluctantly I lifted myself out of bed and headed to the bathroom to get ready.
***
Mike Stoner had gotten up early too. Although the sun was only now beginning to rise over the low-lying hills, the nursing home was already bustling with activity. There were six patients in the room, five of whom were old, immobile, and feeble minded. The entire floor stank of urine and human feces, and it took all of Mike's strength not to grab his noise. His client didn't seem to mind; or perhaps it was because she couldn't do anything about it even if she wanted too. He waited for the nurse to finish changing her diaper, then squatted down so he could face her.
"Hello Susan," he smiled gently. She rolled her eyes, her way of saying hello, and moaned something that Mike couldn't understand.
"I have a van waiting for you," he continued. "I'll be taking you to the place we talked about...if you still want to go."
"Eds," she grunted, and nodded slightly for 'yes'.
"Okay then," Mike said. He motioned his two helpers to come forward. "We'll have to fly you there. It's too long of a trip to take by car. Have you ever been on a plane before?"
"Oooo," she answered, which Mike had been told was her sound for 'no'.
"Then you're in for a treat," he grinned. "My assistants are going to get you loaded onto the bed, then we'll be on our way." Mike stood and turned to the two men. "Let's get her out of here boys. I'll let the head nurse know we're leaving."
He watched them place her on the gurney, and headed for the nurse's station with her release papers. Nineteen-year old Susan Welman was going to a better place.
After everything was taken care of with the nursing home administration, they headed for the airport. One of the nurses had given Susan a sedative to help her relax, and the young woman was already asleep. With great care so as not to disturb her, the young girl was loaded onto the plane. Once they were in the air, and Mike was sure she was okay, he went over her tragic file one more time.
Mrs. Welman was 48 at the time she gave birth to her first, and only child. It had been a very difficult pregnancy, and as a result her new daughter had been born with cerebral palsy and nerve damage. Despite these problems, it was determined early on that Susan was a very bright and intelligent girl. Her mother cared for Susan at home, but as her daughter got bigger it became too much of a burden for her. A caseworker finally convinced Susan's parents to place her in a nursing home where she would get constant care.
This worked out well for everyone involved. Susan was given her own room at the nursing home less then ten minutes away from where her parents were living. Her mother would get there early to have breakfast with her daughter, and spend the rest of the day schooling and doing other activities to keep her busy. Mrs. Welman was determined her daughter would get a good education despite her handicaps. Later in the evening, her father would show up with dinner, so they could eat together as a family. The rest of the evening was spent watching TV or doing some other family activity.
Despite her handicap, it was a time of growth for Susan. Then ten years ago tragedy stuck her fragile life. Susan's parents were killed in a car/train collision late one night. Alone in the world with no other family members to take care of her, Susan became a ward of the state. A week after their deaths she was moved out of the nicer nursing home and into a state institution, where the conditions were less appealing.
However, there was one kind nurse who took over where Susan's mother had left off. She spent a few hours each week teaching the young girl to read and perform math calculations in her head. The nurse even arranged for a computer to be given to Susan with some educational games, so the young girl could continue to learn during the long days.
Susan started to blossom during that time, but life was not fair. As puberty hit, the nerve damage and cerebral palsy had a devastating effect on her body. Slowly the young girl lost what little motor and speech functions she had, until finally the only thing she could do was lie in bed and moan. It broke Mike's heart to read her story. With some help from Dennis, he was able to arrange for Susan to be placed in his care. Mike had told the young girl he was moving her to a town where she would be healed. He wondered if she believed him.
The jolt of the plane landing brought him back to reality. Mike had been so engrossed in his own thoughts that time had slipped away. He looked out the window at the airport, which was made up of a few small hangers and not much else. There were trees all around the perimeter, preventing him from seeing anything else. Mike nervously unbuckled his seat belt and checked on Susan, who was still sleeping soundly. He opened up the door and walked outside.
"Welcome to Andersonville, Mr. Stoner," Sergeant Dave Williams greeted him. "Your first time here in our town?"
"Yes," Mike replied looking around. "Mr. Butz has given me permission to accompany Miss Welman to the courthouse."
"So I've been told," the officer replied. They stopped talking to watch Susan being unloaded from the plane. She was placed in a blue van with it's motor running. "You can ride with me if you like, Mr. Stoner," Dave offered.
"Thanks officer, but I'd like to stay with Susan the rest of the way there."
Sergeant Williams nodded. "I'll see you at the courthouse then."
***
There was a case coming in, but strangely I had no information on the person other than it was a female. Normally I would've been given the file before hand, but June seemed pre-occupied with other matters.
Breakfast at my house had been interesting. My mother had acted very differently than other mornings. It was almost as if she were unsure on what to do or say. My father didn't seem to notice her strange behavior as he rushed away to work, but my brother did. Jennifer just sat there looking as normal as any 13-year-old girl could be. I could tell my mom seemed disturbed by her flashing eyes, and knew it would take her a few days to get over it.
"Are you ready, Linda?" Judge Herns asked as she stood in the doorway between her office and mine. There seemed to be a bit of excitement in her tone.
"Yes, Your Honor," I replied, while locking my purse in my desk. I never took it into the courtroom with me.
"Actually, you may want to bring that with you," she suggested.
I looked at the judge strangely, but got my purse back out and following her into her chambers. She opened the door to the courtroom, and Sergeant Williams announced her as we walked in.
"Be seated," she told everyone. I noticed everyone included a man sitting in the visitor's section and a young woman curled up on in fetal position on a gurney. From the papers I was handed, I saw her name was Susan Welman. I looked past the girl into the corner where the temp was standing, and noticed it was a female. Well, at least the poor girl wouldn't have to deal with living as a member of the opposite sex. Then I took a double take at the temp - it was my sister, Jennifer. I glanced over at Judge Herns, who gave me a quick smile and went to work.
These proceedings were different from others. Judge Herns looked at the paperwork that had been provided, and told the girl to relax. She explained very carefully to the sick girl that she would feel some pulling on her body, but it wouldn't hurt. Then Judge Herns closed her eyes, and started whispering something under her breath. Her palms glowed, and a blue ball of energy/light rose from them. Judge Herns opened up her eyes again, and the ball of light shot forward and hit the girl in the chest. Part of the energy continued through her body, until it reached Jennifer. Suddenly the temp changed into an oval ball of pink and yellow light, and a stream of that light came back and touched the girl in the back. As Susan transformed, the energy from the temp grew brighter, then gradually faded as the changes neared their completion. When the transformation was completed, it simply disappeared.
The person who had once been Susan Welman slowly sat up. She held her hands out in front of her face, and wiggled her fingers. Then she placed her hands on her legs, her long straight legs, and rubbed them. There was great bewilderment on her face.
"No, you're not dreaming," Judge Herns smiled as if reading the young girls mind. "Nor are you dead, although you're no longer Susan Welman. From now on you'll be known as Jennifer Anderson. Your sis...Linda will show you around this morning, and tell you what you need to know. Oh, and Jennifer...welcome to Andersonville. Mr. Stoner, may I see you in my office please."
The man who had been sitting in the visitor's section stopped and patted my new sister on the back. "Good luck, Jennifer," he smiled before disappearing into the Judge's chambers.
I walked over to my sister, who was having problems taking all this in. I questioned if it wouldn't have been better to have Dr. Green see her right away, instead of having me take charge.
"Do...do you need help standing?" I asked. For some reason I found myself suddenly getting nervous. My sister was no longer a computer image. She was real.
"Sta...stand?" she said in a shaky voice, which suddenly got even shakier. "My...my...my gos...gosh. I...I can tal...talk!"
"You can do lots of things now," I smiled.
"I...I can?" she asked in shock and disbelief. "Walk...walk too?"
"Let's give it a try," I told her. I helped her off the cart, and she stood there holding onto me while trying to get her balance. She let go of my arm, and swayed a little. Then she took her first steps. They were clumsy, like a baby walking for the first time. Then it dawned on me that it was Jennifer's first time.
"I can walk!" she shouted after a few steps. "I...I can really walk!"
Something inside seemed to snap, as her emotions got the best of her. Tears formed in the poor girls eyes and she broke down. I grabbed hold of her arm so she wouldn't fall, and Jennifer swung around and buried her face into my chest. She sobbed loudly in an uncontrolled manner, and I wasn't sure if she was happy or sad.
"I can walk," she kept repeating over and over again. "I can really walk...just like a normal person. I can walk."
"Shhh, it's okay, Jennifer," I tried to comfort her. Actually I found myself being the one comforted by my actions.
"I...I can't believe...this is happening," she sobbed in a confused, feminine tone. "Please tell me this isn't...isn't a...a...a dream...Lin...Linda."
"It's no dream, sister," I told her gently. She lifted up her face and stared at me with tear-filled eyes.
"You're...you're my...my...my sis...sister?"
I smiled. "Yes Jennifer, you're older sister. You also have an older brother named Steve. He's not too bad, for a brother." She giggled, and wiped the tears from her eyes. I could see the initial shock of what had happen was disappearing.
"What...what about parents?" she wanted to know. "Do I have a mother...and a father?"
"The best," I grinned with sincerity. "Come on, Jennifer. I'll drive you home."
"I'll need...your help," she said in an unsure manner. "My legs...they feel like rubber."
"Sit down for a moment," I told her. I helped her over to a bench where she took a seat. "Okay, now close your eyes and concentrate on walking. Picture it in your mind like you've been doing it a hundred times before. Feel your muscles working in your thighs."
She did, and I could see a smile come to her face as the effects took place. "I can feel it, Linda. It's like...it's like I've been walking all my life."
"Okay," I told her. "Now stand up and try walking again."
There was no shakiness in her legs this time when Jennifer stood. She looked at me with uncertainty, and took a step. It was perfect.
"I CAN WALK!" she yelled with glee. "I can walk like I've been doing it all my life. But how can that be, Linda?"
"That's kind of hard to explain, Jennifer. I'll tell you everything I know on the way home."
Jennifer held onto my hand tightly as we walked to my car. I wasn't sure if she was afraid of falling, or feared I might disappear if she let go. When we stepped outside the courthouse she stopped, and marveled at something in the trees.
"Are you okay," I asked.
"Birds," she pointed at a tree. "I've seen them on TV, but this is the first time..." Her voice trailed off with uncertainty.
I grinned and wrapped my arm around her. "Come on, there are more surprises waiting for you."
As I drove home, I noticed Jennifer seemed amazed by everything I took for granted. The young girl sat there staring at every detail around us; engulfed in the colors, structures and sound that made up the town. When we started driving past the park, she got very excited.
"Please Linda, stop," she begged.
I quickly pulled the car into a parking spot and looked at her. "What's wrong, Jennifer?"
"Nothing," she smiled slightly. "It's just that...I had a dream once." She turned and faced the park again. "Can we get out?"
"Sure," I told her. I joined her at the hood of my car, and my sister took a deep breath. Then she closed her eyes and concentrated on something.
"Jennifer, are you okay?" I asked.
She opened her eyes and grinned. "I saw this in a movie once." She touched me on the shoulder. "Tag, you're IT, Linda!"
Jennifer suddenly ran off with amazing speed, laughing and jumping with joy. I stood there for moment, then giggled and ran after her. I chased her around the swing sets and trees, while she called out to me with playful insults about how slow I was. Finally I couldn't take it anymore, and collapsed on the ground underneath a tree. Jennifer came up next to me, barely out of breath.
"This is wonderful," she stated. "I've never run before. It's so...so...exhilarating."
"So is this," I said, grabbing her hand and pulling her to the ground. "That'll teach you for making your older sister look bad."
"Hey, no fair, sister," she giggled. "You cheated."
"Old age and treachery will overcome youth and inexperience, or something like that," I laughed. She joined me in the giggle department, and then hugged me. I suddenly realized how close I felt to this person who had been a stranger only fifteen minutes before. Finally she settled down and stared out at the pond where some ducks where swimming.
"Linda, who am I?" she asked in a serious manner.
"Well, that's a good question," I began. "I sometimes find myself asking the same question. I can tell you who you're suppose to be - it's up to you to decide how much you can take."
She nodded for me to continue, and I did. "Okay, you're Jennifer Lynnette Anderson, age 13, but soon to be fourteen in just two weeks. I'm your older sister, Linda, and as I mentioned you have an older brother named Steve. Your parents are Sox and Norma Anderson, and depending on which date you go by, they've been married for over 27 years."
"What do you mean by 'depending on which date you go by', Linda?"
"Well, you see Jennifer, the Anderson's are actually much older than they look. When we first came here, they were about 10 years older. Judge Jasper, you haven't met him, made them younger - in fact he made us all younger."
"So you were their daughter before coming here?" she asked in a completely, innocent tone.
"Um, no, not really," I replied in a rather uncomfortable tone. "That's...well, that's a long story Jennifer, and I don't want to get into it right now. For now let's just say I was their adopted child and leave it at that."
"I'm sorry, you seem upset by my question."
"No, not really," I told her honestly. "It's just that there are so many things for you to learn about your life, I don't want to go into my life right now. We'll talk about me later, I promise. Okay?"
"Okay," she agreed pleasantly. "So my mother and father...are they...nice and all? Do they like...like me?" The un-sureness in her tone made me smile.
"They don't like you Jennifer, they love you. Especially dad. You're his little girl."
"Really?" she pressed, just to make sure I wasn't pulling her leg.
"I swear," I told her. "He doesn't know about what's going on here, with the Judge and all. Dad thinks he's lived in Andersonville all his life. Mom, that's a different story. She just remembered last night about her past."
"I don't understand," Jennifer said. "Why did they make them forget like that?"
"I guess because...their past was too painful for them to bear," I said grimly. "You see, they had three children who all died a few years apart under different circumstances. When I found them, they were in pretty bad shape. I believe Dennis Butz wanted them to forget all that pain and just be happy, which is why he removed their memories."
"Who's Dennis Butz?" Jennifer asked.
Suddenly a thought crossed my mind. I now understood why Dennis was so secretive all the time; he hated the idea of answering ten thousand questions. I found myself chuckling at the thought.
"What's so funny?" Jennifer asked in confusion.
"I'll tell you in the car," I giggled. "Come on, I'll race you." I managed to get an early jump on my sister, but she was waiting for me by the time I got there.
***
"This...this is my new home?" Jennifer asked in wonderment. Her eyes nearly bugged out as she stared at the house.
"Yep," I replied as we got out. "Mom should be home, let's go meet her."
"Linda," she said. I picked up the hesitation in her tone.
"It's okay," I smiled while holding out my hand. "Just remember, she's going through a rough time herself. She just found out her life isn't what she thought it was. Try acting like her daughter - it'll help her adjust."
Jennifer nodded, but I could still see the uncertainty on her face. I found myself wondering if it wouldn't have been better if Jennifer hadn't remembered her past life. The poor girl was having to deal with so much in just a short time. Then I chastised myself for thinking that way. How could I believe not remembering your past was better?
"Come on!" I grabbed her hand and pulling her into the house. We found mom in the kitchen getting ready to bake something. She still seemed a little upset about last night.
"Hi mom," I said carefully.
"Linda, what are you doing home?" she asked. Then I saw her look at Jennifer. Her face turned white as if she were seeing a ghost. "Her eyes, they're normal now."
"Mom, take a deep breath," I told her. "Jennifer...well, she's new here."
My mom looked at Jennifer with shock. "New?" she questioned.
"Jennifer is a real person now," I explained. I noticed my mother looked over at her again, and swallowed hard.
"Hello Jennifer," she spoke, as if she wasn't sure what else to say. Jennifer seemed equally, if not more nervous about the meeting.
"Mrs. Anderson?" she asked.
"Call me...mom, if you wish," she told her.
'If you wish?' I thought. This wasn't turning out to be the happy, wonderful meeting I had in-vision.
"Mom, what are you doing?" I asked, hoping to break the ice.
"Doing?" she asked in a daze. "I was...I was just getting ready to bake some cookies."
"Great," I smiled. "Maybe Jennifer would like to help."
Jennifer stood there fidgeting a little, while my mom stared back at her with questioning eyes. Clearly this wasn't working out well at all.
"Jennifer...would you like that?" my mother asked.
"Well...I...I guess," she stuttered out. "I've never made cookies before."
"Oh," my mother said uncomfortably. "Well um, sit down here in front of the mixing bowl while I get everything together."
My mother got the supplies while Jennifer sat down at the table. I took a seat in the corner to observe. I felt like I needed to say something, but didn't know what. Obviously my mother was uncomfortable about the fact that this stranger sitting in her kitchen was supposed to be her daughter. As for Jennifer, she was new to this type of interaction, and didn't know how to handle it. The entire situation was totally awkward.
"Stir the ingredients together," my mother ordered, after placing everything in the bowl. Jennifer tried, but didn't do a very good job of it. My mother frowned slightly.
"Try it this way," she told her, while taking the bowl and spoon from her. She stirred it vigorously for a few seconds, then gave it back to Jennifer.
"This is harder then it looks," Jennifer replied, trying to make light of the situation. She found the spoon getting stuck in the batter.
"Here," my mother said in a rare, impatient tone. "Why don't you turn on the oven to 325 degrees while I finish this." Before Jennifer could reply, my mother took the bowl from her.
"Yes mom," Jennifer answered while standing up. The young girl knew what a stove was because she had seen them on television before. However, she had no idea how to operate one. Jennifer stared at the dials in bewilderment.
"Here Jennifer," I offered. "Why don't I help you."
"I see she's never cooked before either," my mother announced curtly. I saw a look of pain on Jennifer's face at the words.
"Mom," I started to say just before my cell phone rang. I went over to my purse and pulled it out. "Hello."
"Hi Linda," Judge Herns said. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but I need you back at the courthouse right away. Dennis Butz is showing up this afternoon, and I have to get some reports ready for him."
'Dennis Butz, well there goes this day,' I thought to myself. I hadn't talked to him since our fight. I wondered how he would react when we met.
"Okay June, I'll be there in about 15 minutes. Goodbye." I turned off the phone and looked at my mother who had an almost bitter look etched on her face.
"I have to go," I said.
"So go," she replied while continuing to stir. Jennifer looked at me with pleading eyes not to leave.
"Jennifer, why don't you go check out your room."
"Which one is it?" she asked.
"Think about it," I told her with a smile. She gave me a nervous grin and left the room. My mother continued to stir her cookies without saying a word, but I could see the tension and anger in her moments.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
"I have a new daughter to care for, what could 'possibly' be wrong?" she snapped.
"I don't know," I told her gently. "That's why I'm asking. I thought you would be...be happy about this."
"Why of course I'm happy," she answered in a mocking tone. "I have my Jennifer back...even if she is a total stranger to me. There was the real Jennifer, then Al, now I have this person to raise as her. You know what they say, the third times the charm."
"Mom, what is it?" I pressed.
My mother placed the bowl down on the table so hard I thought it would crack. She stomped over to the sink to wash her hands, then stood there with her back to me like a statue. For a moment I thought she was going to cry.
"I can't do this anymore, Tom. I can't pretend you're my children when you're not. I can't pretend this person, this total stranger I just met, is my daughter, Jennifer. And I can't pretend you're 'my' Linda when you're not! I loved Tom, and I miss him - just as much as I missed my other children when we first met. He was more then just a son-in-law to me; he was a good friend. Don't you see how much he meant to me."
"Mom...I'm sorry. I choose to become your daughter so I could stay with you, at least the second time I did. I'm not unhappy with this choice."
"Why did you have to choose in the first place?" she almost screamed with tears in her eyes. "What gave them that right to decide if you could see me or NOT? Damn it, you were just as much my child all those years as Linda, Steve, and Jennifer. I can't stand what they did to you."
I went over to my mother to give her a hug, and she started to cry. "Mom...listen to me, please. I'm happy with this life. More important, I'm still me. Trust me when I say I'm happy being your daughter."
"What...what about Jennifer?" she sniffed.
"Jennifer needs someone who will love her," I said. "I can't think of a better person than you. Look, I really have to get going. It's not good to keep Judge Herns waiting. I'll tell you the entire story about Jennifer when I get home. Okay?"
"Okay," she replied reluctantly.
I looked at my mother carefully. It wasn't Jennifer that was upsetting my mother; she was scared. Not only that, she was now struggling with the grief of knowing her three children were dead. Add to the fact that she now had three replacements that looked just like them, well it had to be pushing her sanity to the limits. I thought about calling Judge Herns back and telling her I couldn't come in, but decided against it. She would ask too many questions, and the last thing I wanted her to know was that my mother remembered her past.
"I'll talk to you later, mom." I gave her another hug and left.
***
A couple of hour's later Mrs. Anderson decided to check and see what her new daughter was doing. Quietly she made her way up the steps and down the hallway to Jennifer's room. The door was partway open, and Mrs. Anderson glanced inside. She saw Jennifer sitting on bed brushing the hair of one of her dolls. Mrs. Anderson found it rather unusual that a 13-year-old would play with a doll. She knocked on the door and waited for her new daughter to invite her in.
"Come...come in," Jennifer said nervously. Mrs. Anderson opened the door and looked at her new daughter. She looked just like her old Jennifer, only she wasn't nearly as confident.
"Getting settled in?" she asked.
"Yes, thank you," Jennifer replied politely and shyly. Mrs. Anderson smiled at her reaction.
"I guess you're just as nervous as I am." She took a seat next to her daughter. "Are you hungry?"
"I...I don't think so," Jennifer replied. "I was going through my closet before. There are so many beautiful things to wear."
"Well, I've always enjoyed dressing you up in pretty things," Mrs. Anderson grinned. "You're becoming a beautiful, young lady. Speaking of pretty things, I was going to take you shopping for a new dress after school today. There's a dance coming up in a couple of weeks, your first. Oh shoot, I didn't even think about calling your school."
"Linda told me it was taken care of," Jennifer explained. "I guess someone called to let them know I wouldn't be in because of a doctor's appointment."
"Humm, they think of everything here, don't they?" Mrs. Anderson said out loud.
"How long have you been here...mom?"
"I don't know," she replied, a little surprised by the question. "I guess since the beginning, almost two years maybe."
"Are you happy?"
"I...I was?" Mrs. Anderson whispered. "Now, I don't really know."
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault," she replied. "You see, the world I thought I knew has been turned upside down. It's a little hard to swallow knowing that everything you once believed in was a total lie - and that the truth is pretty painful."
Jennifer sat there not knowing what to do or say. She wanted to get close to her new mother, but didn't know how to go about doing this. Finally she said, "Mom, do you think we can still go shopping for that dress today?"
Mrs. Anderson smiled at the idea. "Sure, if you want to Jennifer. Let me change first."
***
Jennifer was amazed at the sights and sounds of downtown Andersonville. It wasn't that the Andersonville was different from any other small town, she had just never been in a place like this before. The cars and people going back and forth, while the traffic lights turned green, yellow, and red - then back to green again to keep the traffic flowing smoothly. And all the people, the majority of them with those flashing eyes. Linda had told her they weren't real people, but some kind of computer image. They still looked and acted real to her.
Her mother steered her in the direction of a store sandwiched between a bank and an insurance company. In the front window were a couple of mannequins dressed in prom outfits. They walked inside, and Jennifer was bewitched by all the pretty dresses she saw.
"Hi, can I help you?" a lady with a pleasant voice asked. Jennifer noticed she was real.
"My daughter, Jennifer, is going to a dance in a couple of weeks, and we were looking for a new dress," Mrs. Anderson explained. "Nothing too fancy, but something nice."
"Well, why don't we look over here," the woman suggested. "What color do you like, Jennifer?"
"I'm not sure," the young girl replied slowly.
"How about royal blue," the woman suggested. "It'll go great with your hair."
"Yes...yes, I like blue," Jennifer said. "Blue is my favorite color."
"My Jennifer always liked red," Mrs. Anderson whispered to herself. She hadn't meant for anyone else to hear her, but Jennifer and the saleslady did.
"Well, we have red if you like," the saleslady suggested. "I'm sure your daughter will look good in that color too."
"Can I try on a blue dress too, mom?" Jennifer asked. "I'm sure I'll look good in it."
"If you wish," Norma intoned. "You're the one who's going to be wearing it."
Jennifer and the saleslady looked carefully at several dresses trying to decide. Mrs. Anderson just watched in silence, and some disappointment. This person wasn't acting like her daughter at all.
"Let's try this dress," Jennifer said, while pulling out a short, blue dress with some flashy beads.
"But you've always liked red," her mother insisted.
"No problem, I got the same dress in red," the saleswoman pointed out. "Your daughter can try on both outfits to see which one she likes the best. This way, Jennifer."
The saleslady hurried the teenager girl off to a small room in back, while Mrs. Anderson continued to look at some dresses, red dresses, for her daughter to try on. She felt a twinge of disappointment and anger inside by the way her daughter was acting. This wasn't the Jennifer she knew. What the hell was this person doing, trying to pretend to be her daughter when clearly she wasn't.
"What am I doing?" Mrs. Anderson suddenly said out loud. How could she continue this charade? It wasn't right - Steve, Linda, Jennifer, and now Tom too, were dead! This wasn't her youngest daughter.
"What do you think?" someone asked. Mrs. Anderson was knocked out of her daydream, and looked down at her new daughter standing there. She was holding out the edge of her dress and smiling.
"I told you red," she fumed. "Why didn't you listen to me? If you want to be Jennifer then you need to start acting like her, understand?"
"But...but I like blue," Jennifer protested slightly. "I think it looks good on me, mom."
"What did you call me?" she hissed.
"Mrs. Anderson, if there is a problem with the dress I'll be more then happy to..." the saleswoman started to say.
"Keep out of this," she glared at the saleslady. "Now, I asked you a question young lady - what did you call me?"
"Just...m...mom," Jennifer stuttered out. "You...you said it was okay to call you that."
"Not when you're arguing with me about what's right?" Mrs. Anderson shot back. "If you want to be Jennifer, then you're going to act like her. This was my daughter, and you have a long way to go to be like her!"
"I'm...I'm sorry," Jennifer started to cry, confused by her mothers sudden anger. "I...I didn't mean...mean to upset you."
"What, 'NO MOM' this time?" she yelled. "You disrespect me by acting this way. The real Jennifer would never have treated me this way!"
"The real Jennifer?" the saleslady questioned, confused by the conversation.
"I'm sorry...mom. I didn't mean to upset you. I'm trying to make you like me. Please don't be mad at me."
"LIKE YOU!" she raged. "I don't even KNOW YOU! One minute you're not there, the next minute you are. How can I like you if I don't even KNOW you? NO, I WON'T play this game anymore." Mrs. Anderson looked up at the ceiling and shouted, "DO YOU HEAR ME? WHO EVER YOU ARE, I'M NOT GOING TO PLAY ANYMORE! IT'S OVER! I REFUSE TO GO ALONG WITH THIS CHARADE ONE MINUTE MORE!"
"Mom," Jennifer whimpered.
Mrs. Anderson glared at the devastated girl with anger eyes, and pointed her finger at her. "You are not my daughter! Leave me ALONE!"
"MOM!" Jennifer cried out as she watched her mother leave in a hurry. "Mommy, please come back...I...I need you." The saleslady put her arm around Jennifer, and the teenager found herself crying in the stranger's arms.
***
"Good morning, Miss Anderson," Dennis said formally. "Is Judge Herns in yet?"
His words stuck like a knife in my back. Gone was the friendly greeting he used to offer me every time we met. Now he was treating me like a complete stranger. Well two could play at this game.
"Yes, 'Mr. Butz', she's expecting you. Why don't you have a seat while I buzz her."
"Thank you, Miss Anderson," he replied politely, and sat down. I pretended not to notice as I buzzed Judge Herns. She said she would be out in a moment.
"Judge Herns will be right with you, Mr. Butz," I said, not wanting to give him an inch of satisfaction.
"Thank you," Dennis replied. He picked up a newspaper and started to read it. I wasn't going to let him get away with ignoring me like that.
"How's the weather outside, Mr. Butz?"
"Chilly," he replied, as he continued to read the paper.
"I haven't had a chance to go outside myself," I explained, opening the door just a little.
"I would have thought a pretty, young 'lady' like yourself would've had a lunch date," he commented, without prying his eyes from the newspaper. I couldn't see it, but I knew he was smiling inside at that shot. I found myself searching for something to say.
"Things are not always as they seem," I replied with a tad of bitterness to the words. "Sometimes you have to look closer to see the truth."
He turned the page of the newspaper and replied, "I've found that some people can't see the truth even when it's staring them right in the face."
Now his words really got me riled up. I was about to say something else when the door to Judge Herns office opened.
"Hello, Dennis," June said.
"Good afternoon, Judge," he grinned. "Sorry to barge in on you like this, but I had to see my brother about another matter. Is the report I requested ready?"
"Linda finished it a little while ago. I was just checking to make sure it included everything you wanted."
"I'm sure Miss Anderson was very thorough with it," he responded in a dry manner.
"I'm always thorough with the facts and truth, Mr. Butz," I answered back.
Judge Herns looked at us carefully and asked, "Is there a problem I'm not aware of?"
"No problem, Your Honor," I replied formally.
Judge Herns was about to say something else when Jennifer came running into the room all upset. She stood in front of my desk with tears running down her cheeks.
"Linda...she...she 'hates' me," my sister blubbered out. "She hates me."
I rushed over to where my sister was standing and hugged her. Then I held her out at arm's length and asked, "Who hates you?"
"Mo...mom," she sobbed. "She told me I wasn't her daught...daughter." It was too much for Jennifer to bear, and she broke down crying in my arms.
"How could she know that?" Judge Herns asked me swiftly.
"She remembers," I told her. "Last night when I got home she called me Tom."
"And you didn't bother telling me about this," the judge asked sternly. "Why not?"
"I didn't know what you would do. I was waiting for the right time to tell you. What are you going to do?"
"A good question," she frowned. "Take Jennifer to the bathroom and get her cleaned up."
"Your Honor, you're...you're not going to make my mother forget again, are you?"
"That's an option," she said firmly.
"You can't do that," I replied.
"Don't interfere in my business, Linda," she warned me sternly. "I have to do what I think is best, and I'm not happy that you kept this a secret from me. Now do as I say, take your sister to the bathroom."
The stern look on her face told me this wasn't the time to get into an argument with her. I put my arm around Jennifer and led her out the door.
***
"What do we do now?" Judge Herns asked.
Dennis didn't answer. Instead he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Colonel Myers, this is Dennis Butz - authorization, king, bravo, 35. I need you to give me the location of Mrs. Anderson." He stared at Judge Herns silently as he waited. "Okay, I got it. If she moves let me know." He turned off the phone and placed it in his pocket. "She's in the park."
"I better go talk to her," the judge said.
"No," Dennis said. "I think I better go. After all, I'm the reason why she's here."
"Okay then," June Herns nodded. "While you're gone, I'm going to have a little chat with Linda."
***
Mrs. Anderson was sitting on a bench shivering in the cold. She felt guilty about her blowup with Jennifer who was, after all, in the same boat as she was in. Norma wiped the remaining tears from her eyes; her insides numb with the fact that the nightmares she had been having over the past year were indeed her reality. All of her children were dead, and now she was locked up in some town that didn't really exist. It was too much for her to bear. She heard a noise, and saw a handsome looking man wearing a trench coat walking toward her. She had seen him once before, at the air force base.
"Hello, Mrs. Anderson," he smiled.
"You're Dennis Butz, aren't you?" she asked.
"I am," he replied. "Do you mind if I sit down?"
"This is your town, not mine. I don't see why you would need to ask me for permission."
"I'm being polite," Dennis said as he took a seat next to her. "I must say Mrs. Anderson, I don't understand your reaction to all this."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I was hoping you would be happy once you found out what I had done for you."
"Happy!" Mrs. Anderson gritted her teeth. "You made me forget my memories, turned my son-in-law into my daughter, and put a complete stranger who doesn't act like Jennifer in her place. All you've done is create some kind of illusion, but that doesn't change my past."
"I never intended it to," he pointed out. "I knew one day you would remember, because you're a strong woman. I just didn't think it would happen so quickly. I was hoping...we would talk before then."
"Talk? About what Mr. Butz?"
Dennis sighed. "I want to tell you a story, Mrs. Anderson. It's a sad story, but it explains much. You see, a long, long time ago I had a daughter who I loved more than life itself. She was beautiful to me, Mrs. Anderson, just like your daughters Jennifer and Linda were to you. I loved her so much. Then one day...she was killed. No, murdered is the right word. I heard about what happen from one of my associates. I felt so...so empty inside after she was gone."
"Did this daughter of yours have a name?" Mrs. Anderson asked.
"Of course she did," Dennis smiled slightly at the question. "Her name was Rommona. After her death, I started looking for someone just like her - to replace her. But no matter how hard I look, I never found that person. After a few cent...a few years, I realized there would never be another person just like her."
"I know that feeling," Mrs. Anderson said sadly.
"Yes, I'm sure you do. However, that's not the end of the story," Dennis explained. "You see, she was killed because of the hate between my people and...and another group of people. I decided that whatever it took, I would make sure such an act never happened again. Going to war and killing them wasn't an option. Besides, doing so would only cause more death and that meant more people would suffer the same way I had. I wouldn't wish that feeling on my worst enemy. So I went in the opposite direction, I started looking for peaceful solution to our problem. Andersonville, well, that's partly what this town is all about - trying to establish a place were we can live in peace. We couldn't do that in their town, it just wouldn't work."
"What about me?" Mrs. Anderson asked. "And my husband, and Tom, Al, and even the one who is now Jennifer. Why are we here?"
Dennis sighed deeply. "That's a question that until today, only I knew the answer to. Not even Linda knows, and she knows more about my plans then I had intended to tell her in the beginning. You see, after Tom McClain ruined my plans, I started investigating him and those around him. Imagine my surprise while in the process I found someone who was just like my Rommona."
"Tom?" Mrs. Anderson asked.
"No. Tom thinks it's him, but it's not." Dennis turned and stared into Mrs. Anderson eyes. "It's you, Mrs. Anderson."
"Me?" Mrs. Anderson stated in surprised.
"Yes, you," Dennis nodded seriously.
"But...but you've never talked to me before. If I'm her...or a replacement for her, why haven't we met before now."
"Because...because that's not what I mean. You see I know you're not her, and I'm not foolish enough to believe I can turn you into her. My daughter is dead and nothing can change that. But your actions and thoughts - they remind me so much of my Rommona. When she was living, I only wanted the best for her. So when I learned about your three children dying, and your current state, I was driven to try and do something about it in my daughter's memory. Of course, that's when Tom stepped in with Jennifer, and you accepted her like your long, lost daughter. It made you so happy."
"And you figured to do the same thing here, only triple it."
"Yes, that's correct," Dennis replied in confusion. "Only it didn't work out the way I planned, and I don't understand. You accepted Al Parker as your daughter so well, why not now?"
"Because I was given a choice, Mr. Butz," she answered. "When I first met Al Parker, I thought he was my daughter. Later I found out it wasn't Jennifer, only it didn't bother me as much. I could see Al Parker needed me just as badly as I needed him. You see...I made the decision to accept him as one of my own. What you did was mess with my memories and gave me no choice."
Dennis nodded his head sadly. "I'm sorry, you're right. I didn't mean for it to turn out this way, Mrs. Anderson. Please believe me when I say I only wanted to make you happy."
"What about Tom?" she asked. "Doesn't he deserve to be happy?"
"I'm trying, Mrs. Anderson. And before you ask, no, I won't turn him back. First of all, I don't have that power and second, it was his decision to become your daughter, Linda. Besides, I don't think being a man again will make Tom happy. He has to live with what has happened to him."
"But...but it's unfair," she protested.
"So was losing your three children," Dennis pointed out in a cold fashion. "Life is very unfair, but we have to make the best of it. Those who do become stronger, better people."
"What happens now?" Mrs. Anderson asked. "Now that I know, what do you have in store for me - and my family?"
"Which family?" Dennis questioned.
Mrs. Anderson thought about it for a moment. "The family I have here," she said quietly.
"You can go back to them if you want," he smiled. "As for Jennifer, I'm hoping you will accept her into your family. She needs you, Mrs. Anderson. Here, look at this."
Dennis pulled a report from his pocket and handed it to her. It was a couple of sheets of paper explaining a brief history of Susan's life. Mrs. Anderson had to stop reading it a couple of times to wipe the tears from her eyes.
"The poor girl," she whispered.
"Yes," Dennis agreed. "I felt the same way, which is why I knew the perfect place for her was to be with you. She needs a good, loving mother, Mrs. Anderson, and someone she can love back. I was also very selective in who I found to replace your daughter. In time, you'll see she's a lot like Jennifer was."
"What about my husband?" Mrs. Anderson asked. "Can you make him remember?"
"I suppose, but for what purpose?" Dennis pointed out. "The only memories he doesn't have are the bad ones, including those when he was a small boy. That's what drove him to drink in the first place. He thinks it's for other reasons now, but we both know that it was his father degrading him all the time that caused him to turn to the bottle. Not knowing has helped him recover quicker."
"I see you've done your research on my husband," Mrs. Anderson replied. "I didn't find out about that until after he was on the wagon for a year."
"I see no good reason for him to remember," Dennis said. "He's a good man, a good person...just like you."
Mrs. Anderson smiled. "Thank you...Mr. Butz."
"Call me Dennis," he smiled back. "Come on, let's go back and meet your daughter again."
Both of them stood and walked toward Dennis' car.
***
"Do you think I'm a monster, Linda?" Judge Herns asked me sternly. I was seated in her office, and she was standing close by with a deep frown edge on her face. Jennifer was in my office waiting...for what I didn't know yet.
"No, Your Honor," I replied respectfully.
"Then why didn't you come to me about your mother?" she asked.
"I...I don't know. I guess I was afraid you would make her forget again."
"And that would be a bad thing?" she asked honestly. "Making her forget all those bad memories that drove her into her depression in the first place! Even you had to know that replacing Jennifer with Al didn't solve her problems. It was her painful past that drove that poor woman into her desolation in the first place. I took that away, so she could live again."
"It's complicated, June. Once I found out she knew I was...used to be Tom, I...I didn't want her to forget."
"I see," she frowned deeper. "So it was a selfish act on your part."
"No," I answered in an angry tone. "I love my mother, and I would never do anything to hurt her, but sometimes people do better in life by knowing the truth."
"And sometimes they don't," Judge Herns emphasized. "Because you hid the truth from me, Jennifer paid a very high price. And that isn't the first time you did this. You tried doing the same thing with Jerry Kohl, and we know how that turned out."
"Are you saying that if I had told you the truth, you know for certain my sister wouldn't have been hurt?"
"No, but that's what happened," she pointed out firmly. "You have to take some responsibility for your sister's pain."
"I suppose you plan to punish me for this," I said.
She looked at me sadly and shook her head. "No, I don't think so. If you haven't learned to trust my judgment by now, I don't see how punishing you would do any good." Quickly Judge Herns turned away as if she was hurt by the suggestion.
"June, it's not that. It's just that sometimes...sometimes I don't agree with your decisions."
"Who runs this town, Linda?" she asked while looking out the window.
"You do," I said softly.
"That's right, Linda, I do. Sometimes I have to make hard, difficult choices that I don't want to make. However, they are mine to make if Andersonville is to succeed. There are many gray areas in my job, where I'm damned no matter what I do. You may not agree with every decision I make, but I do expect you to live by them."
"Just like that?" I pointed out. "With no input from anyone else."
"When have I 'not' listened to you, Linda?" she asked. "How many times 'have' I taken your advice in matters that dealt with others? I have always respected your opinion, Linda, and listened to what you had to say. Sometimes I haven't always done what you thought was right, but in the end I'm the one who has to decide what's best, not you. As you said, I run this town!"
I sat there for a moment in silence. Her words made sense, but I wasn't completely comfortable with them. We were talking about someone having the final say over another person's life. Judge Herns seemed to know what I was thinking, because she added, "They're criminals, Linda. They gave up their right to live how they wanted when they signed a contract with us. Actually, they lost their rights the moment they violated someone else's rights, but that's my own personal opinion.
"You signed the same contract they did, although as an added bonus the Andersons were allowed join you. Technically, since I have no contract with your parents, they could leave Andersonville anytime they wanted. Legally, and morally, I would honor their request. Your brother Steve could leave as well, although we could bring him up on murder, and breaking and entering charges. I don't think Dennis would allow that to happen, though. He believes Al suffered enough at the hands of Dr. Jensen and Gerald. The few who weren't rotting in jail before coming here also put their life in my hands to do as I saw fit."
She paused for a moment to reflect on her words. "The contracts are legal and binding, Linda, we saw to that. Some may try to take us to court later on, but they'll lose. Even if they do win, they'll have to go back to jail to finish out their sentence. Being here doesn't commute their jail sentence; that's the reality of the situation. It's also what gives me this right to play," she smiled slightly, "God. I don't take my job lightly, and I always try to do the right thing when I make a decision. I think you know that the happiness of your people is important to me in many ways. What I do, and what I decide is for their benefit as well as my own. It's my job; that's why I'm here. Do you understand?"
"I do," I told her.
She seemed satisfied with my answer. "Good, Linda, because I really don't want to go through this again. Your race has just as much to lose in all this if we fail. That's why I need you to work with me. I also need you to respect my judgment on certain matters even if you disagree with me. If you can't handle that, Linda, I'll have to find someone else who can."
I looked down at the ground and swallowed hard. Would I be doing the wrong thing by giving in? No, I knew what was at stake here, at least some of it. War, and total destruction of our world. I had heard it in Jupiter's words back at Olympus.
"I want to work with you, Your Honor," I said. "I'll...I'll do better next time."
She smiled, and walked over to me. "Then no more secrets from me, Linda. From this point on, you have to trust my judgment, even if you don't agree with it. That's my golden rule. Agree?"
I nodded my head slowly. She looked at me intensely, as if gauging my reaction. Finally she spoke again.
"I know what I'm asking isn't easy, and unlike Mr. Butz, I believe this level of trust and co-operation is a two way street. To show my faith in you, Linda, I'm changing your access level from four to three. You'll be allowed outside of Andersonville for limited periods of time, as long as you clear it with me first."
"You mean that?" I asked hopefully.
"Of course I do," she grinned slightly. "And in the future, I'll try to be more forth-right about my decisions with you." She stopped talking as if she were picking up something in her head. "Dennis and your mother just walked into the courthouse. I think now would be a good idea to join your sister."
"Is...is it going to be okay?"
"We'll see," she told me.
We stepped into my office just as Dennis and my mother walked in. My mother seemed calmer now, as if she understood and accepted her new life. She smiled at me, then at Jennifer. The young girl was staring down at the ground looking rejected.
"Jennifer, I'm sorry," she told my sister. She took a seat next to Jennifer and wrapped an arm around her. Immediately my sister leaned her face into my mother's body and started crying.
My mother cooed her for a moment, then said, "I...I want to be your mother sweetheart. I want to take care of you, and be there when you need me. Will you give me another chance?"
"You...you mean that?" she whimpered.
"I do, Jennifer...I really do."
"Oh thank you," Jennifer blubbered out. My mother hugged her tightly, and ran her hand through her hair in a comforting fashion.
"Your sister and the judge have to get back to work, dear," she told her gently. "Come on, let's go get a soda and talk...about what to do next."
My mother helped my sister stand, and they headed for the door. Before they left, she turned to the director and said, "Thank you, Dennis, for everything."
"Be happy, Mrs. Anderson," he told her honestly. My mother smiled at Jennifer one more time as they walked out the door holding hands.
"Well, I say we dodged a bullet here, Dennis," Judge Herns pointed out.
"I think things will work out for them," he replied with some satisfaction.
"What did you say to her?" I asked Dennis. Suddenly he got very tense.
"The truth, Miss Anderson," he said smugly. "Well Judge, I think we should go into your office and discuss what I came here for."
The two entered into her office and closed the door. I sat down at my desk and started rifling through my paperwork, but my heart wasn't in it. All I could think about was the wall between Dennis and me now. Someone had to make the first move, and I was damned if it was going to be me. No, he was going to have to come to me this time.
Fade out...
Next episode - A twinkle in her father's eye
