Page 112 of The Pacifist
“By giving the people what they need. I already talked to Mila about how my research shows that the people want comfort, love, wealth, and adventure. We came up with a plan to show them how my dad can help them find love, but I’ve been thinking a lot about how to give them wealth and comfort.”
Jonah stopped what he was doing. “Do you need ideas?”
“No. I’ve already decided that the best way to spend the money is on the most fragile in society. The children don’t need my help, since most of them are born into families now. It’s the old Nmen that we need to target. Those are the people who are skeptical of my dad making the Northlands into a democracy, but I reckon that many of them are just lonely and worried about what the future will bring for them.”
“Old people never like change,” Christina added. “It’s the same in the Motherlands.”
“I know. Grandma Isobel can be stiff like that too.” Freya looked thoughtful. “It’s funny, you know, because I was one of the first kids to be born here in the Northlands with parents from each side of the border. Maybe that’s why I see the contrast between my parents and how they both could learn from each other. My mom needs to relax more. She’s too proper, and I agree with my dad that Motlanders have too few problems and that’s why they invent stupid ones like fussing over curse words and getting offended for no reason. It has to be a type of boredom. But then I really think the Northlands could learn from the Motherlands when it comes to caring about each other. Do you know how high the suicide rate among old Nmen is?”
Anne and Jonah shook their heads.
“Nine out of ten suicides are committed by men older than fifty.”
I knew those numbers and felt a heaviness in my chest.
“Why is that?” Jonah asked.
“Because they don’t have family and when they get old and lose their jobs, they lose their identity. They are too proud to ask for help and end up lonely and isolated. That’s why I think we should have community homes like in the Motherlands where people take care of each other.” Freya spoke fast with excitement.
“Everyone needs a sense of community and to feel like they belong. How would you feel if no one knew your name?”
“I would hate it, which is why I love your idea, Freya.”
“Thank you, Mila.” Freya gave me a wide smile. “If we build community homes, it would also be a great place for people with physical handicaps to work and live. Inclusion is something the Northlands have never been good at, but the Motherlands are experts at it. We just need to make sure the Nmen have a job. It’s a matter of pride to them.”
“What if someone is paralyzed from the neck down?” I asked.
Freya faced me head-on. “If they’re paralyzed from the neck down, they may still have the ability to speak, which means they can help combat loneliness by being friends with others.” She held up a finger like she’d just thought of something. “Or they could work as a taster for different food products.”
I loved how easy everything seemed in the mind of an eleven-year-old and even though I realized that things were rarely that uncomplicated in the real world, I chose to give her all my support. “It’s a great idea to mix old and young people.”
“I know, it’s almost like we’re creating family units for adults.” Freya swung her hand to all the boxes in the storage room. “That’s why we need to raise a lot of money to help the poorest in our society.”
Jonah crossed his arms. “I’m impressed, and you’re right about one thing. From the polls there’s clear evidence that the older and destitute voters don’t like Khan’s idea of democracy.”
“But that makes no sense,” Anne said. “Democracy is always good for the weakest in a society.”
Jonah shook his head. “They wouldn’t know, as they’ve never had it. All they hear are all the presidential candidates out on the streets talking about the things that are wrong with the way Khan rules the Northlands. The biggest audience that those candidates have right now are the poor and miserable who long for change.”
“Jonah is right.” Christina supported me while picking up a heavy box. “If Khan is to win this election, then we need to convince the old Nmen that they have the brightest future with Khan as their leader.”
“Here, let me take that.” Jonah was quick to help Christina with the heavy box.
“Freya, I’m sold on your idea.” I smacked my hands together. “Let’s do this.”
Anne chipped in, “Can I just say, that I think many of the Motlanders living here will be naturally drawn to volunteer at these community homes because it’s what we know from home. I used to work in a nursing home and if I lived here, I’d be happy to help.”
“That’s a good point.” I gave Anne a nod of recognition and then we heard a loud gasp.
“What is it?” All our eyes were on Christina, who sat squatted down in front of a box.
“This is…” Words failing her, Christina picked up an item wrapped in a sheet, with slow and careful movements.
“What is it?” I repeated.
“Wait.” Christina moved like she was carrying unstable explosives and, one slow step at a time, she moved the item in her hands to the only clear surface there was; the floor.
Jonah, Freya, Anne and I moved closer, holding our breaths to see what had Christina so excited.
