Page 146 of The Pacifist
“I fucking love my wife,” Finn said and hiccupped. “Athena should be president.” His nose wrinkled up when he realized what he had just said, and he quickly added, “In the Motherlands.”
“Athena for president,” Boulder cheered along, but then he looked to Jonah. “Shit, wait, if Athena is president then what about Jonah?”
Finn squinted his eyes. “That’s right… Jonah should be the president. Athena doesn’t have time anyway.” Elbowing Boulder he grinned. “I’m keeping her busy, you know.”
Boulder nodded and patted Finn’s shoulder. “I’m going to check up on my wife. I bet she’s missing me.”
They all followed inside and as Magni passed us, he kissed me on the cheek. “You look beautiful, Mila Vanilla.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
As soon as they were gone, Jonah and I hurried to the railing of the balcony and looked down. “Do you see them?”
“No.” The park was dark, but the area around the terrace below was lit up.
“Maybe they went to the amphitheater. We should try the other balcony.”
“Wait.” Jonah grabbed my arm and pointed to the corner of the Manor, where two people came into view. From the height difference it was clearly a man and woman and they were walking closely together.
“That has to be them.” I squinted my eyes to see better. “Yeah, it’s them.”
“I think they’re holding hands.”
“Aww.” The romantic in me couldn’t stop smiling and when Anne and Nero stopped and turned to each other, I held my breath. It was like watching a movie.
“I wish they’d come closer,” Jonah whispered and as if they had heard him, they began walking again. The sweet giggle from Anne reached us and made Jonah and me smile.
“Shhh...” Jonah placed a finger in front of his lips gesturing for us to be quiet now that Nero and Anne were within hearing distance.
“I’m serious, Anne. You could pick any single man in that room and he would fall at your feet and ask you to marry him. Why do you not believe me?”
She shook her head. “I believe you but the thought is absurd.”
“Why?”
“The only thing they like about me is the way I look. One of them even told me he thought my actions toward Jonah and my family were despicable.”
“Do you disagree?”
She was quiet for a few seconds. “No, but if you all feel that way toward me then why do you want to be around me?”
We couldn’t see their faces but Nero’s words flowed to us on the balcony. “I can’t speak for the others but I feel you spoke in ignorance in those interviews. You were condemning things you didn’t understand. I’m sure we’re guilty of doing some of that too when it comes to Motlander things that we find strange. You had never had beer before, had you?”
“Actually… I had. My accusations were more about acting out when I felt excluded and unwanted by my family. We talked about it with a mediator and I feel awful about the things I said and did.”
“Hey.” Nero moved close to her. “We’ve all said and done things we regret. If your family has forgiven you, maybe you should too.”
“I’m trying.” Anne sighed. “We’re going home tomorrow. It will give me some quiet time to meditate and reflect. Maybe then, I’ll find forgiveness for myself.”
“When are you coming back?”
“I don’t know. Now that the election is over, I’m not needed any longer.”
“Yes, you are. I need you.”
Anne gave a little laugh. “You don’t need me. You didn’t even know me until less than a week ago.”
“But now that I’ve met you, I need you.”
